Even as the state begins the slow process of opening counties and regions, many of us will still be working from home and practicing social distancing for the coming weeks, if not months. So, sartorially speaking, we’ll still be spending the days in our casual clothes. For most of us, sweatpants have been the go-to garment during this quarantine, and if you’re anything like me, you may be experiencing some sweatpants-fatigue. There’s nothing wrong with living day in and day out in your favorite sweats, but you may be curious about how to change things up.
One way to break out of the cycle of sweats is with leggings. Leggings fall into one of two categories—performance and loungewear. There are “fashion” leggings, but they don’t really apply for our intents and purposes here. Performance leggings are athletic wear, they are rendered in a more durable fabric, usually with sweat wicking capabilities, and have a more contoured silhouettes for additional coverage. Think of brands like Nike, Adidas, and Fabletics for performance leggings. You can style these with other athletic wear like sports bras and tanks to get in some quick exercise bursts throughout your day.
For more casual leggings that come in cotton or jersey, you can’t go wrong with basic black. I’d recommend Style & Co’s tummy-control leggings from Macy’s. You can wear high-waisted, solid-colored leggings with T-shirts, button-downs, tunic-tops, or even cropped sweatshirts during these ongoing days at home. Basic black leggings also look great with denim jackets for when you do have to leave the house.
Track pants, which can be just as comfortable and loose as sweats, are another easy option for both men and women. And, since they usually come in a lighter fabrication than sweatpants, track-style bottoms are a better functional alternative with warmer weather on the horizon. Champion makes affordable track pants for the whole family; some matching track suit selfies may be a fun family activity. Whether you go with the matching top and bottom, you can wear track pants with hooded tops, mock-turtleneck knit tops, or go with a fitted ribbed tank. I love the idea of coordinating the color of your shirt with the shade of the side stripe of traditional track pants.
If you’re currently pairing your typical gray sweatpants with a standard gray sweatshirt, mix things up with matching ribbed knit sets. Textured fabric has some weight that will give you a more flattering drape, as opposed to knit jersey fabric, which can be thin and clingy. Having a matching top and bottom allows you to mix and match the set with other pieces. Asos has a variety of knit sets in various colors and price points. Or, check out Old Navy’s knit dresses, keeping in mind that summer will be here before you know it.
Lastly, consider the casual jumpsuit instead of sweatpants. These one-piece garments can be just as comfy and soft as your standard sweats. I know the usual complaint for rompers and jumpsuits is, “how do you go to the bathroom”? Well, since you’re home all day, it’s a lot easier to maneuver in your own private restroom then it is in a public bathroom stall. And many come with drawstrings for easy on and off, like Aerie’s track jumpsuit. Or, look for a version with front buttons, as well as pockets, for a total outfit that’s both functional and comfortable.
If you’re dead set on comfort, and who isn’t these days, but want to break out of the cycle of sweatpants, try one of the options above. Take note, not all loungewear is created equal, so consider the fabric quality and fit if making a new purchase and whether new loungewear has the potential to be worn outside of the house once this odd hibernation period is over.
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