How to wear track pants or jogger(s) (without looking like George Costanza)

Isabel Marant grey marle trackpants

I have had this post sitting in my drafts folder for the past 1 to 2 years, when I purchased myself the Isabel Marant grey ‘sweatpants’ I had been searching high and low for.

When I first received them I was a little stumped (hence I drafted this post for myself): How do I wear sweat/jogger/track pants without looking like George Costanza? Remember him from “Seinfeld”? Jerry said to him: "You know the message you're sending out to the world with these sweatpants? You're telling the world: 'I give up. I can't compete in normal society. I'm miserable, so I might as well be comfortable.' " Haha, ok, that may be partly true for some, but I sure do enjoy the comfort and ease these pants bring to my daily wardrobe.

It seems the track pant (or jogger) is still going strong, albeit getting more refined (in bold colours, fine fabrics and slimmer, more tailored cuts), and in the past few months I have added two more pairs to my wardrobe, both silk, one in a gorgeous cobalt blue, and another from Topshop Boutique in black. I bought these elasticated pants to wear while I was pregnant, and just rolled the waistband a few times as I got bigger (they have been great post-pregnancy too, as my waist slowly returns to its previous size). I decided to revisit this post and publish it for my own (easier) reference, and also, just in case it might be of interest to anyone out there…

Although the pair above are by Dion Lee (available at The New Guard), my silk pair by Country Road look exactly the same, with the same gold 'ends' on the drawstrings (except I bought mine for about $60 on sale, score!)

It started with the paper-bag waisted trousers, then the harem pant (which I still live in, in fact I am wearing a pair as I type). After the Alexander Wang and Isabel Marant’s Spring 2009 shows (returning the following year on the catwalks again), the sweatpants made their foray not only onto the catwalks, but also some of the most stylish women, and those on the streets.

Garance Dore customized a pair of fitted American Apparel sweatpants into cuffed shorts, which looked sharp paired with a blazer, button-down, and heels.



A look I could not pull off



I am eyeing these Sass & Bide pants above...

Ok, it appears the principles on how to wear these pants are similar to those on how to wear harem pants.

DO:

Colours: Stick to shades of gray or neutrals (if in the cotton sweat pant fabric). Otherwise, if in viscose, silk or rayon, I am drawn to the bolder colours...

Fabric: if in cotton sweatpant material, opt for slightly thicker fabric (not thin cotton) so they don't look too casual - giving them some shape. Otherwise try to stick to dressier fabrics such as silk.

Pair them with heels: so you don't look like you rolled out of bed.

The cut: Opt for slim-fit sweatpants with a banded bottom or sweatpants cropped right below the knee, or tapered hem styles which are slightly tighter at the calf so they have some form of shape in them and can be worn with heels.

Roll them up. As you do with boyfriend jeans, peg the trackpants the same way: a foldover tuck and then a few rolls . Or, if the pants have elastic ankles, scrunch them up mid-calf (I try doing this with my Isabel Marant pants) .

On the top: a smart/elegant button-down shirt/blouse, a structured fitted top, a fluid cropped blouse or a crop top - nothing too long or too baggy, or you'll look like you just got out of bed.

On the bottom (shoes): wear them with heels, pumps, chunky-heeled ankle boots or brogues.

Go for casual elegance. Wear them with a loose tee and fitted blazer for the right mix of careless confidence.

www.stylebistro.com

How to wear it:

Do like Isabel Marant - team with classic trench and black ankle boots

or

pair them with heels, a dressy top and a blazer;

or

motorcycle or tough leather jacket, loose tee and killer heels

or

tuck a feminine/floaty blouse into thick-waistbands and wear them with chunky-heeled ankle boots (I have been wearing mine with my Rag & Bone Newbury boots)

or

for a night out - pair it with a dressier top (sequins and beads always help).

Almost anything goes, as long as the pants are fairly fitted and tapered and/or hit above your ankles.

DON'T

Wear them too baggy. They should fit like regular pants, tight around your bottom (unfortunately this is not the case with my Isabel Marant, so I pay extra attention to what I wear with them).

Go top to toe sporty: no sneakers or hoodie (unless you are heading to the gym, of course).

Effortless...

And like with harem pants, the most important thing is to wear them with confidence!

What about you, do you have a pair of these in your wardrobe? How do you style yours?

Street Style at the Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Weeks - Pants

The Welcome Return of the Wide-leg Pant

Before the arrival of harem pants in my wardrobe, my most-worn style of pants was the wide-leg pant, especially in the man-style cut. It still is my favourite style of pant (if I can fit into them), and it was refreshing to see its return off the catwalk during the SS'11 Fashion Weeks:


With a casual draped tee

How perfectly cozy and fuzzy does that sweater look? Gorgeous soft pink too...

Wide-leg pant in denim, with Alexander Wang top

In camel, the current 'it' colour. Love the cut on that structured jacket.

Worn with a relaxed blazer & funky wedges.


The Track, Harem & Peg-legged/Tapered Pant:



Proenza Schouler top, 3.1 Phillip Lim pants & Chanel shoes

I absolutely adore these pants! Beautifully draped, resembling a skirt from the side-view

I still drool over Vera Wang's statement necklaces

Recent buys: High-low from Topshop to Stella McCartney

Thank you so much to everyone who has replied to my previous posts' questions, I am thoroughly enjoying reading your answers, and am taking note of the questions you are asking me. If you haven't written your questions, and would like to still, please feel free to do so here! I love getting to know more about you.

I will (hopefully) accumulate more questions from you so I can answer them all in one post. I will also work on trying to answer some of your requests (e.g. post of my 'interior design', a group bag shot, and figure out how to do a group shoe shot, haha, might have to break it down to a few groups...)

Quote Selena's response to a question: "i believe it's all about how you put an outfit together rather than being completely covered in labels." (uhm, by 'you' she was not referring to me but to 'someone')

I totally agree! Although my ratio of high to low has been changing as I distill my wardrobe down, and get older, I still thoroughly enjoy dressing high-low.


Recent buys:

Topshop matte square sequin blazer (close-up PIC)
Topshop black harem pant (I have used mine so much I need another for 'rougher' wear, or for lounging around the house in ultimate comfort)
Topshop grey cropped harem pant
Topshop draped tulip skirt with pockets (can you believe I accidentally ordered TWO of these? I sized up, as my size US2 friend, who bought a size US4 skirt and found it too small warned me their skirts ran small, so mine's a size 6 if anyone's interested...)
Swarovski Nirvana ring
Stella McCartney mesh sandals with lucite heel (close-up pic)

I have been searching for a red skirt for quite some time, and envision wearing it in a variety of outfits, including with my favourite look: nautical/stripes. Pictured is my Chloe striped & jewelled top (have yet to acquire a nice black boyfriend blazer, the one above is by Stella McCartney). Also pictured: Dries Van Noten buckle sandal, Swarovski Nirvana ring, and Chanel necklace (which I do not own).

Two of my purchases I am absolutely ecstatic about, because I have been wanting them for ages. The Swarovski ring I have been literally eyeing for years, since it first appeared on net-a-porter under the label 'Swarovski Rocks',. In the last few years I have been hinting terribly to hubby that I would love that ring, and it would be so much nicer to receive it as a meaningful token (e.g. anniversary) than for me to buy it for myself. Alas, I finally gave up and got it myself, haha, love it (it is my upgrade from one of my favourite rings, I call it my 'ice cube' ring, which I bought from Sportsgirl for $1.50 and have worn to death the last 5 years or so). I also really want in 'Jet' (black).

www.swarovski.com

H of Pret-a-Porter just pointed me towards a stunning editorial from Vogue September's Issue, featuring this ring. Love the editorial not only because is it an homage to Tina Chow, but it was the story was styled by Melanie Huynh (love her work). The ring on Tao's fourth finger (right hand) looks like an expensive version of my $1.50 ring, I must take a close-up of it sometime...

www.models.com

The other purchase I am ecstatic about is the Stella McCartney nude mesh & lucite sandals. Ever since I saw these worn on the runway October last year, I was obsessed with finding them, and that exact combination in my size was hard to find. But all's well that ends well...

www.style.com

I plan to wear these a lot with the upcoming warmer weather. There's something about the nude combined with the lucite that I love. The stiletto version in black is hot too...

How to wear Harem pants

I know harem and peg-leg pants are not everyone's “cup of tea", but I love Harem pants. They are billowy and luxurious (but most importantly, they are just so comfortable!). Depending on your figure, this may not exactly be the look you are after, as harem pants have a tendency to add weight to fuller figures (I should know). However, the right pair, worn with the right pieces, can actually be flattering for your figure and classy to wear, so for those who want to wear a harem or peg pant, keep trying them on until you find one that flatters your shape (if you haven't already). Having said that, be honest to yourself when looking in the mirror, you should feel confident in them...

There are a number of variations on the harem theme, and you needn’t spend too much on them, as these pants may not be around for many seasons (I don't really care, as I will be wearing them regardless, haha), but they are pieces that will instantly update your wardrobe without having to try too hard.

DO: Select the right fabric
Some fabrics will drape more elegantly than others; light drapey fabrics are the most flattering, e.g. silk or cotton jersey.

Do: Know how low you can go
Make sure the drop crotch folds are elegant and sit well, rather than in a sloppy manner. Harem pants that sag in the centre half way down your legs don’t flatter most people. Instead, choose a leaner style, especially if you are under 5' 3". A capri-length variation can be very flattering, as a certain portion of your leg is exposed, lengthening the look.

DO: Keep it simple
Although I like to keep jewellery to a minimum with harem pants, I like wearing sparkly jewelry, so keep them in the same tone. I also love ethnic, chunky pieces, but not too many at once (usually just one or two at a time). Keep tops, cardigans and jackets, such as tailored jackets or a fitted boyfriend blazer, simple, as the pants are already the feature; alternatively skip the jewellery and wear a more costume-like top as the accent.

DO: Tuck it in
To balance out the bagginess at the waist and the fullness at the legs, harem & peg pants are best worn with a fitted top, like a tank top, casual silk T-shirt (or brightly coloured tee) or fitted feminine blouse.

DO: Lighten up
If you feel the style is too masculine, go for soft pastels and blush tones, which are more feminine and will provide a much softer look.

DO: Jump it!

If you have trouble finding a look that works for you, then try a slouchy harem-style jumpsuit instead.

DO: Not forsake femininity

For a more classic take, pair tailored harems with a pussy-bow or frilly blouse.

DO: Belt it up.

It's a minimal addition that doesn't distract from the interesting part of the outfit - the silhouette. To add some glamour to this classic tailoring, add a wide statement belt, or even an obi-inspired corset.

DO: Modify the runway look.
Subtlety, femininity, sequins, leather - infuse them into this look, while keeping the shape simple and chic.

DO: Crop it

Wear cropped jackets and tops with harem pants, so that the pants are the obvious feature. Short tops show that your pants are deliberately billowing, look better and accentuate the style. Defining the waist is key to successful wearing of harem pants.

DO: Distract

You can draw the eye upward to the top half of your body with interesting detailing, graphic prints, vibrant colour, or a bold accessory.

DON'T: Be afraid to mix trends.
I have worn mine with a tuxedo jacket, or with a striped top for a French/Nautical 'take' on Harem pants.

DO: Pair it with high heels.
This will give you the added height needed and it also balances out your figure; gladiator sandals or strappy stilettos, the higher the better. Flat shoes will deaden the harem pants look unless you are very slim/tall (I often disregard this in exchange for ultimate comfort, whilst aware of how unflattering it is for me, and seriously hoping no one I know spots me, oh, the shame!).

DO: Indulge in the comfort of harem pants.

Once you find the right ones, you'll want to wear them all the time, I certainly do! They are my 'muu muu equivalent' of pants, and are my 'jeans' staple equivalent, seeing I no longer can fit into any of my jeans.

Sass & Bide Harem pants worn throughout

Outfit 1: Sass & Bide 'Hot cat on a tin roof' tee & Burberry washed navy leather jacket, Dries Van Noten buckle sandals
Outfit 2: Vanessa bruno wool jersey/satin blouse, Chloe silk belt & with amber buckle, Stella McCartney Patent Pumps
Outfit 3: Bora Aksu silk chiffon blouse, Gucci studded pumps
Outfit 4: Dries Van Noten silk blouse & cognac and leather sandals
Outfit 5: Sass & Bide 'A little Peace' Jagger sequinned 'Mickey Mouse giving a peace sign' tee, Costume National brushed velvet tux jacket, Gucci peep-toe slingbacks

In short, wear them with heels, the right accessories, and confidence...and have fun doing so!