13 Pairs of the Most Comfortable Pants, Vetted by PureWow Editors

PureWow Vice President of Editorial, Candace Davison, calls herself a “veritable TJ Maxx-inista,” but even she was won over by lululemon’s Daydrift trousers, which come in just under $150. True to the brand’s roots in activewear, what makes the Daydrifts some of the most comfortable pants is the fabric. Think sweat-wicking, four-way stretch, breathability, roomy fit and fabric shape retention. Plus, instead of wrestling with a zip fly, a hidden interior drawcord lets you customize the waistband. 

“The pants move with you, so you’re not constantly readjusting or fidgeting during a conference call. My biggest pet peeve with wide-leg pants is that they’re often made of a lighter, flimsier material, and swish between your legs as you walk, making you feel like you’re doing a ‘70s Bee Gees strut. Saturday Night Fever, this is not,” she reports in her review. “That heft also makes these pants more durable; after more than three months of wear, there’s not a snag or a sign of pilling, and they do. Not. Wrinkle. Even when haphazardly thrown into a duffle bag or left in a pile of laundry for days. That alone is worth applause: No need for an iron or steamer? Ever? YES.”

Fast Facts

• Size range: XXXS to XL 
• Colors: 11
• Materials: nylon, Lycra elastane, polyester 

After PureWow editorial assistant Courtney Mason wore Maeve's Colette pants, she co-signed the word on the street about this viral bestseller.

“So, are the Maeve Colette Pants the perfect pair of bottoms? Simply put, yes,” Mason reports. “The relaxed-but-snug fit of these pants is something I could wax on about for ages. They never feel suffocating around my thighs, but still hug my curves in the best ways possible. They’re flattering, stretchy and comfortable to boot, and overall, a stunning option for everyday wear. I can honestly say they do live up to their fame, and wholeheartedly see myself trying different styles.”

A number of other editors have their Colettes on heavy repeat, and eagerly shop the new iterations of the basic shape (straight or wide legs, high waist, stretch fabrics) each season.

Fast Facts

• Size range: 23 to 34 waist; standard/tall/petite/plus
• Colors: 7
• Materials: viscose, linine, cotton, elastane

When it comes to jeans, I’m always torn. For the longevity of the fabric, I want as little stretch as possible. For my own comfort, I want as much stretch as possible. Fashion and Beauty Director-at-Large Deena Campbell seems to have cracked the code with Mother Denim’s Reifler jeans, which are 100 percent cotton (hooray for no plastic!) but are mind-bogglingly comfortable. And it doesn’t hurt that the brand is Meghan Markle-approved and petite-friendly. 

“MOTHER jeans just get me. Maybe it’s the name, maybe it’s the fit, but as a mom, I’m already inclined to love anything MOTHER, and The Reifler jeans are no exception,” she says. “They’re incredibly comfortable and the straight-leg silhouette is extremely relaxed. Plus, the shade is so good. It’s a rich blue with just enough depth to feel broken-in but still office-ready.”

Fast Facts

• Size range: 23 to 34 inseam 
• Colors: 4
• Materials: cotton

About three years ago, I bought a pair of Sézane’s Le Crop (⅞) jeans in ecru. I wore them so much I bought a second pair in denim blue. While I love and wear them with equal gusto, it was the denim blue pants that surprised me. While both have the same fabric composition (99 percent cotton, 1 percent elastane), the traditional jeans just had better stretch for whatever reason. I’m someone who sees the words “stretchy pants” and runs in the opposite direction. I like feeling “buttoned up.” But these pants manage to do that while allowing me to breathe easy. If I had to choose one pair of jeans for the rest of my life, these would be it. (And as a notoriously light packer, I often select them as my single pair for trips of two weeks or more.) 

Fast Facts

• Size range: US 0 to 16
• Colors: 10
• Materials: cotton, elastane 

New York girls and the fashion-forward have likely heard of The Row’s viral Gala pants—$1,090 for polyester and an elastic waistband. Luckily, similar styles abound for a fraction of the price. Masin immediately thought of this wide leg Gap pair, which features a similar polyester/elastane blend but clocks in under $100. 

“I love that they come in three different lengths. They're the definition of pants you can dress up or down,” she says. “I've worn them to the airport with a sweatshirt and sneakers, but I've also worn them out to dinner with a cropped sweater and flats. They’re the most versatile pants in my closet.”

Fast Facts

• Size range: XX to XXL; regular/tall/petite 
• Colors: 5
• Materials: polyester, elastane 

When barrel jeans first burst onto the scene a few years ago, I raised an eyebrow. But despite my doubts, the trend took off and remains popular across the board (even among petites!) Davison sits on the other end of the spectrum at nearly 6 feet tall, and also loves the silhouette—particularly Pilcro’s The Kayden. 

“I'm really into these cropped barrel jeans. I've resisted the trend for a while, but I do love how loungey they are,” she says. “The denim is thick but still soft, not starchy. Admittedly, if I wear the wrong shoes with them, I feel a bit like a rodeo clown. Mules? Yes. Sandals? Sure. Booties? Nah.”

The pants have an average of 4.5 stars with over 250 reviews, available in standard, tall, petite and plus sizes. True to the name, there’s a carpenter loop and five pockets. The only downside is that the color is limited to one navy pinstripe. 

Fast Facts

• Size range: 23 to 34 waist; standard, tall, petite, plus
• Colors: 1 
• Materials: cotton, elastane

While pants are typically thought of as a cool-weather staple, I cannot tell you the number of times I have done a windy winter walk or hopped on an airplane whose AC was working overtime in a pair of pants that leave me absolutely freezing. But former PureWow senior editor Dana Dickey has cracked the code with J.Crew's Delaney sweater pants.

"The name is deceptive—I thought a sweater pant sounded itchy, like a wool legging—but instead of annoying, these are delightfully trim and warm enough to keep me comfortable in-flight," she says. "I like how the pintuck starts at the top of the thigh rather than extending up to the waistband and appreciate how many compliments I get while wearing these."

Fast Facts

• Size range: XXS to XXXL
• Colors: 5
• Material: viscose, polyester, polyamide, elastane

Weight fluctuations are a common occurrence for many, which inevitably means you spend loads of money buying new pants or tailoring old ones to fit your body’s current size. Good American’s Always Fits straight-leg jeans stood out because of the generous sizing brackets (increments of 00-4, 6-12, 14-18, etc.) that buyers said accommodate their bodies. This is one of the reasons why Campbell raves about them. 

“The fit on these? Oh my! It’s wild how they mold to my body, hugging through the hips and thighs with a perfect straight leg,” she says. “What really gets me is the stretch: they’re designed to flex across multiple sizes, which is a lifesaver because there are definitely days (hello, that time of the month) when I feel like I’ve gone up five sizes overnight, and somehow, these still fit. They move with me, not against me.”

Fast Facts

• Size range: US 00 to 32
• Colors: 1 
• Materials: cotton, elastomultiester polyester, elastane

Maybe you’re a straight-up sweats person when it comes to the most comfortable pants. I’m not begrudging you—on the contrary, I’m offering up Everlane’s luxe take on the loungewear staple, which Masin highly recommends. 

“While these lean more into sweatpant territory, the slight barrel shape and quality cotton material give these a life outside of just loungewear,” she says. “My go-to weekend outfit pairs these with a white T-shirt and chambray longsleeve overtop. I don't feel like I'm running around in pajamas, but I feel just as comfy.” 

Fast Facts

• Size range: XXS to XXL 
• Colors: 5
• Materials: organic cotton, recycled polyester  

Typically, if you decide to wear jeans, you’re wearing jeans. Any fantasy that they might feel like anything better than glorified leggings is a humble delusion. And then Citizens of Humanity barreled onto the scene with their Annina jeans. The key textile? Cashmere. Though it makes up only about 5 percent of the total fabric, that didn’t stop PureWow Executive Managing Editor Catrina Yohay from raving about them.

“The cotton-cashmere-elastane blend is what gives this unique fabric its next-level comfort,” she says. “Though they look and wear like high-fashion denim, they feel like a soft, cozy microfleece. It’s somehow both flexible and structured, lifting and smoothing while holding its shape without digging into your midsection or sagging over time.”

Fast Facts

• Size range: 23 to 34 waist
• Colors: 13
• Materials: cotton, cashmere, elastane 

As noted above, I live and die by Sézane’s Le Crop in ecru, but I do wish they had a little more stretch. So when I had the chance to try Fabletics’ new denim line earlier this year, one peek in the mirror confirmed I’d found something akin to holy grail. I was hesitant; stretchy pants do not usually look good on me. But I was wrong, and I’ve never been happier to admit it. The high waist (with built in shaping panels) is flattering, and the cut is loose through the leg. Despite ordering my usual size, they ran long and I had a tailor take off about three inches. But importantly, I felt shaped and secure while still being able to breathe. These have quickly become a wardrobe staple. 

Fast Facts

• Size range: 23'' to 35'' waist; regular, short, tall
• Colors: 4
• Materials: cotton, recycled polyester, elastane 

Stephanie Maida says The Everlane Way-High Curve Jean ($148; $104) fits her “like a glove,” she says. “As soon as I slipped them on in-store, I was shocked by how well they seemed to hug my waist without squeezing, and how perfectly the hem skimmed my feet without dragging on the floor—something I rarely come across in standard-sized bottoms. They’re constructed of heavy-weight organic cotton with just a touch of elastane, which provides some welcome give at the waist.” She’s obsessed with them, now—and promises to wear her white denim pair long after Labor Day.

Fast Facts

• Size range: 23'' to 33'' waist; 27'' or 29'' inseam
• Colors: 8
• Material: cotton, elastane

When thinking of the most comfortable pants, sweatpants automatically zip to the top of the list. What’s not to love? They’re cozy, perfect for lounging and don’t feel restricting. But still, they’re usually a little meh. Straight leg joggers with an ankle cuff that feel more gym rat than fashion statement. But these barrel-leg babies, however, are where comfort and fashion collide. 

“I bought these pants last year and I'm shocked that they haven't gone viral yet,” says Purewow’s Director of Affiliate Strategy, Pam Masin. “The material is much thicker and higher quality than you often find with Amazon fashion purchases. I've tried a lot of barrel-shaped pants over the last year and found these to be better proportioned (not too wide or baggy) than some designer ones.”

Fast Facts

• Size range: XS to XXL 
• Colors: 14
• Materials: cotton, polyester