I don’t know what it was like where you are, but the holidays—while pleasant—were also kind of weird around here. In some ways, it felt like we were back where we started almost two years ago, with lines around the block for Covid tests at City MD; abruptly cancelled plans with friends and loved ones; and, crucially, the desire to regress to cozy, lounge-y garments. Every morning lately, I throw on my sweats to walk the dog, and then return home and don’t shower or change for hours because I’m just so comfortable. I therefore feel like hard pants are about to go into hibernation for me again, and I want to be ready. These sweats from Nili Lotan are on sale and such a good color.
This merino wool front-seam jogger looks like a good option for when you want to wear sweats but don’t want to look like you are.
These have big, handy front patch pockets.
The wool and cashmere option is cool, and comes in a ton of colors.
A pair of denim joggers with snappy tuxedo stripes.
These look like your average pair of slouchy boyfriend jeans, but it’s actually a trompe l’oeil effect on a regular pair of sweatpants—genuis.
This merino blend sweatpant from Uniqlo looks so cozy and it’s well-priced.
These pintuck pants have a pretty sophisticated silhouette.
I really dig the color combination here.
A very snappy wide leg pair.
These twill joggers would be as good now as they will be in the spring≥ 
I really, really want this pair of velour sweats from Kule.
And finally, here is Nili Lotan’s Nolan pant, which is a favorite of mine, and marked down in several colors.
Can anyone speak to the quality of Gentle Herd items? They have some cozy-looking cashmere pants and hoodies, but would love to hear about others’ experiences before I pull the trigger.
Instantly drawn to the Paige Mayslie joggers – again! I tried them when you posted the coated version a few months ago – GREAT, but just too much “pant” for 5’2” me. I don’t have great luck with “lounge” (or actually, most) pants but grabbed a pair of these in black a few months ago and have worn them quite a bit – not “cropped” on me: https://www.xcvi.com/collections/core/products/geyser-crop-navy
I have 3 pair of the NL Nolan pants, and I have to say, they are not all created equal. After 2 years of about equal wear, one lost the knees, another came completely unravelled on the back seams, (which are flat-felled and somewhat unfortunately aligned right where they take the most wear). The other looks great! Def want to buy these on sale ladies! I personally love the fit, but they are pricey and may not last too long.
On New Year’s Eve I was taking Betty down for her last potty break of the evening and a couple was on the elevator dressed to the nines on their way to a party (maskless, but that’s another story). The woman was wearing this bright green satin dress with satin appliquéd flowers outlined in sequins. Not a dress that I would select for myself, but she wore it well and it was so uplifting to see something OTHER than drab uncelebratory clothing (like I was wearing!) I blurted out, “You look lovely!” As most anyone would be, she was pleased to be complimented so I was glad I said something. I’ve been thinking about that incident often in the last few days because it does feel, to me, that I have become drab. This is partly due to the times we live in and partly due to the times we can all see coming down the authoritarian road, but I think it also harkens to yesterday’s EIF podcast when age and invisibility was discussed. You hit some age milestone––60? 65?––and you are no longer culturally viable so anything fun in your closet is replaced with drab (unless you are of my mother’s generation and immediately start buying sequin enhanced clothing from Chico’s). A very lengthy way of saying when I scrolled down to the raspberry PJ Salvage pants they had to go in my cart immediately––they are cheerful in all caps and right now I need to be visible and cheerful. (and not that I wouldn’t wear every single pair of sweats shown because whatever age I am I will always be devoted to sweats and all shown look super comfortable and stylish)
I agree that humans seem to be hardwired to be at least somewhat sexist. At least, in the society that I know. In fact, I am not even sure that it’s getting any better. (It might be, though. Hmm.) If one doesn’t feel safe, being drab can be a good strategy. … … … Otoh, I wanted to say that we can all take action to prevent a loss of our democracy. I was appalled by last Jan 6, but it is the election board stuff that I find the most scary. Someone needs to come up with a corollary(?) to the pink P hat for that, so I can wear one. Now is a time for all moderate Republican women to make themselves heard. I know there are some of them out there. Some things are just wrong, and I would hope that enough of us in the US are able to tell. If not, then we really may be in trouble. I think I will start asking my conservative friends what they think. Mostly, I don’t engage, which I guess is lazy. Anyhow, there are a lot of good people in the world too. I don’t know that polls accurately reflect how people really feel.
Love all of these! I am ordering the wool pair as my go-to work from home has been nice looking sweats or jeans with a bright colored T-shirt (yes, I’m owning it!). Just a Uniqlo PSA – they aren’t the best with returns. I experienced this the hard way over Christmas break. It’s a shame because their stuff is a big hit around here but best be going in the store to try them on and be sure you will keep your purchase. When I went back to the store to return, several people ahead of me were trying to do the same thing and told to go back to their original store where they purchased it. I have a giant box of things I have to pay to ship back (you have to buy a label from them online) and learned the hard way. No more online Uniqlo for me ever again. Lousy corporate return policy for a chain store – most people waiting on line with me were very very annoyed. We commiserated.
When I was a younger mom dropping my kids off at elementary school in the morning – I used to see other moms in what I thought of as “I give up” clothes…long cotton shapeless dresses (for some reason the popular one had a fish print). At that time I resolved to never descend into “I give up” territory. I cannot help but think of sweats and joggers – as “I give up” clothes. To me, a pair of jeans -including relaxed boyfriend jeans, we’re not talking skin tight here – and a T shirt or sweater are just as comfortable and make me feel better about myself, and also not feel the aforementioned invisibility quite so acutely. No shade on anyone who likes sweatpants, but when I put them on, I do not feel the best about myself.
Very interesting point, Mary Alice. I am of two minds, bc I have always prioritized comfort in clothing. Yet I always hoped that one could be comfortable and still look nice – … … in theory, that is, *other* people could, since I usually dressed quite badly, for various reasons. As for sweatpants now, I seem to agree with both you and AmyM. I think sweatpants are much more accepted now – but, they are still just sweatpants. Whether you call them a jogger or what-all. And, I like the red ones and velour ones. I don’t really walk around in sweats yet, and I don’t really notice if others do. (I doooo notice if they are wearing leggings with their fanny visible. A different topic.) However, if people want to make normal pants out of stretch material, I am all for that.
I used to think this same thing, but sweats and “soft” pants have evolved to the point where they can actually look stylish. As long as they fit nicely and are aren’t overly faded or pilled, they no longer feel like giving up to me.
Lots of good options here, but in addition I want to give a shout out to the organic brand called Pact. I got some spring green colored joggers a while back that are immensely comfortable and good looking. They rotate colors and have good quality items.
When it comes to sweats, I always think about that Fran Lebowitz comment about people needing to have natural beauty in order to pull off these dressed down styles. On the one hand, Fran is a curmudgeon of a certain age whose opinions haven’t evolved much since the 70s. On the other hand, when I look at myself in the mirror in sweats, I can’t help but think she has a point.