Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Fashion & Style

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

By

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
The Manual Contributor
Former Digital Trends Contributor
The L’Aventure Marine Type 3 Chronometer masters land and sea
A 200m water-resistant chronometer with heritage styling, the Marine Type 3 is a diver’s watch with timeless appeal.
LAVENTURE MARINE TYPE 3

The L’Aventure Marine Type 3 Chronometer has thrown its hat into the sea of contenders, meticulously crafted to honor mid-century horology and redesigned for the modern watch aficionado. With a vintage design and masterful engineering, this timepiece merges the gap between classic elegance and contemporary performance.

Designed for the serious collectors who place a high value on both heritage and innovation, the Marine Type 3 features a gradient blue dial inspired by the ocean, paired with vintage luminescent markers for optimal readability. The sleek, tapered lugs offer a comfortable fit, whether on a rugged NATO strap or an elegant leather band. This watch tells time and a story of adventure and timeless craftsmanship.

Read more
I ran 50 miles on roads and trails—how the Craft Nordlite Ultra 2 performed
Is the Craft Nordlite Ultra 2 the only running shoe you need?
Craft Nordlite Ultra 2

When it comes to shoes, runners have almost too many choices. There are daily trainers, speed shoes, trail shoes, plated racers, and more. High-end models start around $150, so building up a “quiver” of footwear requires $300, $450, or more. That can make the simple, refreshing act of running an expensive hobby.

However, some manufacturers produce road-to-trail shoes that can handle both roads and trails, as well as everything in between. One such model is the Craft Nordlite Ultra 2, which features a supercritical midsole and a lugged outsole. I tested it on the roads and trails of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley to answer the question: Is this the only running shoe you need? Read on for my take.

Read more
From Malibu to Porto Cervo, Armani x Kith goes full coastal luxe
Kith, Armani debut a summer-ready collection
man wearing kith x armani tee shirt

When Kith and Giorgio Armani released their first collection together for Fall/Winter 2024, there was no doubt that both brands had nailed the concept of a luxury partnership. Now the two brands are joining forces once more to bring this same luxury feel to the summertime with the second installment of their collaboration. Meant to bridge the luxury of Italy and the modern sophistication of New York, this new collection is ready for wherever the summer may take you. Whether you’re hitting the Italian coast or the streets of New York, this collection embodies the summer of your dreams and an aspirational lifestyle. Besides featuring a series of stylish silhouettes and styles, this collection is also made to be sensible to withstand the summer in Europe or the United States. 

Giorgio Armani and Kith go global with new collection

Read more