A More Comfortable Pant for a Decidedly Uncomfortable Age
I should start out by clarifying that the drawstring pants to which I am referring do not include sweatpants or pajama pants, nor do they include jogger modifications on any non-sweatpant. The specific category of drawstring pants I am lauding are semi-formal, casual, or lounge pants which have an elastic and drawstring waist. This includes chinos and slacks that appear to have a traditional waist but actually have a drawstring. This includes open legged athletic pants such as track pants. This also includes elevated lounge style pants, typically in some blended combination of cotton/linen/wool/silk etc.
The primary merit of drawstring pants is comfort. For almost a year now, we have all lived in a near constant state of lounging. Public interaction and socialization have been kept to a minimum. Almost all professions that required elevated dress have been relegated to remote work from home. With little to no need for most of us to exercise our style, it has fallen into hoodie and jogger clad atrophy.
Human beings are excellent at adapting to new situations and environments. It has allowed us to inhabit nearly every ecosystem on our planet’s surface. Now, we must adapt our wardrobes to the post-COVID world. We do not have to return to the restriction of buttoned and belted waists. Life is still too physically relaxed yet mentally strenuous to deal with belt loops again. Yet we must pull ourselves out of sweatpants monotony. There are plenty of alternatives out there which provide a stylish look acceptable in modern society while providing the comfort of a drawstring waist.
The Drawstring Chino
Drawstring chinos are the most simple and versatile option out there. They feign the appearance of proper pants while providing the comfort of sweatpants. You can wear them with anything from a blazer to a t-shirt and they work year round.
The Track Pant
Track pants provide a more fashionable edge to a semiformal outfit. Swap them in where you would traditionally wear wool slacks. For example, these black AMI Tailored Track Pants would work great with a white oxford and camel topcoat for getting stuff done on the weekend. Solid blue or black track pants can work with a collared shirt and loafers for office attire. Always go for a pair with the fake crease, they’re harder to find these days but provide the best look.
The Lounge Pant
Its all in the name. Lounge pants are made for comfort above all else. While that originally entailed staying in ones home, loungewear ventured out into public years ago and the pandemic only made it more acceptable. A proper lounge pant – featuring soft fabrics and decorative patterns – can be the centerpiece of a social outfit. They’re often lighter weight, reserving them for spring and summer. Pair with solid white, gray, blue, or black t-shirts and button downs and you can go as bold as you’d like with the pants.
The Drawstring Trouser
The alteration here is subtle but effective. An otherwise traditional suiting style pant is upgraded with an elastic waistband and drawstring. You get the formal look of trousers with a more comfortable feel. The only catch here is that shirt tucking gets tricky. You can do a full tuck or french tuck when adding a jacket but otherwise your shirt should remain untucked.
The Bold Move
Going with a drawstring waistband is a pragmatic move, it’s done for ease and physical comfort. The aesthetics of the matter come down to personal style. If your style is bold and you enjoy expressing yourself with unique looks then drawstring pants offer a whole new range of options. These are mostly derived from lounge pants, taking advantage of the ornate patterns classically found on pajama sets. With the rise of up-cycled fashion, any fabric imaginable can be turned into comfortable pants.