Casual weekend plans require strategic outfit prep. When you go visit an old friend, take a trip to the mall or just need to stock up on groceries, you want to look cute and stylish without seeming extra or compromising on comfort. It’s understandable (in my opinion) if you just can’t bare to put on jeans or leave the house without a hoodie – after all, weekends are supposed to be all about R&R.
To our full advantage, ‘athleisure’ has been a huge hit with this generation of ‘It’ girls, like Kendall Jenner and the Hadid sisters, and it’s more than OK for us to follow their lead. Case in point? The most amazing ‘90s throwback: track pants. They’re the holy grail of comfortable yet cool and trendy dressing. Plus, they’re a more appropriate and chic option than just straight-up leggings or sweat pants.
I’ve kept my tapered adidas pair on heavy rotation ever since I ordered them from Ssense a few weeks ago, and I get so many compliments every time I wear them, whether I dress them up or way down. The slim cut looks flattering on my shorter-than-average frame and the elasticated drawstring waistband means I can eat all the Cheesecake Factory I want without worrying about having to undo any buttons.
The trick to pulling them off (if you remember from my street style post) is confidence and the willingness to experiment a little. Depending on what my actual plans are for the day, I might style them a bit differently.
Here’s how I styled them this time…
This outfit in particular, I wore when I went to see my former college roomie and her sweet baby boy last weekend. It’s relaxed and put-together without looking like I tried too hard – the perfect combination.
I opted to wear a zip-up hoodie under my old-school denim jacket from GAP that dates back to the early ‘00s. I like the way it looks with the cuffs rolled and the hood resting on the outer edge of the collar. A lacey camisole underneath gives the outfit more of an elevated vibe than a casual T-shirt, or you can opt for a fitted tank to keep it simple.
I’m a big proponent of track pants styled with backless loafers. There’s such a cool juxtaposition about this combo that really speaks to me. But, if you’re goal is ultimate comfort, try finishing off the look with a pair of athletic sneakers. My Nike Frees are so lightweight and flexible, I couldn’t possibly just reserve them for the gym, especially considering my track record (pun intended) with making it there in the first place.
I also find that really taking the time to do my hair and makeup (instead of rolling out of bed with the same face on since yesterday’s extended happy hour) really helps tie everything together. It just automatically makes you look intentionally styled than a messy bun and last night’s mascara.
Check back for other ways I’ve styled track pants for work and more weekend outfit ideas!
