I won’t lie: Sweatpants have never been a part of my wardrobe. In fact, I can’t even remember owning any after high school. Even then, I wasn’t really on board with them. I’d have to wear them to sports practice, but would always prefer a track pant, or something a little more performance-driven. If I wanted something soft and comfy to lounge in, I’d just wear pajama pants; if I needed to look presentable in front of other people, I’d splurge on a cashmere pant. As far as I was concerned, there was never a need for sweatpants.
I’m well aware that sweatpants, as a category, have evolved significantly since my teen years. I see the latest and greatest in clothing as a fashion editor, and I’ve come across my fair share of fleece-lined, tailored, sophisticated options that are much nicer than the slouchy ones I reluctantly owned way back when. Still, nothing has made me want to cross to the other side, to Team Sweatpants. I was pretty content with my other so-called comfort pants.
This stance has only been challenged once. I was at a press preview, checking out Outdoor Voices’ new activewear collection. I was looking at the women’s section, but eventually meandered over to the men’s—I always like to check it out, to see if there’s something my husband might like. Unlike me, he’s an avid sweatpant-wearer—and a discerning sweatpant-shopper at that: His one rule is that sweatpants must have pockets, to hold a set of keys and a phone. He won’t buy a pair without them.
I noticed the Outdoor Voices’ Cloud Knit pants because of the pockets, and I liked the heathered fabric they came in. The communications director for the brand noticed, and came over to rave about these sweatpants for women, eventually insisting that I try a pair myself.
Little did I know: This would change everything.
Outdoor Voices CloudKnit Sweatpants
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For me, the main draw of Outdoor Voices’ CloudKnit pants is the slim-fit construction. It keeps you looking polished, but comfortable—something I’d never been able to find in sweats. The material has just enough give that you don’t feel like you’re wearing actual pants (it’s made from a polyester-spandex blend), but they’re not too stretchy that they lose their shape. They’re also so soft. And they don’t get any less soft after a wash. (Mine have gone through the washing machine a good 50 times, and they’re still one of the coziest pieces I own.)
Outdoor Voices CloudKnit Sweatpants
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With these, I don’t feel like I’m wearing sweats pretending to be real pants. I feel incredibly put together when I put them on. I often pair them with a cashmere sweater or on a warmer day, a Breton stripe top. It’s a nice option for when I have a more casual day ahead, but still need to go out and look presentable. I now own them in two different colors—heather grey and navy—and wear them at least once a week.
And yes, my husband owns them, too. It’s actually the first item of clothing we both own. And we’re not embarrassed to wear them at the same time.
Outdoor Voices CloudKnit Sweatpants
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I’m proud to say everyone in my family has jumped on the #doingthings bandwagon—me, my husband, and every other relative that’s gotten it as a holiday gift. (Seriously, these pants are a great present.) I’m considering investing in the remaining two colors I don’t own, just so I always have a pair on hand, whenever the others are in the wash. You could say I’m obsessed.
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