Where to Buy Dress Pants
Blog post written by: Shaoni Das
Different tools serve different purposes, and the same goes for clothing. Wearing a pair of dress pants doesn’t have to be intimidating, nor does it need to be reserved solely for the office! Men often feel they must squeeze themselves into a stiff, restrictive traditional suit to look dressed up or put together. We’re here to tell you to erase that idea from your mind.
Dress pants – and tailored clothing in general – is about capturing the essence of professional attire. If you begin to look at dress pants as a foundational piece in your day-to-day wardrobe, you’ll be amazed at the casual and creative business options out there now. With dress pants’ versatility and the variety of styles, fits, and fabrics available, you truly have the world at your feet when it comes to making a great impression.
This blog will guide you through the best tips and tricks for purchasing the best dress pants and reveal where to buy dress pants.
What to Consider When Buying Dress Pants
Before diving into where to shop, let’s first start with what you should look out for when buying dress pants. Consider these factors to ensure you make the right choice:
Fit: Learning what pants fit you best will take some time and experimentation but, at the very least, be conscious of your picks so you can adjust in the future if need be.
Fabric: It’s easy to get caught up in style and brand, but don’t overlook the fabric—it’s key! Wool is a classic for its moisture-wicking and warmth but this beloved fabric can be pricey. For summer or office comfort, cotton is your go-to. And for breathability and stretch, synthetic fabrics are perfect. Choose wisely for the best fit and feel!
Length and Rise: Proper length ensures that the pants break correctly over your shoes, while the rise affects how the waistband sits on your waist and your overall comfort, impacting both style and function.
Occasion: Dress pants have recently become so adaptable that you can wear them in a range of settings, such as job interviews, dinner parties, weddings, or weekend outings. However, how you style them—along with aspects like fit, fabric, and quality—will still have an impact.
Once you’ve nailed down your preferences, it’s time to explore where to shop. Here are five popular types of stores that offer an excellent selection of dress pants for every style and budget.
TL;DR: 5 Best Places to Buy Dress Pants
Online stores: Wide selection, easy to browse, and often with fast shipping.
Brand stores: Specialized designs and materials from brands you know and love.
Department stores: Great for in-person shopping with plenty of options.
Thrift stores: An affordable and eco-friendly option for unique or vintage pieces.
Online resale stores: Perfect for snagging second-hand deals on high-end brands.
1. Online Stores
Let’s state the obvious: The convenience that online shopping provides is unparalleled. In a department store, you may have to look through hundreds of men’s dress pants before you find one that you like. Ever loved a pair of slacks or dress pants, but it was not available in your size? Or come across a set that fits perfectly, but they ran out of the color you needed? Perhaps, the biggest downside of traditional department stores is that they have limited inventory, which can get frustrating.
Just as the wide availability of stock online makes it easier to find the items you need in the right sizes and colors, an expansive online catalog gives you the opportunity to explore new products that you may not have found otherwise.
Some popular online retailers to consider include Frank And Oak, known for their sustainable practices and stylish dress pants, Nordstrom, ASOS, and more.
2. Brand Stores
For those who prefer familiar names, shopping straight from the brand’s own store is usually the way to go. Most brands, especially luxury ones, continue to focus on quality and craftsmanship. After all, if they produce something that tears or loses its shape easily, their reputation is at stake.
There’s also a significance in being able to express yourself by wearing a specific brand that you can’t get elsewhere. By wearing a particular brand or designer, you might find yourself identifying with a group of like-minded, similarly accomplished individuals – after all, clothing is a form of self-expression.
Some brand stores that are known for their quality dress pants include Banana Republic, Frank And Oak, J.Crew, and more.
3. Department Stores
Department stores have always been a solid bet for men's and women’s dress pants, with a huge selection of brands and styles at various prices all in one place. Sometimes, all you need to do to find your pair of pants is to sample everything from classic cuts to trendy fits. By visiting a department store, you can try on different options right there and get a feel for what works best for you.
The flip side, though, is that the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming, and finding a specific style or size might be hit or miss. Also, while you might find a great deal, you could also end up paying more compared to specialty stores or online deals. But overall, the convenience and variety make department stores a solid option for anyone looking to update their dress pants collection!
Examples of department stores are Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Hudson’s Bay.
4. Thrift Stores
The concept of upcycling and repurposing clothing has been around for as long as people have worn clothes! Good-as-new—or gently used—dress pants get a second life in the global economy thanks to thrift and consignment stores like Goodwill and The Salvation Army, where customers have a comparable and eco-friendly alternative to quenching their fashion fix.
Keep in mind that the thrifter’s superpower is patience. You want to scrounge through an entire rack, feeling along the way and grabbing the best pieces. To do so, you need to learn what high-quality clothing feels like. For instance, high-quality dress pants generally have a thicker weight to them. Although it’s impossible to tell everything from just a quick snag, thrifting often strikes a wonderful balance between absurdly cheap and retro flair that just isn’t found in a normal store.
Some great places to find secondhand clothing include Goodwill, The Salvation Army, and local vintage shops.
5. Online Resale Stores
Online resale shops are a goldmine for men’s dress pants, offering a mix of hidden gems and stylish finds without leaving your couch. You can sift through a wide range of brands and styles, often at a fraction of the original price—perfect for those of us on a budget!
You might stumble upon some unique pieces that make your wardrobe stand out. However, the downsides are worth noting: you can’t try on the pants before buying, so you might end up with something that doesn’t quite fit or suit you. And let’s not forget, the sizing can be a bit of a gamble, and returns might be a hassle, so do your best to pay attention to measurements before adding to cart.
Among the top online resale platforms are Poshmark, TheRealReal, and eBay.
Conclusion
No matter your style, budget, or how you like to shop, finding the perfect pair of dress pants is a breeze these days. Whether you're scoring an incredible deal online or unearthing a vintage gem at a thrift store, there’s something out there for everyone. And if you want to boost your confidence while staying eco-conscious, don’t miss out on Frank & Oak—where chic fashion meets sustainability. So go ahead, explore your options, and get ready to strut your stuff in those new dress pants. You’re just a few clicks or a quick store visit away from elevating your wardrobe.
