I usually only ever wear sweatpants in two scenarios: one, at home, as something closer to pyjamas; and two, with actual sports clothing, such as travelling to the sports club in winter.
Over the last couple of years however, Lucas and I have done quite a lot of long-haul travelling, with overnight flights. It’s exhausting, and I never find sleeping on a flight easy. It pushed me to try and find something that would be more comfortable, but still liked the style of.
I ended up wearing the outfit shown for the flights to and from Hong Kong in December, and I think I’ll find it hard to ever go back. The sweatpants from Bryceland’s were so unbelievably comfy, compared to jeans, flannels, chinos or anything else. And the look is not dissimilar to something like a pair of black cargo trousers, for instance.
Dressing so casually for a flight will I’m sure enrage some readers – those who hark back to a time when flying was elegant and even glamorous, perhaps; they might even be the type that wear a jacket and tie with the aim of getting an upgrade. But I look forward to talking about that – few things on PS give me more pleasure than these debates.
It helps enormously that my sweatpants are black, have quite a wide, straight cut and are not elasticated at the bottom. My grey McCoy’s 10oz pants would be equally comfortable, but look very different.
The jacket is equally practical, as it’s comfortable but still fairly smart, with oodles of pockets. It’s the Coherence ‘Jackson’ that we covered last year, and although it could probably do with one more buttoned pocket inside (the ultimate in this regard are probably the A&S jackets) it has one buttoned, one key pocket, and lots to stuff things in.
Under that is our PS Cashmere Rugby, which is the most comfortable thing to sleep in for me other than perhaps a sweatshirt. The advantage of the double-ply cashmere is that it’s very warm on a chilly morning or a chilly flight, but can equally just be taken off (or put round the shoulders) if it’s too hot.
This touches on the other area with travel clothes, which is transitions. I regularly seem to leave London early in the morning when it’s freezing, go through various air-conditioned temperatures while travelling, and then end up in a much hotter location in the heat of the afternoon.
Layering and accessories are always the key to this, and here the knit can be taken off and a T-shirt is fine on its own; then a cashmere scarf and watch cap can be taken on and off as needed (above).
I’ve even been known to take my socks off and wear the shoes on their own, if required.
Which of course brings us onto the shoes – the Saman Amel ‘City Moc’.
Readers have asked for a full review of these, but I think I can summarise my thoughts on them in a few sentences here. Then if anyone has any other questions, please let me know in the comments.
I find the City Moc great for travel because it is so soft and unstructured, and while expensive, I haven’t found anything else as good for a lower price. Cheaper mocs tend to not have the same quality of materials.
However, I wouldn’t wear it around the city all day, as the softness and lack of structure mean you have no support and hit the ground fairly hard. I’ve done that once or twice and my feet were frankly bruised by the end.
So I would largely recommend them as a shoe for more specific uses – maybe like a house shoe but you can also go to the shops in. Or like a driving shoe. Or a shoe you keep at the office (or indeed, for menswear people, keep at the shop you work in).
I’ve covered other boat shoes before, but have since tried the Anglo-Italian boat shoes too. I’d say they are still pretty soft but slightly stronger than the City Moc, while something like the Paraboot ‘Barth’ is more supportive (but also not quite as smart).
The sweatpants from Bryceland’s come in black and cream, and I wouldn’t necessarily recommend the cream. But they are planning on doing a grey at some point, I’m told.
They are high waisted, which some people will like and others dislike, but I find I don’t mind it with the elastic and drawstring, even though I’d usually wear my trousers a little lower. Given they’re sweatpants, you can also wear them a little lower and slouchier if you wish.
And as I’ve used the term again, let’s address the word ‘sweatpants’. It’s a horrid word, one I actively dislike (American readers, remember that ‘pants’ in the UK means ‘underpants’).
But the alternatives – tracksuit bottoms, jogging bottoms, joggers – seem awkward and perhaps a little niche. This is an international website and most people call them sweatpants, so I’m going with the term that communicates best. I’m sure there will be objections there as well.
I like this look – it feels very similar to the kinds of clothes and colour palette I wear normally. But it’s practical and so comfortable.
Would I still wear this if I were 70? Instinctively I’m not sure I would, which is interesting. A longer piece on clothes and age is perhaps needed (and involving more contributors than just me).
Would I wear them if no one else on a plane was? Again, good question and the answer is again, probably not. I don’t want to be one of those people in a whole sweat suit and a pillow clamped around their neck. But 50 years ago, perhaps in this outfit I would have been that person, that end of the spectrum.
Fortunately on that subject – dressing for yourself or the world around you – we already have a good article and discussion.
For the specifics of sweatpants, I look forward to seeing everyone in the comments.
Clothes shown:
- Coherence ‘Jackson’ cord jacket in fawn, size medium. £940, currently sold out
- Permanent Style ‘Cashmere Rugby’ in natural, size large, £450
- Uniqlo HeatTech tee in white, size medium, £15
- Bryceland’s sweatpants in black, size medium, £179
- Saman Amel ‘City Moc’ shoes in black deerskin, size 43, €600
- Permanent Style ‘Arran’ cashmere scarf in dark grey, £235
- Permanent Style cashmere watch cap in black, £105
