The best men’s sweatpants for wearing outside the house
Sweatpants, or 'trackies', as Aussies like to call them, have become our slouchy wardrobe go-to. Here, we round up 11 stylish pairs you won't feel embarrassed to leave the house in
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“SWEATPANTS ARE A SIGN OF DEFEAT,” the late Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld once uttered. “You lost control of your life so you bought some sweatpants.” Though this may true for, say, Ben Affleck (since news of his divorce with J-Lo aired, he’s been papped wearing sweats, Dunkin’ Donuts in hand, Nike SB Dunks on the feet), we’re here to tell you: sweatpants aren’t always a sign you’ve given up. In fact, they can be quite the opposite.
The debate over whether or not you can (or should) wear sweatpants when going out is that in our post-Covid world, comfort and style are both highly subjective. As we’ve grown comfortable with loungewear, the softness it offers has outweighed other ideas of comfort, such as the ability to move with ease while knowing that what you’re wearing is occasion-appropriate. While some of the pandemic era’s greatest hits – sourdough starters, Zoom dance parties – have fallen out of fashion, sweatpants have not.
Can sweatpants be worn when going out?
Short answer: yes. Sportswear powerhouses like Nike and Adidas have expanded their loungewear ranges in recent years, offering fresher colours and cuts. At the same time, contemporary fashion brands such as Wales Bonner and Japanese streetwear outfit Needles are leaning into ’80s nostalgia with matching sweats and jackets, meaning it’s never been easier to look cool in a pair of sweats.
Luxury brands are joining the party as well, making sweats out of high-end fabrics like French terry cloth (a soft, lightweight cotton-blend similar in feel to cashmere). When selecting sweats that are suitable for use outside the house, we recommend considering things like weight and thickness (the heavier the sweatpants, the better-made they look), as well as colour. Why not have some fun with it?
Scroll on for our picks of the best sweatpants available right now. While compiling this guide, we took into consideration fabric weight and heft, the freshest designs, and a bit of a who’s who in the loungewear game nowadays, so you should be aptly covered.
The best sweatpants to buy right now
Champion Reverse Weave Relaxed Sweatpants
In the sports and leisurewear game since 1919 (dressing much of the off-duty uniforms of athletes), Champion has been making some of the comfiest sweats around. Made with their signature reverse weave, the technique ensures that the sweats don’t shrink, making them one of the most durable and thoughtfully designed sweats available right now.
Adidas Adicolour Baggy Fit Firebird Sweatpants
The Adidas three stripe is back, and its arguably the coolest motif in athleisure right now. Featuring a baggy pant leg, the Adicolor is a resurrection from the brand’s archive, and it comes in a range of colours. We recommend leaning into the baggy silhouette with an oversized T-shirt and slim low-cut sneakers, like the brand’s infamous Sambas.
Lululemon Steady State Relaxed-Fit Sweatpants
The heft and thickness of the loungewear staple can also play into whether they’re suitable for wearing casually out of the house (you wouldn’t want anything outlined, if you know what we mean). The Steady States from Lululemon are cut for a relaxed-fit around the glutes and thighs without being comically baggy. Indeed, dressing up a lounge garm can be done: an untucked button-up layered over a T-shirt is perfect for this transitional weather.
The North Face Heavyweight Relaxed Fit Sweatpants
Thickness, again, is a consideration if you’re looking for warmth. Outdoor brand The North Face makes their sweatpants heavyweight, meaning they are excellent for wearing off-duty, while chilling out at base camp or at home. They are cuffed at the ankle, too, so you can keep all the warm air inside the legs.
Needles Turqoise Velour Narrow Sweatpants
Founded in 1995, Japanese label Needles burst onto the world stage, notably for its velour Royal Tenenbaums-esque tracksuits. The brand’s popularity only swelling, its range has expanded with kitschy colourways in jewel tones. Why not style it with the matching jacket?
And if we’re talking about formality here, a narrow cut pairs well with your favourite loafers. Also featuring centre creases down the pant leg, it’s a characteristic that borrows from tailored trousers – similar to how Glen Powell elevated his tailored Levi’s jeans while on the Twisters promo trail.
Wales Bonner x Adidas Green & Yellow Originals Edition Embroidered Logo Sweatpants
Pieces from British label Wales Bonner have been some of fashion’s most hyped gets as of late, especially pieces from its Adidas collaboration. And if you’re still riding off the laurels of Australia’s success at the Olympics (our most successful run for gold to date), there’s nothing more patriotic than green and gold. Made of 100 percent cotton knit, they’re a breathable and comfy pair to get into.
Pangaia 365 Midweight Sweatpants
A midweight cotton for sweatpants is standard when it comes to wearing trackies out and about: substantial enough to brace the winds and still retain some shape, and the perfect thickness to not feel too insulated. Sustainable brand Pangaia makes its sweats out of 100 percent organic cotton, followed by treating it with a natural peppermint oil to retain freshness.
Bonds Original Grey Marle Sweatpants
Look no further for your tried-and-trusted leisurewear than Bonds, which makes its sweatpants with Australian cotton. Cut for a relaxed fit around the thighs, it tapers off with a cuff. There’s nothing more classic than a pair of grey sweatpants.
Vuori Cypress Sweatpants
A French terry knit is your next best option, if you can’t justify shelling out for cashmere sweatpants. It’s another cotton-blend fabric – known for its soft and lightweight composition – making it ideal for people with sensitive skin.
Alo Yoga Cuffed Renown Heavyweight Sweatpants
Baggier sweatpants are favoured in streetwear, especially ones with a bit of a drape. Alo makes its with French terry, though this time in a heavyweight run that feels soft and substantial. Pairing this with its hoodie would make for an ideal airport fit, too.
Ralph Lauren Purple Label Logo-Embroidered Cotton-Blend Fleece Sweatpants
Has the smart casual dress-code extended its arm to sweatpants? Well, it’s all about the cut, colour, and fabric weight that treads this fine line. There’s no better master than Ralph Lauren Purple Label for these up-market variations; the brand makes its sweats in cotton-blend fleece with a tapered profile. Pair this one with a quarter-zip and white sneakers and off you go.
What is the difference between joggers and sweatpants?
The two words are often used interchangeably, but they couldn’t be more different.
Fabric: sweatpants are mostly made out of cotton or a cotton-blend with fleece, polyester, or spandex, making it soft and breathable (ideal for wearing to the gym). Joggers mostly use French terry and jersey knit cotton, making them less chunky and slouchy (you’d mostly see this in smart-casual memos).
Fit: sweatpants sit on the baggier, looser side around the glutes and thighs. Joggers have a silm-fit, explaining their popularity in activewear and ubiquity among those seeking pants that’ll take them from the office to the gym.
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