Ask Belle: White Trousers for Work

Good morning Belle,

Can you help me find some staffer-price-point white work dress pants? All the pants I’ve found in this price range (under $100) have been unlined (ugh!) or unflattering. Willing to tailor but need a good piece to work with!

Thanks! KS

Every summer, I get this question.  In their never-ending quest to save money, retailers continue to remove liners from their pants and skirts.  This isn’t a big problem with a dark color like black or navy, but with white trousers…nightmare.

Ann Taylor Cotton Sateen Pant ($89)

Ann Taylor offers several styles of lined white pants.  They’re selling out in some of the sizes, but if you call the stores, you can often find what you’re looking for.  The only style still available in every size is the signature straight leg.

Other styles available?  Brooks Brothers offers a gabardine trouser in crisp white.  Talbot’s has several fully lined styles, but this wider-leg trouser is my favorite.  And Anne Klein makes a white trouser every year, so you can replace them if need be.

Plus-size?  Talbot’s makes a plus-size trouser, as does Eloquii.  Petite?  These Tahari ASL pants are a good place to start and, of course, Talbot’s.

Need skirts? Try Charter Club for something affordable.  Calvin Klein offers a sleek pencil skirt.  But my favorite option (also in petites) comes from White House Black Market.