The Sweatpant Jeans Trend Has Taken Over, but Can You Actually Wear These to Work?

If you’ve been waiting patiently for Gen Z to discover the wonder of jeggings and declare them cool again, it’s finally happening. Only now they’re called sweatpant jeans and they’re even more comfortable than their predecessor and have an of-the-moment wide-leg cut.

The ultimate trompe l’oeil, sweatpant jeans are printed to look like denim, but they’re made from soft materials like cotton and fleece. Some styles have fake pockets, belt loops, etc. while others have all the functionalities of real jeans (including a zipper and button), so it’s up to you how faux you want to go.

While this isn’t the first time sweatpant jeans have been trending (Rag & Bone released their hyper realistic “Miramar” style more than 10 years ago), they started popping up again at the end of 2024 (Brittany Mahomes wore a Rag & Bone pair to cheer on her husband, Patrick Mahomes, in November.) Fast forward to February and the pants are officially everywhere including TikTok where all trends we’ll eventually regret participating in are celebrated.

I searched #sweatpantjeans on TikTok and was served a seemingly endless stream of stylish people raving about how realistic the faux jeans look. But I wasn’t convinced to actually get a pair until fellow PEOPLE staffer Lizzie Hyman wore her Rag & Bone Miramar Terry Sofie Ankle-Length Pants to the office. In person, they really do look and fit like a typical pair of jeans. The only giveaway detail is that the back pockets are not real, but rather a printed image of a pocket … but who cares? You get to wear sweatpants to work! 

Though Rag & Bone might have nailed it looks-wise, the brand’s price-point is a bit higher than some might want to spend on a pair of sweats (though until Feb. 21, PEOPLE readers can receive 20 percent off of the entire Miramar line!).

I went with a more affordable option: Gap’s Heavyweight French Terry Baggy Jeans, which are so popular, they’ve sold out multiple times. After finally receiving the ultra-wide-leg style which features front and back pockets, a semi-faux fly and metal rivets, I sent a photo to my group chat of girlfriends. One said with the right styling they could look work-appropriate, but the other two said they read more sweatpants than jeans. 

While I’ve yet to wear them to the office (I’m still debating if I can get away with it), my sweatpant jeans have been such a fun addition to my wardrobe. I recently wore them out to dinner with cute sneakers and a sweater and felt no hesitation walking into a New York City restaurant, plus they kept me warm on a frigid night. And best of all, I didn’t have to unbutton them at the end of my meal. 

If you’re not ready to lean all the way into sweatpant jeans, but still want the overall vibe, you can try a style like Z Supply’s Mia Luxe Soft Pants, which are made from a super-soft blend of lyocell and cotton, but also have all the details of real jeans. PEOPLE staffer Andrea Lavinthal (above) gives them her seal of approval after wearing them on repeat during a recent vacation. “The drape-y fabric is so comfortable and I actually appreciate the button since it makes me feel more put-together than something with an elastic waist,” she reports.

Okay, but what about the all-important question — are they work-appropriate? Her response: “I’m in the office and I’m wearing them right now!”