Ask the Edit: Sweatpant Alternatives

Hi Abra,

Do you have any suggestions for lounge wear? I’ve been living with my s/o for 4 years and he’s (rightly) sick of me immediately switching to sweatpants the moment I get home from work. Any ideas on how to still look feminine while remaining comfy?

Good luck with the new job and move!

-Kathryn

To answer this question, I reached out to my in-house Significant Other Expert, Kyle.  Because what’s the point of having a man around if you can’t ask him to answer reader questions?  (And he loves it, don’t let him tell you otherwise.)

“No one is bemoaning your right to get comfortable after work, but there’s no reason you can’t change into something that’s flattering and presentable. If you’re wearing loose fitting or oversize sweats, burn them.  Leggings are fine and can be put together into an outfit that looks like you put forth some effort.”

Kyle then began pulling photos from online retailers of loungewear outfits that don’t look like “you are recovering from the flu.”

All of the examples included leggings.  My favorite leggings are the Lululemon Wunder Unders because I love the feeling of compression (and how it trims up my figure a bit).  But they’re so expensive that I only buy them on sale, which limits your color choices.

I’ve also been on the hunt for Lululemon alternatives, and I recently wrote a post on the two most popular options from Amazon.

Now, as for what to wear with leggings…

Kyle recommends a fitted top.  “When you think of sweatpants, you think of oversize, baggy sweats.  So if you show off your shape that will help a lot.”

Searching for Kyle’s suggested “tighter fitting” top, I located this Chi Top from Athleta.  For something cheaper, try this Old Navy performance top or this Daily Ritual scoopneck tunic.

For layering options, Kyle’s number one suggestion was to pick something “not frumpy.”  Cardigans and sweaters are fine, but choose “a nice one, like one you could wear in front of people.”

This Barefoot Dreams cocoon cardigan was one that Kyle found.  His exact words were, “See? That looks like you thought about it for a minute.”

For something less expensive, try this INC cardigan from Macy’s.  I also like this Daily Ritual cocoon sweater and their wrap cardigan.

Changing after work is how you relax from a long day.  It’s how you protect your work clothes from getting stained or wrinkled beyond belief.  But you can be comfortable and look nice.  Good luck.

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