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The 15 Best Pants for Travel
Low-maintenance, highly versatile styles you can adapt for any leg of your trip.
Despite my extensive experience writing about and ruminating on the art of packing, I still get a little pang of anxiety whenever I have to drag my trusty Victorinox out from under my bed.
After years of practice, I can curate a mean carry-on for almost any length of time—and yet, each new trip presents a unique combination of climate, culture, and itinerary that prevents me from being able to pack entirely on autopilot.
The reality is that even the most well-curated checklist can’t tell us exactly what to wear to a client dinner in Columbus, Ohio (although our stylists have some ideas) or for a bachelorette weekend with an oddly obscure theme (I’m a recent victim of this). There will always be some form of nuance involved in the packing process, so it’s best to save your brain power for those trip-specific puzzles and fill the rest of your suitcase with high-quality, chameleon-like staples—such as some fantastic pairs of pants.
Why pants in particular? They’re workhorse items you can wear multiple travel days in a row without anyone noticing (or smelling) that you’ve done so. Also, have you ever been stuck wearing an uncomfortable pair of pants? It’s enough to make or break your day—not exactly what you want when you’re sitting through a full day of meetings or spending your hard-earned dollars on a walking tour of Rome.
To ensure you’re purchasing high-value pairs of travel pants, look for the following qualities:
☑ High-quality fabric (comfort, durability, and resilience)
☑ Wrinkle-resistance (no steaming necessary)
☑ Machine-washability (in case you spill)
☑ Lightweight (no one wants a bulky suitcase)
☑ Versatility in terms of color (easy to pair with the majority of your suitcase)
☑ Versatility in terms of formality (can be dressed up or down)
In the market for a fresh pair? Below, see a list of 15 especially travel-friendly pants worth investing in right now.
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The 15 Best Pants for Travel
1. The Foster Pant
Made from our signature PowerStretch fabric, the straight-leg Fosters are secretly flexible and impressively bum-sculpting. It’s no wonder they’re our #1 best-selling pant of all time.
The Foster pant
2. The Kick Flare Foster Pant
A more fashion-forward take on the classic Foster, this Kick Flare version has a slight crop and a subtle flare. In other words, this silhouette retains the famous feel-good fit of our classic Fosters while introducing an of-the-moment, playful cut. Last spring, I wore mine all around Europe (and on my 7-hour flight!), so I can confidently say they make an excellent travel companion.
3. The Skinny Foster Pant
Prefer a slim fit? Go with the Skinny Foster—featuring a fitted silhouette, notched ankles, and faux back pockets for a bit of extra coverage. Fun fact: Depending on your height and shoe, the notched ankles will look different. If you’re more petite, the hem might fall a bit below your ankle, which looks extra-chic, thanks to the notch.
The Curie pant
4. The Curie Pant
Even more skinny-jean-like are our Curie pants, which are also made from our PowerStretch fabric but feature a front-fly closure, belt loops, front pockets, and an ankle zipper for an ultra-slim look. This style also comes in two inseams and has a built-in elastic waistband for added comfort.
5. The Colby Pant
Most elastic-waist women’s travel pants feel either juvenile or frumpy, and yet, the Colby pants are anything but. Made from our signature OrigamiTech fabric, these pants offer a moisture-wicking, water-resistant feel in addition to a flatteringly tapered cut—like a hybrid between an athleisure jogger and a suiting trouser. They also have zippered pockets for discreet functionality (e.g. stowing credit cards, your phone, etc.).
The Colby pant
The Zhou culotte
6. The Zhou Culotte
With a swingy, wide-leg, the Zhous are breezy enough for a long afternoon of city strolls and sophisticated enough to end the day at that Michelin-star spot you bookmarked. Their Eco Soft Wave fabric is wrinkle-resistant and is even odor-resistant, thanks to a special fabric finish called Polygiene®.
7. The Elena Culotte
Similarly, the Elena culottes have a swishy, fashion-forward cut that adds instant elegance to even your simplest of tops. Also, they come in our OrigamiTech fabric, which you can pair back to pieces like the Moreland jacket—a bestseller that includes hidden pockets—for a fully wrinkle-free, travel-friendly suit.
The Elena culotte
The Milo jean
8. The Milo Jean
As our #1-selling jean, the Milo combines a wide (but not oversized) silhouette, the ideal mix of stretch and structure (courtesy of our Better Than Denim fabric), and adjustable hems that are absolutely game-changing when you’re caught in the rain or sprinting through the airport. Pro tip: If you’re new to wide-leg jeans, check out this story for approachable outfit inspo.
9. The Roma Jean
If your personal preference looks more like a skinny jean, try the Roma instead. An updated take on our beloved Hockley, the Roma has that same fantastic fit and flexibility plus the defined waistband of a classic jean. Finally: True skinny jeans you can actually indulge in—no unbuttoning necessary.
The Roma jean
The Allyn pant
10. The Allyn Pant
These pull-on pants are made from buttery soft Italian ponte that feels like pajamas but is also structured enough if you’re in the office or out on the town. In other words, the Allyns are perfect to fly in if you don’t have time to stop at the hotel right after the airport.
11. The Archie Jean
Another cropped, kick-flare style, the Archies are easy jeans with an extra dose of chic. Our Better Than Denim fabric is secretly stretchy and looks far more polished than traditional denim, so you can easily reframe this effortless essential to be more trouser-like with help of a drapey blouse or merino wool blazer.
The Archie jean
The Pearl pant
12. The Pearl Pant
The Pearl pant is a classic suiting trouser with travel-friendly functionality. It features a slight crop, a subtle taper, and front pockets. Thanks to our Japanese cotton tweed fabric, there’s no clinging or crumpling to be seen.
13. The Abby Pant
Now in a deliciously rich shade of brown called “date,” our Abby pant is ready to take on all your fall travel. Our Stretch Chino fabric looks effortlessly stylish, feels peachy-soft, and pairs perfectly back to the matching Tyner jacket for the chicest autumnal suit you’ve ever seen.
The Abby pant
The Tinsley trouser
14. The Tinsley Trouser
The wide-leg Tinsley trousers create a menswear-inspired vibe, and our Pebble Crepe fabric is impressively wrinkle-resistant. The leopard sketch print might not seem versatile at first glance, but just like a classic cat print, its neutral palette pairs well with most solid, neutral-colored pieces in your suitcase.
15. The Madelyn Pant
The Madelyn is our take on the ultimate vacation pant. They come in several feather-light fabrics but offer sun protection thanks to their full coverage. Even better? They’re on discount right now as part of our end-of-summer sale.
The Madelyn pant
