Skip to content, or skip to search.

Skip to content, or skip to search.

Essential Pants

Khakis for men, cords for women, and jeans and tailored trousers for both.

Men


DENIM
Uniqlo
546 Broadway, nr. Spring St.; 917-237-8800
The low-budget Japanese import’s huge selection of brightly colored sweaters and T-shirts can overshadow its extensive denim collection. There are slouchy, relaxed styles in a multitude of washes, and even Japanese selvage denim rarely tops $100 here. Another bonus: free same-day alterations.


KHAKIS
J.Crew
99 Prince St., at Mercer St.; 212-966-2739 or jcrew.com for other locations
This chain store’s consistent ability to slightly twist the prep lexicon is admirable. The Italian chino’s slimmer cut can go solo with a T-shirt or more formal with a jacket, and it’s $118.


WORK TROUSERS
Michael Andrews Bespoke
20 Clinton St., nr. Stanton St., Ste. C-7 212-677-1755
Tucked away on the Lower East Side, Michael Andrews Bespoke is clubby but professional. Prices start at $195, which is what you might pay off the rack at some places, but for a pair fitted to your body, it’s a steal.

Women


DENIM
Bloomingdale’s Soho
504 Broadway, nr. Broome St. 212-729-5900
Of-the-moment high-waisted jeans and colorful skinnies abound, but there’s also an extensive stash of reliably flattering boot cuts and trouser styles. The best: dark-wash Joe’s Jeans jet trousers ($174), formal enough for the office but still able to say “jeans” on the weekend.


CORDS
AG
111 Greene St., nr. Prince St. 212-680-0581
AG is better known as a denim brand, but several of its most popular styles, like the slightly flared Club, are continuously available in soft supima cotton with a bit of stretch ($159). Depending on your top, they’ll be comfortable well into warm weather.


WORK TROUSERS
Montmartre
1157 Madison Ave., nr. 85th St. 212-988-8962
Practically an Upper East Side institution, with a stock of work-friendly wear that includes well-known names like Theory and Alice+Olivia. But better yet are smaller labels like Alvin Valley ($125) and Robert Rodriguez, whose classic flat fronts have wider but still flattering cuts.


Related: