Let’s Find This Reader Work Pants!

“I just got my dream librarian job,” wrote Valerie, a Cup of Jo reader. “I need some pants (not jeans!) that I can move around in — squatting, bending, sitting on the floor. Any ideas?” Yes! First, Valerie, congratulations! Librarians make the word go round, now more than ever, and they’re lucky to have you. Here are a few options to wear among the stacks (and I’m sure the comments will have good recs, too)…

Above is Madewell’s patch-pocket pair^[1]. Brown is a big color this fall and would be ideal for work, since, as Magnetic Fields frontman Stephin Merritt^[2] once told me in an interview, “Brown shows absolutely nothing. You’d have to spill some fuchsia paint.”

There’s also Alex Mill’s herringbone pair^[3], which I personally wear non-stop (including at Erika’s book event^[4] last week). The utility pockets are so good.

Old Navy’s uniform pants^[5] look chic with a button-down.

And these cuffed hems^[6] are sooooo cute. Audrey Hepburn vibes.

Everlane’s cotton pants^[7] have an easy, not-quite-barrel shape, and I like when pants come in colors that make an outfit pop.

These tailored ones^[8] are also wrinkle resistant and come in six colors.

Digging this wide-leg pair^[9] with camp pockets! Love the olive green.

Finally, you could also try black jeans^[10], which feel dressier than blue.

Thoughts? What pants would you recommend? I also love this belted pair^[11], and did you notice that almost all the outfits above are styled with ballet flats^[12]? It’s such a thing!

P.S. Readers share their gorgeous gardens^[13] and what they love about their looks^[14].

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