Everyone needs a great pair of dress pants, whether you regularly report to an office, or need something nice for more formal settings. The best dress pants for men—including our top pick from Bonobos—prioritize style, comfort and practicality while also blending seamlessly into your existing wardrobe. After researching many different fits, styles and fabrics, our advice is to invest in the classics that you’ll reach for most often, and ideally, don’t require dry cleaning. Below, you’ll find all of the best men’s dress pants to fit every occasion.
Sizes: 28 to 54W, 28 to 36L | Colors: 18 total | Materials: 97% cotton, 3% elastane
What’s notable: This pair is wrinkle-resistant and machine washable and comes in many colors.
What could be better: Some say the sizing can be inconsistent.
Bonobos really excels in the dress pants field, and their Stretch Weekday Warrior Dress Pant strikes the right balance between dressy and smart-casual. With a huge size range and five fits from slim to athletic—plus an embroidery detail in the waistband—building your weekday wardrobe around these easy-to-care-for pants is simple.
What the reviews say: Many say that fit is a standout feature of these pants, with one reviewer commenting, “I almost always have to get my pants tailored, but the fit selection was perfect. These are great for today’s office style—a slightly casual dress pant.” Another person says “they also don’t wrinkle easily.” One reviewer, however, noted the “fabric is slightly itchy on legs.”
Sizes: 28 to 46W, 28 to 37L | Colors: 14 total | Materials: Body: 53% elastomultiester, 47% recycled polyester; pocket lining 100% recycled polyester
What’s notable: These come in a wide selection of wearable neutral colors and five different lengths.
What could be better: Some say the waist and length sizing varies.
Lululemon takes the everyday work pant to the next level of comfort. The ABC Classic-Fit Trouser is breathable and made from the brand’s signature shape-retaining Warpstreme fabric, which has a unique, stretchy knit that feels smooth and light in hot weather. Other smart details include snap buttons on the back pockets to prevent gaping and an ergonomic gusset to provide a little extra room for movement and flexibility.
What the reviews say: People rave about this pant’s construction, saying they’re “the most comfortable and professional slacks I’ve ever worn” and they “offer the perfect fusion of comfort, style, and durability. However, one reviewer commented that after washing they “shrank considerably,” while another didn’t love that there seemed to be “a recurring defect in the belt loop that led to frequent tearing.”
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Sizes: 28 to 38W, 30 to 34L | Colors: 3 total | Materials: 97% wool, 3% elastane
What’s notable: The subtle hint of stretch in this pant makes it stylish and comfortable, and it retains its structure well.
What could be better: If you need a longer 35- or 36-inch inseam, this pair won’t work for you.
Todd Snyder is known for classic-yet-modern styling, and this pant checks all the boxes. The fabric has a soft hand feel, it’s got the slightest bit of stretch and its weight is versatile for most seasons. This pant is also stylish and modern without being overly trendy: It has a flat front with a moderate rise—not too low and not too high—and the tailored fit falls straight through the hip and then tapers.
What the reviews say: This style is praised for its overall quality and fit, with reviewers saying “the wool is lightweight and suitable for year-round wear in most climates,” the pants “fit perfectly and are gorgeous,” and they are “flawless in my opinion.” One reviewer says these run longer than the length indicated on the tag, however.
J.Crew Ludlow Slim-Fit Unstructured Suit Pant In Irish Cotton-Linen Blend
Sizes: 28 to 38W, 30 to 34L | Colors: 6 total | Materials: 72% cotton, 28% linen
What’s notable: The Ludlow is a top-rated, well-fitting pant that accommodates a variety of body types well.
What could be better: The pant is only partially lined, which can make them potentially see-through in lighter colors, like white.
A contender for your summer dress pants wardrobe, this flat-fronted pant has the easy nonchalance of linen with a dressed up construction and slim fit. Wear this pair to the office, summer cocktail parties or an outdoor wedding with the suit jacket.
What the reviews say: There aren’t a lot of negatives with this pant, according to reviewers. One says they’re “lightweight, breathable, and comfortable. Perfect for spring and summer events,” while another says “they have the cool look and feel of the linen but less wrinkles.” One person, however, says you may have to size up for a perfect fit.
Sizes: 30 to 44W, 30 to 38L (unhemmed) | Colors: 4 total | Materials: 100% super 100s wool
What’s notable: This pant comes in both a classic and slim fit, and you can also get it custom hemmed for $18.
What could be better: If you have athletic legs, these may be too tight through the thigh.
Sometimes you need a pant that you can wear with loafers or Chelsea boots, and sometimes you want a trouser you can wear with lace-ups and a suit jacket. Enter this pant, which features classic styling and enough polish for the boardroom or a wedding. This flat front style has the slightest sheen—which makes it dressy but not overly so—and a soft feel to keep you comfortable no matter what the venue.
What the reviews say: Overall, this pant is highly rated and praised for its construction and wearability. One person comments that “the pants were not tight or hard to move in and look fantastic” and another says they’re an “excellent quality and great fit.” One reviewer notes that the sizing varies, though.
Sizes: 28 to 42W, 28 to 36L | Colors: 12 total (additional made-to-order colors also available) | Materials: 56% nylon, 37% cotton, 7% spandex
What’s notable: This pant is moisture-wicking, lightweight and machine washable, which makes them easy to care for, since you don’t have to spend money on dry cleaning.
What could be better: The fabric can be clingy if you’re wearing a size that’s slightly too small, and the taper can be a bit much for some.
Think of these as a dress pant with the elasticity of a sweatpant. Cut from a four-way stretch performance blend, State & Liberty’s suit pants are for athletic guys who may need a bit of extra room through the seat and thighs. This pant is dressy enough for the office, but it can also transition to the golf course on a half-day summer Friday.
What the reviews say: Comfort is a key hallmark of this pant. One person says, “great pants, very comfortable,” and another calls them, “stretchy, comfortable and business casual.” They run a bit small, according to some, so take that into consideration when sizing.
Sizes: 28 to 38W | Colors: 4 total | Materials: 60% wool, 38% polyester, 2% elastane
What’s notable: The fabric is a durable, breathable Japanese wool-blend fabric that’s brushed to make it extra soft.
What could be better: These aren’t sized by length, although the inseam is longer as waist size gets bigger. Some also say the weight of this pant makes them best for winter months.
Wills’ Stretch Wool Trouser is casual but has a great range—meaning, you can wear it for laidback hangouts and to dinner on weekends, but you can also dress it up with a blazer when necessary. It features two on-seam pockets and two welt back pockets with button closures, and the legs are lined in front down to the knees for wearability and durability.
What the reviews say: These pants have a nice feel and they are praised as an office workhorse, with reviewers saying the “pants felt amazing and very comfortable to wear” and that they’re “the perfect office pants.” But, these may not work for athletic builds: “Ended up returning because they were too tailored/tight for me in the thighs,” says one reviewer.
Sizes: 28 to 40W, 26 to 36L | Colors: 11 total | Materials: Flex-knit performance fabric
What’s notable: This style comes in four fits—classic, slim, skinny or five-pocket.
What could be better: Some would like a button closure rather than a snap at the waist.
For days when you want pants with flexibility but still need to look pulled together, Rhone’s Commuter Pant gets you where you need to go in comfort and in style. This pair is low maintenance—it’s both wrinkle-resistant and machine-washable—and comes in a variety of wearable colors for the office or dressed-up events.
What the experts say: Versatility is a huge positive for this pair, with users saying they’re “great for travel and looking professional on the go” and they have “just the right amount of stretch to allow comfortable movement” and “the length options are also a major plus.” However, one person says “the rise was too short” while some others comment the waist sizing seems inconsistent.
Sizes: 28 to 42W, 28 to 34L | Colors: 3 total | Materials: 63% polyester, 33% viscose, 4% other fibers
What’s notable: The slim fit through the thigh with a tapered leg is modern and polished.
What could be better: While the fabric is lightweight, some preferred it to be thicker.
This style is a top pick for affordability since it’s cut from a viscose polyester blend that’s wrinkle-resistant and machine-washable. Other style details include a hook and bar front closure with an interior button, front slant pockets and button-through back pockets.
What the reviews say: Several reviewers comment that these are a high-quality pant for the price that wears well over time. People like that they’re “comfortable with just enough stretch and are wrinkle-free” and have “very nice tailoring.” Some say there is “inconsistency in waist size and pant length,” though, and are not a fan of the fabric, saying “the material seemed kinda cheap.”
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, we’re experts on men’s fashion; we’ve made thoughtful recommendations on everything from men’s dress shirts to golf polos. Each one of our shopping guides is thoroughly researched and carefully curated to ensure you have access to the best picks in every category. This particular story was written by deputy editor Kari Molvar, our in-house style expert who holds a certificate in fashion styling from the Business of Fashion.
We regularly update our articles to make sure that all prices and product information is current; we also re-evaluate our selections for quality and value. This story was most recently updated in April 2024.
How We Chose The Best Dress Pants For Men
When choosing the best dress pants for men, we sought out bestselling styles from brands with stellar reputations for creating high-quality clothing. Since “dressy” can mean something different to everyone, we considered specs such as material and fit to ensure our selections—from a comfortable and stretchy pair from Rhone to sleek Todd Snyder trousers—covered a wide range of professional needs. Price, too, was taken into account; there are wallet-friendly options you can stock up on as well as higher-end pieces that will last you for years to come. Finally, we read independent customer reviews for key takeaways and insights on each pair of dress pants.
What To Consider When Buying Men’s Dress Pants
Where You’ll Be Wearing Them
Many people consider dress pants to be something formal, while others think of them as anything other than sweats. First, consider your audience. If you need a corporate office dress pant—for instance, you work in a law firm or in banking—or you need a pair to wear to a formal dinner or special occasion, for got something sleek, like Bonobos Stretch Weekday Warrior Work Pants or Charles Tyrwhitt’s Natural Stretch Twill Suit Pants. If you have a slightly more casual office (or you need a nice looking pant you can wear on summer Fridays to work), an option like Lululemon’s ABC Classic-Fit Trouser can be ideal.
Fabric
In general, a wool pant is dressier than cotton chinos, which are more casual. Depending on the construction, polyester performance blends can drape well but have the feel of a relaxed pant because of the stretch. Wool typically requires dry cleaning, which is a pain to some; alternatively, cotton or linen can require effort in a different way because you will likely need to iron your pants for them to look their best. Performance blends are usually the most low-maintenance because they can typically be washed and dried in a machine. Fabric weight also comes into play depending on the season and the climate in which you live. If you’ll be wearing wool in warm seasons, look for a summer weight. If the level of formality works for your office, we like Lululemon’s ABC Classic-Fit Trouser for hot days due to its lightweight construction.
Fit
When it comes down to it, fit really just means something is comfortable and looks good on your body. To get the best fit, look for brands that offer multiple inseam lengths, such as Bonobos, Lululemon and Rhone. Also, pay close attention to the fit of the pant while considering your body type. If you’ve got muscular legs you may prefer an athletic fit, whereas if you have a wiry build, you may want a tailored or slim fit. Lastly, consider the size of the leg opening where your pant meets your shoes. Most straight leg pants have around a 16-inch circumference for the leg opening, but many dress pants have a taper to the leg—so they may feature a smaller opening that’s more like a 14 inches. This creates a sleeker, and often, dressier look.