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How to Dress Up Sweatpants: 6 Easy Steps to Look Chic

How to dress up sweatpants in 6 easy steps: pick the right fit, add a long coat or blazer, a nice knit, a classic bag and the right shoes. Real looks with notes.

By How Do You Fashion · Updated · 3 min read

How to Dress Up Sweatpants: 6 Easy Steps to Look Chic

Sweatpants are the comfiest thing in my closet, and I wear them way more than I should. The good news is that you can dress them up and wear them out, to coffee, to the airport and even to dinner.

The secret is to treat sweatpants like normal trousers. Pick a good fit, then add one or two polished pieces. Below are 6 easy steps, each with a real outfit and notes on the photo.

Quick answer: Choose straight or wide leg sweats, add a long coat or blazer, a nice knit, a classic bag and swap gym sneakers for heels, loafers or clean sneakers.

Step 1: Start With Wide or Straight Sweats

A woman in grey wide leg sweatpants, a cropped blazer, a white top and white pointed heels sitting on the ground1Cropped blazer2Mini bag3Grey sweats4Pointed heels
Photo: sofiamcoelho on Instagram

The fit is everything. Wide or straight leg sweatpants look like trousers, while tight cuffed joggers look like gym clothes. Here grey wide sweats with a cropped blazer and pointed heels look polished right away.

Quick tip: Pick a soft heavy fabric. Thin sweats show every crease and look sloppy.

Step 2: Throw On a Long Coat

A woman in a long belted coat with a fur trim, grey sweatpants and black kitten heels1Long belted coat2Grey sweatpants3Kitten heels
Photo: nlmarilyn on Instagram

A long coat is the fastest way to make sweatpants look chic. The long line covers most of the outfit, so people mostly see a nice coat. A belted coat with a fur trim even looks a bit fancy.

Quick tip: Go for a coat that hits below the knee so it looks intentional.

Step 3: Match Your Coat to Your Sweats

A woman in a long grey coat over matching grey sweatpants, a white cap and a red bag in front of a white house1Baseball cap2Long grey coat3Red bag4Matching sweats
Photo: bettinalooney on Instagram

Wearing one color from top to bottom always looks put together. A grey coat over grey sweats looks calm and expensive. Then a red bag adds a fun pop.

Quick tip: Tonal outfits work best in grey, cream, camel or black.

Step 4: Add a Nice Knit and a Classic Bag

A woman in a light blue cashmere sweater, grey sweatpants, a white quilted bag and grey sneakers sitting on a step1Cashmere sweater2Classic bag3Grey sweats4Dad sneakers
Photo: pernilleteisbaek on Instagram

Swap your old hoodie for a soft cashmere or wool sweater. Then add one classic bag. These two pieces make even sneakers and sweats feel like a real outfit.

Quick tip: A structured bag looks better with sweats than a backpack.

Step 5: Try a Matching Knit Set

A woman in a burgundy knit top and matching wide pants with a pearl necklace and a soft blue bag1Knit top2Matching wide pants3Soft bag
Photo: smythsisters on Instagram

A matching set in a rich color looks so much more grown up than mismatched loungewear. Burgundy, brown and navy all look elegant. Add a small necklace for a finishing touch.

Quick tip: Look for sets in a thick knit or brushed fabric so they hold their shape.

Step 6: Pick the Right Shoes

A woman in black wide sweatpants, a black half zip top, a white tank and sandals with a striped tote bag1Half zip top2Black sweats3Tote4Sandals
Photo: nlmarilyn on Instagram

Shoes change the whole look. Heels, kitten heels, loafers, ballet flats and simple sandals all dress sweats up. If you wear sneakers, pick clean leather or retro ones, not running shoes.

Quick tip: Black sweats with black shoes make your legs look longer.

Mistakes to Avoid With Dressed Up Sweatpants

  • Wearing tight cuffed joggers when you want to look polished
  • Pairing sweats with a big gym hoodie
  • Choosing thin, pilled fabric
  • Wearing running shoes when a loafer or clean sneaker would work better
  • Mixing too many colors, so it looks like pajamas

FAQs

How do you make sweatpants look classy?

Pick wide or straight leg sweats in a soft heavy fabric, add a long coat or blazer, a nice knit and a classic bag, then wear heels, loafers or clean sneakers.

Can you wear sweatpants with heels?

Yes. Pointed heels or kitten heels with wide sweats is a popular chic look.

What jacket goes with sweatpants?

A long wool coat, a trench, a cropped blazer or a faux fur coat all dress sweatpants up.

What colors of sweatpants look most expensive?

Grey, cream, camel, black and deep tones like burgundy look the most polished.

Comfy and Chic at Once

Dressed up sweatpants are all about fit and one or two polished pieces. Start with wide sweats, add a coat or a nice knit and the right shoes, and you can wear them almost anywhere.

More ideas: comfy winter outfits, how to style a long coat and how to wear leggings in winter.

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