Stretchy Trousers Are Replacing Jeans This Fall—9 Comfy and Flattering Styles, From $28

NurPhoto//Getty ImagesIt's officially trouser weather, and if Zara’s are anything to go by, I'm not the only one who's noticed. The $28 straight-leg trousers are one I’ve been eyeing for a while because of how popular the pant style has gotten. It's easy to see why: stretchy trousers give you the ease of joggers with the polish of tailoring, so your daily commute never has to trade style for substance.This fall’s trouser trends are all about the cut. Straight-leg is the everyday staple, wide-leg brings the drama, barrel-leg is the fashion insider's favorite, and flared and bootcut styles are making a full comeback. Black is a perennial classic, but I'm loving warm burgundy, cool gray and chic navy blue for something fresher. There's also a playful polka dot print that keeps the summer feeling going through what's been a very warm October.Here are the 9 best stretchy trousers to shop now, from $28.Banana Republic Straight High-Rise Sculpted Trousers, $60Navy blue is an elegant alternative to black this fall, and Banana Republic’s straight-leg pair are the easiest way in. The soft material has enough stretch to sit through back-to-back meetings without the waistband digging in, while pressed front seams keep them looking sharp. Wear with a striped sweater and loafers. At $70, I'd buy both colors.Banana Republic Straight High-Rise Sculpted Trousers, $60These are the burgundy trousers your feed won't stop showing you. The wine shade is autumn's most wearable color trend, and the stretch jersey falls into a fluid wide leg that feels like loungewear but looks tailored. Pair with a chocolate brown knit and suede boots for a tonal look.Zara Stretch Wide-Leg Trousers, $28Winter whites aren't just for December. Zara's ecru pair are made from stretchy fabric with an elasticated, high waist and a wide leg that flares at the hem, so they skim rather than cling. I'd match them with the coordinating tee for an expensive-looking tonal set, then add a camel coat as temperatures drop. They also come in black if cream feels too brave.J. Crew Natalia Pant in Four-Season Stretch, $158Cool gray is the quiet-luxury neutral I keep reaching for, and J. Crew has nailed it. The slim straight leg is minimalist without reading too simple, and the clean lines work with trainers and heels alike. Yes, $158 is an investment, but this is a pair you'll want to wear weekly until spring. Style with a white tee and a jumper slung over your shoulders, model-off-duty style.Gap Black High Rise BiStretch Flare Pants, $80Bootcut is back, and this Gap pair makes the case better than most. The pintuck pleat front seam lengthens your legs, and the stretch makes them far comfier than traditional tailoring.Abercrombie & Fitch Grey Bootcut Trousers, $60If you're easing into the bootcut trend, start here. The soft grey shade is easier to style than black, and the flared leg balances chunky knits and oversized tees alike. Next promises smart style with all-day comfort, and this stretch fabric delivers.Reformation Kumquat Trousers, £75Every wardrobe needs one pair of black trousers that goes with everything, and Reformation’s cropped slim-leg is mine. They're made with a touch of stretch, so the narrow cut moves with you rather than pinching, and the ankle-grazing length shows off ballet flats and loafers. They're sharp enough for the office and easy enough for Sunday lunch. Layer a white shirt under a chunky gray roll-neck for a look straight off the catwalk. Zara Stretch Flare Polka Dot Trousers, $40Who says polka dots are just for summer? With October still feeling this warm, these playful flares are how I'm stretching out the season. The mid-rise, elastic waist keeps them comfy, while the flared hem gives a '70s silhouette. Wear with the matching halterneck for a statement co-ord, or tone them down with a black roll-neck and boots as it cools.J. Crew Barrel-Leg Wool-Blend Trousers, $198A barrel-leg trouser is the cut that fashion insiders can't stop wearing, and J. Crew’s pair is the elevated way in. The wool blend is designed with a little stretch, so you get the warmth of winter tailoring without the stiffness. They're the splurge here, but a cut this directional is still a fraction of the designer pairs it's channeling. Style with a zip-up jacket and pointed boots for a sleek all-black look.Kara KiaEcommerce Editor, Women's LifestyleKara Kia is the Ecommerce Editor for Women's Lifestyle at Hearst UK, leading Cosmopolitan UK's digital shopping strategy across fashion, beauty and lifestyle. With over eight years of experience as a journalist and editor, Kara specialises in skincare, makeup, haircare and helping women find their personal style — trying and testing every product she recommends. A trusted voice in fashion and beauty ecommerce, Kara's most-read guides include the best wedding dresses under £1000, the best affordable jewellery brands, the best Korean skincare products, and the best products for curly hair. She also covers major shopping events including Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day for Cosmopolitan, Red and Prima. Kara previously held the role of contributing Fashion and Beauty Ecommerce Editor at ELLE UK and Harper's Bazaar UK; before joining Hearst, she was Fashion Content Editor at NET-A-PORTER's Porter Magazine, Associate Editor at PopSugar, and wrote for Refinery29 and LOVE Magazine. An experienced interviewer, she has spoken to Zendaya, Alicia Keys, Simone Biles and Tyla about life, work and style. Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica and formerly based in Toronto, Kara now lives in London. Follow Kara on Instagram @kara.kiaAiyana Ishmael is the style editor at Cosmopolitan magazine. In her work, Aiyana focuses on the culture of fashion and how it intertwines and shapes the zeitgeist. She is an award-winning journalist from Miami, Florida, and a graduate of the historically Black university, Florida A&M. She is a 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30: Media honoree, and her debut romance novella PASSING GAME is set to release March of 2027 (831 Stories/Simon & Schuster).