The Hunt: Crop Flare Pants for Work
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.
Crop flare pants are definitely trending at the moment, so I thought I'd do a quick roundup — are you liking the style? How are you wearing it to work — and where do you like the hem?
Our Latest Favorite Crop Flare Pants for Work
Hunting for crop flare pants? They're definitely trending in 2025 — some of our favorites include options from Madewell, Anthropologie, J.Crew, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Spanx, Theory, and M.M.LaFleur.
{related: The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual for Women}
The Best Crop Flare Pants for Work Outfits
Madewell Kick Out Crop Pants in Wool-Blend Twill
Starting strong out of the gate: these Madewell kick out crops in wool-blend twill look great for work, and there are a bunch of sizes (but not all) left in standard, petite, and tall sizes. I'm never a fan of a side pocket like this, but you can always sew it down if you really don't like it.
The pants were $138, but are now marked down to $49.
Another good sale with lucky sizes, including some plus sizes: the J.Crew Factory Kelsey flare pant.
Margot Kick-Flare Cropped Pants by Maeve
I love the pintuck in these kick-flare cropped pants by Maeve, from Anthropologie — I always think it makes things look nice. These are hemmed a tad high for my taste, but they're in good company with lots of other pants hemmed the same way.
The pants come in seven colors, marked from $98 down to $59. They're available in sizes XXS-XL, with select colors available in petites and tall sizes.
J.Crew Cropped Natalia Pants
The cropped Natalia pant, in four-season stretch, is a bestseller, with a slew of good reviews. It's normally $138, but is currently marked down to $89.50.
J.Crew describes the pant as thus: “Now with a subtly cropped length that's ideal for summer at work, the same flattering seaming down the front and a gently flared leg. Plus, it's made with our famous four-season stretch (a super-comfy fabric that never loses its shape).”
Nice! The pant is available in three colors, in sizes 00-24, 00P-12P, and 0T-16T.
Banana Republic Crop Flare Everywhere Ponte Pant
These online-exclusive pants from Banana Republic look great if you like a ponte option.
Some versions barely look cropped at all in the styling. It's available in five colors in regular, petite, and tall sizes; some colors are on sale for $80 with only lucky sizes. The pants are $100 full price.
Psst: here's our last discussion on tattoos in the workplace, and our last discussion focused explicitly on foot tattoos and interviews.
Ann Taylor Mini Flare Pant in Knit Crepe
If you're looking for a full suit option that includes crop flare ankle pants, Ann Taylor has a pair in their knit crepe suiting fabric. There's a matching one-button jacket (also on the shrunken side, as per our discussion re: schoolboy jackets the other day), a pair of full length trousers, and a matching long-sleeved dress.
The pants are available in sizes 00-18 for $109.
Spanx's Perfect Kick Flare Ponte Pants
Readers have always loved Spanx's Perfect pants — and this kick flare looks great if you want a bit of compression, as well as a pull on style. These are also the only pants in the bunch available in petite plus sizes.
The pants are $148 at Nordstrom, and come in regular, petite, petite plus, and plus sizes. Additionally, Spanx.com has the black in tall sizes, and some sizes available in a red.
Staud's Knack Pants
I feel like you can always count on Staud to be on trend, and these pants are definitely that.
I love the pintuck detailing, as well as the zipper up the back.
The pants are available in olive and navy at Shopbop for $148.
Theory's Cropped Flare Pant in Crepe Knit
Theory has a number of cropped styles right now — I think my favorite of the bunch is this cropped flare pant in crepe knit.
The pant is only available in black and gray, but it's on sale! It was $325, but is now marked to $244 — and it's available in sizes P-XL.
M.M.LaFleur's The Kick Flare Foster Pant – Eco PowerStretch
Another reader favorite: M.M.LaFleur's Foster pant. They were always slightly cropped but were more of a cigarette style; this new iteration is a kick flare.
The pant is available in five colors, sizes 00-20, for $255.
Vince's Pintuck Pleat Crop Flare Pants
Again: I love a good pintuck, and these crop flare ankle pants from Vince look perfect. The pants are $348 at Nordstrom.
Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!
Other Favorite Work Pants
The Best Work Pants for Women Overall
As of 2025, we think the best work pants for women include longtime favorites such as Nic + Zoe, Theory, NYDJ, J.Crew, and M.M.LaFleur — as well as trendy brands like Spanx, and Favorite Daughter. For budget-friendly styles, check Quince, Old Navy, and Amazon seller Tapata.
Women's Dress Pants by Fit: Plus, Petite, Curvy, Tall, and Plus-Size Petites
The Best Plus-Size Pants for the Office
Hunting for the best plus-size pants for work? As of 2024, favorites include Eloquii, Nic & Zoe, NYDJ, Universal Standard, Liverpool, J.Crew, and Lafayette 148 New York.
The Most Comfortable Dress Pants
There are a bunch of great pull-on pants for the office in 2025. Some of our longstanding favorites include those from Athleta*, Eileen Fisher*, Betabrand*, and Uniqlo. If you're looking for something a bit more polished but still ultra comfy, check out Nic & Zoe* or NYDJ*. (Brands with plus sizes are marked with asterisks.)
The Best Work Pants for Curvy Girls
Hunting for work pants if you're curvy? As of 2024, you can find them at Ann Taylor (regular and petite sizes 00-18), Banana Republic Factory (00-20, 00P-14P, 00T-20T), Loft (regular, petite, and tall sizes 00-18), and White House Black Market (00-18, regular, short, and long). Talbots also offers some options in sizes regular, petite, plus, and plus-size petites, as does Lane Bryant. (Banana Republic seems to have temporarily stopped making them, unfortunately.)
The Best Pants in Tall Sizes
Hunting for tall cuts in extended sizes? As of 2024, we suggest you check out Aritzia (00T-16T) (known for being very small!), Banana Republic Factory (00T-20T), Betabrand (XSL-3XL), J.Crew (00T-20T), J.Crew Factory (00T-20T), Express (0L-18L), and White House Black Market (00L-18L). For larger sizes, check out Eloquii (14T-32T) and Ulla Popken (12L-34L).
The Best Petite Work Pants
There are a ton of petite work pants right now. Some reader-favorite stores and brands include Liverpool, Banana Republic Factory (00P-18P), J.Crew Factory (00P-12P), Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Boden, J.Crew (00P-12P), Spanx, Boss, Hobbs, Lafayette 148 New York (0P-16P), and Reiss; Nordstrom is always a great place to check, especially for pants from Nic & Zoe, NYDJ, Liverpool, and Eileen Fisher. Quince also has both 30″ and 32″ lengths.
The Best Plus-Size Petite Work Pants
Seasonal Work Pants
Summer Work Pants for Women
Some of our favorite summer work pants for women as of 2024 include options from Nic + Zoe, M.M.LaFleur, Ministry of Supply, Uniqlo — and Banana Republic Factory sometimes has pants in their AirStretch line, also!
Winter Dress Pants for Women
Hunting for warm dress pants for winter? We like fabrics like wool flannel, wool blends, corduroy, and velvet — but know your office before wearing pants cut like denim, with five pockets (especially corduroy and velvet). In 2025, for wool flannel, check Aritzia, Loft, Talbots*, and Nordstrom. For great wool and wool blends, check out Banana Republic, J.Crew*, and M.M.LaFleur. (* = plus sizes)
Women's Dress Pants By Trendy Shapes
Wide-Leg Office Pants
Hunting for more wide-leg pants to wear to work? In 2025, general favorites include pleated pairs like Aritzia, Favorite Daughter, Everlane*, Reformation*, and Abercrombie*, with flat-front pairs from Good American,* M.M.LaFleur, and Ann Taylor (* = plus sizes; see the post for notes on petites and talls). We've also shared our thoughts on what shoes to wear with wide-leg pants!
Bootcut Dress Pants
There are a bunch of great bootcut dress pants. Some of our favorites as of 2025 include Theory, Spanx, Boss, and Good American, as well as the very affordable Tapata brand (with tall, petite, and regular lengths). On the more casual side, check out KUT from the Kloth cords, Wit & Wisdom jeans, and Betabrand “dress yoga pants.“
Great Ankle Pants for Work
Ankle pants are great if you like to switch up your shoe heights a lot. As of 2025, longstanding favorites include pants from Eileen Fisher*, J.Crew*, and Theory. For plus sizes check Eloquii as well as the options with asterisks — and on the more casual side, check out Old Navy*, Athleta*, and Everlane*. Nordstrom has a bunch of the trendier kick crop pants!
Modern Skinny Pants
Skinny pants may seem like they're on their way out for 2025, but I feel like the pants that are still around would classify as “cigarette pants.” Some great options include M.M.LaFleur's Foster and Lafayette 148 New York Gramercy pants.
Straight Dress Pants for Work
Straight pants can be a bit tricky to get the hem correct, and they have a slight potential to be frumpy. That said, they are a classic because they tend to be immune from trends. Some great options in 2025 include reader-favorites Nic & Zoe pants, NYDJ, J.Crew, these “perfect” pants from Spanx, and the very affordable Amazon seller Tapata (with petite, regular, and tall sizes).
Affordable Women's Office Pants
As of 2024, our top picks for really affordable dress pants for women include Lee, Uniqlo, Old Navy, or Quince — also check out Amazon sellers Tapata and Rekucci. If the pant comes in regular, petite, short, tall, long, or maternity sizes, we've marked that with R/P/S/T/L/M below.
Machine Washable Dress Pants
Some of our favorite washable pants for work in 2025 include Nic & Zoe, M.M.LaFleur, Uniqlo, Everlane, Eileen Fisher, J.Crew, Ann Taylor, Old Navy, and more. Note that our roundups of pull-on pants for the office and summer work pants also include a ton of washable pants!)
As a shortie, I love these “cropped” flares because they are full length on me! By the time I shorten regular flares they’ve always lost their shape.
i think cropped flares aren’t that flattering on many people, it is one thing if you are petite and so they aren’t really cropped, but i think they look best on tall people, otherwise they kind of cut you off. but, i am also team, where what you like and feels good to you, so if thats what suits you, go for it
It’s not about height but about body type. As a “gamine,” I look best in cropped pants and bracelet sleeves. I’m only 5’6″.
Agree that it’s about body type. As someone who carries all her weight in the butt, hips, and thighs, cropped flares are tragic on me. Proportionally, it just doesn’t work. Crops look really cute on gamine types.
Even your thinking isn’t absolute. I’m a tall, long limbed pear with a high waist – and cropped flares are perfect for me. Love them.
I’m a first generation person who grew up with what I call Achievement Culture in Bergen County. I scraped and struggled to build the plane as I flew it. I still do t know what I don’t know and now I have teens. One will hopefully go to a good state school where I live now. The other is very smart but so socially awkward (but apparently not autistic, but we did testing for it) that we are concerned that if she goes to college, she will just be in her dorm room and on her phone and not get the experience and may also not launch into the job world. Is this the sort of kid who should take a gap year to work and mature? A local option can also be to work at a hospital, which will then pay for an AB in nursing. I hate to not send a capable kid to college, but I get that in health care, schools can matter less than passing hard licensing tests and actually doing the work (which I think the kid would do very well in), and this is a field of interest (in a general undefined way). If we had less money and a kid wanted to do hair, kid would go to cosmetology school and then to work. Having the $ for state U but maybe deferring it is just so foreign for how I grew up (but jugging PT work and school was how my parents and cousins did it). Advice? Maybe just have kid apply and defer state U?
I guess this could be where a private counselor would help but IDK any and the ones where I am seem to be geared towards Ivy-league type schools.
I was a very shy kid. College was amazing for me: instead of being weird for being smart and loving to learn, I was around five thousand other smart kids who love to learn.
Had my parents not allowed me to go because they thought I would sit around… that would have thrown gasoline on the fire.
What does your daughter want?
She doesn’t know really. She feels that there is some stigma to not going to college or not going straight to college. Even with nurses, she has met some who went to UVA and Vandy, so treated as rock stars. But she acknowledges that she is a worker and is happiest when busy vs the anxious creep of school studying. IDK what the answer is. Health care is just really different from my area (finance), where no one goes to community college ever.
She shouldn’t go into healthcare as a backup option or because she doesn’t know what else to do, IMO. Is healthcare something that actually appeals to her because she wants to do that type of work, or is it because it’s a more structured way to go about entering the work world? If it’s the second one, I don’t think that’s going to be a good path for her.
Honestly, it sounds like she’s be well served by gaining some independence.
Other options are to do structured volunteering, be qualified as a Certified Nursing Aid (CNA) to get some hands-on experience in healthcare settings. Maybe see if the local high school counselors or college career office can help coordinate options for internships. See if your daughter could do some career exploration testing, either independently or via school connections. Know any friends that she could observe a few days/hours a week to see what career environments are appealing?
Other options are to do structured volunteering, be qualified as a Certified Nursing Aid (CNA) to get some hands-on experience in healthcare settings. Maybe see if the local high school counselors or college career office can help coordinate options for internships. See if your daughter could do some career exploration testing, either independently or via school connections. Know any friends that she could observe a few days/hours a week to see what career environments are appealing?
Telehealth nursing or other helping careers may also be options. Has she looked into being a medical coder, or office type assistant that is nursing/medical adjacent but less 1-1 interactions.
Are you the same parent who is always posting about your autistic kid who wants to be a nurse but whom you want to be an LPN? For heaven’s sake, send her to college. A friend of mine has a kid similar to yours who is interested in computer science. The parents kept her home to attend community college for a few years before finally sending her to a 4-year school. At community college she just languished and didn’t develop any maturity. Living on campus at real college has been very good for her.
This feels a LOT like that poster.
I have that kid. She insisted on going far away to a big school and despite my worries I thought it was really important to let her. Her easily-social older sister had and I did not want to show any favoritism. Freshman year went well, but then sophomore year, with a strong assist from the pandemic, she stayed in her dorm room and on her phone, and she essentially flunked out. She came home, worked retail for a year, and then 100% on her own reapplied to a small and quirky 4-year school close to home. She got straight As and made friends. That’s my long way of saying that if you can afford to, follow her lead. My daughter had to figure things out on her own, even if that meant failing on her first try. And yes, I understand this is a privileged POV.
Thanks! This is helpful. The school just has too many pathways but no real analysis and feedback function. I know my neighbors and co-workers would dismiss it out of hand. It seems very Soviet style to designate people as a colle or work track. I guess the community college option will always be there — they at least seem eager to meet people where they are when it is time.
Your neighbors and colleagues would dismiss the community college or unstructured gap year idea out of hand because it’s not appropriate for your child. Community college is no longer the pathway to four-year college it was when we were students. It has become a combination vocational school and holding tank for kids who didn’t do well in high school but don’t know what to do with themselves afterwards. A gap year is great if it’s a structured program or if you have a very self-driven kid who will go out and get a job that will give her hands-on experience in her chosen field. A gap year of living at home and working a part-time job is not going to help a kid who needs to learn self-motivation and social skills. That’s what dorm life and college are for.
So many people probably should have worked in high school or summers but don’t know. And with rampant redshirting, the gap year may go by the wayside with private school parents in my city. But I know kids who flame out and are told by parents to get a job and the tuition checks are paused while they figure stuff out. They seem to sort it out and come out better for it. But school is so expensive now that IDK what I’d do for a kid who says they aren’t sure or aren’t ready. Maybe help them really explore that and also piece together what a plan B is if plan A isn’t happening right away.
I firmly believe that absent a severe disability, all teens should leave home by age 18 to live in a semi-independent environment such as college or the military. Separating from your parents and learning to do things for yourself is an essential step towards adulthood.
Is nursing a good career path for someone socially awkward? I thought it could be pretty rough socially compared to other healthcare careers.
I kind of agree with this. To be a good nurse, it is extremely helpful to be warm with good communication skills.
Many nursing jobs involve a lot of teamwork and require the ability to constantly interact effectively with other people — both patients and colleagues. A socially awkward person might be better off considering something like pharmacy or a lab tech role.
How did Everlane’s dream kick flare pant miss this last? Much better than many of the above options IMO.