Guys wear pants to work. It’s what we do. But the nature of work pants isn’t what it used to be. The rules of men’s style have changed considerably since your grandfather went to work. That can cause some confusion when you’re getting ready for your week. But there’s no need to fret. There’s one type of men’s work pants that’s appropriate in almost any work setting.

Left：DONATO NAVY TAPERED CUT LIGHTWEIGHT CHINO  /Middle：DONATO BLUE GREY TAPERED CUT LIGHTWEIGHT CHINO   /Right：DONATO BLACK TAPERED CUT LIGHTWEIGHT CHINO

“I tend to go with a chino across the board, usually a darker color, like a navy, gray, or black. That tends to be appropriate for any workplace,” said Scott Shapiro, a stylist with Taelor. “ You can dress it up or you can dress it down.”

Melissa Slavick, another Taelor stylist, says chinos have become something akin to an office uniform: acceptable nearly everywhere and more office-appropriate than the super-casual pants that guys wore during the pandemic. “Chinos have definitely made a comeback in the office, especially after the pandemic. People want to stay comfortable,” she said, noting that what was acceptable just a few years ago will get you the side eye at work today. “Joggers are a no-go for the office, but chinos are a little bit more elevated form of the jogger. They here stretch materials in a lot of the chinos now, so it's super comfortable to walk around the office in them, but you will still look polished.”

What’s the best work pants for men? It depends on where you work 

Joanna Medeiros, another Taelor stylist, says the type of job you have dictates what’s appropriate in work pants. “It definitely depends on your job. In a very casual office, you could probably wear jeans and a nice shirt. But for business casual, you're probably going to want to do chinos,” she said, “and it’s fine to wear them in different and bold colors.” (For more about business casual, read our other article “The definitive guide to business casual for men who aren’t casual about business.”)

Left：MINISTRY OF SUPPLY DEEP BLUE TAPERED CHINO PANT  /Right：JOHNSTON & MURPHY MAROON WASHED STRAIGHT LEG CHINO

On the other hand, some professions still require a degree of formality. And the best work pants are always the ones that fit the culture of your particular office. 

“You want to dress like your business,” Joanna said, citing lawyers and bankers as examples of professionals that should likely opt for something nicer than chinos. “If you are in front of clients, you’re going to want to wear dress pants. Maybe even with a nice button-up and a tie. And a blazer. Blazers or sport coats kind of go hand-in-hand with dress pants.”

Left：SELECTED HOMME NAVY BLAZER  /Middle：DONATO NAVY TAPERED CUT LIGHTWEIGHT CHINO /Right：SELECTED HOMME GREEN BLAZER

Scott says some of his clients also require work pants that are a bit nicer than chinos. “I do have some guys that I style who need something a little more formal, like a dress pant, but usually those guys will specifically ask for those things.”

Yet even in some traditionally formal industries, dress pants aren’t required today. “Even finance and banking and things like that tend to be really casual now,” he said. “But anybody who's in public relations, advertising, marketing, those kinds of things, it seems like you can wear whatever you want. But don’t show up for work in sweatpants.”

Even if chinos (or jeans) are acceptable where you work, Melissa suggests that having a few nicer pairs of pants is a wise move for ambitious office workers.

“It's good to still have dress pants in your wardrobe for those special work meetings where you want to elevate your look and you want to stand out,” she said. “Sometimes you want people to say ‘that guy actually looks pretty nice,’ particularly if you’re trying to catch the attention of your bosses and you’re trying to get that bigger, better position.”

If a promotion is what you’re seeking, and you’re open to wearing more formal pants for work, what is a wise choice in today’s world?

Left：SONS + FATHERS LIGHT BLUE TAILORED PANTS /Right：SONS + FATHERS TAN RELAXED NYLON TROUSERS

“Pleated pants are coming back, and they are for those guys who are a little bit more adventurous,” Melissa said. “But for the most part I would recommend either a slim straight or a straight fit dress pant. Nothing too, too tight. Goodbye are the days of the skinny, skinny pants.”

Styling your work pants

 

Whether your workplace calls for chinos or dress slacks, there are some rules to follow to make any pants look more work-appropriate.

First, the key to wearing chinos is to remember that they are not jeans. Chinos are meant to be worn when they are pristine. Rips and discoloration don’t make chinos look more casual. They make them look like they should be thrown away. Distressed jeans are a thing. Distressed chinos are decidedly not.

Second, dress pants can’t be matched with non-dressy items. Dress pants require shoes, not sneakers (one exception is for older men, who are granted some leeway in footwear.) Dress pants for work require nice shirts, ideally button shirts that are pressed and elegant looking. Ties aren’t in style these days, but dress slacks and a nice shirt often look best with a tie. And a well-chosen tie can add a dash of color to an otherwise too-formal pairing of slacks and a dress shirt.

Third, as always, wearing pants that don’t fit you well is always a mistake. Spend the time to learn your measurements. 

 

By Paul Conley

Taelor is a menswear rental subscription service dedicated to helping men look their best when it matters most. Our styling service, powered by a human stylist and assisted by artificial intelligence, finds the clothes that help you win – at work, on a date, at a party, or wherever you spend your time.

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