The Best and Most Comfortable Black Pants for Women Over 50
Black pants are a staple in my and many women’s wardrobe. They’re versatile, easy to wear, and work for just about any occasion, whether I’m running errands or heading to a nice dinner. But finding the right pair isn’t always easy, especially if you want something comfortable that fits well and looks great. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite black pants, from casual black jeans to more polished options for work, to help make your search a little easier.
The Best Black Pants for Women Over 50
Best Black Ponte Pants:
Ponte is one of my favorite fabrics for pants of any color but especially in black. I find them the most versatile and frequently wear them for travel.
These Nic+Zoe straight-leg pants have a front zip and welt pockets in the back, which give them a streamlined look. They’re machine washable and dress up or down with ease.
I’ve worn Chico’s Brigitte pants for years, but I have to say, I prefer the fit and fabric of these Juliet Ponte Pants even more. Thanks to their SoSlimming technology, they smooth and shape without being tight or uncomfortable. The fabric is also wrinkle-resistant, making them a great option for travel.
Best Black Denim Pants:
Black jeans have been a favorite in my cold-weather wardrobe forever. They’re dressier than blue jeans but still have the same casual vibe. These high-waist stretch jeans have slim, straight legs and have been a Talbots favorite for years. The black is a never-fade wash, and they’ve included a front tummy slimming panel, which I always appreciate. They come in sizes 4-18 misses, 6L-16L misses long, and 2-16 petite.
Best Black Chino Pants:
STRAIGHT LEG PERFECT CHINOS size 6
These Talblots Straight-Leg chinos are made from a cotton/spandex blend and fit like a dream. I’m wearing them in Indigo Blue, but they also come in other colors including black. They’re 98″ cotton and 2% spandex, so they’ll give when you move but won’t bag out of shape. They’re machine washable and a perfect classic.
Best Black Cropped Wide Leg Pants:
These Spanx pants are a nice weight, 4-way stretch ponte fabric with a high rise waist and cropped wide leg. (petite inseam 25″, regular inseam 27″, and tall is 30″. The pull-on style means there are no buttons, zippers, or pockets to create extra bulk around your stomach area, and the cropped length is perfect for showing off your shoes, especially as we transition into spring. P.S. If you’re not sure how to wear and style wide-leg pants, check out some of my tips here. Available in regular, petite, and tall XS-3X.
Best Black Everyday Pant:
My Athleta Endless pants are amazing for travel (check out my full round-up of travel pants here), but they’re equally a favorite for everyday wear. I’m not usually one to opt for sweatpants or leggings when I’m out and about, so these offer a comfy and polished alternative. These come in regular sizes 0-22, tall sizes 0-16, and petite sizes 0-14 and in 7 colors.
Best Black Pants for Work:
If you’re looking for a reliable pair of work pants, these Kate Straight Leg pants from J.Crew are a great choice. They have a classic, tailored look that will pair easily with blazers, sweaters, blouses, and more, making them a versatile option for year-round wear. Sizes 00-24. I own this style in black faux leather and adore them.
Best Black Trouser:
I’ve been seeing these trousers all over Instagram lately. They drape nicely and can be dressed up or down, depending on your plans. They’re made with an interior draw cord, which can be tightened for the perfect fit. Available in three different lengths in sizes XXS-XL.
Best Black Pants Under $50:
If you’re looking for quality, budget-friendly pieces, Quince is a great place to shop. These straight-leg pants are under $40, come in 9 colors, and offer four inseam lengths from XS-XL. The fabric is stretchy and comfy, and the straight-leg style works with a wide variety of shoe options. You can find more of my favorites from Quince here.
Best Black Pants on Amazon:
If you need a pair of black pants in a pinch, these highly-rated trousers ship quickly, and Amazon’s hassle-free return policy means you can easily send them back if they don’t work. They have a comfy waistband that stays in place and moves with you, and they’re easy to dress up or down with a simple change of shoes. Sizes 2-14 in regular, short, and tall lengths.
Best Size-Inclusive Black Pants:
For over fifteen years, I haven’t packed a suitcase without bringing at least two pairs of these Washable Crepe stretch pants. I own them in multiple colors, and they look just as great with a pair of sneakers as they do with a ballet flat or sandal. They have a slim shape, so I prefer a longer top but have also been known to wear them under a dress or long jacket. Sizes XXS-3X, as well as PP-PL.
Shop More Black Pants for Women Over 50:
Do you have a go-to pair of black pants? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Oh Jennifer. The Lee black pants are work horses in my wardrobe. They get worn to work a lot. They look good but stretch enough to be comfortable all day long. I have the spank perfect pant which are also comfy but three times the price. The Lee wash up better than the spanx and they are often in the wash together so I know I have been treating them the same.
Since your in Canada for a few weeks, how about popping into some Canadian stores and slip a little Canadian content into your blogs. This Winnipegger would love it!
A caution on the Quince pants. I bought several pair and didn’t pay attention to the laundering instructions. I machine washed 1 pair and put in the dryer for just a minute or two to get the wrinkles out and then hung them to dry as I would with other Ponte pants. These were a disaster. The seams on the legs got very bunchy, so that I even had to iron the seams to try to flatten them. THEN I looked at the instructions, which say to lay FLAT to dry. Who ever does that with pants???
Love a stretchy black cigarette pant. Great post.
Thank you for compiling this list. I decided to give the Athleta pants a try. I had planned to order black but noticed the beige colored ones were selling out. I ordered The Brooklyn and The Highrise and hope one or both will work. Welcome back to the NW. You missed the long and unusual stretch of sunny weather.
I came just in time for the rain and snow 🙂
So many wonderful choices thank you Jennifer. Enjoy Vancouver:)
Thank you. We’re excited to be here
My go to black pants for work are Ming Wang knit trousers either straight or wide leg version. They are pricey at the onset but they last for years (my oldest pair were purchased in 2012 and still look new). For travel, my go to is Chico’s Travelers Classic No Tummy pants. Both are very comfortable, don’t need to be dry cleaned and literally go with anything. Also, it is easy to adjust the length of the waist elastic if you find the waist is too loose. My favorite black jeans are Lee Legendary Mid-Rise Boot Cut Jean, which are also available on Amazon. I tend to wear black jeans for casual wear because I find it hard to find deep indigo blue jeans that haven’t been treated to make them look washed or faded. I prefer that my blue jeans develop the faded and distressed look naturally from being worn and loved over years. I will try out some of your other suggestions as items leave my closet to be donated since I’m still Iosing weight so a lot of my trousers are too big now. My waist is down to 35″ from nearly 40″ over the past year and a half and I’m only 18 pounds away from my goal weight! And yes, this has all been happening under the supervisor of my doctor and a dietician. So I definitely see some of the trousers in this post ending up in my closet.
Congratulations Christine!
Thank you for all the research you’ve done on black pants which I love and tend to wear more now than jeans. I love the Athleta Endless pant. I purchased a pair in navy and black for travelling in Ireland last spring and found them so comfortable. I always look forward to your very informative posts!!!
Your thorough research on your topics is amazing. You have shown us so many choices. Thanks for doing such a great job!
These black pants are great. I always have black jeans and grey jeans. I think they look a little dressier then blue jeans. I even found some nice black golf pants called Slimsations in petite so no hemming required.
The link for nic + zoe pants is incorrect. One frustration with your posts is that many pants look full length on you because you are petite but are ankle pants on me. Arghh. Hard to find full length pants for us taller women.
Sorry for that frustration. I often mention my height so readers can tell.
Great post! I love the many options and even own a couple…Athleta and Quince. I am wondering “how many pair of black pants do I need?”
Love the Eileen Fisher pants!
I am always looking for casual pants that suit my active retired lifestyle. This year I purchased Talbots Out & About Straight Leg pants; early in the season they came in a cream color and I was lucky to get them by asking the salesgirl at my local store. I also purchased the navy and black. Although I like the Athleta Brooklyns, these Out & Abouts are slimmer and a tad heavier so they hang nicer. I can wear them from a round of golf to dinner out. Love them!
I will have to try them!!
You’ve picked two of my faves, the Endless and the JC Kate. Highly recommend! I find the Quince ponte Spanx knockoffs to run small, so size up. They are thick and great quality.
Thanks for the tip!
Jennifer, I have worn pants from almost all of these brands, and I have to say that my favorite brand is Quince. Their pants are so comfortable and the prices can’t be beat. I am amazed how often I reach for my Quince pants when putting outfits together. I have their pants in various colors and leg shapes. Have fun in Canada!
Good to know! I’ll have to try them.
Athleta Endless pants! I have a black pair that I wore on a trip to Italy. I wore them multiple times and they still looked good when I returned home. I have subsequently bought (on sale) a navy and olive green pair. Perfect! I love how you styled yours with the tucked-in top. I will have to try that too.
The Endless are amazing. I have 3 colors.
Can’t go wrong with black slacks and you’ve provided a great selection.
Chico’s has a great straight leg style. They have some stretch, are comfy and best of all washable! They do need a bit of a press with warm iron after hang drying.
Jennifer- do any of these pants have a stretchy waist? I own wide leg Eileen Fisher in pp, but would love a woven pair in petite . I need narrow hips, wider waist and no narrow legs. Thanks in advance!
It they’re a pull-on style, the will always have a stretchy waist band.
My “go to” are the J Jill Ponte slim leg pant. Those, and my Athleta Endless pants are my travel capsule workhorses. Both Eileen Fisher and J Jill make a great wide leg crop…the EF is a heavier fabric, so Jill usually gets rolled up in the suitcase. Just found the Eileen Fisher lantern pant, and it gives such a nice look….both casual and dressy. I have 2 prs of the EF stretch crepe (tan and dark grey) but they do have one unwanted aspect….they have a “camel toe” effect in the crotch therefore you really have to wear a longer top. As fab as they are for travel, if I have just a carryon and it’s a long trip, they stay home.
I like my EF crepe pants with longer tops too 🙂
My favorites are the Chico’s, Talbots, and the Eileen Fisher that you have shown. They are my go to brands for dress, casual, or athleisure. These stores are in my neighborhood so dropping in or doing returns is easy. Also, the sizing is fairly consistent.
How about Eileen Fisher? Great ponte pants and the standard 696 pant are staples for me.
I love those too! I have several
Do the ponte pants attract lint from static in the winter? At work I am constantly using my lint roller on my black jackets and tops.
No, mine do not. Ponte is a tight knit with a smooth finish.