Stop the Search—These Are the Only Pants You Need to Buy This Season

Welcome to The Great Try-On—our digest of everything you'll need for your most stylish season yet. We identified the ultimate spring capsule wardrobe, which consists of seven practical hero items. A few of our editors tried on each of these wardrobe builders, with head-to-toe looks styled by our editorial director, Lauren Eggertsen, so you can see how they look IRL. From the trousers everyone's talking about to the skirt that goes with absolutely everything, we hope that these photos and the candid reviews of each item will help you shop for a seasonal wardrobe filled with essentials and trend-forward pieces you'll wear for spring and beyond.

If it seems like baggy pants are the only style anyone has been wearing for years, you're pretty much right, and if you're ready for a change, we're right there with you. In case you haven't heard, 2025 marks the return of a classic pant silhouette that's been on hiatus but feels quite fresh again. The style is cigarette pants, and it's truly the only pant trend you need to buy this season. As a reminder, they're a tad more relaxed than skinny pants and are typically ankle length. They're incredibly versatile and flattering, and you can wear them over and over without anyone even noticing. These are the reasons why we decided to include cigarette pants in The Great Try-On. Our editors tried on three different pairs of cigarette pants from buzzy brands High Sport, Fforme, and Joseph. Scroll on for their thoughts and to witness the try-on for yourself.

First up is a chic tailored pair by Joseph, tried on by fashion editor Sierra Mayhew. Find out why it's a forever investment piece and see how to expertly style the pants below.

Sierra's take on the pants: "When I think of cigarette pants, my mind immediately goes to all of the ill-fitting, uncomfortable pairs I've worn that leave an uncomfortable mark. So you can imagine my surprise when I pulled on this pair from Joseph and strangely felt like I was wearing sweatpants. I am still in a state of disbelief about how comfortable they were. I could've worn them all day and not gotten bored of them. They have pockets, hit at the perfect mid-rise spot, and simply just work."

Styling tips: If your cigarette pants have belt loops, you might as well use them, right? We love how this mixed-metal Déhanche belt and the red Bally Mary Janes gave the pants a trendier feel, and the white tee and Burberry car coat–style trench added a classic spin to the look. This outfit is easy to re-create with any belt, red flats, T-shirt, and trench coat in your closet.

Shop the pants: Joseph Coleman Slim-Leg Pants ($435)

The Joseph Coleman Pants have pretty much everything you could want in a pair of cigarette pants: a midweight, sightly stretchy fabric, subtly cropped leg, and slim-but-not-too-slim fit. These are pants you can wear to the office, to a fancy restaurant, or out and about on the weekend. They're the definition of a "worth it" investment.

If you've ever wondered what those viral High Sport pants look like on and whether the high price tag is worth it, you've come to the right place. Senior fashion editor Eliza Huber tried them on for you and shared her thoughts.

Eliza's take on the pants: "Fashion people talk about High Sport's pants all the time, but a lot of things people say are just that—talk. I learned from trying out the Jules Pants that the brand's hype is all deserved and 100% real. The fabric is heavy and high-quality without being constricting or uncomfortable. I own a few pairs of more traditional trouser-like cigarette pants and always wish they had more stretch in them. These do. I also enjoyed the very (very!) subtle checker print on the fabric. It feels like an IYKYK detail that just adds some fun to an otherwise classic, sophisticated silhouette. We styled them in two ways: with a pastel button-down shirt worn loose and relaxed and sportier with a Nike anorak. The possibilities are actually endless, and no, I'm not just saying that."

Styling tips: Styling a windbreaker with unexpected pieces is something we're very much into right now, and these pants were just the thing to do that with. The contrast of the casual Nike jacket with the High Sport NSFW Jules pants proved to be a match made in heaven, and the kitten-heel sandals and oversize gold earrings only added to the cool and unexpected styling.

Shop the pants: High Sport NSFW Jules Pants ($1240)

One of High Sport's signatures is the heavyweight, subtle jacquard check fabric it uses, and it really sets these apart from all of the other cigarette pants on the market. The NSFW Jules Pants have a straighter leg than the brand's Kick cropped pants that immediately went viral, but dare we say these are even better? Also, bonus points for belt loops. If you want to spend over $1200 on a pair of trousers, this is the pair to do it with, hands down.

Associate features editor Ana Escalante tried on a pair of ponte pull-on cigarette pants from Fforme, one of our new favorite brands for elevated, modern basics. Read on to get the scoop on the Shim Skinny Pants.

Ana's take on the pants: "Pants that feel like leggings? Sign me up. This pair from Fforme was ultra-comfortable and breathable, and it's well on its way to being my go-to cigarette-pant style of choice. Being 5'9", I expected a more dramatic crop, but honestly, I'm not mad about it. I think these are the perfect length to show off statement sandals or pretty heels for the spring."

Styling tips: One of the beautiful things about cigarette pants like the Fforme Shim Skinny Pants is that they're quite easy to style. A no-brainer pairing is an oversize button-down. You could wear those two pieces with flats and be good to go, but if you want to take things up a notch, belt the shirt and add a pair of elegant slingback pumps. This is an outfit that works for so many occasions.

Shop the pants: Fforme Shim Skinny Pants ($595)

If you're seeking cigarette pants with an inseam that's on the longer side, these would be a great option. As you can see, they're devoid of bells and whistles and are just really great, simple pull-on pants that you'll reach for time and again for years to come. They also come in chocolate brown—can you blame us for being tempted to order both?