For a comfortable pair of trousers that will go well with any blouse, button-up or T-shirt, as well as your favorite footwear, try this pair from Reformation. “A straight leg looks good with just about any shoe (from heels to loafers to boots) and gives you a blank canvas to build a more interesting silhouette on your top,” says Tamkin. We also recommend these Spanx ponte flare pants on our list of the best work pants for women because of their luxurious, lightweight wool fabrication and classic double-pleated style.
6 can’t-go-wrong clothing brands
Save yourself time (and hassle!) by shopping these other stylist-favorite retailers for business casual attire
This standby for slim fits offers plenty of suiting separates made from comfortable stretch materials. Sterling of Global Image Group says that when she introduced one client to the brand, he told her the clothes made him feel “more confident, more secure, like he could tackle the world.”
A go-to for elevated essentials, Theory gets top marks from image consultant Rosenfeld as an “upscale, but still price-conscious” option. Sterling is a fan of the brand’s modern, slim fits across all clothing categories, and stylist Ali Kline says the hint of stretch in Theory’s shirts (thanks to a blend of cotton and elastane) makes them “the perfect button-down.”
Known for moderately priced, well-made basics, Japanese retailer Uniqlo is on stylist Dorsey’s list of workwear favorites, especially for their suiting separates, which come in relatively relaxed cuts and a range of colors for both men and women. Plus, the button-down shirts, he says, are “soft and comfy.”
Want to add prints or color to your basics? Rosenfeld recommends this New York City-based brand known for “beautiful and super-expressive” patterns that don’t veer too out-there for the office.
This Italian luxury brand is a favorite of Rosenfeld and Ali Kline, particularly for its polished-looking men’s jackets — most notably Zegna’s “overshirt” style, which Rosenfeld likes for its structured collar and cuffs and roomy cut. “It has tailoring and easy elements all rolled into one,” he says.
The Ludlow collection makes a good-quality foundation for a men’s work wardrobe, says Ghize. Its Un-suit styles — loosely structured pieces in casual materials, like a cotton-linen blend for summer — are available In classic and slim fit options and can be worn together or separately year-round.
—Additional reporting by Madeline Diamond
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