The Truth About Jogger Pants

Here's a unisex style that I'm still wrapping my head around—jogger pants. First of all, jogger pants occur on a continuum (like so many things). This is the continuum, as near as I can tell: 

Pajama Bottoms----------Sweatpants-----------Jogger Pants------------Harem Pants 

At this point, I want you to ask yourself if you even want to be on this continuum, outside of your own home, that is. OK, if you answered, "Yes, I believe I'm exceptional enough to successfully rock jogger pants," then keep reading. First of all, jogger pants are really just glorified sweatpants with a large elastic band and/or zipper at the ankle. The waist is usually elastic, frequently with a drawstring. From a comfort perspective, they're a go-go; from a fashion perspective, a no-go. 

Call me old-fashioned, but I'm skeptical about items that are this wholeheartedly unisex. That's right: men and women can readily sport jogger pants; however, styling options vary between men and women. The commonality appears to be the option to up-style these uber-casual comfort pants. So, women can pair them with heels and a blouse, sweater, or jacket. I don't know about you, but if I'm going to go to the trouble to wear heels (and, let's be clear, it's a lot of trouble), I think I can take an extra ten minutes and scare up some jeans, trousers, or a skirt. 

Men tend to either embrace jogger pants as the athletic wear they are or by creating some sort of hybrid: sporty-meets-streetwear. 

Bottom line: jogger pants are riddled with contradictions and juxtapositions and this is the message they send: "I'm pseudo-athletic, overconfident, extremely self-aware, fashion-addled, and totally willing to take unnecessary sartorial risks." Either that, or it's laundry day. 

My advice, if a clothing item has the word, "jog" in it, take this literally.