Let’s Find This Reader Work Pants!
“I just got my dream librarian job,” wrote Valerie, a Cup of Jo reader. “I need some pants (not jeans!) that I can move around in — squatting, bending, sitting on the floor. Any ideas?” Yes! First, Valerie, congratulations! Librarians make the word go round, now more than ever, and they’re lucky to have you. Here are a few options to wear among the stacks (and I’m sure the comments will have good recs, too)…
Above is Madewell’s patch-pocket pair. Brown is a big color this fall and would be ideal for work, since, as Magnetic Fields frontman Stephin Merritt once told me in an interview, “Brown shows absolutely nothing. You’d have to spill some fuchsia paint.”
There’s also Alex Mill’s herringbone pair, which I personally wear non-stop (including at Erika’s book event last week). The utility pockets are so good.
Old Navy’s uniform pants look chic with a button-down.
And these cuffed hems are sooooo cute. Audrey Hepburn vibes.
Everlane’s cotton pants have an easy, not-quite-barrel shape, and I like when pants come in colors that make an outfit pop.
These tailored ones are also wrinkle resistant and come in six colors.
Digging this wide-leg pair with camp pockets! Love the olive green.
Finally, you could also try black jeans, which feel dressier than blue.
Thoughts? What pants would you recommend? I also love this belted pair, and did you notice that almost all the outfits above are styled with ballet flats? It’s such a thing!
P.S. Readers share their gorgeous gardens and what they love about their looks.
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Tags: reader shopping
Comments
98 commentsI absolutely love these pants from Quince — feel like sweatpants but they’re so flowy and chic, I think they look great for work: https://www.quince.com/women/ultra-stretch-ponte-super-wide-leg-pant-petite-30-inseam?color=black&gender=women&tracker=collection_page__%2Fwomen%2Fpants__All+Products__89&size=m
Okay pleeease advise what kind of shoes we wear with these pants? Especially in cool weather! I love a clog or a Redwing Clara boot but feel too heavy in a trouser…
I work in museums which is a related industry (GLAM sector!). A lot of these pants hit the mark, but I would recommend elevating with a more formal shoe and a blouse or jacket on top. I would also not suggest jeans. Business casual is a good default. You don’t want the focus to be on your outfit (good or bad). The focus should be on your professionalism and the job you’re doing. Good luck!
I swear by the Outdoor Voices Rectrek pants. They are a little on the casual end but I wore them to work at an elementary school all the time. I have these in black https://www.outdoorvoices.com/products/w-rectrek-pant-balsam and these https://www.outdoorvoices.com/products/w-rectrek-cropped-wide-leg-pant-tea-tree in green. They are expensive but 100% worth it to me. I wear them at least once a week. For me personally, the lower waist is more comfortable, but the wide leg high waisted ones look a bit nicer/more professional, I think.
Congratulations, Valerie!!!
I just went through the new pants phase—no shame in updating our clothes to fit our changing bodies, am I right?! After several trials, my two favorites are both from Uniqlo. I’m loving the Culottes (not the nylon ones) in brown, and the Barrel Jeans in black. Happy pant shopping!
I have been digging through the style posts because I am going to NYC this winter to see a show and am having fun putting outfits together to “look NY”. This trip is so different from my day-to-day life. No kids, staying up late, going to museums and bookstores! I just love the opportunity to dress a little different too. What do people wear to visit the city?!
I hope you have the best time!!!
Pleeease let me turn everyone onto the Uniqlo cotton relaxed ankle pants! They feel like pajamas but look like chinos and they’re on sale right now for $30!
I want to gatekeep so they never sell out, but I will not! The Everlane Everywhere pant in 100% cotton is SUCH a flattering pleated barrel cut reminiscent of what the chic girls in Japan wore when I taught abroad.
I just want to say CONGRATULATIONS VALERIE!!! While I am not familiar with library sciences I sense the long road there was to get to this dream job. So so happy for you. Hope you skip to work in these pants for a long time to come!
JUST got these pants and I love them so much. https://www.macys.com/shop/product/i.n.c.-international-concepts-womens-high-rise-wide-leg-pants-p-xxs-xl-macys-exclusive?ID=24386335&swatchColor=Deep%20Black They’re long enough that a cute pair of sneakers just peek out, and they have pockets and they are very flattering and drape nicely and . . . xox
love to hear the comments from everyone here, can we have a section to hear best gifts we received? Stealing ideas to plan for Christmas gifts :D
Great idea. Always looking for unique gifts to give others.
Public librarian here! I looove the Uniqlo Jersey Barrel Pants. They have the added benefit of being affordable for librarians. I will add that the Birkenstock Tokios (bostons but with a heel strap) and Blundstones are fantastic library shoes
I highly recommend The Voila Pants from AYR. They are black silk with an elastic waistband and can be dressed up or down. They are my favorite travel pant, and would be perfect for the new librarian who wants comfortable but dressy pants. Also–sending love to all the librarians out there–the library was my favorite third place as a kid and is now a favorite spot for my kiddo too. : )
My greatest (more affordable) hits come from JCrew Factory, Loft and Ann Taylor. But in general, I’d look for ponte fabric. Comfortable, forgiving, and holds up well. Congrats!
Not sure if anyone suggested them yet but DOVETAIL pants are the bomb. Very badass and moveable and sturdy. But somehow look nicer than just a pair of jeans. And they are so comfortable. https://dovetailworkwear.com/collections/pants
Duluth has similar vibes to Dovetail! And everything feels like an actual human woman (!!) stress tested the clothes and gave feedback before production.
Ah yes, Dovetail. My fellow queers and I refer to their website as “Grindr for lesbians”. Plus they make a great pair of pants.
An investment piece but you will thank yourself for the elastic waist. I’m on my second pair and I haven’t looked back. https://www.theory.com/women/pants/treeca-pull-on-pant-in-admiral-crepe/K0109203_VFO.html
ARKET have some great barrel trousers! Really comfortable and easy to move around in!
The Abercrombie Sloan wide leg pant is an extremely comfortable high-rise trouser. Good length, washes well, tons of colors, goes on sale all the time. I wear it with a cute t-shirt on casual fridays and with a blouse for regular professional days. This is an error-proof pant IMO.
Karen Kane makes a bunch of awesome work pants in black. I have multiple styles from the past several years. Most importantly, they don’t wrinkle!
I’m really glad to see brands like Old Navy here. I feel like often the clothes on here are deeply unattainable for the average shopper (every time I see Sezane or Doen on here I cry a little because it’s so expensive!) and, as a librarian myself, librarians aren’t exactly flush with cash usually!
I also have the athleta high rise endless pant, and had no problem finding them second hand on poshmark for way less than they cost new. I also have several different styles of Ponte pants from loft, both wide leg and straight leg, that are very comfy but look like work pants
2nd on the endless pants! They are so comfy!
Gauze pants from Target. Super airy, comfy, and low maintenance.
I’m obsessed with my Artizia Effortless pants. They’re a wide trouser that lean more classic than trendy (though they do make an extra wide style too), they’re made of a beautiful crepe material. They’re incredibly comfortable, they wash really easily (I defy the wash instructions by tumble drying and they come out basically wrinkle free), they don’t wrinkle through the day, and they go with everything. I wear mine with a blazer when I need to be more formal and I’ve even worn it for air travel with a tshirt and chambray shirt. Honestly they are so versatile!
i love my Effortless pants. AND they come in Tall where the rise is adjusted, not just the leg length. A dream. I machine wash and hang dry and they do not wrinkle.
What I wear to work are no longer available everlane work pants. You can find 100s of pairs on thredup and poshmark. Thredup lists them as active pants—94% cotton 6% elastase. No pockets which is a bummer, but look great and super comfortable. Generally available for $7 to $10 in excellent condition.
Depending on how flexible your wardrobe is, overalls in non-denim might be great? They’re my de-facto hanging-with-kids pants because you can move around, etc. so easily. https://www.quince.com/women/organic-stretch-cotton-twill-overalls?irclickid=RivznXy7zxycThq06y1uKQUbUkp3QPX3UXRL3Q0&irgwc=1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=impact&ircid=21926&irpid=249354&iradid=1835359&irgroupname=content_tier_1&mp_value2=&sharedid=&subid=&color=black
Also, not cheap and made to order (not quick) but Elizabeth Suzann. I don’t work for Liz, I promise. I just love her clothing. It’s well made and lasts FOREVER!
BAM pants from AYR. They even have two small buttons to adjust the waist for a more fitted look. Just like baby clothes in the best possible way. The only pair of pants I want to wear anymore. And these are petite friendly!
I have the cuffed Sezane pants and while I love them, comfortable is certainly not the first association I have with them.
I have a pair of asana straight pants from Swedish Ninepine – they look like proper black office pants, but they feel like leggings. Super stretchy. I wear mine several times a week.
Assembly Label Olivia pants. They are amazing and I always get people asking where they’re from. Perfect comfy wide leg but neat waist. I have black and olive.
The Kallie pants from J crew factory are great – reasonable price and super comfortable.
I don’t wear pants but these comments are making me question that life choice… you all are selling it! I wear leggings (thin or thick depending on the weather; I like the ones from wool& ) and dresses, usually knee length or maxi. And a cardigan when it’s cold or occasionally a silky scarf or a lab coat. If I can do yoga in it I know it’s a good fabric/fit for me.
They are a big splurge for sure, but the Faye wide-legged ponte pants from Ann Mashburn are worth their weight in gold. On a cost-per-wear basis, they are the cheapest thing in my closet, because I have worn them at least twice per week for more than three years, and they look exactly the same as the day I bought them. https://shopmashburn.com/collections/ann-mashburn-pants/products/ann-mashburn-faye-wide-leg-cropped-pant-black-ponte-knit-s55744
I second this recommendation, these pants are total workhorses and super versatile- lots of fabric and color options each season too. If you are long-legged like me you may want to order one size up. They are stretch ponte so being a size larger than I normally wear just means that they sit more on my hips that right at the waist and allows the hem to hit me in the right spot.
ooh! how high waisted are they?
Nadia, not high waisted. They are definitely mid-rise.
Banana republic Sloane pants!
These wide leg high rise jeans from old navy are my go to professional pant these days. They have some stretch and a higher waist so I can follow kids around without having to worry about my bum showing. They come in every wash and I have four pairs!! https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=732609002&vid=1&tid=onpl000089&kwid=1&ap=7&ds_agid=20326297585-&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20326314430&gbraid=0AAAAAD_AT8sJuTgFENDEWeQEQWth_yjh8&gclid=CjwKCAjw_-3GBhAYEiwAjh9fUOK1uurDP7f3XAw_xHEVpduGx0Za1Wju0Fmtdep7QaWrCTjEEukNQRoCC5AQAvD_BwE#pdp-page-content
Congrats! I was looking for tweedy-esque pants myself this fall but need them comfy and machine washable.Two recs: 1) Uniqlo brushed jersey wide pants are very soft but have pintucks in the front and look like wool pants, also have huge front pockets, and only down side for me is a bit wide in the hips: https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/products/E479284-000/00?colorDisplayCode=31&sizeDisplayCode=003 and 2) Nordstrom in-house brand Wit and Wisdom has very stretchy waistbands for jeans and pants but smaller front pockets than Uniqlo. I just got these but there’s low stock (size down 1-2 sizes) https://www.nordstrom.com/s/wit-and-wisdom-whitney-skyrise-wide-leg-pants-regular-petite/8445543?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FAll%20Results&color=215 but I think these dark plaid pants look very librarian https://www.nordstrom.com/s/whitney-skyrise-plaid-wide-leg-pants/8424264. Good luck with your new job!
CoJ, did you make a pun on purpose??? “Librarians make the ‘word’ go round?”
I not so secretly hope she did it on purpose! So on the nose.
Land’s End has some fantastic pants. These are so cozy, and the plaid is particularly library-esque: https://www.landsend.com/products/womens-brushed-flannel-high-rise-pleated-wide-leg-pants/id_391210?attributes=41808,44967
I recommend Spanx trousers! They’re stretchy with a lot of give, not just in the waist area, and they have thick fabric—perfect for working in places with lots of air conditioning! Brrrr.
Lululemon softsstreme. They look like dress pants and feel like sweatpants. They are great! https://shop.lululemon.com/en-ca/p/women-pants/Softstreme-Pintuck-MR-Pant-Regular/_/prod11750308?color=71150
The Pinnacle Trouser from Athleta! Size inclusive, stretchy, and looks professional. I also have the Venice Wide Leg pants which are amazing.
Came here to say this! Athleta’s barrel and skyline pants are great too.
I have two pairs of their Endless High Rise Pant, and love them! Good thick fabric that doesn’t wrinkle, and an elastic waistband (similar to leggings). They’re so comfortable and look totally professional. They’re a bit pricey, but they have big sales a few times a year.
Welcome to the library-hood! I’m so glad you asked this question; I’m an auxiliary library tech which means I get called in to all 21 branches in our city to work the Info desk. A day could be anything from offering a children’s program, packing book boxes for community groups, to supporting a community event outdoors, to regular ol’ sitting at the desk chatting with patrons. I bike to work and pants that are comfy to ride in/comfy to sit or crawl in and look cute are the holy grail.
I bike or walk 2 miles to work in these and a tank, throw on a jacket or button down when I arrive. No one has commented on them being too casual. https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=484662012&vid=1&pcid=5508&cid=5508#pdp-page-content
I would love to see if anyone has reasonable top recommendations to add to the school uniform ;)
This post is so practical and helpful for those of us in education always looking for comfy clothes and shoes. I am loving all the comments with suggestions. Thank you for posting on your site.
Librarian here… jumpsuits! They have good pockets, funky patterns and customers love them for some reason. Plus if you’re going to be doing children’s programs these are great for hiding your butt/cleavage and giving room to dance about. I’ve got a few from this shop https://www.frockmeout.com.au/collections/new-arrivals/products/tango-freestyler-jumpsuit
I work in a school and have to get down on the floor with kids a lot. I splurged on Athleta’s Endless High Rise Pant and love them. They look dressy but have an elastic waistband and great stretch.
I love Eileen fisher silk pants! I find them on poshmark and they are so comfy and so chic.
Elementary chool librarian here – dark finish jeans, Harry Potter/Reading Rainbow/All the Cool Kids Are Reading tee, and sneakers. And most importantly, the lab coat of librarianship – a cardigan.
Uniqlo jersey barrel pants are FANTASTIC. Think elevated Dickies in the best way. Great with all shoes. I am a high school assistant principal, we can’t wear jeans either and all the male administrators are in ties, so I wear these with heels, clogs, you name it. Then throw them on with Birks after school.
I’ll start with the caveat that they are in no way affordable, but I am OBSESSED with everything I have ever bought from TOAST. It’s always comfy (they really lean into the oversized style so no tight waistbands), well-made, and I feel like the coolest kind of college professor/sexy librarian (in an oversized cardigan and cute glasses kind of way) when I wear them. I don’t have the words to sufficiently articulate how much I love them!
Big Bud Press! Their work pants are perfect for squatting, running around, moving freely, and they look great.
I am smack in between sizes (according to their size chart). Any suggestion on whether I should choose the larger or smaller size?
I had the same issue and sized down. I bought both though and they were friendly with my return.
I’ve had good luck with pants (and other work clothes) from Boden. It helps to keep an eye out for their sales — at full price, they are a bit too spendy for my typical clothing budget but I have snagged some really great stuff on sale, and it is all machine washable and lasts forever.
Love Boden, and also find the quality very good, and the sales are the way to go.
I will add that my all time favorite pair of jeans come from Boden. I snagged them on clearance, marked down from around $130 to $45.
Uniqlo has great options! The jersey barrel pants and cotton relaxed ankle pants are good. They even do free alterations in store!
I’m a teacher and I also need pants that allow me to move, crouch down, sit on the floor, etc. I highly recommend ponte pants! They look like regular pants but feel like leggings. I have these: https://www.target.com/p/women-s-high-rise-cropped-pants-a-new-day/-/A-94663303?preselect=94643714#lnk=sametab All the Banana Republic Factory ponte pants are great too: https://bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com/browse/women/pants/ponte-pants?cid=1045335&style=3048306#style=3048306
Hi! Congrats on your new job! My favorite pants that are work appropriate and also flexible/comfy/etc. are the Chico’s Brigette Pants. https://www.chicos.com/store/category/brigitte-collection/cat14929324
I’m sure others have mentioned because they have a cult following, but the Everlane Utility Barrel Pants are insanely comfortable. I don’t know what it is but I’ve never found such comfy pants! Lots of colors, great for all the movement while still looking put together. I like their Easy Barrel Pant for warmer weather too (wearing them right now!) https://www.everlane.com/products/womens-utility-arc-pant-organic-black
Truly no pants beat Ruti’s On the Loose Work Pants–can be dressed up or down, stretchy like sweatpants, hold up like a dream in the wash. Pricey, but worth it https://ruti.com/products/the-on-the-loose-work-pants-black
Recently bought Le Bon Shoope’s Arc Pants in black and white gingham and they are great! I wanted an elastic waste being postpartum, and similarly I needed a comfortable work pant to take me from the office to daycare pickups where I’m squatting/lugging around a toddler and an infant in and out of the car, etc. good luck!!
can’t believe I didn’t include these on the list! they are so good!!!
I knew I couldn’t be the only one to mention these. I bought 3 pair postpartum as well for that sweet elastic waist, but they still look put together and they’re excellent quality.
The Colette pant from Anthropologie / Maeve!! Soooo comfy and so many options – square pockets, scallop pockets, cotton, corduroy, velvet, cropped, long, etc. This link is just to one version! https://www.anthropologie.com/en-ca/shop/the-colette-knit-crop-wide-leg-pants-by-maeve4
Strongly second the Colette pant!
Agree! So comfortable, fit well without being too clingy, they look professional but still cool.
Came here to say Colette!
Also came here to make sure someone had said the Colette pant! They come in every fabric and every color and so many cute patterns! You could try out Nuuly or another rental service for a few months to play with styles before you commit!
In our friend group, we call the Colettes the “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Pants.” They look good on EVERYONE, are comfortable, can be dressed up and down, look super classic. I rent them through nuuly almost every single month in different fabrics and colors, but have bought a few through the years and I reach for them CONSTANTLY.
https://www.jjill.com/product/we-double-face-jersey-knit-trousers?color=94T I’m a fan of jjill for style and comfort. Congrats on the new job!
These are excellent! the Wearever Smooth-Fit Classic Slim-Leg Pants are my favorite. I wore them constantly when I was teaching-they wear like iron, wash well, always look great and feel like pj’s Congrats on the dream job! https://www.jjill.com/product/we-smooth-fit-classic-slim-leg-pants?color=780&searchTerm=slim%20pants
I wear Everlane’s dream pant to my office job and have enjoyed the comfy elastic waistband and heavier fabric that reads dressier than jeans. Their prices have gone up a lot but they do have sales so you can avoid some sticker shock. I’m also looking for more comfy work pants and am loving the suggestions here. I just had a very unfun pants shopping experience last week and felt so out of touch with what’s out there vs what looks good on my now middle aged post kid bod that I was about ready to give up trying.
I am surprised to see the Dream Pant on this list. I have two pairs (different sizes XS and S) and both feel constricting and oddly portioned. I never wear them. Though this could be because I am a petite. :(
I have been training for this comment section my whole career. I am a theater professor and vocal coach. I need clothes in which I can literally teach yoga then go to a faculty meeting. (I also commute by bike and wear a tall inseam.) Here are my workhorse pants that do both: Everlane Dream pant: https://www.everlane.com/products/womens-dream-pant-kalamata Pointsur wide leg (Madewell Emmett and Anthro Collette also fit the bill) https://www.ebay.com/itm/405899912304 Athleta Retreat linen https://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=851038132&vid=1&tid=atpl000084&kwid=1&ap=7&ds_agid=22304696784-&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22304698785&gbraid=0AAAAAD_AT8vtvVGmO6xZGsnpAKrSsHWoL&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8p7GBhCjARIsAEhghZ3_F5LWNYtAJkCB1s0z4kpE3p1E6rvohetxs_hGrPWlAX-1Bo92LBMaAgSoEALw_wcB#pdp-page-content Beyond Yoga Midi Jogger (not really long enough for tall gals but black looks like trousers) https://beyondyoga.com/products/spacedye-midi-jogger-darkest-night-sd1153 Madewell Harlow Wide Leg https://www.thredup.com/featured/203705717
I’m a pediatrician so also need professional pants that I can bend in (so I can examine a toddler as they are running away from me!). I like Lululemon, Athleta, corduroys from Old Navy. But recently I have noticed it’s been so hard for to find FULL LENGTH pants for women, everything is cropped at the ankle! Why do brands think we want exposed ankles all the time?? Not ideal in the NYC winter and fall! I will be purchasing the Madewell pair for sure. Finally full length women’s pants!
Yes, I’ve been running into this as well. I like ankle pants, but I don’t understand why they are the predominant option, especially as we head into the cold months. I like warm ankles!
I had just about given up trying to find pants that fit me well. I am not model thin, and have more curves and a less conventional shape than when I was younger, and am also picky about fabric. On impulse I bought a pair of the High Hopes Pants from AYR. They are pricey, but I was a little desperate, and people rave about them. More than I have ever spent for a pair of pants though, and I was feeling unsettled about that. I decided I would just send them back. But when I tried them on I thought oh this cannot be happening, hallelujah, these feel amazing, fabric is luscious, and they fit like a dream. I will wear them forever. Sharing for anyone who may be in the same boat.
I could not agree more! I am three months post partum and bought the AYR High Hopes and now I think they may be the only pants I ever wear now? I’ve tried lots of Ponte pant options and these are the only ones that don’t feel and look like yoga pants.
Express’s comfortable, flowy “editor pant”! They always look nice, and you just throw them in the wash. I wore the same gray pair for ten? fifteen? years. (Now post three kids, I probably couldn’t fit one leg in, much less two, but the point is–pants that lasted fifteen years!) That I am, in fact, an editor was the icing on top. Maybe there is a “librarian pant” out there somewhere!
Congratulations on landing your dream job! I’ve been wearing the ponte pants in various lengths and styles from J.Jill and I like them a lot. They’re really comfortable and versatile. For slightly dressier options, I like Uniqlo’s Smart Ankle Pants and Smart Wide Pants. I’ve been eyeing the Mollusk and Big Bud Press, too, since they often get mentioned here!
This pair of Levi’s linen blend pants have been my uniform since I bought them in April. Soooo soft, so sleek, so comfortable. The wide leg is incredibly flattering. I’m literally wearing them right now! https://www.levi.com/US/en_US/clothing/women/pants/xl-baggy-straight-linen-blend-womens-pants/p/A87010016
Photographer here, and my all time favorites for working and looking professional are from Uniqlo. Mine are a couple of years old, but these are similar: https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/products/E480752-000/00?colorDisplayCode=08&sizeDisplayCode=003
Quince is also a great option – they have a great Organic Stretch Cotton Chino cropped (wide leg) and a French Terry (also wide leg) that look great. And a more luxurious pant that looks amazing is by AYR (The High Hopes or The Brava) – they look refined and polished but super comfortable! Also – check out ThreadUp online too for some great pieces at good prices.