The Best Sweatpants for Comfort and Style
When I hop into sweatpants, I want to feel like I'm on cloud nine, and both of these sweatpants from Canada-based Roots deliver exactly that sensation (mind you, the pants are made in Cambodia). The reason for that is the brushed fleece on the inside, which is super soft against the skin. The Roots Athletics Sweatpant (64 percent organic cotton, 36 percent recycled polyester fleece) is the more traditional design, with a classic fit that extends down close to my ankles on my 6'4" frame. But I like the Cloud Straight Leg even more. No skin-tight pants here! These are airy, whimsical, and tremendously soft. Made from 80 percent organic cotton and 20 percent recycled polyester fleece, the pants are smooth but plush. They do get a bit warm for the shoulder seasons and summer, but out of the many sweatpants I've tested, I'm happiest with these. — Julian Chokkattu Available Sizes XS to XXL Available Colors Athletics Sweatpant: 2. Cloud Straight Leg: 3 Fabric Details Athletics Sweatpant: 64% organic cotton, 36% recycled polyester fleece. Cloud Straight Leg: 80% organic cotton, 20% recycled polyester fleece
Photograph: Louryn Strampe Photograph: Louryn Strampe If millennials are known for skinny jeans, Gen Z is known for the exact opposite of that. Think big, interesting silhouettes, varying waist heights, and different colors and washes. These trendy Lululemon cargos were a bit out of my early-thirties comfort zone. But they're awesome. They've got a mid-rise fit that shows off just the right amount of tummy if you pair them with a crop top, and they're roomy throughout the hips and thighs. The two-way stretch fabric is water-repellent and slightly ribbed, with a lightweight feel that's perfect for summer (or sweating in a dance studio, presumably.) There are pockets galore, including hand pockets with a hidden card sleeve, back pockets, and cargo pockets. All of these pockets are useful, and my phone has yet to fall out of any of them. The waist has a drawstring, and the hems are cinchable to let you adjust how tight they are—a feature I appreciate as a shortie, since I can cinch them up if I don't want them to drag on the ground. These pants run just a little big, and my only complaint is that the hand pockets tend to stick out a bit. (My younger sisters assure me that they look all right, but it still bugs me just a little.) Ultimately, though, I feel super cool when I wear these pants, both temperature- and style-wise. — Louryn Strampe Available Sizes XXXS to XL Available Colors 7 Fabric Details Waistband: 88% nylon, 12% Lycra elastane. Pocket: 86% recycled polyester, 14% elastane. Body: 94% nylon, 6% elastane
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