Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.
There are few things more comfortable than a nice pair of sweatpants, whether you wear them as activewear, loungewear, or sleepwear. And with today’s increased focus on materials, a range of different fabrics are now being used to make sweats — fleece, terry cloth, loopwheel, and more. Each one has its own unique look and feel, and we’re happy to be able to feature options made from a wide range of warm fabrics.
1) Reigning Champ: Core Sweatpants
Reigning Champ is perhaps the most recommended brand for those entering the world of well-made sweats, and their Core collection is a great introduction. They are made out of cotton terrycloth, known to get softer with wear, and come in classic heather grey. Each pair is made in Canada and features two hand pockets, a gusseted crotch, elasticated waist, and drawstring ankles.
Available for $110 from Need Supply.
2) Velva Sheen: Viper 8oz. Sweatpants
Velva Sheen is mainly known for their tee shirts, but that doesn’t mean their sweats are anything to scoff at. Their Viper Sweatpants are constructed in the USA from 100% cotton 8oz. terry cloth to maximize both comfort and durability. The silhouette might be classic but the details separate it from other sweats on the market — it features buttoned leg pockets that are very reminiscent of cargo pants, an elastic waistband with a drawstring tie, and tapered leg openings.
Available for €145 from Frans Boone.
3) John Elliot: Loopwheel Sweatpants
Despite the fact that loopwheel sweatshirts are booming, few companies are offering loopwheel sweatpants at the moment. Luckily, John Elliot is picking up the slack. Their Loopwheel Sweatpants are made from a 15.8oz. loopwheel cotton fabric, making them some of the heaviest sweats on the market. The pattern is much more fitted than most sweatpants, but if you like a slim silhouette, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better option.
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Available for $278 from John Elliot.
4) Joe McCoy: Burgundy Sweatpants
Joe McCoy’s sweatshirts are considered to be some of the finest on the market, and their Burgundy Sweatpants are made with the same attention to detail from a custom made 10oz. fabric. Although these are not made of loopwheel fabric, they are still meticulously made in Japan from fabric woven on vintage machines and feature lined pockets, a drawstring waistband, and drawstring leg openings.
Available for $185 from Superdenim.
5) Sunspel: Cellulock Sweatpant
Sunspel’s Cellulock Sweatpant aren’t as heavyweight as most sweatpants, but the cellulock fabric they’re made from will help to keep you warm nonetheless. Their pattern is pretty run of the mill — two front hand pockets, one back pocket, ribbed hems, and elasticated drawstring waistband — but they’re slightly slimmer than a lot of other sweatpants on the market, and the price is certainly right for a pair of more fitted sweats.
Available for $105 from End Clothing.
Plus One – Kapital: Indigo Dye Jersey Sweat Rib Pants (FIROSHIKI Embroidery)
Oh Kapital, how boring our closets would be with out you. Today, we’re taking a look at their Indigo Dyed Jersey Sweats with Firoshiki Embroidery. They’re made from a soft loopback fleece that has been indigo-dyed, and each pair has decorative stitching at the knee and seat. Designed with a high rise and relaxed top block, these wild sweats taper down to a small elasticated leg opening for a truly distinct fit.
Available for $463 from Blue Button Shop.
