No Zippers or Buttons Here: The Pull-On Pants We Own in Multiples

I got my first pair of Arc pants (olive) in early 2024 and have since bought three more pairs in red, black, and tobacco. They’re the pants I wear most often, probably almost every day. As a five-foot-two person, I think the barrel cut doesn’t make me look quite as stumpy as some other styles do. I also like that they are roomy throughout without being overwhelming, like wide-legged pants can be for me. And I think these manage to not look sloppy while being comfortable — so comfortable, in fact, that they are also the pants that I wear for air travel. The pockets are roomy enough to hold an iPhone 17 without it falling out when you sit down and also so its presence is not detectable when you’re standing. They don’t stretch out too much with wear, and they’ve held up really well through many washes and wears.

I sort of impulsively bought these in brown last September (that color is now sold out) because I was lacking nice-looking, comfy work pants. I ended up wearing them atonthrough fall and winter, so I bought another pair in black in January. They look good, even on a short person (I’m five-foot-two), and pair well with really any top or shoe in my closet. They’re pretty tight-fitting through the hips and thighs (or at least my hips and thighs), which I think is what keeps the wide-leg cut from overwhelming my frame. I did try sizing up for my second pair to make them easier to actuallypull on, but that ruined the whole look for me. They were a bit too baggy in the front and on the thighs and looked much less put-together. I don’t mind their tightness, though, as they’re perfectly comfortable once they’re on. They are pretty thick, so they were great for this especially cold winter, but I’ll continue wearing them until summer.

Uniqlo’s Cotton Relaxed Ankle Pants have a straight leg that I haven’t been able to find in a long time — everything’s barrel-y now. The fact that they are 100 percent cotton makes them all the better. I like that the waist doesn’t come up too high, the fit’s not tight through the hips and thighs, and I can move in them easily. There’s an inner drawstring to help with any waist-gapping. And while they could use a steam occasionally, I actually think there is something appealing about them when they are slightly crinkled. They’re not formal, but they’re not informal, either. I have them in brown, black, and natural — all neutrals, but the colors don’t read boring. I ordered all three pairs with Uniqlo’s free alterations for a 25-inch inseam (I’m about five-foot-two).

I have the Brooke Callahan Tie Pants in cream, brown, and green, and am considering buying the light pink this spring. I had first seen them a couple years ago online, and they reminded me of a pair of cotton drawstring Emily Levine pants that I wore a lot. Then I saw my friend Annie wearing them in brown, and knew I wanted to order them. They are extremely easy to wear in the spring and summer — crisp, lightweight, and easily adjustable thanks to the drawstring waist. I appreciate that they have all different inseam lengths; I wear the small with a 32-inch inseam, which makes them full-length on me (I’m five-foot-eight). I love wearing them with anoversize button-down shirtandflats, but they look nice with a T-shirt or a tank top, too. The drawstring (which ties on the side by the hip) might make them see lounge-y, but the cotton poplin keeps them from looking too casual — I’ve worn them out to dinner and to the office, and they are the first thing I pack if I’m traveling because they’re lightweight, pack down easily, and can be hand-washed and -dried (although I’ve put them through the washing machine and hung them to dry, and that’s been completely fine, too).

I’d been a big fan of Jungmaven’shemp T-shirtsandsweatshirtsfor years before ever trying a pair of the brand’s pants. But then about a year ago, I got a pair of denim Disco pants and fell in love. They are made of substantial-weight denim that is 55 percent hemp and 45 percent organic cotton, so they are really soft and drape well. I ultimately bought a second pair — thenavy cotton-twill Disco pants, which are made with the same fabric blend but have a different weave. ​​I love how wide the legs are and how casually chic they look in the spring and summer with asimple white tee.