Guys, I was eagerly waiting for my favorite aunt to come back from Ireland, where she works. Not because we were going to miss each other dramatically like in a family TV series, but because she always returns with a suitcase full of clothes for me. I won't lie – on the day she rang the doorbell, I literally looked like the squirrel from "Ice Age" when it sees the acorn. My eyes lit up, my pulse quickened, and before she had even taken off her shoes, I was already leaning over the suitcase.
I opened it with huge expectations... and what did I see? Sports pants. Lots of sports pants. So many that for a moment I wondered if she had accidentally confused my address with that of a sports store. And they were in colors that I would normally never choose for myself. Honestly, I have never been a huge fan of sports pants anyway, and I liked them even less in those shades. Luckily, at the very bottom of the suitcase there were a few chocolates that at least slightly softened my pain and disappointment. But anyway – the most important thing was that my aunt was home and we were all together again.
A few days later, the three of us – my mother, my aunt, and I – decided to go out for coffee and have a proper girls' chat. That was exactly when I noticed that my aunt was wearing one of those sports pants. Honestly, I had never seen her with such a look before and I was quite surprised. She just smiled and said that they were extremely fashionable in Ireland at the moment and that it was time for me to finally give them a chance. I will give them a chance... but whether they will give me a chance is a completely different question. After all, I am not one of those tall girls with endless legs, on whom even a potato sack would look like a designer outfit. With me, sometimes a piece of clothing manages to make me look ten centimeters shorter than I actually am.
While I was explaining why these pants were definitely not for me, my mother laughed and said: "Stop philosophizing so much - you don't understand anything about fashion!" Thanks for the support, Mom... I can always count on you. And right then I decided that instead of arguing with my mother, maybe I should actually look into the subject. It turned out that sports pants are not nearly as difficult to wear as I thought... as long as you know how to choose the right model.
The truth is that sports pants can look good on almost any body shape and height... as long as you choose the right cut and fabric, of course. For example, if you have an hourglass figure, high-waisted models are a great choice because they beautifully emphasize the waist. And if you also choose a straight-leg cut, you will balance the silhouette and everything will look very harmonious. Sometimes the right cut does more than spending an hour in front of the mirror wondering what to wear.
Although even today I still find it difficult to determine exactly what body shape my aunt has, she is most likely a pear shape. She was wearing sports pants with wide legs and, honestly, she looked really good. The wider hips were perfectly balanced by the relaxed cut, and the whole outfit looked very natural. I looked at her, then at the pants... then I looked at myself and came to the conclusion that apparently the pants were not the problem, but the person wearing them.
And if you have a rectangle body shape, like I do, the best choice is sports pants with an elastic waistband, more voluminous pockets, or some detail that creates the illusion of more curves. After all, the idea is for the body to look a little more shaped, not like one straight line from head to toe. Because as much as I love nature, I don't want to look like a young pine tree – tall and slim, but without a single curve.
If, like me, you sometimes wonder what your exact body shape is, don't worry – you can also get some guidance from your height. I personally accepted long ago that I probably won't grow another ten centimeters... although secretly I still hope every year. So here is how things look:
1. If you are under 1.60 m (welcome to my team) -> Avoid overly long and very wide models, because instead of a stylish look, it may look like the sports pants are wearing you. Choose a high waist and a more fitted cut – this will make your legs appear a little longer.
2. If you are between 1.60 and 1.70 m (congratulations, nature has been kind to you) -> Almost all models will look good on you. Still, if I had to choose, I would go for a straight or slightly wide leg, because it looks the most balanced and modern.
3. If you are over 1.70 m -> I honestly envy you... in the most innocent way, of course (or maybe not entirely :D). Oversized models and straight-cut sports pants will look amazing on you because a tall figure carries them effortlessly without "swallowing" the silhouette.
I know that sometimes you just don't feel like thinking about how to style sports pants. Don't worry... I am the same. But after spending an entire article convincing you that I know what I'm talking about, I guess it is only right to pretend to be a fashion expert. So I have prepared a few looks for you that are difficult to get wrong.
Sports pants go perfectly with a simple white T-shirt and an oversized blazer. Add a pair of white sneakers and you already have one of the easiest, but also one of the most stylish combinations. If you have to choose a color for the pants, feel free to go for beige – it is extremely trendy right now. Unlike those bright purple, neon green, and strangely mustard-yellow models that my aunt so enthusiastically brought me from Ireland. To this day, I still wonder whether they are really fashionable there... or if she simply wanted to test how strong my love for family is. Add a beautiful crossbody bag and the look becomes WOW!
Why does this combination work so well? Because it combines the best of two worlds – the comfort of sporty style and the elegance of a blazer. It adds that clean line that makes the whole outfit look more polished and stylish without trying too hard. You can easily wear this look to work... as long as your boss is not one of those people who believe the only acceptable pants are formal ones. If they are... just send them this article. If they still disagree, at least you will know you tried.
I love this type of look because you don't have to wonder which color goes with which. Save yourself unnecessary headaches and simply choose one color – for example, black. Besides visually elongating the figure, it always looks a little more elegant and expensive. To prevent the outfit from becoming too boring, combine different textures. For example, a black knitted hoodie, black cotton sports pants, and cool black sneakers. You simply cannot go wrong. And the best part of all is that if you accidentally spill your coffee or tea on your pants... at least it won't be that noticeable.
This look definitely made me fall in love with sports pants! The combination of a crop top, cool denim jacket, and sports pants simply brings that lovely feeling of summer, freedom, and carefree walks. If the top is more fitted, choose sports pants with a looser cut to create a beautiful balance in the silhouette. The denim jacket adds a finished touch and a little more personality to the whole outfit. And let's be honest – during cooler summer evenings, it is always a good idea to have a jacket nearby. Sometimes it is exactly this small detail that turns an ordinary combination into a truly stylish look.
I have always loved the effortless charm of urban looks with sports pants. About a month ago, I saw a really beautiful girl wearing grey sports pants, a dark grey sweatshirt, chunky sneakers, and a cute crossbody bag. Her hair was casually tied up, she was walking with a coffee cup in her hand, and she looked as if she had not tried at all, while in reality every single detail of her outfit was perfectly thought out. What can I say... I completely fell in love with her look! I even considered stopping her for a moment and asking where she had bought her clothes. Then I thought she would probably think I was a little strange, so I gave up. I went home with a huge desire to recreate the same combination. I put on almost the same clothes, looked in the mirror, and came to the conclusion that apparently it is not enough to simply copy the outfit. Maybe I should have copied the girl herself... or at least her extra 15 centimeters of height.
Remember that sports pants were created for sporty-casual looks, not for formal occasions. This automatically means that combining them with a classic blazer in most cases looks as if you are heading to a wedding, the gym, and the neighborhood grocery store for yogurt and eggs all at the same time. Some people – like my dear friend – simply do not like fashion rules and stubbornly try to "tame" this combination. So far, the result has been... let's say questionable. So, if you do not want people around you wondering whether you got dressed in the dark or lost a bet, it is better to leave this combination alone. If you really want to wear a blazer, replace the sports pants with jeans or classic trousers. And if you love your sports pants that much, simply combine them with a T-shirt, sweatshirt, or hoodie – this way you will not look like someone who forgot to change after a workout before going to a graduation ball.
If sports pants and a formal blazer seem like a strange couple, then sports pants with elegant leather shoes are a relationship that deserves to be shown in fashion textbooks as an example of incompatibility. Your feet are saying: "We are going to a business meeting!", while the pants are shouting: "No way... we are just going downstairs for a pastry and yogurt drink!". The result is such a confusing outfit that you would need a real "talent" to dress this way. If you like sports pants – wear them with sneakers or simple trainers. Leather shoes are not guilty of anything, so let them live peacefully too.
Here things become serious... at least the tie seems to think so. If you look like the director of an international company from the waist up, but from the waist down you look as if you are about to play football in front of the apartment building in five minutes, people will have a hard time understanding what exactly is happening. The only logical explanation is that you were late for work, but on the way you decided to stop by the gym... without changing clothes.
I won't lie – I have seen people who claim this looks stylish. Then I look at the photo one more time and still cannot see it. A tucked-in formal shirt with sports pants creates the feeling that in the morning you dressed for work, but later realized your trousers were still wet from laundry and grabbed the first thing you found. Sometimes fashion requires courage... and sometimes it simply requires a mirror.
This is my favorite winter combination. On top, you look like a polar bear, and on the bottom like someone who forgot to put on the rest of their winter clothes. The result is a "ice cream cone" silhouette – huge on top, tiny at the bottom. If you turn around quickly, there is a real chance people will think the jacket is walking by itself and the legs are just an extra feature.
Sports pants are modest by nature and definitely do not like unnecessary attention. But if you want your sports pants to experience a complete "shock", simply add a huge golden watch, a belt with a buckle visible from a helicopter, and a few more shiny accessories. This way, you will certainly look like someone who has just won the jackpot... in the game "Get Dressed with Your Eyes Closed". Sometimes less really is more. Especially when we are talking about golden jewelry.