The 8 Best Men’s Pants for the Office of 2025


A stylish, perfect-fitting pant: NN 07 Aden Straight Leg Regular Fit Chino

A person wearing a deep khaki pair of NN 07 Aden Straight Leg Regular Fit Chinos.
Hannah Schwob for NYT Wirecutter

Top pick

Made by Denmark’s NN 07, these classic flat-front chinos have a fit that will please most men — neither too slim nor too baggy. And they’re made from an extra-soft cotton blend with a touch of stretch.

Our testers were universally impressed by the NN 07 Aden Straight Leg Regular Fit Chino for two key reasons: The fit was neither too slim nor too baggy, and the cotton-blend material was incredibly soft and comfortable. Though the price is quite high for a pair of chinos, we think this pair is a worthwhile investment.

The NN 07 Aden Straight Leg Regular Fit Chino are a tad pricey, but their construction quality, style, and comfort make them worth the investment. Evan Dent/NYT Wirecutter

“Such an excellent fit.” This is how one tester described the Aden pair. Across the board, the pants were lauded by our testers for their widely appealing fit. They’re the kind of pants that work for different body types and tastes. “These don’t feel too long and sit comfortably at my hips. The leg is roomy but not too big across or in profile,” said one tester, who is 5-foot-11 and normally wears a size 31/30 but tested a size 31/32.

Unlike the fabric of other pairs, the Aden’s fabric was notably soft from first wear. The Aden pants are made from a blend of 98% organic cotton and 2% elastane, and this fabric has an incredibly soft feel. Unlike some of the other chinos we tested, such as The Gap Modern Straight Khakis and the Buck Mason Paperback Twill Full Saddle Chino, these felt broken-in from the first wear.

They’re pricey — but so well made. Almost $200 is a lot for a pair of chinos. But their construction quality, style, and comfort make them worth the investment. The pants are “so soft,” one tester said, adding that they feel “luxurious but not like you’re in pajamas” and “kind of the ideal pants cut in my opinion.”

All of our testers appreciated the NN 07 Aden Straight Leg Regular Fit Chino’s not-too-slim, not-too-big fit. Hannah Schwob for NYT Wirecutter

Flaws but not dealbreakers

You may need to size down. One tester found the Aden pair’s waist slightly too large in his usual size, so he thought a size down would work better (our other testers didn’t have the same problem).

Some might prefer 100% cotton. This same tester believed the quality of the fabric didn’t feel as high as that of some of our other pure-cotton picks.

Key specs

Material: 98% cotton, 2% elastane
Sizes: 28 to 38 (waist), 30 to 34 (inseam)
Variants: seven colors

A midweight, straight-leg chino with a lived-in feel: J.Crew Broken-in Straight Chino Pant

A person wearing a navy blue pair of J.Crew Broken-In Straight Chino Pants.
Hannah Schwob for NYT Wirecutter

Top pick

Right off the rack, these classic-fitting, mid-rise, flat-front chinos feel like they’ve been worn for years. But the fabric quality didn’t stack up to that of pricier options.

We were impressed across the board with J.Crew’s pants offerings, and none more than the J.Crew Broken-In Straight Chino Pant, made from 100% midweight cotton. The brand says the pants are inspired by its 1990s catalog, but these straight-leg chinos feel timeless, and they’ll likely appeal to a wide variety of people.

Our tester is 5-foot-11 and wearing the Broken-in Straight Chino Pant in size 31/30. Evan Dent/NYT Wirecutter

They have a lived-in feel from the get-go (hence the name). The Broken-in Straight pants are notably comfortable from first wear, like pants that have had a place in your wardrobe for ages. They’re made from high-quality material, and they feel like they’ll last a long time, though one tester thought the material wasn’t on a par with that of higher-priced options.

A closeup of a person wearing a navy blue pair of the J.Crew Broken-in Straight Chino Pant with their hand in the left pocket.
The Broken-in Straight Chino Pant is mid-rise (resting just below the navel), with room in the thighs. Hannah Schwob for NYT Wirecutter

Plenty of people will like the fit. These are mid-rise pants (so they sit just below the navel and above the hips), and they have room at the thigh and a slight taper at the ankle. “This is an ideal pants cut for me — a little room around the ankles and roomy in the thighs without ballooning out,” said one tester, who is 5-foot-11 and wears a size 31/30. “I think this would be an ideal office pant for regular, non-impress-the-world kind of days.”

Tired of khaki? These pants come in a solid range of colors. These chinos come in enough colors to satisfy different tastes, from traditional shades like Newport Navy (above) to more interesting options like Dark Mahogany, Charcoal Ash, and Catskill Green

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The quality doesn’t stack up to pricier options. Our testers found that the cotton material in the pricier chinos we tested — included those from Polo Ralph Lauren, Todd Snyder, and Buck Mason — felt better than the Broken-in Straight Chino Pant’s material.

Key specs

Material: 100% cotton
Sizes: 28 to 38 (waist), 30 to 36 (inseam)
Variants: seven colors

An affordable slim fit pant: Gap Modern Straight Khakis

A person wearing a navy blue pair of Gap Modern Straight Khakis.
Hannah Schwob for NYT Wirecutter

Top pick

These slim-yet-not-skinny khakis are for people who haven’t jumped on the wide-leg bandwagon. They’re a good value and come in plenty of colors and sizes, but they aren’t as soft as some of the other chinos we tried.

The Gap Modern Straight Khakis are the most affordable pants among our picks (and they’re often further discounted), and they’re also the slimmest. Yet despite their relatively bargain price, the quality remains decent, even if they’re not as stellar as pricier options. And there are plenty of colors and sizes to choose from.

Our tester is 5-foot-11 and wearing the Gap Modern Straight Khakis in size 31/30. Evan Dent/NYT Wirecutter

If wide-leg pants aren’t your jam, consider this pair. A lot of chinos are currently of the wide-leg variety, but the Gap pants are more in line with what many men are used to: a mid-rise, slim-fit pair with a tapered leg. These pants were right in the comfort zone for one of our testers, who’s 6-foot-4, wears a size 34/34, and is particularly resistant to wider cuts (and pleats). “These are pretty normcore, dude; that’s how I like my pants,” he said.

Due to the lower price, here’s just a slight sacrifice. These are the least expensive of our picks, and they’re often on sale for 50% off. Also, while the material — 98% cotton twill, 2% elastane — isn’t as luxurious as that of some of our other picks, the quality is decent, and the Gap pants get comfortable with more wear.

A closeup of the back pocket of the navy Gap Modern Straight Khakis.
For those who prefer a slimmer fit, Gap’s Modern Straight Khakis are right in the comfort zone. Hannah Schwob for NYT Wirecutter

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The fabric isn’t as high-quality as pure cotton. The Gap Modern Straight Khakis are made from a notably lower-quality material than some of the higher-priced, pure-cotton options we tested. This pair was also stiffer than the J.Crew Broken-in Straight Chino and the Polo Ralph Lauren The Big Chino.

They’re bordering on skinny pants. I found these pants to be almost too slim; those looking for a more-contemporary fit might want to stay away.

Key specs

Material: 98% cotton, 2% elastane
Sizes: 28 to 42 (waist), 30 to 34 (inseam)
Variants: nine colors

A ’90s wide-leg throwback: Polo Ralph Lauren The Big Chino

A person wearing a light tan pair of Polo by Ralph Lauren's The Big Chino pants.
Hannah Schwob for NYT Wirecutter

Top pick

Vintage-inspired and oversize, these chinos are well made and feel very of-the-moment. The cotton fabric is thick yet soft, and it feels nicely worn-in from the get-go, but the pants might overwhelm smaller frames.

The Polo Ralph Lauren The Big Chino pants have a wide leg and a distinctive, vintage-inspired fit that also feels very modern in this era of wide-leg pants. They’re not for everyone, and they may be too far afield for fans of slimmer cuts. But they were my overall favorite chinos of the bunch for their fit, construction quality, and overall style.

I’m 6-foot-3 and wearing The Big Chino pair in a size 34/34. Mitch Moxley/NYT Wirecutter

The ’90s fit is very 2025. I love the straight-leg silhouette, full fit, and high waist on these chinos. They look great with a white tee or a tucked-in oxford or denim shirt. These are the type of pants that vintage hounds scour thrift stores for: a pair with a 1990s feel that is also au courant. (The vintage Polo logo above the back right pocket is a nice touch.)

A closeup of the back right pocket of a person wearing The Big Chino in a light tan color.
Polo Ralph Lauren went into the archives and added a vintage logo on The Big Chino pair. Hannah Schwob for NYT Wirecutter

We loved the quality of the material. These pants are made from a chino cotton twill that has been washed for a worn-in feel, and it didn’t require any breaking in period. I was impressed with the overall quality of the cotton, which was soft and smooth but also thick and with a satisfying crispness to it.

If you like the look but want a more modest fit, there are subtler options. If you love the idea of The Big Chino, but you want a slightly slimmer leg cut, we found a couple of other good options worth considering. These include Todd Snyder Relaxed Fit Japanese Selvedge Chino and the Buck Mason Paperback Twill Full Saddle Chino. (See Other office pants worth considering.)

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The Big Chino is BIG. The cut may be too generous or overwhelming for those with more slender and shorter frames.

There is only one color option. Unlike most of the pants in our guide, this pair is available in khaki only.

Stock can be limited. We’ve noticed that The Big Chino can often be sold out in several sizes, especially during sales events. (A Polo Ralph Lauren rep confirmed with us that the style is evergreen and will be restocked.)

Key specs

Material: 100% cotton
Sizes: 30/30 to 40/42
Variants: Khaki

A stylish, comfortable, dressed-up chino: AYR The Pal

A person wearing a deep blue pair of AYR's The Pal pants.
Hannah Schwob for NYT Wirecutter

Top pick

This stylish pleated trouser feels like a chino, but it can easily be dressed up. These pants feature some nice details, including a side tab to adjust the waist, along with belt loops. But there are just two inseam options, so they might be too short for some people.

AYR’s The Pal is part chino, part dress pant, with subtle single pleats and a higher rise. This pair is notably versatile (especially in Navy Chino, which is the version we tested): comfortable enough for a relaxed weekend but stylish and dressy enough for a lot of office jobs. The AYR chinos can be dressed up even further by pairing them with The Casino double-breasted jacket (also in Navy Chino).

I’m 6-foot-3 and wearing AYR’s The Pal in a size 34/32. Mitch Moxley/NYT Wirecutter

“Very comfortable pants!” That’s how one tester described The Pal pair, and I agree. All of our testers were impressed with the 100% cotton material’s softness. “Feel very luxurious without being too soft,” said our 5-foot-11 tester, who wore a size 31/32.

Lots of special details take these pants from good to great. The details include side tabs on the waist, roomy pockets, and quality construction and stitching. “The internal belt is great, and I feel like I can wear them higher or lower on my waist with few adjustments and no belt necessary if pockets are empty,” a tester said.

The single front pleats give AYR’s The Pal a dress-pants vibe. Hannah Schwob for NYT Wirecutter

Other seasonal options are available. I also tested The Pal pair in Cape Fog and recommend this as a fall/winter option. The Cape Fog pair has all of the same benefits as the Navy Chino pair, and the 100% merino wool fabric is soft and warm. The pants also come in Black Linen (a mainstay) and Pasta (a 100% cotton wide-wale-corduroy seasonal option).

Flaws but not dealbreakers

There’s a risk of “pants tenting.” As one tester discovered, The Pal’s combo of pleats and a roomy cut can cause the crotch to, er, tent when you’re seated. (I personally didn’t experience this issue.)

There are only two inseam options. The Pal comes in a 30- or 32-inch inseam only; on tall people (like me), the 32-inch inseam borders on being too short.

Key specs

Material: 100% cotton (Navy Chino); 100% merino wool (Cape Fog)
Sizes: 29/30 to 40/32
Variants: four colors



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