The Ultimate Guide to Finding Office Pants for YOUR Body Type

Let’s be honest: finding office pants that actually fit your body (and don’t feel like stiff cardboard) feels impossible sometimes.

They gap at the waist. They pull at the thighs. They sag in the back. And don’t even get me started on the length.

Whether you’re running to meetings or sitting at your desk for hours, you deserve pants that work with your body, not against it.

I created this guide to help you find your perfect pair—no matter your shape.

We’re going to break down:

• The best styles of office pants for each body type
• My favorite tips for getting the right fit
• Where to shop if you want pants that feel like they were made for you

PLUS: I’m linking my Capsule Wardrobe eBooks for every body type at the end to help you build a stylish and functional work wardrobe without the overwhelm.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through my links at no extra cost to you.

To find your perfect pair of office pants, it helps to know your body shape. Watch my youtube video, it will teach you how to take your measurements the right way and you will know how to identify your body type and proportions (if you have short or long legs)

Here are the 5 main types:

• Hourglass (curvy with a defined waist)
• Pear (wider hips than shoulders)
• Inverted Triangle (broader shoulders, narrower hips)
• Rectangle (balanced proportions, little waist definition)
• Apple (weight carried around the midsection)

You don’t need to fit perfectly into one category, but understanding your general shape makes shopping so much easier.

IMPORTANT NOTE: One of the most common misconceptions I see is the assumption that body shape is directly proportional to size. Like assuming all hourglass women are slim—totally not true! Everybody's type can exist at any size, whether you're a size small or extra large.

Let me put it this way: straight-leg pants are the holy grail of office bottoms. They’re polished and flattering, and here’s the magic — they work for every. single. body type.

Why? Because they create a long, clean line from hip to hem that balances out your proportions without clinging or drowning your shape. Got curves? Straight-leg pants smooth without squishing. More athletic? They add a little structure. Carry weight in the middle? The leg line draws the eye down and elongates. Petite or tall? They’re super easy to tailor and still look chic.

Houglass office look 1 // wide cropped pants + brown suit vest + black square heel shoes + black woven bag + Gold Florence Earrings + Daniel Wellington Petite Sheffield Watch

Hourglass office look 2 // Black straight leg pants + Striped Button Down Shirt + JENNY BIRD Mega U-Link Earrings + Scienza Cubic Zirconia necklace + Daniel Wellington Petite Watch + Coach Willow Tote 24 + Sam Edelman Women's Loraine Bit Loafer

Best Office Pants for Hourglass Body Shape

If you have an hourglass shape, your waist is defined and your hips and bust are fairly balanced.

Your pants checklist:

• Flare pants 👉 click here
• Wide leg pants 👉click here
• Skinny jeans 👉click here
• Stretch fabrics that hug your curves
• Tapered or bootcut styles
• If you’re tired of guessing what to wear for your body, I’ve created an hourglass capsule wardrobe ebook just for you 👉click here

Pear body look 1 // KIRUNDO Wide Leg + Black V Neck Ruffle + gorjana - Rose Interlocking Necklace + BOSTANTEN Women Leather Handbag + black leather belt + VICTORIA HYDE Black  watch + 14K Gold Hoop Earrings

Pear body look 2 // Black straight leg pants + stripe tshirt +

Pear shapes tend to have narrower shoulders and wider hips/thighs.

Your pants checklist:

• Mid to high rise to elongate the legs
• Wide-leg or straight-leg to balance your proportions
• Dark, solid colors on bottom

Style Tip: Balance your silhouette by pairing your pants with a structured blazers or a top with volume (like tops with shoulder ruffles)

Fit Tip: Pear-shaped women usually have wider legs and a fuller bum, but a smaller waist—this often leads to that frustrating gap at the back of your pants. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. One quick and affordable fix is to use clip-on jean buttons click here (just make sure to place them correctly, because they can be tough to remove!). Another game-changing option: look for trousers with elastic or an adjustable waistband at the back. I’ll leave you a list of recommended pants with links so you can try them on. Believe me—this is a total game changer!

Veri Dario Trousers — Espresso + Beyong Yoga Status Wide Leg Trouser