Comfy Transitional Pants That Aren't Jeans or Sweatpants
Take me from winter to spring looking cute and feeling cozy
Jeans are great, aren’t they? So comfortable, versatile, durable, stylish. No wonder they are the most worn piece of clothing in the world after the t-shirt. I love my jeans and I wear them almost daily but I also love to mix up my winter outfits with something other than jeans but not fall fully into the sweatpants comfort trap. Basically, I’m looking to be pulled together but have a couple comfortable options other than jeans. I know most of us are thinking about spring right now and ready to ditch the winter clothes so I’ve picked some options that will transition really easily into the next season (and will also work for fall). There’s nothing I like more than a versatile piece of clothing that works through several seasons and looks. These picks will feel great but also work well with a sweater, tee or airy button-up.
So rather than just a straight up 100% cotton twill that can feel stiff and provides no stretch, I like a twill that has a blend of other fibers and some elastane for a little give. I’ve been wearing these Paige Anessas as my denim alternative and they are probably the softest, coziest pants I own next to my sweatpants. They are also a medium weight so I can wear them pretty much from fall to spring. I always size down in the Anessas because of the stretch.
There is a massive selection of Paige Anessa available on Poshmark for considerably less than buying brand new (some of them even still have the tags) or Anthropologie has a great selection of the Anessas.
If you prefer more of a straight leg, these pants from Quince have a ton of great reviews, including rave reviews about their comfort. They offer a couple different inseam lengths, which I really appreciate as a petite person. They are a organic cotton twill with some stretch and will transition nicely from winter to spring. Also check out the reviews for fit guidance.
Another personal favorite are these slouchy chinos from Amo Denim. They are so relaxed and comfortable and have the utility styling that makes them a little different. I actually sized down two sizes in these and had them hemmed because they do run large and long, but it was worth it because the fit is pure perfection. They only come in two colors but a ton of sizes and are a tad pricey, but you will not regret these one bit. I’ve been wearing them with sweaters (obviously) but I fully plan to wear them with my collection of summery button-ups and tees when it warms up.
I also really love Everlane’s butter soft or butter smooth fabric. If you’re looking for something with pleats in a fabric that’s a tad dressier than cotton, these are made with Tencel (lyocell) and have a soft and flowy drape to them. They really are perfect for every season and you can wear them anywhere, including out to dinner and the office.
Pants made of ponte are another good transitional option. Ponte is a double knit fabric typically made of a blend of synthetic fibers along with some stretch, so they are cozy and warm and are probably best for late fall into early spring. You’re going to want to skip ponte when it starts really warming up unless you’re spending your days in a cold office or other space. If you’re like me and prefer natural fibers, Quince offers an organic cotton double knit pant in several styles. Quince also has the largest selection of regular ponte pants that I have seen so far online.
I will always link to the products I mention in my post or something similar but I do encourage you to do a little hunting for these second hand. You would be surprised by what is out there; even things with tags still attached!
You can do your searches a couple ways: you can use a search engine to search the exact product in the color and even size you want and browse the options that come up or you can go to reselling platforms like Poshmark, eBay, Etsy, The Real Real or ThredUp and then use their built-in search and filter features to narrow down your options. You may not find the exact items listed here but something really close and maybe better!
Signing off for now. Stay cozy and stylish, my friends. XOXO, Hope
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