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.

LIVERPOOL KELSEY KNIT TROUSERS size 8

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.

NIC+ZOE PONTE STRAIGHT LEG PANTS size S

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.

CHICO'S PONTE PANTS
DENIM UTILITY JACKET size 1 / JULIET PONTE PANTS size 0.5 / CASHMERE SNAKE PRINT SWEATER size 1

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:

TALBOTS BLACK DENIM STRAIGHT LEG JEANS
HALF ZIP PULLOVER size M / HIGH-WAIST STRAIGHT LEG JEANS size 8P

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:

BEST BLACK CHINO PANTS FROM TALBOTS
RIBBED CREWNECK SWEATER size PM / SHORT SLEEVE QUILTED PUFFER size M /
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:

BLACK CROPPED WIDE LEG PANTS SPANX
SPANXSMOOTH™ PERFECTFIT PONTE CROPPED WIDE LEG PANT

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:

ATHLETA ENDLESS PANTS size 6

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:

BEST BLACK TROUSERS WORK PANTS
J.CREW KATE STRAIGHT-LEG PANTS IN FOUR-SEASON STRETCH

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:

BEST BLACK TROUSERS LULULEMON
LULULEMON DAYDRIFT HIGH-RISE 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:

AFFORDABLE BLACK PANTS QUINCE
QUINCE ULTRA-STRETCH PONTE STRAIGHT-LEG PANTS

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:

BEST BLACK PANTS FOR WOMEN ON AMAZON
LEE ULTRA LUX COMFORT WITH FLEX MOTION TROUSER PANT

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:

BEST SIZE INCLUSIVE BLACK PANTS EILEEN FISHER STRETCH CREPE
EILEEN FISHER WASHABLE STRETCH CREPE PANT

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.

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40 Comments

  1. What a great selection and so many pull-on styles included. Thank you!

  2. Thank you for this excellent post with a variety of great options! My favorite go-to black pants are from JJill to include ponte slim and ponte boot cut (a nice medium weight), the Wearever pants (a lighter weight), and the Pure Jill pants. They all have held up well over the years; and although I have others from Talbots, Chico, and Coldwater Creek, the JJill quality and consistent sizing/fit work best for my lifestyle and my size 6-8 frame and 5’6″ height.

  3. suzanstew says:

    This is pretty scary. I own most of these pants. My current faves are the Kelsey Liverpool slacks. Just bought a new pair with the flared legs, as opposed to the wide legs and they are, well just flared enough. I think every version here serves a different purposed. The Eileen Fisher are for travel and long tops. The Kelsey can be belted. The Juliets are for shorter sweaters. The black jeans are an alternative to blue jeans. I also have a pair of Spanx pants from a while ago that are probably straight legs that I like.

    1. Not scary, you have great taste in black pants!

  4. Some super selections, Jennifer! For myself have various black slacks with my favourite currently being a mix of viscose/nylon/elastane that holds its shape, plus are easy mainenance and is comfy as pyjama bottoms. Also do find their fabric weight is suitable for my climate of Autumn/Winter/early Spring. As for their design; they are midwaist, front zipper closure, full length and cut of leg is best described as ‘carrot’ that can easily be adjusted temporaily with fashion tape to accommodate a selection of footwear (casual to dress/flat to heeled) and do work with most tops (box to fitted/cropped to tunic) due to their drape. Needless to say, I do get a lot of wear out of them. -Brenda-
    P.S.: I didn’t mention the brand as this speciic style is no longer in stock.

    1. They sound wonderful Brenda!

  5. Love your choices in black pants today. Mine are Chicos trouser style jeans and LandsEnd Sport knit. Enjoy your time in Vancouver!