Not all workdays look the same. And neither should all work pants. Some days call for heavyweight canvas that can take a serious beating. Others call for something lighter, cooler, and a little stretchier. That’s exactly why we offer two different styles of women’s work pants: our Original Work Pants (OWPs) and our GSD (Get Stuff Done) Pants.
Both were designed with working women in mind, and both offer functional pockets, reinforced construction, multiple fit and inseam options, and plenty of room to move. But they were built for different kinds of days. So, OWPs or GSDs? Here’s how to decide.
Choose the Original Work Pants If Durability Is Your #1 Priority
Our Original Work Pants are exactly that: the pants that started it all. Made in the USA from 12 oz, 100% cotton canvas (which is grown and milled right here in the USA), these are our toughest women’s work pants. They feature double-front construction, reinforced seams, deep functional pockets, and a gusseted crotch that gives you room to bend, squat, climb, and move aka keep you comfortable.
The heavyweight cotton canvas is especially well suited for demanding work where your clothing takes some abuse. Think ranching, farming, construction, landscaping, trail work, woodworking, gardening, and long days spent outside. One thing to know about 100% cotton canvas: your OWPs are meant to be broken in.
They’ll feel structured when you first pull them out of the package and will shrink approximately 3–5% with washing, which we account for in our sizing. As you wash and wear them, the canvas begins to soften and conform to you. These aren't pants designed to feel worn-in on day one. They're pants designed to become worn-in after years of use.
Choose the OWPs if you want:
- Our heaviest-duty work pant
- 12 oz, 100% cotton canvas
- Double-front construction
- Maximum durability
- A structured pant that breaks in with wear
- USA-made workwear
- Pants built for demanding, high-wear jobs
One more important difference to know about our OWPs: they’re made in the USA. Keeping our OWPs made here at home is something that has been important to Red Ants Pants from the beginning, and we’re proud to continue offering a USA-made option for customers who value having something locally made.
We also want to be transparent about what that means for price. Making pants entirely in the USA is expensive. Domestic labor and manufacturing costs are higher, and that is reflected in the price of our OWPs. Pair that with heavyweight 12 oz cotton canvas and construction designed for years of wear, and these pants are an investment upfront (but one that is worth it).
For some women, buying USA-made workwear is a priority and worth that additional cost. For others, price is a bigger factor and we understand that, too. In fact, that’s part of why we’re so excited to offer the GSDs as another option. Which brings us to our second option: OUR GET SHIT DONE PANTS !!!
Choose the GSD Pants If You Want Something Lighter With Stretch
Sometimes you don't need your heaviest work pants. You need something that can move. Enter the GSDs: Get Shit Done Pants (or “stuff” if you prefer). The GSDs are made from 10 oz canvas with 98% cotton and 2% spandex, giving you a lighter work pant with a little stretch built in. That makes them a great choice for warmer weather, long days with lots of movement, or women who simply prefer a softer, more flexible work pant. They still have the things we refuse to compromise on: deep functional pockets, reinforced seams, thoughtful fit, and construction designed for women who actually work in their clothes.
What they don't have is the double-front knee of the OWPs. That helps make the GSD a lighter alternative when you don't need quite as much reinforcement. They're also currently available in Olive and Wine, giving you a little more color than our iconic brown OWPs.
Choose the GSDs if you want:
- A lighter-weight women's work pant
- 10 oz canvas
- 2% stretch for easier movement
- A good option for warmer weather
- A more flexible feel
- Single-front construction
- Color options
- Work pants that easily transition beyond the workday
OWP vs. GSD: What's the Biggest Difference?
The easiest way to think about it is this:
OWP = maximum durability and reinforcement.
GSD = lighter weight and more flexibility.
If you're hard on the knees of your pants, regularly working around rough materials, or simply want the most durable pair we make, we'd steer you toward the OWPs. If your work involves plenty of movement, you're working in warmer conditions, or you prefer a little stretch in your clothing, we'd start with the GSDs. And for a lot of women, the answer might eventually be both. Your heavyweight OWPs can handle the days when you need maximum durability, while your GSDs become the pair you grab when it's hot outside or you want something lighter and stretchier.
Both Are Actually Designed for Women's Bodies
Whichever fabric you choose, you shouldn't have to settle when it comes to fit. Both our OWPs and GSDs are available in Straight and Curvy fits, because women aren't all built the same.
Our Straight Fit provides a more uniform fit through the hips and thighs and works well for women who don't typically experience waistband gapping.
Our Curvy Fit provides more room through the hips and seat with a closer fit at the waist and can be a better option if you've experienced that dreaded waistband gap in other pants.
Both styles are also offered in three inseam lengths: Short (30–31"), Regular (32–33"), and Long (34–35"), with sizing options designed to fit a wide range of women's bodies.
Before You Pick, Grab a Measuring Tape
Whichever pant you choose, please don’t guess your size or automatically order the size you typically wear in another brand. Women’s sizing varies significantly from brand to brand, and our OWPs and GSDs have their own fit and sizing specifications.
We strongly recommend taking a few minutes to take your current measurements and complete our Fit Finder quiz. Even if you think you know your size, fresh measurements matter. The Fit Finder uses those measurements along with information about your body shape and fit preferences to help determine not only your RAP size, but whether Straight or Curvy is likely to work best for your body.
This is especially important with our 100% cotton canvas OWPs, which are intentionally sized to account for the shrinkage that happens during the first wash. A brand-new pair may not fit exactly the way you expect straight out of the package, and that's by design.
So, Which Women's Work Pants Should You Buy?
Start with your actual workday. Choose the Original Work Pants when durability, reinforcement, and longevity are at the top of your list. Choose the GSD Pants when you want lightweight women's work pants with stretch, flexibility, and a little more versatility. Neither is meant to be the "better" work pant. They're two answers to something we've understood since Red Ants Pants began 20 years ago:
Women do all kinds of work. We shouldn't expect one pair of pants to do it all.
And we definitely shouldn't expect women to make men's work pants work for us.
