I <3 Cool, Dramatic Sweatpants (4-Ever)
Time to lean in (WAY in). My very stylish friend Tracy helped me road-test the best soft + stretchy pants of winter—we found 20-ish excellent pairs that fit the bill, from chill to fancy.
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I have been working (mostly) from home since leaving my beloved Refinery29 nearly four years ago. And every day when I open up the second drawer of my dresser—the Pants drawer—I resist the urge not to reach for the same pair of sweatpants.
Actually, sometimes I do not fight this urge at all. I yield, bend (way down to touch my toes), and surrender to the many pleasures that are Soft Pants. Specifically at the very height of soft pants season, which, folks, is right now. The depths of winter can be bearable at the best of times, but it’s also fun times—maybe the BEST times—to noodle around with your sweatpants. Experiment. Get lost in the expandable waistband of it all. C’mon…let that drawstring have its way with you 😬.
Here is the truth, tho: I do in fact wear pants with buttons and zippers and zero Lycra. Sometimes:). But this edition of A Tiny Apt. is not about those times/pants. It’s about the best sweats my dear/very stylish friend Tracy Georgiou (of Long Weekend…check it out❤️) and I could find, as she is my most trusted shopping guru when I need to go in deep on something that is most definitely a closet staple, ie: your go-to sweatpants. Mostly so we can all have more ideas about how to wear the pants we want to wear more than anything else right now.
And not necessarily sweatpants in the traditional sense, per se. But stretchy/flexié/knit pants that might also be sculptural or exaggerated or extra slim to hold your whole ass and thighs very, very close like the warmest, snuggliest winter hug. From Tracy on the soft pants front: “Since moving to the beach, soft pants have become my primary pants,” she says. “But that doesn't mean I don’t still love to get dressed. It's cozy season here in L.A., and that’s presented some fun opportunities to level up my Soft Pant game as I discover a new season my wardrobe has never seen before.”
Me and Tracy talking sweatpants…we recorded a good 30-minute conversation here sharing our mutual love of soft pants as well as their infinite utility in our lives. We also laugh a lot, too, which IMHO is also satisfying to watch. I’ll be sharing it on my ATA Substack Chat for Paid subscribers later today 😎.
Also worth noting, Business of Fashion reported not too long ago on how “quiet outdoors” is the new “quiet luxury” (thanks to my friend Ana Andjelic for sharing this in her brilliant newsletter). YES, true,…but that’s basically what chic sweats have consistently been to me, to most of us. Soft pants have always been—always will be—FREEDOM. Which, in many ways, is the ultimate ingredient of luxury anything. Feeling free to move, experiment, go nuts with shapes/fabrics/proportions. Sweats/soft pants are FUN, too…because they take the pressure out of wondering how they might feel/look on a certain day, maybe when we don’t feel our best. Which is precisely the days that soft pants are made for…and thanks to all the links here, options that look just as good as they make us feel—no matter the occasion, coast, OR the season.
Okay, friends, we’ve got a lot to cover, so Let’s Get Into It...
The Classic Jogger
When Tracy and I started chatting about sweatpants—what we loved and why we loved them—this was the first shot I took, featuring my beloved OG Entireworld classic gray drawstring sweatpants. It’s important to acknowledge that, despite EW no longer existing (which is a damn shame), they were among the first to acknowledge sweats as not just a carefree lounging essential but an actual fashion statement…with attitude and conviction. I have been wont to wear my sweats with sequin bustiers and loafers, and here is proof. I couldn’t find any EW on Etsy, but thredUP and eBay has some good ones still in a range of sizes.
My second favorite gray gym-style classic pair is by Aerie. My friend who works there sent me a few to try and the OFFLINE fleece jogger were (for me) the best fit/price/quality. I find that a lot of sweatpants are cut too “skinny” for my taste, as I really prefer a more vintage balloon’ish cut, which these have. Boots by Khaite, puffer vest from the Uniqlo + Marni collab. Vintage Karl-era navy sequin Chanel bag…an oldie but a GOODIE.
Tracy making a case for classic gray vintage from GoodForm in L.A. with silver Porselli ballet flats (these Loeffler Randall ballet slippers are similar) and a Chanel jacket she found on The RealReal for under $300. We both own these Old Céline sunglasses, and you should join our gang and buy them, too. Below, a better look at Tracy’s sleek/simple bodysuit by SKIMS, which is very, very appealing in that wonderful cocoa shade with soft pants/any pants.
It’s hard to make a classic gray jogger look like you didn’t just get busted running out to the CVS half-dressed for pantyliners (Me). I love these, tho, especially with my Khaite boots again with a trench by Kassl.
Who knew I was a lavender sweats person? No one. My coat is a long-ago favorite from Creatures of the Wind, but I also just bought this black long Hourglass coat by Banana Republic after seeing Heather Hurst wearing it and loved it. And it’s on sale!😎
A big part of my personal God-given style is linked to tying things I’m not supposed to around my waist, especially when I’m wearing soft pants that might need a little oomph. Vintage quilted Armani jacket (mine is cool but THIS ONE under $50 IS SICK, vintage cashmere Ralph Lauren sweater (I adore this perfect FRAME crewneck and I quite like this $60 Everlane one, too), Aerie fleece joggers, Rachel Comey boots (mine are old, but I love how simple + classic but also SUBSTANTIAL these are). “Desire Lines” song by Deerhunter, which will be featured on my next ATA #12 playlist:).
The Wide-Leg Soft Pant
I love love love these by Buck Mason that Tracy suggested, which are extremely soothing to both my eyes and to my budget (I only wish they came in navy). She’s wearing them with a now sold-out Re/Done bomber, but this NIKE version is similar and really fantastic. Most elusive sneakers by Asics. “My MVP sweats has to be these Buck Masons, the fit & fabric are both spot on,” says Tracy. “I want to wear them every day, all the time. The length is SO CHIC that I've been throwing on a silk top, flip flops, & wearing them out to lunch.” Evidence in pic below.
Tracy taking her Buck Masons on the town with a Savette leather bag, Tkees Lily Liners flip-flops, Warby Parker Carmel sunglasses, and a vintage floral silk top.
The Soft “Tailored” Trouser Pant
Both Tracy and I own and love our High Sport Kick Flair pants, which offer structure and shape due to the heavy-duty “hold me tight” knit cotton. On Tracy above: Vibi ballerina flats (want!) with a sold-out studded Clare V bag, here’s the clutch version (swooning over this similar studded Khaite bag, too) and a vintage fringe jacket. On Tracy Below: Same High Sport pants, this time with a gray Miu Miu cardigan (this CDG cardi is equally great and a bit less $$) and a low-heeled Manolo Blahnik jeweled pump.
That said, I’m also a fan of Ann Mashburn’s simple elegant basics and had to try her Flare Faye pant, which is kind of similar, but considerably less $$. These are bit more lightweight than the HS version, so naturally I needed to try mine topped with a few foofy dresses.
With a six+-year-old Ellery silk dress (this chiffon La Ligne dress would be perfect over these, too) and three-year-old Rachel Comey sandals (très comfy)…even though a lot of my stuff is on the older side, these stories always challenge me to rediscover them in new weird excellent ways. The other thing I discovered? I need a new lightbulb in my closet…
Ann Mashburn pants again, this time under a red fringy Rachel Comey dress, but equally obsessed with this other sheer RC dress ✨✨✨(SO GOOD) as well.
The Track Pant Upgrade
Okay, you might not consider mixing your trusty Adidas track pants with a shimmery/sheer top, but despite my reservations, Tracy delivers a magical mix/moment here. This top she found on Amazon is sold out now, but you might test-drive a similar vibe with either this lacier option or this one in sequins…either way, they’re both great unexpected “Oooh!” pieces that can make lots of everyday things in your closet feel fresh again.
A better look at Tracy’s concoction that’s well played/balanced with a smart black blazer (Sézane’s classic Christie jacket has that same wear-it-with-everything effect).
Okay, last one here, back to me in Brooklyn/47-degree weather. I found these vintage Adidas track pants at the Salvation Army a while back. They are much too big for me (and I almost gave them away) but for some reason when I really pull the drawstring as tight as it’ll go, I get this awesome voluminous shape I just adore. When I took my walk today, I paired them with a lightweight Kassl x Zara collab puffer coat (I wanted this style, too!) and a vintage Banana Republic belt bag. I ended up wishing I had someplace more interesting to go because I’m always excited to stretch out a good look that’s also ultra comfy. My new Adidas sneakers just arrived a few days ago…they are perfect. Highly recommend:)💚.
But wait, there’s MORE: We’ve got plenty more soft pant options over on A Tiny Shop*. And if there’s anything we missed style or fit-wise, drop a comment and we will add more to the mix here over the next few days. See you all soon…in soft pants, we trust!💫 xxCb
*As always, some of these links are affiliate, so if you buy something, there’s a chance we’ll get a small commission—for which we are very, very grateful~
ICYMI: The latest and greatest of ATA so far this year…❇️
🖼️ My roundup of the nine extra special things I thrifted in January, including: the most incredible GIANT piece of graphic artwork ever
🌟 The (tiny) winter Sparkle Report featuring Dries Van Noten, Mango, vintage Prada, and so much more
👟 Some thoughts on wearing—and loving—something soooo much it falls apart
💡 For you (!), my January recommendations replete with ALL the best notebooks/journals, as well as the most magical cleaning product that makes everyday chores feel like you live in a glamorous hotel
Thank you for your good work. I wear sweats most days and every so often I think of that Karl Lagerfeld quote about how sweatpants are a "sign of defeat." Fuck him.
So good!!! 👏👏👏👏 I’m currently wearing sweats and have ‘date night’ with my husband in a few hours and just don’t want to change out of my sweat pants…and now I won’t! I’ll just add a fun jacket and boots! Boots with sweats! Love it! Never would have thought of it! Here’s to freedom!! 🥂