Essential Pants

Men

Photo: Davies + Starr for New York Magazine

DENIM
Uniqlo
546 Broadway, nr. Spring St.; 917-237-8800
The low-budget Japanese import’s huge selection of brightly colored sweaters and T-shirts can overshadow its extensive denim collection. There are slouchy, relaxed styles in a multitude of washes, and even Japanese selvage denim rarely tops $100 here. Another bonus: free same-day alterations.

Photo: Davies + Starr for New York Magazine

KHAKIS
J.Crew
99 Prince St., at Mercer St.; 212-966-2739 or jcrew.com for other locations
This chain store’s consistent ability to slightly twist the prep lexicon is admirable. The Italian chino’s slimmer cut can go solo with a T-shirt or more formal with a jacket, and it’s $118.

Photo: Davies + Starr for New York Magazine

WORK TROUSERS
Michael Andrews Bespoke
20 Clinton St., nr. Stanton St., Ste. C-7 212-677-1755
Tucked away on the Lower East Side, Michael Andrews Bespoke is clubby but professional. Prices start at $195, which is what you might pay off the rack at some places, but for a pair fitted to your body, it’s a steal.

Women

Photo: Davies + Starr for New York Magazine

DENIM
Bloomingdale’s Soho
504 Broadway, nr. Broome St. 212-729-5900
Of-the-moment high-waisted jeans and colorful skinnies abound, but there’s also an extensive stash of reliably flattering boot cuts and trouser styles. The best: dark-wash Joe’s Jeans jet trousers ($174), formal enough for the office but still able to say “jeans” on the weekend.

Photo: Davies + Starr for New York Magazine

CORDS
AG
111 Greene St., nr. Prince St. 212-680-0581
AG is better known as a denim brand, but several of its most popular styles, like the slightly flared Club, are continuously available in soft supima cotton with a bit of stretch ($159). Depending on your top, they’ll be comfortable well into warm weather.

Photo: Davies + Starr for New York Magazine

WORK TROUSERS
Montmartre
1157 Madison Ave., nr. 85th St. 212-988-8962
Practically an Upper East Side institution, with a stock of work-friendly wear that includes well-known names like Theory and Alice+Olivia. But better yet are smaller labels like Alvin Valley ($125) and Robert Rodriguez, whose classic flat fronts have wider but still flattering cuts.

Essential Pants