12 Best Dress Pants for Men – Casual and Cheap Picks in 2023

If you don’t want to be accused of looking like a slob at your next formal event, it’s well worth investing in a pair of the best dress pants for men. That said, we know shopping for men’s dress pants can be a bit of a doozy. If you don’t reach straight for suit trousers, it can be hard to determine what constitutes dress pants these days.

To take the stress out of browsing and help you look sharp every time, we’ve rounded up the twelve best dress pants for men. The trousers on this list come in a wide range of styles to ensure you look polished, regardless of where your date book takes you. Simply pair them with your favorite button-down shirt and a pair of shiny derbies—you’ll be ready for anything.

If you’re keen on building out your arsenal of sleek, business casual clothing, read on to discover the best men’s dress pants today.

Key Takeaways

Our top pick for dress pants is the 24 Trousers by L’Estrange London. They’re sharp enough to wear as suit pants with comfort that rivals your favorite sweats. Though if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, you can’t miss with the Dockers Signature Khaki Pants. Finally, for summer wear, our holy grail is the Corridor Linen Cotton Trousers that will keep you feeling cool and looking fresh.

When it comes to the best dress pants for men, L’Estrange London’s 24 Trouser in wool takes the cake. These pants are designed to carry you through life’s nicer events, from business casual brunches to wedding weekends. All without making you miserable.

Crafted from fine merino wool, these dress pants for men are supremely comfortable. Aside from the soft, odor-resistant material, they’re brimming with plenty of stretch, a hidden drawcord, and dressy details, making them suitable to wear with any blazer or button-down shirt. They also come in three lengths to save you a trip to the tailor.

Material: 100% Merino Wool | Sizes: XS – 2XL | Colors: 4

Nothing screams dress pants like some good old-fashioned pleats. A strong contender from Luca Faloni, these Italian wool trousers are the ultimate upgrade for an upscale wardrobe. It’s really true what they say: look good, feel good. These men’s pants will help you do just that with close attention to detail and a flattering, straight-leg fit.

While they certainly cost a pretty penny, the luxury price tag is justified by the fine points. Dual hook closures and an internal drawstring allow for a completely customizable fit, and the tailored silhouette is suitable for any fancy occasion on your calendar.

Material: 100% Virgin Wool | Sizes: 28 – 40 | Colors: 2

As a great investment piece, these men’s chinos are on the pricier side, but they’re also the best dress pants for guys seeking versatile wear-everywhere bottoms. They look just as good with a t-shirt as they do with a blazer, making them a solid option if you’re looking for a pair of pants for pretty much every occasion.

Asket is a front-runner in the world of high-quality staples for men. Cut from midweight Italian cotton, these pants are easy building blocks for every outfit. Sure, they’re slightly more casual than most of the best dress pants for men. But they’ll take you that much further, especially when paired with dress sneakers or monk straps.

Material: 98% Organic Cotton, 2% Elastane | Sizes: 28 – 38 | Colors: 5

If you’re wondering, “are chinos dress pants?” To that, I say potato, potahtoe. Chinos can easily double as dress pants so long as you wear them accordingly. For example, if you pair these slim chinos by Closed with a button-down shirt and polished dress shoes, you’ll be the sharpest man in the room.

The stretchy Italian cotton easily justifies the steep price point, and the buttoned back pockets contribute to a nicer style. While they still retain the classic twill look and feel of chinos, the flattering fit takes them a step further.

Material: 98% Organic Cotton, 2% Elastane | Sizes: 27 – 38 | Colors: 4

Donning dress pants in hot weather can be a real drag, but this pair from Wax London is made from pure linen for a supremely lightweight construction. Ideal for garden parties, spring soirees, and summer weddings, these are the best dress pants for men if you’re concerned about overheating.

Finished with a half lining and signature straight fit, the Alp Trousers look sharp with just about anything. Pair them with a button-down shirt for a sleek business casual outfit, or splurge on the matching linen blazer for an effortless take on a summer suit.

Material: 100% Linen | Sizes: 28 – 38 | Colors: 3

Speaking of linen trousers, if you’re hunting for a pair of dress pants to carry you through the summer months with ease, these are the cream of the crop. Nice linen pants can be hit or miss, especially if you’re not angling for a beachy vibe. However, this pair is more Hamptons chic than Jersey Shore boardwalk.

A 50/50 mix of cotton and linen, these are crafted in Portugal with close attention to detail, we’re huge fans of the tapered ankle and the button adjustments on the waistband. The light blue is standout for warmer months and is sure to crown you as fashion king this summer. You can even wear them in place of men’s shorts with your favorite casual sneakers.

Material: 50% Cotton, 50% Linen | Sizes: 28 – 38 | Colors: 2

When it comes to looking nice during the colder times of the year, it’s worth investing in a solid pair of wool trousers (I know, I know, I wish sweatpants were acceptable for fancy occasions, too). Keeping you warm and well groomed, these are the best dress pants for men by Forét. The brown is heavily versatile, while the wool and polyester blend ensures heat stays locked in.

No matter what you wear these pants with, you’re guaranteed a killer outfit. Throw on a t-shirt and your favorite sport coat, or wear them with a freshly pressed button-up and Oxfords. No matter how you choose to style them, you’ll be turning heads wherever you go.

Material: 60% Wool, 40% Polyester | Sizes: 28 – 36 | Colors: 3

In recent years, menswear has gravitated away from tradition. We’re seeing new silhouettes, funky styles, and plenty of modern renditions of classics to help men showcase their unique style. These trousers by Represent are a prime example.

At first glance, these pants seem pretty standard, but the devil’s truly in the details. Some noteworthy aspects include an extended leg for tall gents or tasteful bunching at the ankles and a hidden zipper along the hems to increase airflow on those warm afternoons—they are made from a heavy wool material, after all. Finally, these trousers forgo the typical button and zipper closure and instead, opt for a hidden mechanism. Wear them with a statement belt to show off the uncommon design.

Material: Wool Blend | Sizes: XS – 2XL | Colors: 3

Good dress pants for under $100 are something of an anomaly. But Dockers has done it, and they’ve done it well. These are the best dress pants for men after something casual enough for the office but fancy enough to wear with a blazer and nice pair of loafers.

With five neutral colors to choose from, these trousers have a touch of elastane to give them a bit of stretch. Coupled with wrinkle-free fabric and a flexible waistband, it’s easy to understand why they’re so many men’s first port of call.

Material: 98% Cotton, 2% Elastane | Sizes: 29 – 44 | Colors: 5

We’ve done the heavy lifting of sorting through thousands of pairs of trousers and now present you with the best dress pants on Amazon. Made by Calvin Klein and coming in at a very tempting price tag, they’re a sure bet in the comfort department.

Complete with a tailored fit and a tapered leg, these make for splendid office pants. The polyester won’t sit heavily against your body (no swamp ass here), and the tiny bit of spandex is always appreciated. If you’re hunting for a pair of dress pants that won’t cut off your circulation while sitting at your desk, you found a winner.

Material: 88% Polyester, 11% Rayon, 1% Spandex | Sizes: 29 – 44 | Colors: 4

Kenneth Cole has always been a dependable option for affordable basics for men. The brand makes it simple to dress well and look good without shelling out tons of cash. Wear them with dress shoes that feel like sneakers for an unbeatable 9-5 style.

Made from polyester, they’re not the highest quality dress pants on this list, but they’re some of the nicest looking. The modern fit is as flattering as it gets, and neutral colorways make them a flawless match for all the other dress clothes lining your wardrobe. Breathable, moisture-wicking, and machine washable, wear these bad boys year round and never struggle with business casual again.

Material: 100% Polyester | Sizes: 29 – 36 | Colors: 8

Axel Arigato is another brand that has fused streetwear with dress wear, creating a line of trendy, highly sought-after pieces. The Night Straight Pants easily double as some of the best dress pants for men, with a roomier fit and adaptable design.

Amazingly, they look equally at home with a hoodie as they do with a blazer and comfortable dress shoes. It’s rare to find a pair of dress pants with the ability to be worn beyond nice events. These trousers are an easy substitute for jeans if you’re keen for a change up, and are a fashionable alternative to the same old Brooks Brothers slacks in the world of dress pants for men.

Material: 97% Viscose, 3% Elastane | Sizes: 44 – 52 | Colors: 1

What to Look for in the Best Dress Pants for Men

Style

When it comes to the best men’s dress pants, style is a top consideration, as this majorly impacts how the pants look. In general, most dress pants have a straight fit for a classic style. Not too slim and not too billowing, straight dress pants are always a safe bet as they’re easy to wear with blazers and suit jackets or keep simple with casual types of shirts for men.

However, you’ll find dress pants for men in a huge variety of styles, from slim fitting to relaxed or oversized. When choosing trousers, consider when and where you want to wear them as this should help you decide on a style.

Still have some lingering doubts? Keep it traditional with a tailored, tapered style.

Material

Material determines the seasonality of the dress pants, as well as how they’ll feel against your body. For warm weather, stick to materials like linen and cotton. Looking for heavier winter trousers? Wool is the number one pick here since it’s warm and high quality.

Searching for the best dress pants for year-round wear? Polyester is breathable and inexpensive. Or opt for a cotton blend. Extra points if it has spandex or elastane included to give the dress pants a bit of welcome stretch.

Color

Finally, it’s worth thinking about the color of the dress pants you choose, especially if you want to wear them with what you already have in your closet. Typically, dress pants come in a range of neutral colors, from black and browns to whites, creams, and all shades of blues.

Black dress pants are the easiest to match, especially if you already own a black blazer. However, if you plan on wearing your new dress pants with your navy sports coat, you’d be wise to choose a pair of blue dress pants to avoid committing any fashion faux pas.

Final Verdict

As far as the best dress pants for men go, you have a fair share to choose from. Ultimately, we swear by the L’Estrange London 24 Trouser in Wool as a versatile pair of dress pants to invest in. But if you’re feeling a little nervous about wool year-round, opt for the Corridor Linen Cotton Trouser for an effortless warm-weather style.