The Best Dress Pants For Men Are Sharp Yet Comfortable
Based on an expert stylist's advice, I rounded up the best dress pants for men that run the gamut ... More from business-casual to formal.
When making my selections, I considered several factors including materials, size range and color options—and I made sure to include dress pants for both formal occasions as well as more relaxed settings. My final picks were then reviewed and approved by Forbes Vetted special projects and features director Kim Peiffer. Here are the best men's dress pants, as well as helpful shopping tips from men's style director Ben Twaits, men's style director at Wardrobe Therapy in Columbus, Ohio. (If you're looking to complete your ensemble, check out our guides to the best dress shirts for men and the most comfortable dress shoes for men.)
Bonobos
Waist sizes: 28 to 54 | Inseam lengths: 28 to 36 | Fit: 6 total, including Slim and Tailored | Colors: 20 total, including Monday Blue and Friday Steel | Materials: 97% cotton, 3% elastane
Bonobos consistently impresses us with its menswear essentials, and its Weekday Warrior Dress Pants earn the top spot on this list. Made of a crisp cotton fabric blended with a hint of elastane for stretch, these sophisticated-but-not-stuffy pants are easy to style and even easier to maintain (they're machine washable). They're available in six different fits, so there's something for every taste and body type. The color selection deserves a nod as well—there are 20 shades to pick from.
Amazon
Waist sizes: 28 to 60 | Inseam lengths: 28 to 34 | Fit: Classic | Colors: 6 total, including Khaki Brown and Black | Materials: 100% polyester
Those who appreciate simplicity (and a reasonable price tag) should look to the Amazon Essentials Classic-Fit Pleated Dress Pant. With a pleated front, relaxed thigh and straight leg, these pants offer just enough room to ensure comfort. They're made of polyester, which means they're easy to launder—but it also means you won't get that same crisp, distinguished look that cotton and wool provides. But, if you're in the market for a well-made pair under $40, these fit the bill.
Lululemon
Waist sizes: 28 to 46 | Inseam lengths: 28 to 37 | Fit: Classic | Colors: 12 total, including Obsidian and Asphalt Grey | Materials: 53% elastomultiester, 47% recycled polyester
Lululemon's signature Warpstreme fabric is beloved for being smooth, stretchy and easily washable. That's why it's such a smart choice for this pair of trousers: It offers a streamlined, put-together look without any stiffness. An ergonomic gusset is built into the crotch of the pants, creating extra room to maximize comfort. While these pants come in a wide array of colors, I recommend sticking with the darker shades to keep them from reading too casual.
Todd Snyder
Waist sizes: 30 to 40 | Inseam lengths: Unhemmed | Fit: Tailored | Colors: 2 total, including Navy and Mid Grey | Materials: 100% wool
If you're looking for a pair of no-nonsense, traditional dress pants, I recommend this 100% wool pair from Ted Baker. Featuring a tailored fit, these pants are formal enough for weddings, work presentations and any other occasion where you want to look your best. Keep in mind that these pants only come in one inseam length—unhemmed—so you'll have to take them in to a tailor to achieve your perfect fit. They're also the single pair on this list that requires dry cleaning, in order to preserve the wool fabric.
Duer
Waist sizes: 28 to 40 | Inseam lengths: 30 to 32 | Fit: Relaxed taper | Colors: 5 total, including Navy and Charcoal | Materials: 60% cotton, 35% nylon, 5% spandex
While Duer is more widely known for its casual offerings, some of its pieces can be styled up for a business-casual look. Its Relaxed Taper Trouser—made from a breathable, stretchy blend of cotton, nylon and spandex—is perfect for settings where you want to look sharp, but not too polished. The cut is roomy throughout the leg, tapering subtly down to the ankle. These pants are the definition of low maintenance: You can dress them down with a t-shirt when you're off the clock, then toss them into the wash when they're ready to clean them.
Charles Tyrwhitt
Waist sizes: 30 to 44 | Inseam lengths: 30 to 38 (unhemmed) | Fit: Classic and Slim | Colors: 5 total, including Olive and Limestone | Materials: 96% cotton, 4% elastane
Charles Tyrwhitt excels in classic menswear staples, and this pair of dress pants is my top overall pick for the office. Landing right between a suit pant and a chino pant, this unique style is made from a cotton-elastane blend that offers just enough structure without feeling constricting. Available in classic and slim fits, this machine washable pair ideal for lengthy commutes and prolonged periods sitting at a desk. Its color offerings—which include lesser-seen shades like Limestone and Olive—allow you to infuse your work wardrobe with a bit of personality.
Quince
Waist sizes: 30 to 36 | Inseam lengths: 30 to 34 | Fit: Classic and Slim | Colors: 2 total, including Black and Navy | Materials: 65% recycled polyester, 30% rayon, 5% spandex
When it comes to travel clothes, it's important to prioritize comfort—who wants to sit through a long-haul flight in tight, restrictive pants? But if you have a business meeting as soon as you step off the plane, you also need a pair that looks sharp without effort. The Quince Performance Stretch Dress Pant is made from recycled polyester, rayon and spandex, offering four-way stretch and wrinkle resistance—both of which are important while traveling. They're also machine washable, so you can easily refresh them on longer trips.
At Forbes Vetted, we're dedicated to making informed recommendations for a wide range of fashion topics, with dozens of stories dedicated specifically to menswear.
To determine the best dress pants for men, I first spent several hours researching menswear brands, looking for ones that have stellar reputations and excellent customer ratings.
When shopping for men's dress pants, you should consider the overall fit, the fabric they're made of, and the colors they come in. Below, Twaits breaks down everything to look for in a high-quality pair.
When it comes to the fit of your dress pants, first consider your body type. 'For the apple-shaped man, I'd recommend a straight to slim-straight leg opening,' says Twaits. This style helps create balance and can help you appear taller. Meanwhile, rectangular body types should opt for a slim-straight to slim leg pant; Twaits recommends adding a belt to give your silhouette more shape. Athletic body types, too, should aim for a slim-straight leg, while those with a small seat should opt for a slim leg. 'A good tailor can also help take in the seat for those men that need it,' says Twaits.
For formal scenarios—think weddings or important business meetings—Twaits recommends pants made of 100% wool, like the Ted Baker Jefferson Dress Pants. If you're going for more of a business-casual look, you have a few more options. 'Wool blends, cotton dress pants, chinos and even cotton-twill five-pocket pants are all acceptable in a business-casual environment,' says Twaits. However, he warns that certain synthetic materials can make a dress pant read too casual for the workplace. 'Dress pants that have too much synthetic material such as polyester and spandex start to look too much like a golf pant. Comfortable, yes—but not recommended for the office.'
Twaits prefers darker colors for dressier occasions, including black, charcoal, and navy. 'I also think that brighter navy and blues, lighter grays, and even some taupe colored pants are also acceptable in dressy situations,' he says. Lighter shades like khaki and olive green, on the other hand, are more suitable for casual scenarios.
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