How to dress up sweatpants

It probably doesn't surprise you that I don't own any sweatpants. Well, I didn't, until I bought this pair a few weeks ago. What spurred me to actually buy a pair of sweatpants, you may ask? The answer is that I needed something to wear when I walk my dog. More specifically, I needed something to throw on first thing in the morning when she needs to go outside to pee ASAP. So sometimes I end up putting these on at 7 a.m. on a Sunday morning...and then I don't take them off all day. Long story short, sweatpants are comfortable, people. So I decided to try to dress them up a little bit, to see if I could get away with wearing them all day. Here's how the experiment turned out.




I ordered these Rails sweats when Shopbop was having a sale a few weeks ago. I realize they are probably on the pricey side for sweatpants, but me being me, I wanted a slightly more chic pair. I like the thigh-camouflaging pockets and the ribbed cuffs, which can be pushed up a bit, left down, or rolled, as I'm wearing them here. I decided to err on the side of comfort and order a medium, but I probably could have gone with a small, as these are a wee bit loose. Also, as I mentioned earlier, they are really freaking comfortable. Worth every cent, if you ask me!




And now, how to make them look dressier. My solution was to add a blazer, and while I tried a more structured one first, I think a softer, unlined style like this one worked best, because it's a little more relaxed and casual in look and feel. It dresses up the entire look—but not too much. This one is several seasons old (I think I found the exact same one, linked below) and it's one of my favorite layering pieces in winter, because it's so soft and cozy. It's almost like a cardigan, but the woven fabric gives it just a little more polish.




I layered a T-shirt underneath, because I wear knits most of the time anyway, and a woven shirt would feel really out of place with sweatpants. You last saw this one in this post and I wear it all the time IRL—stripes are just so classic, and because I wanted to keep this look neutral, it was a way to work in a little pattern.




Are you tired of this A.P.C. bag yet? Um, I hope not, because it's in next week's post too. And I'm clearly still loving it, because I keep featuring it here over and over and over. What else can I say, other than it's my current favorite? As for the boots I'm wearing, you last saw them in this post, and while I haven't worn them since winter, I'm eager to add them back into my rotation. They're the iconic Acne Pistol boots—I've had these for years (and it shows) but they're just the perfect black ankle boot, and you can dress them up or down. In this case, I think both of my accessories dress things up just the right amount.



Does this background look familiar? It's where we shot this post a few months ago. This little street is nice and quiet, and it's a quick 5-minute walk from our apartment. Amusingly, it's right behind a gas station—just keeping it real, folks!



OUTFIT DETAILS: Isabel Marant blazer (similar here) | Zadig & Voltaire tee | Rails Devon sweatpants | A.P.C. Sac Demi-Lune | Acne Studios Pistol boots | Stella & Dot luna pendant, Rhett ring, engravable ring


9 comments

Kelsey said...

I never thought sweatpants could look so classy and put together! You rocked it.

Ruth said...

I think joggers or sweatpants look so chic now! I love how you styled them with a bit of edge. It makes them wearable for sure!

http://www.mylittlenest.org

Lizzie said...

You made sweatpants look so chic! I love how you styled them!

Lizzie
www.lizzieinlace.com

Laura B said...

I have some velvet joggers I think I need to try with booties! I love this fun look and the way you dressed them up!

Ellen Ross | Ask Away Blog said...

look at you rockin them thangs!

Jodie's Touch of Style said...

You totally succeeded...I don't think anyone would realize these are just sweats!!
XOXO
Jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com

Corina said...

you give the unique idea to wear this pant in such a classy way. looks cool in this outfit.
xo Corina
https://unbouquetdamour.com/wear-all-white-winter/

Jessica Jannenga said...


Hi Cheryl!
I love the sweatpants on you, making them stylish! Those booties look great, I love a pair of boots with luscious leahter. I just bought the pair of floral leggings from nordies to wear to take my pups for walks. Love your bag too! I am going for smaller bags myself lately too!
thanks for linking!
jess xx
www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

chez-rama said...

Cheryl! this is a great outfit. I love jogger pants and I always dress them up and I love how you dress up yours.
gorgeous.

www.chez-rama.com