The term “staples” is bandied around a lot in fashion; however, there’s no arguing with the fact that a well-chosen pair of trousers is, legitimately, one of those items that many of us will find ourselves intuitively reaching for again and again over the course of our lifetimes. Whether it’s a tailored pair for a job interview, a loose linen style for a far-flung holiday or easy cargos for weekends in the city, trends may come and go, but certain trouser silhouettes are built to stand the test of time.

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Citizens of Humanity Cotton-Twill Cargo Pants

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COS Fringed Checked Linen-Cotton Trousers

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But how to find the best of the best? That’s another matter entirely. After all, how one person qualifies “best” will differ from another’s – not to mention the many other considerations that come into play when shopping, including wardrobe demands, body shape, life stage, and climate. We’ve done our best to come up with a comprehensive list of trouser styles that, as a team, we rely on the most.

Of course, the tailored classics are all there – think wide-legs, pleated high-waist styles, cigarette silhouettes – but in recent years, we’ve seen more casual styles come to the fore. Elastic waist “pyjama pants”, utility cargos and billowing satin balloon-legs have all been trending this year.

So if you’re in the market for a great pair of trousers, allow us to guide you through the styles that we really rate. Scroll down to see and shop our line-up of the best trousers for women.

Checked trousers