Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The best chef pants for kitchen professionals or making a comfortable fashion statement

You’re getting tired of ill-fitting slacks that tend to be uncomfortable or impractical. Try a pair of chef pants and discover why these long-time work bottoms are now a popular choice among young professionals. We’ve published a collection of some of the best chef pants here to help you decide.

Chef pants combine the comfort of joggers with the professional appearance of slacks. These hybrid bottoms were originally invented for chefs and restaurant workers as they provide much-needed relief from tight dress pants with impractical materials.

These pants endure stains, heat, and wear while keeping your waistline relaxed. Moreover, back, hip, and thigh pockets are both functional and stylish. Let’s take a look at our options to see what style suits you.

Black Cargo Style Chef Pant

Best Breathability

The KNG cargo chef pants are not only the most streetwear-inspired choice on our list, they also offer the best breathability. Made of spun polyester twill, they let legs air out — a convenient feature in stuffy work spaces. An elastic drawstring waist allows more flexibility than your typical dress pant. Keep your phone safe in the hook and loop pocket.

Dickies Men's Regular Twill Cargo Pant

Best Durability

Dickies’ black chef pants are cargo style pants in a slim fit. The poly-cotton twill blend is coated with a slick, stain-resistant finish, making these the most durable pick on our list. A heavy-duty brass zipper, tunnel belt loops, a hook and eye waist, and multiple pockets keep them from looking too casual. Wear with loafers and a long-sleeve shirt for a more formal ensemble.

Chef Works Men's Lightweight Baggy Chef Pants

Best Lightweight

Chef Works’ pants are a no-fuss alternative specifically designed for restaurant workers. The elastic waist and baggy legs move with you as you zip around the kitchen and restaurant. When used out of a professional work environment, it’s a stylish, straight leg pant you can pair with sneakers and a plain tee.

Chef work pants are no longer just functional workwear reserved for kitchen staff. These lightweight and stylish pants pass for more formal slacks you can wear on various occasions. If you do need these for their intended purposes, however, all the pants on our list provide necessary features desired in a work uniform.

The Manual Contributor
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Style hacks: Your suit should come with two pairs of pants
Remedy one of the biggest struggles with suits with this one hack
Man in Men's Wearhouse Blue Suit

When I first started selling suits, it was mostly to men who were leaving the military and starting as aides to politicians, or men working as doctors, lawyers, or accountants. Then, of course, you had the lucrative wedding business. But one thing was common among every man I sold suits to: They were hardworking and spent their days getting things done.

Now, while this sounds honorable and a fantastic way for a man to live life, working hard and providing for his family, there are some setbacks or some side effects to this lifestyle. One of them is the impact it has on your best suits. Suit pants for men are typically lighter, with an elevated fabric that doesn't always stand up to the more rigorous work of the hardest-working men. Therefore, there's a hack that you should start implementing in your suit shopping every chance you get. Every suit you own should come with a second pair of pants. It will save you years of heartache.

Read more
The 5 hottest sneaker releases you don’t want to miss this May
The five best sneaker releases in May
man wearing new balance loafer

Not only is May the perfect midpoint between the spring and summer seasons, but it’s the epitome of sneaker releases. Brands like Nike, Adidas, and Salomon have hit the ground running with new sneakers to add to your summer wardrobe. Other brands like New Balance are taking May to new levels with the celebration of ‘Grey Days.’ With plenty of celebrations and new reveals, May is an exciting month for footwear fanatics. To make navigating the plethora of releases easier, here are the five most exciting sneaker launches to consider. 

Willy Chaverria x Adidas Jabbar Low

Read more
Swatch unveils SCUBAQUA Collection — 5 stunning dive watches with jellyfish vibes
Swatch makes waves with SCUBAQUA: The eco-conscious dive watch that combines art and engineering
the all-new Black Swatch SCUBAQUA

Swatch is set to release its highly anticipated SCUBAQUA Collection, which debuts today. This ambitious new lineup consists of five Swiss-made, water-resistant dive watches, each inspired by the beauty of jellyfish. Designed with adventurers and watch collectors in mind, these watches seamlessly blend cutting-edge materials with dynamic aesthetics—making them a stellar addition to any watch collection.

The perfect blend of innovation and distinction

Read more