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Most offices tend to frown upon their employees turning up in pyjamas, but for some reason they haven’t quite cottoned-on to the work-around that is drawstring pants.
These trending elastic-waist trousers are the saviour of office dressing—offering a polished, high-fashion pant, in a casual, bedtime fit. Think of them as the lazy-girl equivalent of, well, any other type of pants.
And while we love fine tailoring and suiting, we also love feeling comfortable when strapped to our desk chairs for eight hours a day. The balance is found in the specific pant style, with some occasions calling for silk finishes with an elastic waist, and others for simple, cotton pull-ups that you’ll reach for day-after-day.
The Best Drawstring Pants To Shop This Summer, According To marie claire:
Some workplaces subscribe to a decidedly more corporate dress code than others. (I’m sure some lawyers would love to show up to their next client meeting in a pair of cotton pants with an elastic waist. Alas, this is the sacrifice some have to make!)
Whether you’re able to embrace the completely casual drawstring pant, or you need to err on the side of a satin finish, I’ve pulled the full gamut of drawstring pants to buy this summer, with some styling tips, on sale-finds and favourite picks that our shopping team would happily sanction.
Drawstring Pants You Can Wear To Work
The type of drawstring pants you can wear to work will depend on your workplace dress code. We recommend looking to Posse, St Agni & A.Emery for work-appropriate pull-up pants. If we’re talking general, semi-corporate office, look for elevated styles in silk, satin, or, to be truly on trend in 2026, taffeta. Depending on your office, you can dress your drawstring trousers down with a good white t-shirt, or style them up with shirting. Add a summer jacket when you need a light layer.
Tried-and-tested
“If you’re pregnant and looking for elastic waist pants to wear to work, I wore the Ripe Maternity elastic-waist pants throughout my own pregnancy. They have wider band and a satin finish for polish.” — Phoebe Youl, Head Of Shopping
ST AGNI
Silk Adjustable Balloon Pants
A.EMERY
The Estee Pant
SHONA JOY
Castro Drawstring Pants
& OTHER STORIES
Drawstring Twill Trousers
POSSE
Estelle Pant
CHAN LUU
Techno Taffeta Barrel Pant
Light & Airy Casual Drawstring Pants For Summer
Look to brands like Assembly Label and Deiji Studios for casual summer pants in cotton fabrics. In terms of silhouettes, the reigning summer pants trends in 2027 will be straight and cropped (or ankle length—just not draping on the floor!). Close behind are barrel-leg or cinched at the ankle styles. Pair with classic t-shirts and tanks that sit at hip-length, as most of the latest pants styles are low-waisted.
Shopping Editor’s Tip
“The Assembly Label range is one of the best to shop for casual summer pants. With 100% cotton styles, dozens of colourways, and a flat price of $100, their elastic and drawstring pants offer the most value for money.” — Rebecca Mitchell, marie claire Shopping Editor
COS
Wide-Leg Linen Drawstring Trousers
ASSEMBLY LABEL
Amara Pants
ASSEMBLY LABEL
Elaine Washed Cotton Pants
LEE MATTHEWS
Harper Drill Pant
H&M
Linen Blend Pants
BASSIKE
Drawstring Detail Pull On Pants
MARLE
100% Cotton Lillie Pants
DEIJI STUDIOS
Drawcord Pocket Pant
Drawstring Pants To Wear On Special Occasions
Drawstring pants for special occasions should have a floaty, wide-leg or bias-cut silhouette, like A.Emery’s Myrna Bias Pant (which has a discreet elastic waist). Steer towards satin or silk in a full-length fit to pair with heels. Depending on the occasion, trending styles—like harem or balloon-style pants, or taffeta drawstring pants—can work for semi-formal occasions, like dinner or drinks. Dress the up with a fringed scarf belt.
A.EMERY
The Myrna Bias Pant
LEE MATTHEWS
Powell Wide Leg Pant
SCANLAN THEODORE
Silk Jacquard Trouser
CAMILLA AND MARC
Naidee Satin Relaxed Pant
WITCHERY
Bias Cut Pants
MINIMA ESENCIALES
Maely Lace Trim Pants
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