By Claire Epting,Forbes Staff,Forbes Vetted
Copyright forbes
Whether you’re suiting up for a formal fall event or dressing down for a business-casual day at the office, every guy should own at least one pair of high-quality dress pants. Our fashion editors drew on their market expertise and consulted with a menswear expert before selecting the seven best dress pants for men. Our top pick is the Bonobos Weekday Warrior, a crisp, slightly stretchy pair that comes in six fits, ranging from slim to classic. For a more comfort-focused choice, we recommend the Lululemon ABC Classic-Fit Trouser; they’re breathable and flexible for all-day wear.
Our fashion team rounded up the best dress pants for men that are elevated, modern and supremely comfortable.
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When making our selections, we considered factors that included materials, size range and color options. We also made sure to include pants for both formal occasions—like fall weddings—and more relaxed settings. Here are the best men’s dress pants along with helpful shopping tips from Ben Twaits, men’s style director at Wardrobe Therapy. (For more men’s style recommendations, check out our guides to the best dress shirts for men, the best blazers for men and the most comfortable dress shoes for men.)
Our Top Recommendations
Best Dress Pants For Men Overall: Bonobos Weekday Warrior Dress Pants
Most Comfortable Dress Pants For Men: Lululemon ABC Classic-Fit Trouser
Best Affordable Dress Pants For Men: Quince Ultra-Stretch 24/7 Smart Chino
Best Classic Dress Pants For Men: Brooks Brothers 1818 Dress Pant
Best Business-Casual Dress Pants For Men: Duer Relaxed Taper Trouser
Best Men’s Dress Pants For Work: Charles Tyrwhitt Smart Stretch Texture Pants
Best Men’s Dress Pants For Travel: Rhone Commuter Pro Pant
Best Dress Pants For Men Overall
Stretchy And Sophisticated, In A Variety Of Fits
Bonobos Weekday Warrior Dress Pants
Waist sizes: 28 to 54 | Inseam lengths: 28 to 36 | Fit: 6 total, including Slim and Tailored | Colors: 16 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 a silhouette for every taste and body type. The color selection deserves a nod as well—there are 16 shades to pick from.
Most Comfortable Dress Pants For Men
Uniquely Smooth And Flexible Fabric
Lululemon ABC Classic-Fit Trouser
Waist sizes: 28 to 46 | Inseam lengths: 28 to 37 | Fit: Classic | Colors: 16 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, we recommend sticking with the darker shades to keep them from reading too casual.
Best Affordable Dress Pants For Men
Classic Style At An Unbeatable Price
Quince Ultra-Stretch 24/7 Smart Chino
Waist sizes: 30 to 44 | Inseam lengths: 28 to 34 | Fit: Athletic tapered | Colors: 5 total, including Black and Dark Charcoal | Materials: 63% polyester, 33% rayon, 4% stretch
This has the feel and functionality of a performance pant with the elevated drape and appearance of true dress pants. A streamlined fit through the leg tapers slightly at the ankle, which means it doesn’t have baggy extra fabric but it also doesn’t feel restrictive. The moisture-wicking, wrinkle-resistant stretch twill has a soft hand feel, creating a comfortable wear experience. The best part? The Quince Ultra-Stretch 24/7 Smart Chino comes at a reasonable price tag. Our only gripe: We’d love to see this pair in a versatile dark navy.
Best Classic Dress Pants For Men
Sharp Wool Pair For Dressier Occasions
Brooks Brothers
Brooks Brothers 1818 Dress Pant
Waist sizes: 30 to 40 | Inseam lengths: 30 to 34 | Fit: 3 total, including Slim and Classic | Colors: 7 total, including Navy and Charcoal | Materials: 99% wool, 1% elastane
This endlessly flattering dress pant—named for the year the company was founded—is sleek, it has modern detailing and it comes in gorgeous-yet-practical colors. The versatile flat-front silhouette looks great styled less formally with a button down shirt, or with a blazer or sport coat for a wedding, work presentation or date night. The wool fabric is breathable and its hint of stretch makes these comfortable enough for spending long hours in the boardroom. The only downside is that this dress pant requires dry cleaning to preserve the integrity of the fabric.
Best Business-Casual Dress Pants For Men
Roomy Throughout The Seat And Thigh
Duer Relaxed Taper Trouser
Waist sizes: 28 to 40 | Inseam lengths: 30 to 34 | 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 need to be cleaned.
Best Men’s Dress Pants For Work
No-Nonsense, Office-Appropriate Pair
Charles Tyrwhitt
Charles Tyrwhitt Smart Stretch Texture Pants
Waist sizes: 30 to 42 | Inseam lengths: 30 to 38 (38 is unhemmed) | Fit: Classic and Slim | Colors: 4 total, including Charcoal and Steel Blue | Materials: 96% cotton, 4% elastane
Charles Tyrwhitt excels in classic menswear staples, and this pair of dress pants is our 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 suffocating. Available in classic and slim fits, this machine washable pair is ideal for lengthy commutes and prolonged periods sitting at a desk. Its color offerings—which include lesser-seen shades like Limestone—allow you to infuse your work wardrobe with a bit of personality.
Best Men’s Dress Pants For Travel
Comfy Enough For Long-Haul Flights
Rhone Commuter Pro Pant
Waist sizes: 28 to 40 | Inseam lengths: 30 to 34 | Fit: Slim and Athletic | Colors: 7 total, including Black and Navy | Materials: Polyester blend with Elasterell-P
When it comes to travel clothes, it’s important to prioritize comfort—who wants to sit through airport delays or a redeye flight in tight, restrictive pants? Rhone’s Commuter Pro Pant ensures you can move freely, rest easily, and still look polished and unwrinkled when you step off the plane. While the original Commuter Pant fabric is thinner, the Commuter Pro is more refined, structured and substantial, giving it a more formal appearance and less of a “tech” look. Additional thoughtful details include all-way stretch, a hidden zipper pocket and grippers on the waistband to prevent your shirt from untucking.
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Why Trust Forbes Vetted
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. We’ve written about the best men’s wallets, the best suits for men and the best casual pants for men.
Claire Epting, the author of this story, is Forbes Vetted’s fashion updates writer. She has five years’ experience covering a variety of lifestyle subjects, including men’s clothing.
This story was co-authored by Forbes Vetted fashion and beauty writer Molly Calhoun, who has covered lifestyle topics, including fashion, for twenty years. She added new picks from Quince, Brooks Brothers and Rhone.
All of the picks on this list were reviewed by Forbes Vetted deputy editor Jane Sung. who oversees the beauty, fashion and travel verticals.
For this story, Epting interviewed Ben Twaits, men’s style director at Wardrobe Therapy in Columbus, Ohio. Twaits shared his expertise on what to look for in the best dress pants for men.
In the September 2025 update, we added three new picks to round out our selection. We also added several frequently asked questions and updated the pricing and specifications for each product.
How We Chose The Best Dress Pants For Men
To determine the best dress pants for men, we focused on menswear brands that have stellar reputations and excellent customer ratings.
Drawing on our fashion team’s vast experience, we considered silhouette, drape and detailing to determine which dress pants didn’t sacrifice style for functionality.
We kept Twaits’ expert commentary in mind as we made our selections, highlighting styles made from quality fabrics with universally flattering fits.
Size inclusivity also played a factor in our selection process. We looked for dress pants that are available in a wide range of waist sizes and inseam lengths. In some cases, the brands offer more than one fit.
Some dress pants lean business-casual, while others read formal. We made sure to include a variety of styles to suit any environment, whether you plan on wearing dress pants to the office, a cocktail party or a wedding.
What To Consider In The Best Dress Pants For Men
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 Brooks Brothers 1818 Dress Pant. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Dress pants come in a variety of polished fabrics, although wool is the most elevated in appearance. It’s breathable, has a nice drape, and is suitable for both the office and formal events like weddings. However, one drawback of wool dress pants is that they require dry cleaning. Crisp cotton with stretch and snapback, while slightly less formal, can also be a good option because it has flexibility and can usually be machine-washed, hung to dry and then ironed. Performance fabrics (such as polyester or nylon blends), offer a smooth feel, a comfortable fit, and a stretchy fabric with good snapback and shape retention. However, the drape can appear too relaxed for certain workplaces and situations.
Today, the terms are often used interchangeably. But some say that slacks are looser in fit, while dress pants are more streamlined and structured. The term “slacks” was popularized in the 1940s to describe a loosely-cut, roomy trouser.
They can be, depending on the situation. A crisp khaki pant looks polished when paired with a button down and a blazer. Light-colored khakis are more appropriate in summer months or in warmer climates, while darker colors can work for cooler months. Five-pocket pants, while popular in business casual settings, are typically considered even more casual than khakis. Wool is a more formal option.
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