Sweatpants should sit comfortably at the waist, hang without bagging at the seat, and finish at the ankle with a small break over your shoes. Here is how to check each part.
The waist
It should stay put without squeezing. You should be able to sit down, bend over and walk without pulling them up. A drawstring lets you adjust, but tie it flat so it does not bunch.
The rise
The rise is the distance from the crotch to the waistband. A higher rise sits near your navel, a lower rise sits on your hips. Choose the one that feels comfortable and looks balanced on your frame.
The taper
Tapered sweatpants get narrower from the knee to the ankle. They look neat and work well with trainers. A straight leg is looser and more relaxed. Both are fine, so go with what suits your build.
The ankle and length
- A cuffed ankle sits on top of the shoe, with no break
- A straight hem can have a slight break
- Too long and they pool at the ankle
- Too short and they look like an accident
How do you check the fit?
Stand in front of a mirror. Look from the side as well as the front. Squat, sit and lift your leg. If it feels good in all three, it fits.
Can sweatpants look smart?
Yes, if they fit well and the rest of the outfit is tidy. Pair them with a clean tee or a knit and simple trainers. We cover this in How to Style Sweatpants So They Look Smart.
What about drawstrings and cuffs?
Check that the drawstring sits flat and the cuffs have enough stretch to get over your heel but still hold at the ankle. Ribbed cuffs keep their shape. Straight hems hang looser. Neither is right or wrong, so choose what you will actually wear. A heavier fabric tends to hang straighter and a lighter one tends to cling, so try them on if you can.
Try the Amoure Sweatpants at £55, or see hoodies and sweatpants.
MORE LUV.