Workwear Pants That Are Clocking Overtime This Spring
There's a reason workwear pants have never really gone away. What started as a uniform for miners and carpenters, people who actually needed their clothes to hold up, has spent decades quietly infiltrating fashion, to the point where it's hard to imagine a spring/summer wardrobe without them.
Forget jeans. Forget chinos. Warmer weather calls for something with a bit more character, and workwear pants deliver every time. We've rounded up the best of them, from the tried n' tested classics to the new designer spins we've seen floating about.
Thanks to the below, consider all the work taken out of finding the right workwear pants.
Shop the best workwear pants for summer below.
Sacai Chino x Nylon Twill Cargo Pants
The beige tone of these pants keeps things grounded, but it’s the webbing straps at the back that shift the whole read. What could’ve leaned purely classic instead picks up a utilitarian edge, pulling the silhouette out of standard chino territory and into something more directional.
JW ANDERSON Twisted Straight-Leg Carpenter Jeans
JW Anderson takes a pair of straight-up carpenter jeans and gives them a slight twist, literally. The usual workwear details are all there, but the skewed seams and off-kilter waistband make the whole thing feel like it’s been gently pulled out of alignment.
Rick Owens Gray Temple Cargobelas Cargo Pants
Something a lil' more breezy comes in the form of Rick Owens' gray cargobelas. Organic cotton poplin pants that'll see you through the entirety of summer. The press-stud hardware and front zip don't hurt either.
Polo Ralph Lauren Distressed cotton canvas straight pants
Wanna look like you're the man (without lifting a finger)? You know what to do. Cotton canvas, distressed finish, paint splatters down the leg. Someone had fun making these.
Carhartt WIP Denim Double Knee Pants
Like, we said, few do workwear as well as Carhartt WIP. These denim double-kneed pants are built with workwear grit and reimagined for streetwear culture. Adding these to your collection is a no-brainer; they're versatile enough to level up just about any fit.
Dickies Loose Fit Double Knee Work Pants
These Dickies should be a staple in everyone’s wardrobe. The straight-leg, high-waisted fit of the double-knee “work pant” does most of the heavy lifting. Beyond the obvious durability, there’s something else at play, call it sex appeal if you want.
C.P. COMPANY Straight-Leg Cotton Reps Cargo Trousers
C.P. Company doesn't really do trends. Since Massimo Osti founded the brand in Bologna in 1971, the whole thing has been built around function first, military references, experimental fabrics, clothes that actually do what they set out to do. These cotton cargos are exactly that.
Nike ACG Zip Cargo Pants
Nike ACG doesn't get enough credit. The Smith Summit cargos zip off into shorts, repel water, and were tested in the Oregon wilderness. Overbuilt in the best way possible.
Lemaire Twisted cotton and linen twill pants
Leave it to Lemaire to make a twisted seam feel like a whole personality. Cut from cotton-linen twill, breathable, lived-in, exactly right for summer, these are the pants you wear when you want to look like you thought about it without looking like you tried.
Uniqlo Wide Cargo Pants
Cargo pants as we know (and love) them. Cotton-nylon blend with a drawstring hem proves you don't need to spend a lot to get it right. Plus, the four neutral colorways are a wardrobe's best friend.
Carhartt Loose Fit Canvas Utility Work Short
For the warmer days looming, Carhartt's been making these since before workwear was cool, and honestly, that's the appeal. Pure cotton canvas, built to take a beating, with just enough pockets to mean business. The OG summer short.
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