If you like to be comfortable while looking good, you’re probably wondering what to wear with sweatpants as a guy.
As a guy who loves to be comfortable when I go out, I’ve begun to wear sweatpants more and more often. I’ve found ways to wear sweatpants while still looking stylish and casual, yet still well dressed.
Typically, sweatpants are meant for going to the gym or lounging around the house. They’re also great for casual outings and even going to school or college.
What to Wear with Sweatpants for Guys
Guys can wear sweatpants with t-shirts, hoodies, crewnecks, running shoes and sneakers. A hoodie, sweatpants and some running shoes makes for a great late night outfit. Whether it’s going to the movies, to the gym or hanging out with friends, sweatpants will be proper and cool to wear.
In this post, I share what guys should wear with sweatpants, three stylish outfit ideas with sweatpants and what to avoid wearing with sweatpants.
What Should Guys Wear with Sweatpants
Sweatpants are super versatile and can be worn by guys in so many different ways. There are a few different styles of sweatpants meant for different purposes.
Depending on how and what kind of sweatpants you plan on wearing, it will help dictate what you should wear them with.
Sweatpants Can be Worn with:
- Sweaters
- Hoodies
- Crewnecks
- T-shirts
- Graphic t-shirts
- Sneakers
- Running shoes
- Winter boots
- Flip flops
Sweatpants Outfit Ideas for Guys
The Comfortable Look
Relaxed fit sweatpants, a cozy sweater and some running shoes will give off a comfortable look. This is good for going to the movies, lounging around the house and going to the gym.
This look prioritizes comfort and will not be the most stylish. If you are just looking to be comfortable stick with this outfit.
Going out
If you want to wear sweatpants when you go out try athleisure sweatpants, a graphic t-shirt and some athletic sneakers. This look will be appropriate for hanging out with friends, going to casual restaurants and going to house parties.
This look blends comfort and style. Athleisure sweatpants having a slimmer fit, are great for going out and look a lot sharper than relaxed fit sweatpants.
Subtle Flex
My personal favourite look with sweatpants as a guy, is the subtle flex. Wearing some athleisure sweatpants with a designer sweater or shirt, some designer shoes and accessories will complete this look.
This look blends high fashion and comfort. Typically, people wear designer clothing on nice occasions or with formal outfits.
This outfit is the complete opposite, you are wearing designer clothing with sweatpants. This is a great way to be subtle about your designer items.
This outfit can be worn almost anywhere. I’ve worn this to the club, parties, the casino and restaurants.
What to Avoid Wearing with Sweatpants as a Guy
Dress Shirts
Dress shirts do not look good with sweatpants. It’s better to wear a dress shirt with more formal clothing and save your sweatpants for casual occasions.
Polo Shirts
Polo shirts look good with jeans and joggers. However for guys, polo shirts just don’t look great worn with sweatpants.There are plenty of other options for tops that will look better like graphic tees, crewnecks and hoodies.
Dress Shoes
Trust me, dress shoes look awful with sweatpants and no man should ever wear these together. Whether they are elastic bottoms a straight leg sweatpant, dress shoes are way to dressy! Just like the dress shirt, it’s better to save your dress shoes for nicer occasions.
Different Shades of the Same Colour
If you are wearing a grey shirt with a different shade of grey sweatpants it will look off. To avoid this from happening, match black or grey sweatpants with a white shirt.
Black on black will usually look fine. However, when it’s colours like grey on grey or blue on blue it won’t look good unless they are the same shade.
Navy blue sweatpants will look terrible with lighter and brighter shades of blue, so make sure to wear a completely different color top.
Different Styles of Sweatpants for Guys
Gym Sweatpants
Typically gym sweatpants have a baggier fit and will be loose at the bottom around the ankles. Nike, Puma, and Adidas all make gym sweatpants.
The material will be thicker and more comfortable than track pants. On a cold winter day gym sweatpants are great for wearing around the house, to the gym or for running quick errands.
Gym sweatpants aren’t the most stylish. It’s better to keep the pants for occasions where you’re not expected to be dressed up nicely.
Slim Fit Sweatpants
Slim fit sweatpants will have a tapered look with elastic bottoms. The pants will fit tightly compared to gym sweatpants. Slim fit sweatpants can be found at H&M, Uniqlo, Nike and Adidas.
The material on slim fit sweatpants will be thinner to give the pants a nicer fit. Slim fit sweatpants are great for when you want to wear sweatpants and you’re going out.
Slim fit sweatpants are stylish in casual settings. If you are hanging out with some friends or grabbing a quick bit to eat slim fit sweats are a great option.
Athleisure Sweatpants
Athleisure sweatpants have become extremely popular. Clothing brands like Essentials and Gym Shark have specialized in making athleisure wear.
Athleisure mixes both style and comfort which over the last year has become extremely popular. Personally, I love athleisure clothing as I find it both comfortable and trendy.
Athleisure sweatpants can be worn in many different settings. Whether you like slim fitting pants for the gym or you want to wear sweats out to dinner, you can with atheisure sweatpants.
Sweat Shorts
Although they aren’t pants, sweat shorts have become very popular. Sweat shorts combines shorts with the same material as sweatpants.
I find sweat shorts way more comfortable than any other type of shorts. Whether it’s wearing them around the house, to the gym or on a hot summer day sweat shorts are great.
What’s the Difference Between Joggers and Sweatpants
Originally, sweatpants were baggy, thick and would fit loose. Typically, sweatpants would be meant for wearing around the house, to the gym or to play sports.
In the last decade, joggers have increased in popularity. Joggers have a tapered fit which gives a much more fashion forward look.
Streetwear made joggers popular as they had a unique fit and the elastic bottoms would better showcase one’s sneakers.
Joggers are more stylish and better for going out. Sweatpants are more functional and better as loungewear or sportswear.
Recently, athleisure has become more and more popular. Athleisure sweatpants mix both sweatpants and joggers making comfortable and tapered pants with elastic bottoms.
If you’re looking for more information on Joggers check out this article:
Should Sweatpants be Baggy?
The fit of sweatpants comes down to preference. Baggy sweatpants will give a free feeling as they will have a looser fit. Wide legged sweatpants are great for wearing to the gym and around the house. For nicer occasions, wearing baggy sweatpants will not be appropriate.
Final Thoughts on What to Wear with Sweatpants
If you love wearing sweatpants, it’s important to know how to wear them so that they look good on different occasions. In this post, we went over everything need to know about what guys should and should not wear with sweatpants as well as the differences between joggers and sweatpants.
What are your favourite types of sweatpants? Let me know in the comments below.