Are the Viral Sweatpant Jeans Worth Trying? 

Remember the jeggings craze that took over in the 2010s? It’s back — sort of. Back in the day, comfortable leggings were printed with a denim look so that on the outside, it appeared as if you were wearing your favorite skinny jeans, but in reality, the pants were stretchy cotton perfection. As skinny jeans have gone out of style (for now) and wide-leg trousers are in, there’s a new, upgraded version of the nostalgic jegging.

The latest iteration borrows from the sweatsuit trend that’s been popular for the past few years, in part because of COVID-19 lockdowns.  This year’s trend is much more comfortable than jeggings and actually looks like denim: sweatpant jeans. Rag and Bone makes the most popular options on the market under its Miramar line. Unique Beauty editor Elizabeth Denton has the faux denim in the sold-out jogger style and calls them “extremely comfortable” and “easy to style because they really do look like jeans!” She wishes she had some of the newer styles, including the Miramar Sofie High-Rise Wide-Leg Sweatpant Jeans and Miramar Sofie High-Rise Wide-Leg Sweatpant Jeans, but they’re a bit pricey. With the popularity, though, other brands have come out with their own, less expensive versions. To wit, the HDLTE Women Wide-Leg Jeans have a similar look for less than $50. 

The first version of Rag & Bone’s faux jeans had a pull-on waist and no pockets, but the new ones feature real pockets, making them super convenient. When you have them on, they feel just like sweatpants but look like jeans. It’s the easiest way to fool everyone while staying comfy (and warm) during the chillier months. Even though you might be couch-ready on the inside, the sweatpant jeans actually appear elevated when you wear them in public. They can be dressed up or down, depending on how you style them.

If you need help styling your sweatpant jeans, stylist Sharon Warten suggests keeping things casual and easy, just like you would with regular jeans. “A fitted top or cropped jacket can help balance out the relaxed fit,” she says. “Sneakers or comfy flats are perfect to complete the look. You can go for a more dressy look with a blouse and blazer.” No matter what pair you try, we promise they look and feel a lot better than jeggings.