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Unlike a smart-causal blazer or some stand-out work kicks, pants can often feel like the most tedious article of clothing in the office rotation, especially ones tailored specifically for fall. Typically dressed in drab, dull colors and just as often formlessly shaped in the fit wasteland between a straight and relaxed cut, it’s hard to think of trousers as anything other than wardrobe necessities.
And that’s wrong. It’s important to demystify the work pant, because while the bar may be on the floor, a good trouser can make or break virtually any outfit. Indeed, good pants are essential to putting together a quality work ‘fit, and a desperately important counter to the current cozy-comfy inertia of the zoom uniform (i.e. hoodies and sweatshirts).
Indeed, we’ll go so far as to say trousers are the star of the autumnal office-wear show. Dressed up in sturdy cotton, warm wool or classy corduroy, and saturated with the best hues of the season — burnt terracotta, rich navy, silky chocolate, and your occasional sage or emerald (moderately hot take: green is the color of Fall 2021) — the best fall pants make the office a stylish sartorial excursion, not a schlubby one. Though it may be a hard to swallow pill for lame-o coworkers and boring bosses, we firmly encourage you to trouser to the nines this fall. We’ve selected some styles to get you started on your pant passion project, so go wild. Browse our picks for best fall office trousers below.
Uniqlo Heattech Smart 2-Way Stretch Ankle-length Pants
Uniqlo’s patented heattech technology is the perfect buffer for crisp fall days, and with a sharp look about them, they’re sure to be a hit.
COS Wide Leg Pant
Look, sometimes you just need to relax. COS takes comfortable office attire to a whole other level with their wide-leg pant. Dressy enough to match with a button-up or blazer and wide enough to give you the room you deserve, these trousers are wicked good.
Twillory Performance Pant
If you want to talk performance, it only feels right to include the performance pant by Twillory in the obligatory “best of…” conversation.
Alex Mill Standard Pleated Corduroy Pant
Nothing says autumn quite like corduroy, which is why Alex Mill’s rugged pleated trousers is one of our favorite pants of the season. Perfectly textured with rich chocolate corduroy, the attention to detail is what makes these pants the perfect ones for showing off at the office.
Officine Generale Oswald Pants
These Office Generale pants don’t require you to wear a belt, which is good for endless style points.
Flint and Tinder Lightweight Stretch Chinos
Lightweight, stretchy and durable, these Flint and Tinder chinos are some of the best office pants we could find. Sure, they’re not flashy, but at the end of the day, these pants get the job done.
Theory Mayer Stretch Wool Pant
Are you perhaps a distinguished gentleman? Did the phrase “distinguished gentleman” make you want to be a distinguished gentleman? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then the handsome Mayer pant from Theory is right up your alley.
Paul Smith Pleated Cotton-Cashmere Corduroy Pants
“Corduroy goes luxe” is the only way we can think to describe this Paul Smith gem, and boy, do we like the sound of it. Tailored from a heavenly blend of cotton-cashmere and rendered in luxurious corduroy fashion, these trousers are the holy grails of hot office fall.
Wallace & Barnes Pleated Suit Pant in Wool-Cotton
J. Crew subbrand Wallace and Barnes came to play this season, with perfect tonals for fall, including this pleated suit pant. What’s more, the trouser is crafted out of a solid wool-cotton, meaning it’ll stand up to inclement weather with stylish aplomb.
Noah Single-Pleat Trouser
Haven’t you heard? NYC-based Noah doesn’t just make the hottest streetwear around — they make great work pants. The single pleat trouser is a masterclass in office style taking cues from modern dressing; a relaxed but intentional cut, a beautiful green hue and a big-ass pleat.
Everlane The Italian Wool Trouser
Everlane’s mission to outfit the modern man without breaking the bank has always been admirable, and it often produces excellent products, like these Italian wool trousers. Heavy and suave at a can’t-baet price, these office pants are the real deal.
Freemans Sporting Club FSC Chino
Freemans Sporting Club really cares — that much is immediately evident. How do we know? Well, look at the FSC chino. Cut from mid-weight cotton, peppered with small and intricate details, and easy on the eyes.
L.L. Bean Strech Country Corduroy Pant
As the great William Shakespeare once said, “Fall, thy name is L.L. Bean.” After all, between their boots, flannels and, most importantly, corduroy, the Maine-based heritage brand has a real chokehold on the season, and we’re perfectly happy with this autumn knockout of a pant.
Sid Mashburn Garment-Dyed Cotton-Corduroy Trousers
Master tailor Sid Mashburn’s take on corduroy is sure to jet direct from the designers home base in the ATL to your FWR (Fall Work Rotation). An enchanting shade of deep green, these bad boys are the perfect “I let my outfit do the talking” pants.
Todd Synder Italian Gurkha Trouser
The Gurkha has always been an under-appreciated style, and Todd Snyder is clearly trying to change that with his fall edition of the military-inspired bottom. Woven from a pinstripe Italian wool and fastened via the built-in waste fabric, these should be the coolest pants you own, for work or otherwise.
Ministry of Supply Velocity Houndstooth Pants
Ministry of Supply designed an office pant that can go the distance and look good doing it. Their Velocity style, dressed up in houndstooth, features brilliant texturing, a tab closure and lots of stretch for uninhibited office-chair sitting.
We've put in the work researching, reviewing and rounding up all the shirts, jackets, shoes and accessories you'll need this season, whether it's for yourself or for gifting purposes. Sign up here for weekly style inspo direct to your inbox.