Every time I talk about sweatpants things tend to get a little awkward. So, what's the deal with sweatpants? I ask innocently enough, affecting what the kids might call an "extremely Jerry Seinfeld voice" and trying to contain my excitement. They're pants, but you don't sweat in them. What's up with that?
Listen, it's not that I don't get the appeal. I do. (There's been some compelling arguments made for their greatness on this very site.) What I don't get is the ardent fervor they inspire among the style's most devoted fans. Even before the pandemic reshaped the reality of the way we all dress, swaddling our soft, broken bodies in head-to-toe fleece was fast on its way to becoming the new normal, and sweatpants reigned supreme.
But this isn't about sweatpants. This is about the pants you should be wearing if you, too, find yourself lost in elaborate Seinfeldian riffs of your own making while everyone around you lounges unbothered in their fleece-lined bottoms. If copping a pair of proper wool pants seems like a bit of a stretch for someone who's been living in sweats for the last half year or so, rest assured the two have more in common than you might think. Comfort is not the issue. In fact—assuming they fit properly—the right pair of wool trousers should be no less comfortable than your favorite soft pants. And if you're really nervous about foregoing that elastic waistband entirely, it's easier than ever to find a trouser style that incorporates that particular detail.
So sure, there are plenty of stylish sweatpants options out there. (More so, I'd venture to guess, than ever before.) But why not give your preferred pair the day off? Casually rocking some wool pants right now might make you feel like you're an extra on the set of a lavish Victorian period piece, but it sure as hells beats the rote monotony of wearing the same damn thing every damn day. *Tears up dramatically* Life is too short to be lived entirely in sweatpants, and time waits for no man's fits.
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Wool-Jersey Blend Pants
Uniqlo Uuniqlo.com
$49.90
The latest mind-meld between Christophe Lemaire and Japanese mega-retailer Unilqo is a veritable treasure trove of fall-ready gems, including some especially spicy wool-jersey trousers.
Merino Wool Mix Pleated Trousers
COScosstores.com
$125.00
Super-soft merino wool + elastic waistband = your new go-to WFH pants. (It's that simple, really.)
Italian Wool Trousers
Everlaneeverlane.com
$98.00
Made out of wool sourced from Tollegno, Italy, with the perfect amount of added stretch.
Side Stripe Pants
ZARAzara.com
$119.00
Side stripes no humble pair of sweatpants could pull off with as much panache.
Ludlow Slim-Fit Unstructured Suit Pants
J.Crewjcrew.com
$148.00
Yes, the classic Ludlow—in any form you can find it—still very much slaps.
Wool Checked Pop Trousers
Schnayderman'sssense.com
$280.00
Sometimes in life you got to freak it. Schnayderman's says this is one of those times.
Madison Pleated Suit Trousers
Todd Snydertoddsnyder.com
$298.00
Todd Snyder's washed wool-cotton trousers dial it back on the pattern a bit, but the heavily pleated, heftily cuffed bad boys are plenty freaky in their own way.
Ryder Slim Fit Pants
ACNE STUDIOSnordstrom.com
$320.00
Speaking of freaky, the typically eccentric design gods at Acne Studios also happen to make a near perfect pair of pristine wool-mohair trousers, no bells and whistles necessary.
Wool Track Pants
Abasi Rosboroughfarfetch.com
$353.00
Just like the best joggers already in your rotation, but cut in a heavyweight wool fabric that helps make these more-than-appropriate to wear outside the home.
Twisted-Seam Wide-Leg Trousers
Bianca Saundersmatchesfashion.com
$397.00
With Bianca Saunders the devil is in the details, so feel free to get up close and personal to peep the stitched waist pleats and twisted seams on these wide-legged guys.
Checked Virgin Wool-Blend Drawstring Trousers
Barenamrporter.com
$420.00
A pair of pants that somehow manages to incorporates every single color on your fall mood board.
Black Striped Drawstring Trousers
Juun.Jssense.com
$455.00
Sure, classic menswear heads tend to tread carefully when it comes to wearing pinstripes as separates, but in this case, trust me—you should definitely wear pinstripes as separates.
Crepe Safari Trousers
Ahluwaliassense.com
$625.00
The PJ bottoms you happily wore to Jimmy's 8th grade slumber party suddenly look a lot like the pants you should be rocking this whole damn season.
Two-Pleat Trousers
Nicholas Daleyssense.com
$640.00
Nicholas Daley (and his shaggy, mohair-blended trousers) strikes again!
Wool and Cashmere-Blend Drawstring Trousers
Auraleemrporter.com
$650.00
Flannel trousers not good enough for you? Try throwing a little cashmere in the mix and see how you like 'em. (The results? Please. *Kisses fingertips* What'd you expect?)
Wool Serge Trousers
Bed J.W. Fordssense.com
$660.00
Earn your blue belt the easy way.
Speckled Wool Track Pants
Fear of God Exclusively for Ermenegildo Zegnafarfetch.com
$1,040.00
Your favorite sweatpants could never.
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Avidan GrossmanAvidan Grossman is the Style eCommerce Editor at Esquire, covering men's fashion, shoes, grooming, and accessories.
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