Best materials for tailored trousers that wash well?

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I am heading back to work after maternity leave imminently (and my old work clothes no longer fit) so I am looking to invest in some new tailored black trousers. Seen some lovely ones from Sezane, but I’m always wary of premium fabrics and how they wash?

Trying to get in the habit of spending more but buying less, however they need to be easy to care for (want to chuck them in the machine with everything else, hang to dry and not need to iron them)

Any recommendations or advice from those a bit more clued up about what to avoid/look for?

I am very sorry.
You need polyester!

M and S work trousers.
Wash and dry really well, often don’t need ironing. Polyester is the only suitable fabric if you get covered in stuff at work, or are a hormonal sweaty betty.

I was assuming you wanted woven fabrics, not knitted. In that case you do need polyester, preferably with 3% or more elastane, as they'll be guaranteed to keep their shape and will dry quickly.

If you're okay with jersey, you can branch out quite a bit more into viscose or poly/viscose knits, and even man-made fibres mixed with natural. They won't dry as fast if they've any thickness, and it's still advisable to look for elastane content to give you the best chance of shape maintenance.

I don't iron - I've got a steamer for emergencies, but in general I just give jersey items a strong shake and pull all the seams straight while damp. My 'office smart' trousers are polyester, however.

Brands - definitely not luxury - are JDY, Vero Moda, Roman and M&S! There's plenty of high-end poly but, for some reason, they always say dry clean only.

The absolute worst fibre for crumpling when washed is acetate. I've got woven linen-viscose mix trousers (M&S) that I shake & pull, but they don't actually look ironed.

If you can get away with thick cotton, jeans don't need ironing and smart-looking ones are available.

Thank you @GarlicPint & @redfishcat I feared that might be the case!

you’ve both recommended M&S so I will try there first - should I be looking for 100% polyester?

Ponte fabric is quite good for all that I think. I assume it's polyester. But it's thick and keeps its shape

How dirty will they get? I buy COS wool trousers from vinted and wash them gently in the machine every few weeks. They're doing fine. I don't wear them every day or spill much and being wool they don't smell fast. I wouldn't wash them if I had spent €150, but at €25 I'll risk it. Advantage of COS wide legs is that they have adjustable waists, so they'll adjust down as your shape changes.

I have some really nice work trousers from &other stories that can be washed. I think I got them dry cleaned once them progressed to gentle machine wash. They fit so nicely!

M&S also good, Next will have machine washable. I do find their stuff a bit cheap (polyester) but higher priced brands aren’t dissimilar often!

Whistles I’ve had good machine washable trousers from in the past. Uniqlo too.

Higher end like jigsaw, Sézane etc are often dry cleaned only. Lovely though.

If you want premium fabrics and to buy less/buy better you’ll need to care for them so not just ‘chucking them in the wash’ unfortunately. So sponging off marks and dry cleaning occasionally (or at the least, gentle washing), carefully ironing, hanging them up between wears etc.

Ninepine do really nice, soft and stretchy but smart trousers. In a good range of different sizes and lengths too.

https://www.ninepine.uk/

@Paaseitjes they won’t get dirty at all really, I spend a lot of time driving and visiting various offices but don’t do anything where I am exposed to much dirt.

I'm not one for over washing anyway - I don’t think trousers need to be washed after every wear for example.

I love vinted but I often find the length not quite right on trousers so would probably avoid buying them from anywhere I can’t return, I’m hoping to try on in-store to find the perfect fit! Thank you for your reply!

@Focusispower I used to buy next trousers but they always shrunk! Will definitely try M&S

@PlanetSaturn thats a fair point, I think it’s going to be polyester for now 😁

@Gardenroomdoom thank you for your suggestion, I’m not sure I feel Ponte is smart enough, though I suppose it depends on the shape so shall keep this idea in mind

I’m a little wary of anything stretchy, as my pet hate is when trousers start to go a little baggy at the knees after a long stint in the car 😂

Have a look at Boden
I know they have gone a bit nuts with the prints lately and prices seem to have shot up but they still do some good basic trousers

Most expensive brands come long so that you can shorten them to the perfect length so Vinted is pretty safe if you check with the seller that they've not been shortened. If you want completely ready to wear, you're looking at cheap polyester from M&S anyway so it'll wash fine, but it'll look like what it is

M&S always do some work trousers which are a heavyweight fabric and wash and wear really well. Search for "work trousers" on their webite, then filter the brand to M&S and sort from highest to lowest price and you'll see their current ones. Usually between £30 and £40.

I’m normally as anti polyester as they come but it is great for tailored trousers. Me & Em do gorgeous ones.

I have just been in to my local M&S with the intention of trying on several pairs of trousers… they have stock of millions of options but only in Short length!! Not one pair of suitable black trousers in a 10 or 12 Regular 🙃

I have some great Abercrombie wide legs ones for work, not sure what the fabric is but they feel quite premium!

I chuck them in the wash with everything else but don’t tumble dry them

https://www.abercrombie.com/shop/uk/p/curve-love-a-and-f-sloane-tailored-wide-leg-pant-52812271

looking at the link they are 80% polyester but they feel nice and thick and aren’t at all shiny or cheap looking

@PotatoBreadForTheWin these look perfect! And love the multiple lengths. Shall try them, thank you for the recommendation