These $50 sweatpant jeans ‘tricked nearly everyone’ – and were as comfy as the luxury pair
Can you can feel snug and still look put-together? I tested sweatpant jeans that are comfy, yet have a tailored look from Rag & Bone, Gap and Halara
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For the days you can’t be bothered to slip into restrictive “real pants” but want to look put-together, sweatpant jeans are here to save the day. Not quite sweatpants and not quite jeans, sweatpant jeans are a happy medium, offering a printed-on denim aesthetic in that same plush sweatpant feel many of us know and love.
Their current popularity seems linked to gen Z’s insistence that leggings and straight-leg jeans are no longer cool, and to celebrity sightings and endorsements from the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lawrence and Margot Robbie. But trust me on this, too: I’ve spent the last three years living in them.
While plenty of iterations exist, it was Rag & Bone’s Miramar sweatpant jeans, launched over a decade ago, that put sweatpant jeans on the map. But these start at $198 a pair. Are cheaper options just as good?
To answer the question, I put these and two more-affordable contenders – from Gap and Halara – to the test.
I power walked, power napped and worked out in them for hundreds of hours. Read on to find out where your money will be best spent.
At a glance: the sweatpant jeans we tried
The pair to beat:
Rag & Bone Miramar Sofie Ankle-Length Pants
A cosy and cheaper alternative:
Gap Heavyweight Easy Baggy Sweatpant Jeans
An affordable option that ‘tricked nearly everyone’:
Halara Flex High-Waisted Pockets Rolled Hem Wide Leg Washed Casual Jeans
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The pair to beat: Rag & Bone Miramar Sofie Ankle-Length Pants
$258 at Rag & Bone $258 at NordstromHow do they look and feel?
Rag & Bone has mastered the denim look for days you can’t be bothered to try but want to look like you did. To mimic jeans, it has incorporated a zip fly, scoop pockets and belt loops. But instead of denim, the pants are made of a buttery cotton terry fabric reminiscent of your favorite athleisure set. A high-rise waist confers the silhouette of actual jeans you could wear on a night out with heels. The style I tried comes in three color options – mine were the soothing mid-blue Minetta – but Miramar colorways are legion. These Y2K-inspired ones with a stripe are next on my wish list.
How do they fit?
Rag & Bone uses waist measurement sizing for a true denim experience, ranging from 23 to 34. There are no inseam options available. While the Sofie style I opted for is considered “ankle-length”, I’m 5’3 and did have to get them hemmed. The high waist has enough give to accommodate my five-month-pregnant belly, making them a suitable alternative to maternity pants when positioned well above the waist. They’re also good for when you’re anticipating a huge meal.
Are they worth the money?
While the prices are on the higher side, these pants are made of 100% cotton terry cloth that remain soft even after numerous washes, and feel weightless on long power walks. If $258 is a drop in the bucket for you, go for it. For most people, it’s not.
That said, if you’re looking to try a pair of Miramars at a discount, the Sofie Ankle Wide-Length Jeans are currently on sale for $140 (down from $278), with most sizes available as of publication time.
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A cosy and cheaper alternative: Gap Heavyweight Easy Baggy Sweatpant Jeans
Now $44, originally $89.95 at GapHow do they look and feel?
If I could live in, nay, be buried in these, I would. They are velvety, heavyweight and warm, with a thick elastic waistband for a true sweatpant-like experience. Additionally, they have belt loops, a faux fly and five pockets, and are available in three colors.
The pants – a blend of cotton and 14% recycled polyester – are also said to be manufactured in a factory that promotes gender equality and women’s empowerment by investing in programs that support workers’ personal and professional advancement.
How do they fit?
Despite my growing abdomen, these “jeans” have become my most-worn pants. While thicker than the Rag & Bone option, they’re breathable enough to wear in balmy spring temperatures, though they might be too hot at the peak of summer. In my experience, these run large.
Do they match up?
When I first received the pants to test, they retailed for around $90, but if you grab them now, they’re 50% off – and come in at $44. That’s incredible value for a pair of pants you won’t want to take off.If you’re currently going through bodily changes, these might be a better choice than Rag & Bone, as I found them wider in the waist and leg. You could also think of these pants as a cold-weather (or cold-house) version of Rag & Bone, offering similar specs but in a far thicker material.
At publication time, many sizes had sold out in the wash I purchased, but this darker shade still has plenty of availability.
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An affordable option that ‘tricked nearly everyone’: Halara Flex High-Waisted Pockets Rolled Hem Wide Leg Washed Casual Jeans
Now $54.95, originally $79.95 at HalaraHow do they look and feel?
The fact that I spent an hour in the fetal position napping in these sweatpant jeans and then did an at-home Pilates class tells you all you need to know about how comfortable they are.
A cross between the Rag & Bone and Gap pairs, the Halara sweatpant jeans strike an admirable balance between structured and plush. You get a high waist for a polished look, a zipper, belt loops, five pockets and a stretchy material that feels like it gets softer with each wash. As for colors, you’ve got the denim rainbow to choose from.
Wearing these sweatpant jeans inspires a real sense of impostor syndrome (I would know: I wrote the book on it) because they’ve tricked nearly everyone I’ve come across. I attribute this sorcery to the hand-finishing of each pair with whiskering and fading. The pair I chose feature a bulky cuff at the bottom, which are probably not young person-approved, but there are many other trendy variations to try from cargo to asymmetric low-rise.
How do they fit?
Shopping online for pants is no easy feat, but Halara makes it simple by offering four inseams (regular, petite, tall and extra tall). It has the widest range of all size options tested, from XS to 3X. What’s special is that on their site, you’ll see models in those exact sizes. Overall I found these to be a more tailored fit than Rag & Bone or Gap.
Do they match up?
Because Halara is on the more affordable side for sweatpant jeans, I feel more comfortable wearing them around my messy-eating toddler than I would the other pairs. They feel equally soft to the touch as Rag & Bone, in a material breathable enough for warmer temperatures.
Verdict
If you can afford Rag & Bone, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. They’re luxurious enough for a date night, not least if you’re about to be treated to a hearty meal.
But neither of the two cheaper contenders had any serious downsides. If comfort is your main goal, Gap is the way to go with its heavyweight fabric and chunky waistband that could effectively replace your pajamas.
I appreciated how easy it was to find the right fit at Halara, given the nuance in sizing options. Their chic fitted leg was a big selling point for me, and the price point was just right. Of all the sweatpant jeans I tested, these had most people fooled. This might actually be the first bout of impostor syndrome I have no interest in being cured of.
Rag & Bone Miramar Sofie Ankle-Length Pants
Gap Heavyweight Easy Baggy Sweatpant Jeans
Halara Flex High-Waisted Pockets Rolled Hem Wide Leg Washed Casual Jeans
Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things:
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