Did you meet people in sweatpants today on the way to work? Then it could be a follower of a young tradition, which was started today ten years ago at a grammar school in Graz. Encouraged by four boys in 2009, a complete school class in jogging pants appeared for lessons. Since then, the 21st of January has been considered the "International Day of Sweatpants".
What was intended as a carnival joke, developed in the following years by means of its own Facebook page and international Schlabberhosen solidarity to an event that is committed outside of Austria's borders. More than 40,000 fans have the page for the "Jogginghosentag". Comfort is not only valued in Graz. Even though it is actually about sportswear, the sweatpants are considered by many to be the ideal equipment for a rather passive lifestyle.
However, this image of idleness is a thorn in the side of some contemporaries. A teacher from Swabia, for example, said in 2015, a sweatpants express an attitude that does not belong to the school - and then had to endure a very unreasonable presented wave of indignation. And from Karl Lagerfeld comes the merciless dictum: "Who wears a pair of sweatpants, has lost control of his life."
Now it must be said at this point that the training course in jogging pants could well be understood as a subversive act - and the students in the case may have just regained control of their lives by choosing their pants. Of course, there are also Jogging pants by Mr. Lagerfeld. The pieces are just too popular for the shrewd fashion designer to miss this business, let alone be someone who has not recognized a fashion trend.
Finally, in the 1920s Émile Camuset - founder of the French sports brand Le Coq Sportif - as simple, knitted jersey pants for the cold season invented garment for some time back in. The trend is called "Athleisure". The words "athletics" and "leisure" designate everyday sportswear. The combination of sports and fashion has its origins in the hip-hop scene and is now such a big number that even luxury brands like Dior sell jogging pants (made of cashmere and for almost 2,000 euros).
However, the idea with the luxury version of the soft trousers is not entirely new: Marc Jacobs once sent models in jogging over the catwalks of the London fashion week, and designers like Dolce & Gabbana, Dries van Noten and Michael Michalsky already had some in 2010.
Of course, the designer Buxen have nothing in common with the washed-out and baggy model Couchpotato. Unlike the goods from the sports shop, they have no waistband at the ends of the pants, but a straight hem. Most have a drawstring at the top and no belt loops. More elegant models come with pleats, for an additional sporty touch provide side stripes. If you are looking for a model that is suitable for the office (depending on the sector), it is best to ask for a "Tracksuit trousers" in the shop.
And how do you best wear such pants? The combination is important: it is not combined with sports tops. The designers usually wear blouse and blazer or shirt and jacket, sometimes even with a vest. Less risky, but no less beautiful are fine knit sweaters. High heels, ankle boots or classic leather shoes can create a stylish style break, but are more advanced. The simplest way to complete the look is with plain white sneakers. You'll usually look good in the office, in the gym - and on the couch.