Sweatpants, both slim and slouchy alike, have long been given the designer treatment. The trajectory: Champion started it all, sportswear powerhouses like Adidas and Nike made them cool, Jean Paul Gaultier brought them to the runway, and now almost every brand worth their salt offers them (particular shout-out to Jerry Lorenzo and Brunello Cucinelli for really zhoozhing it). Indeed, they’re stylish as hell—and the best ones fit just as well as your favorite trousers.
Case in point: I went to dinner with an old college pal—at a pretty reputable restaurant in the Big Apple, no less—and I didn’t reach for dress pants or my go-to skinny black jeans. I donned a pair of thick, tapered black joggers, and I was perfectly content doing so. In fact, when I arrived at the spot, it was clear that I wasn’t the only one that got the memo. We’ve all become accustomed to comfort in the past year and half, and, like the hoodie, sweatpants surpassed their sport and streetwear origins, becoming a go-to for most, if not all, occasions.
From tried-and-true cotton classics to updated takes on the style from some of the coolest labels, including Martine Rose, Everlane, and Lululemon, there have never been more options for men—or a better time to be in the market for a pair of today’s subtly tweaked, super-soft sweatpantss. Even the designer options, with their sleeker silhouettes or idiosyncratic cuts, are still cozy as ever. In other words, they’re all made for wearing in public proudly and comfortably. Now all you have to do is scroll through the 32 best sweatpants out there, all of which are primed for anything and everything you have planned.
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