For many, gray sweatpants became a staple in their 2020 “stayed at home” uniform. Easier to don than leggings, cozier to the touch than jeans, and more socially acceptable when venturing outdoors than pj’s. Would you, could you wear gray sweatpants for venturing away from home?

Fashion inspirations can come from expected sources like a magazine article, a store display, or social media. They can also be found in unexpected places like a sunset, or desert landscape, or a plate of food.  Sometimes it might just be the heap of cast-offs in your closet. In the case of this ensemble, I admit to lacking in any meaningful inspiration.

Some fashionistas have attempted to declare that it’s time to put away your gray sweatpants and return to more standard OOTD fare. But I say nay, nay. They can be just as versatile as your favorite jeans and they’re infinitely more comfortable.

Styling options abound but let’s example this one. In my attempt to move the needle away from athleisure, I built this look from the ground up with my footwear selection of loafers. These lovelies were a find on Poshmark. They could do double duty as slippers, that’s how comfortable they are. One of my best buys from Poshmark.

Going along with the “borrow from the guys” vibe of loafers, my next choice was the vest. It is also a pre-loved item but one that I found at a thrift store some time ago. In a classic menswear style, the front is a patchwork of several fabrics and the covered buttons repeat several of them. Rounding out my outfit is a slightly oversized white button-down top (a retail purchase) and a bolero necklace that was a birthday gift from my daughter.

Let’s Wrap This Up

Now, onto the Fine-Whatever link-up. My featured blogger from last week is Jess, the brilliance at the blog Elegantly Dressed And Stylish. She has a keen sense of style that I’m sure you’ll adore. I look forward to seeing the links that will be adding this week.

Where do you stand regarding gray sweatpants? Like me, do you find them to be the best thing since sliced bread? Or are you ready to stash them in the back of your closet?

Stay well and let’s keep in touch! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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15 Comments

  1. I think you look great. I pop to the shops in sweat pants frequently, perhaps only locally, but we all have a different agenda for feeling confident enough in ourselves. Your white shirt and vest is really quite smart. By the way, it’s great to have you back.
    Pamela
    http://www.style-yourself-confident.com

    • Rena

      I’ve got no issues with wearing sweats while out and about either. It’s fun to try new ways of styling them so that it doesn’t look like I’ve just been at the gym.

  2. aw, thank you for the feature Rena! I loved seeing how you styled your sweatpants! We are in them more these days, right? I love the style of the straighter leg you are wearing and those cute shoes/menswear style. Fun!
    Hope you are having a good start to the New Year!
    jess xx
    http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

    • Rena

      You’re most welcome, Jess. And you’re right, sweatpants do seem to be having a moment, style-wise.

    • Rena

      You and I seem to be of the same mind on this subject.

  3. Thanks for hosting! Your outfit is the second thing I look at. I have to admire your fabulous hair first!

  4. shelbeeontheedge1

    Rena, this outfit is really fun and unique! I love the vest. It is really cool with the patchwork and fun buttons. And those loafers, too. What a fabulous find! Sweatpants are the one thing that I do not own in overabundance. I have never felt comfortable wearing them for anything other than lounging. But you made these gray sweatpants work so wonderfully for this chic street style look! Thanks for linking up!
    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • Rena

      Thank you, Shelbee. I really was quite pleased with how it turned out. I, too, don’t have much in the way of sweatpants just a few that I were for exercising. These, however, will not be worn for any physical exertions.

  5. This is a really cute outfit! I don’t actually own any sweatpants, and I haven’t changed my clothes during the pandemic (in style terms, that is!) at all. Your tactic of grounding it with the shoes applies to almost every outfit – I often start with shoes when I’m creating an outfit around a specific item, like sweatpants.

    • Rena

      Thank you, Sheila. Perhaps a bit of your influence is rubbing off on me.

  6. mummabstylish

    An interesting outfit, you look great in this layered look. Thank you for joining me today. x Jacqui