With recent trends leaning towards smart, polished aesthetics, it’s easier than ever to overlap your workwear and off-duty style. Autumn/winter 2023 is all about “quiet luxury”, an umbrella term referring to non-showy pieces that look and feel subtly expensive. Structured blazers, tailored trousers and minimalist accessories all fit neatly into this category—and they just so happen to meet most office dress codes, too. So, if you work a 9-5 in a corporate environment, you won’t struggle to find professional clothing that still feels fashionable.
But today we’re honing in on one item in particular: work trousers. And truthfully, there’s little to differentiate office-friendly slacks from the styles we’ve been raving about recently. From wide-legs to pinstripe pairs, these are trousers you can just as soon wear for an important meeting as a Sunday morning brunch date. It just takes a few styling tweaks; for the workday, stick to fuss-free shirting, classic footwear and perhaps a coordinating blazer, depending on how formal your office is. You can add a bit more personality once you clock out at 5 p.m, switching the loafers for sneakers, the shirt for a tank top, et cetera.
Below, I’ve selected four trouser trends you can rely on to form the foundation of a chic office look. I’ve also linked my favourite examples of each, so you can easily shop the best work trousers on the market right now. Thank me when you’re voted ‘Best-Dressed Employee of the Month’.
Shop the Best Work Trousers:
1. Wide-Leg Trousers
SHOP THE LOOK:
& Other Stories
Tailored High-Waist Trousers
The pleating makes this pair feel so crisp and expensive.
COS
Wide-Leg Tailored Wool Trousers
Equal parts chic and professional.
The Frankie Shop
Tansy Pleated Twill Wide-Leg Pants
The Frankie Shop always gets it right.
Arket
Turn Up Wool Trousers
The slightly cropped leg will allow you to show off your favourite work shoes.
This colour makes a nice change from the usual black and grey work trouser.
2. Cigarette Trousers
SHOP THE LOOK:
Jigsaw
Crosshatch Palmer Trouser | Navy
This whole look is perfect for the office.
You can pick these up in six other hues—including a Barbie pink pair.
Reiss
Camel Marlie Slim Fit Wool Trousers
Just add a white shirt and loafers.
Joseph
Coleman Stretch-Suede Trousers
Suede is an essential fabrication for autumn.
A beautiful hue to pair with a neutral top and black accessories.
3. Tapered Trousers
SHOP THE LOOK:
Brunello Cucinelli
Cropped Pleated Cotton-Blend Twill Tapered Pants
Now that’s an impeccably tailored pair of trousers.
Reiss
Black Haisley Petite Slim Leg Tapered Trousers
Under 5’3″? This is the trouser for you.
H&M
Ankle-Length Trousers
If you’re on a budget, H&M has a tonne of stylish options for under £50.
Blazé Milano
Fox Tailored High-Rise Wool-Twill Trousers
M&S Collection
Checked Tapered Ankle Grazer Trousers
These have such good reviews.
4. Pinstripe Trousers
SHOP THE LOOK:
Loulou Studio
Pleated Pinstriped Wool and Cashmere-Blend Wide-Leg Pants
Trust me, all your co-workers will be asking where you got these.
Aligne
Koi Wide Leg Trousers
You’ll be the talk of the office in this matching set.
COS
Straight-Leg Pinstriped Trousers
The Frankie Shop
Tansy Pleated Pinstriped Crepe De Chine Straight-Leg Pants
Why not inject a bit of colour into your workwear?
Arket
Wide Wool Blend Trousers
I am big into this entire outfit. Well done, Arket.
Next Up: The 7 High-Street Brands Our Editors Always Turn to for Chic Tailoring
