Sweatpants vs. Joggers: What’s the difference?

Paulina Kulczycki

Fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld once said, “Anyone who wears jogging pants has lost control of their life.” But what would Karl have said about sweatpants? And what’s the difference anyway? We at SANVT explain and clarify.

Joggers never had the best reputation in the fashion industry. But in recent years, the sporty look has certainly established itself and joggers can now be worn not only for jogging, but also as part of a relaxed and stylish outfit. Whether casual or smart, sweatpants in particular make a regular appearance at fashion weeks, on blogs and in street styles. And let’s face it, with the recent lockdowns, the comfy bottoms have made a huge comeback – yes, maybe in a less fashionable manner, but still as a trend that works both at home and on the go. And if you assume that sweatpants and joggers are one and the same thing, let us show you the subtle but significant differences between the two in this article. Because it’s the tiny details that often make the difference between “losing control of your life” (Karl Lagerfeld), and actually taking control of your life with style!

Sweatpants vs. joggers – key points:

  • Sweatpants are usually simply styled and more elegant than joggers
  • Natural, non-synthetic fabrics are used more in sweatpants than joggers
  • Because they’re heavier, sweatpants are cozier and ideal in colder conditions
  • For men, keep your outfit simple and clean with sweatpants
  • For women, play with volume and oversized styles.

The difference between sweatpants and joggers

One of the most crucial distinctions between a conventional pair of joggers and a pair of sweatpants is the material. After all, as the name suggests, joggers were designed for jogging and sport activities. For that reason, the material of joggers is usually light, elastic and air-permeable – allowing the skin to breathe during sports while maintaining full mobility. They are often made in part from synthetic fabrics. Sweatpants, on the other hand, are designed with a heavier, thicker and typically non-synthetic fabric, which serves to keep the legs warm in a cozy and casual fashion. Therefore, high-quality sweatpants, made of 100% cotton, are ideal for Nordic weather and colder conditions.

Sweatpants usually come in plain grey or flecked with grey tones (but are also popular in black or navy) and have elasticated hems and waistbands. Joggers, on the other hand, come in a wider range of colors and with decorative details, such as sporty side stripes and emblems.

In conclusion, sweatpants are more elegant and classy than joggers, which are more practical and functional. So the rule of thumb when it comes to considering sweatpants vs. joggers is to leave your joggers in your gym bag and wear your sweatpants as a fashion statement!

The elegant black sweatpants from SANVT.

What is the best way to combine sweatpants?

Now, of course, the question remains how to manage to make a stylish fashion statement with a pair of sweatpants without drifting into the “baggy look” we’re all familiar with – because that can indeed be a very fine balancing act.

For men, we recommend keeping it simple and clean – combining casual grey sweatpants with a tighter-fitting and possibly tucked-in basic T-shirt and white sneakers. That’s probably the easiest and smartest way to wear your sweatpants with style. For more elegant twists, you can rely on monochrome looks, such as black sweatpants with a black turtleneck – perhaps layered with a trench coat, chore coat or even a blouson.

For women, we recommend playing with different volumes: a casual oversized style can be created with baggy sweatpants, a pair of nice boots, a minimalist sweater and a wide coat – complemented with eye-catching accessories. For bolder fashion statements, you can combine sweatpants with a pair of cool sneakers, a crop top and a flared blazer – maybe even in a bright and bold color scheme. To make the look more elegant, you can combine black sweatpants with high heels and upgrade the outfit with a blouse or a tight turtleneck sweater and simple jewellery.

The casual grey sweatpants from SANVT.

The Sweatpants from SANVT

Sweatpants, once maligned, have definitely earned a new and improved reputation in recent years and should therefore be represented as an essential in every closet – preferably in timeless design, best quality and fairly produced. That is why we at SANVT have introduced the sweatpants as our newest product for women and men. Both in classic grey, as well as in elegant black, the sweatpants are here to serve you with style – through the lockdown and beyond!