SuitShop
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What Are the Differences Between Dress Pants and Slacks?
April 23, 2024 - Slacks offer a more relaxed silhouette and are crafted from materials like wool blends or flannel, making them versatile for both casual and semi-formal occasions. Dress pants typically feature a more structured construction and tailored fit, making them ideal for formal settings such as professional environments or weddings.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/femalefashionadvice › let's talk slacks / dress pants. (x-post from /r/thegirlsurvivalguide ... oops)
r/femalefashionadvice on Reddit: Let's talk slacks / dress pants. (x-post from /r/thegirlsurvivalguide ... oops)
July 11, 2014 -
Hey ladies! I recently had an awful time trying to shop for some new dress pants, and could find no reliable information about them when I searched, so I'd like to get a thread going. My problem is I have way more questions than answers. Some questions I have:
How are they [dress pants] supposed to fit? Can people provide pictures of wearing well-fitting dress pants? POORLY fitting dress pants?
What are the different styles of dress pants you prefer? What "shapes" do they "flatter" in your opinion (notice opinion is heavy in this one)
What about 3/4 length dress pants? Ankle pants?
Where do you get your dress pants?
What are signs of good quality in dress pants?
Go ahead and answer my questions, ask your own, or heck answer the question that nobody has asked yet!
Edit: I'm loving this but I still have no idea how my dress pants are supposed to fit!
Top answer 1 of 5
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I will mostly address question 2. I feel like I have seen an evolution of dress pants in the last ten years or so, and there are many more shapes now than there used to be. Here they are from widest to narrowest with a description of how they should fit, and my personal opinions about them. Pleated pants have additional volume and should pretty much be loose everywhere. The ones with wide legs all the way down can look a bit overwhelming but can also be styled beautifully . Pleated pants that taper at the ankle often have a PJ feel , so I would avoid them in business-professional environments. Palazzo pants fit tightly in the waist and butt, but then flare out ALL THE WAY. These are big pants, and are mostly casual . They can be dressed up and can even be appropriate for biz-cas if they’re not too voluminous. "Classic" slacks are fitted at the waist, butt, and hips, and then go straight down from the upper thighs. These were the typical, business-professional style a decade ago. I find them extremely comfortable . They are often made with some stretch , so they’re great in the plane for business trips. They can look a bit frumpy sometimes. Bootcut pants should be fitted from the waist through the thighs, then gently flare out starting right around the knees. They are no longer as popular as they once were, but I still like 'em . These flare nicely. These are very bell-bottom-y and a bit too reminiscent of the 70's for my personal taste. Straight leg pants are fitted from the waist to the knee, and then they go straight down instead of flaring out. It seems that these have replaced the old classic slacks (which used to be known as straight leg pants) as the dominant professional style. I think they look awkward cropped at the ankle , so I like the full length variety . Skinny pants are fitted all the way down, although sometimes there’s a bit of wiggle room in the bottom half. They are very popular right now and great for business casual work environments. Plus, I think they’ve quite versatile – dress ‘em up or down. In my opinion, these are the only pants which look good cropped . Feel free to add more styles! These were just off the top of my head.
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I personally love Loft pants; they seem expensive, but the majority of the time sale items are an additional 40-60% off. They have 3 "fits" to try to suit your body type: -Zoe is intended for narrow hips -Marissa is for a more "average" hip -Julie has more room for hips/thighs and a small waist. I think your best bet would be to look at WAYWT posts and Pinterest to see which type of pants suit your individual body type, then go try on different brands/styles to see what you like. For what it's worth, I am a "pear-ish" body type with high hips/violin hips, and I think straight leg Julie pants at Loft, some drapey pants, and ponte (or a similar material with some structure/stretch) skinny pants from certain brands suit my frame. Good luck!
Videos
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Reply to @timbuktopher any other questions? #suits #fashion101 #learnontiktok | TikTok
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5 Dress Pants Every Man Should Know - YouTube
YouLookFab
youlookfab.com › welookfab › topic › ask-angie-what-are-dress-pants
Ask Angie: what are "dress pants"? - YouLookFab Forum
I kind of suspect when they say "dress pants" they mean NOT jeans, NOT leggings, and NOT athleisure. And that the dockers style pants, khakis and cargoes, are the most casual version your co-workers can come up with that are both dressy enough for the official dress code and rugged enough for the demands of the job.
H&M
www2.hm.com › women › pants › dress pants
Dress Pants For Women | Formal Pants | H&M US
From classic black pants to eye-catching colors and prints, browse our selection of women's dress pants to find the perfect pair for work or play. Match with brogues and a crisp white shirt for a chic boardroom look, or dress down with your favorite cami and high heels - well-fitting slacks are a versatile addition to any wardrobe.
H&M
www2.hm.com › women › pants › dress pants
Women's Dress Pants | Suit, Tailored & Wide-Leg | H&M CA
From classic black pants to eye-catching colours and prints, browse our wide selection of women's dress pants to find the perfect pairs for work and play. Match tailored dress pants with brogues and crisp white shirts for chic boardroom looks, or dress down our wide-leg styles with your favourite camis and sandals - well-fitting slacks are a versatile addition to any wardrobe.
Frank And Oak
ca.frankandoak.com › blogs › frank-and-oak-blog › slacks-vs-dress-pants-understanding-the-difference-and-finding-your-perfect-pair
Slacks vs Dress Pants: Understanding the Difference and Finding Your P – Frank And Oak Canada
Dress pants: a wardrobe staple for both men and women, often linked to formal or business attire. Typically made from high-quality materials such as wool, polyester blends, or sometimes cotton, they represent a refined and polished aesthetic.
Styled by Science
styledbyscience.com › home › 5 things to look for in high quality women’s dress pants
5 Things to Look for In High Quality Women's Dress Pants - Styled by Science
June 4, 2023 - High-quality women’s dress pants most noticeably have one quality in common: they are thoughtfully designed. That comes down to even decisions like where a pocket should be placed, and how it is shaped! I am no sewing expert, so I cannot speak to the technicalities of different pocket designs.
Baleaf
baleaf.com › blogs › all-blogs › how-to-choose-womens-dress-pants
How to Choose Women's Dress Pants: Finding Your Perfect Pair for Every – Baleaf Sports
Women's dress pants are a key part of a flexible wardrobe. They can easily change from work to fun events just by switching up your accessories. Whether you need high-waisted pants for a meeting or comfy wide-leg pants for dinner, the right ...
Aritzia
aritzia.com › home › all clothing › pants › trousers
Trouser & Dress Pants for Women | Aritzia CA
Dress pants were inspired by men’s trousers, so they’re key if you’re into borrowed-from-the-boys formal wear or luxe androgynous dressing. Remember that if you want to look cool while you’re spreadsheeting, high-waisted dress pants and wide-leg dress pants are there to help.
Corporette
corporette.com › home › what dress pants to buy when trends are all over the map
What Dress Pants to Buy When Trends Are All Over the Map
January 10, 2024 - In 2025, general favorites include pleated pairs like Aritzia, Favorite Daughter, Everlane*, Reformation*, and Abercrombie*, with flat-front pairs from M.M.LaFleur, and Ann Taylor (* = plus sizes; see the post for notes on petites and talls). We've also shared our thoughts on what shoes to wear with wide-leg pants! ... Historically, these have been our favorite dress pants for women…
Maurices
maurices.com › p › clothing › bottoms › pants › N-10766
Women's Pants | Dress Pants, Ponte Pants & More | maurices
Our goal is to help women feel beautiful and confident, so look for our dress pants that come with slimming technology to help you look and feel your best. We offer a variety of styles, colors, patterns, and sizes to suit your tastes. Palazzo pants are becoming very popular these days.
Byrdie
byrdie.com › best-dress-pants-women-8787066
The 25 Best Dress Pants for Women of 2025, Tested and Reviewed
March 3, 2025 - “Depending on the style, they are often a tad snugger (not tight) through the hips and should start to loosen at the thighs.” With that said, standard sizing often doesn't fit everyone, so don't be afraid to get your pants tailored. According to Hancher, if you have a small waist but a larger butt, look for styles designed for curvy figures or find a size that fits your bottom and tailor the waist. “When your clothes fit you properly, they look more expensive. So, don't let the cost of the item dictate alterations,” she adds. Here are some of my favorite pieces to wear with the the pleated dress pant from Old Navy.
Gap Canada
gapcanada.ca › home › popular categories
Women's Dress Pants | Gap Canada
With features like stretchy waistbands, breathable materials, and chic patterns, you can enjoy all-day comfort without compromising on elegance. Pair them with blouses, blazers, or your favorite tops for a complete ensemble that makes a statement.
UNIQLO
uniqlo.com › us › en › women › bottoms › dress-pants
Shop Women's Dress Pants | UNIQLO US
Shop womens dress pants at UNIQLO. Discover stylish and professional pants designed for comfort and sophistication, perfect for work or dressy occasions.
Ann Taylor
anntaylor.com › home › work › work pants
Women's Dress Pants: Stylish Pants for Work | Ann Taylor
Complete your workwear collection with Ann Taylor’s dress slacks for women. Our pants for work are made to fit, flatter, and look amazing with all of your favorite tops.
Forbes
forbes.com › sites › forbes-personal-shopper › article › best-dress-pants-for-women
The Best Dress Pants For Women That Elevate Any Occasion
February 25, 2025 - Whether you need something to wear to a cocktail party, formal work meeting or any special event, the best dress pants for women are chic, easy to style and comfortable for day or night. After researching the top-rated options, we selected Aritzia Limitless Pant as the best dress pants overall since it’s just at home in an office setting as it is at a fancy dinner.
Apparel & Bags
apparelnbags.com › apparelnbags.com official blog › general › 15 types of pants for women: ultimate style guide for 2026
15 Types of Pants for Women: Ultimate Style Guide for 2026
1 month ago - Below, we have listed all the popular kinds of pants for ladies and the right occasions to wear them. Dress pants are fitted trousers designed for professional and formal settings.
Nordstrom
nordstrom.com › browse › content › blog › types-of-pants-for-women
15 Different Types of Pants for Women
Find a great selection of Women's Clothing at Nordstrom.com. Shop dresses, tops, jackets, jeans, sweaters and more from a variety of top brands and designers.
Express
express.com › exp › express-style-101 › dress-pant-styles
5 of the Best Women's Work Pants - Express
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RW&CO.
rw-co.com › en › women › clothing › pants
Women's Pants & Trousers – Fashion-Forward Styles in Canada
Whether you're looking for suit pants or casual trousers, brows our pant guide and choose between a mid-rise and a high-waist as well as a wide selection of fits such as a straight leg, wide leg, slim leg, flowy pants, jeggings, cropped or ankle slim pants, pleated paper bag pants, Natalie jeggings, stretch leggings and more. RW&CO. Canada have a style to fit your silhouette and your lifestyle. Looking for the perfect dress pant?