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Whether you can get away with wearing sweatpants in public depends entirely on whether you know how to style sweatpants. Sweatpants rank among the most divisive items of clothing. Some people insist they’re only for home wear or the gym. Seinfeld famously called them a sign of giving up. A symbol of a person’s inability to compete in normal society.
And yet, for decades now, sweatpants have been a staple in streetwear and an integral part of dozens of iconic fits—from Stallone in Rocky to Travolta in Grease. These days, virtually every major clothing company—your mall brands, your high fashion houses, and everything in between—has put their own stamp on the garment.
Whether your sweatpants look sloppy or project a kind of casual cool is largely down to how they’re styled. And with a bit of intention, the most comfortable item in your closet doesn’t need to be relegated to Saturday mornings. Here’s all the inspiration and intel you need to cozy up in sweatpants right.
Nail the Details
Spike Lee, 2008
Spike Lee—shown here in his natural habitat, courtside at a Knicks game—proves how good a full sweatsuit can look with some simple accessories.
Tie It All Together
John Mayer, 2018
Thestatement sneakers and throwback windbreaker are the stars here, but Mayer's simple, dark sweats help lock in a cohesive look.
Stay Sporty
Woody Harrelson at the Woody Harrelson Departing For NY, Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)Ron Galella/Getty Images
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Sweatpants naturally tend to combine well with other athletic staples like varsity jackets and basketball shoes. Woody Harrelson pulls that trio off with aplomb for an effortless look that maintains maximum comfort and cool.
Mind the Proportions
Katie Holmes, 2023
The size of these sweats compared to the size of the T-shirt—not to mention the advanced move of sweats tucked into socks—turn an extremely simple combination into something far more elevated.
Go Baggy
Jerry Lorenzo, 2022
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With its monochrome palette and flowing silhouette, Fear of God designer Jerry Lorenzo's look here proves that oversized sweats can be downright elegant.
Suit Up
Muhammad Ali, 1966
We have all the high-tech, UV-resistant, spandex-adjacent workout pants science can create, and where has it gotten us? All Ali needed was a cotton sweatsuit to be the Greatest.
Our Favorite Sweatpants
Time to get comfortable. Here are four unbeatable, supremely stylish pairs to get you started—and don't miss our full list of the best sweatpants for men for even more GQ-approved picks.
How to Style Sweatpants FAQ
Are joggers sweatpants?
Joggers are sweatpants that left their small hometown and went to college. They might think that makes them better than sweatpants, but don’t buy it. The major difference is between the two is that joggers will always have a cinched elastic ankle. Sweatpants can go either way. Also fabric: You can have denim joggers, but not denim sweats. If you’re going to choose a jogger over a regular sweatpant, be sure you’re not going too slim. You don’t want risk looking like a toddler.
How should sweatpants fit?
The same rules for the fit of your normal pants apply to your sweatpants. What’s going to be the most flattering silhouette? What message are you trying to convey with the look?
A mid- to heavyweight sweatpant with a straight leg in gray or black is always going to be incredibly versatile. Something a bit baggier can create an interesting contrast when paired with a more fitted T-shirt or an overall casual vibe when combined with an equally loose top.
Overall, if you’re choosing to wear sweatpants for fashion rather than just comfort, don’t get too precious about it. Make the most out of what sweats can emphasize and embrace the laid-back vibe they offer.
What shoes should you pair with sweatpants?
In a lot of cases, pairing something formal with something more casual can be a nice way to break up the visual language of an outfit. This rarely the case with sweatpants. Your best bet is to stick to the basics.
A classic sneaker or runner—Air Jordans, Reebok Club 85s, New Balance 990s, Adidas Sambas—always work. So do boots with a workwear or hiking vibe. Plus, there are always Converse if you’re looking to go full training montage. Similar to jackets and shirts, you want something that plays along well with the inherent athletic, casual, and working vibes sweats give off.
