Despite their rise in popular culture, sweatpants were often criticized in mainstream media in the 1990s and early 2000s in the American sitcom Seinfeld, the title character, Jerry, tells his friend 'you're telling the world you've given up' when he appears in sweatpants.įashion shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting increase in remote work. Since the 1910s, 'sportswear' has been a staple in college campus style and in the 1970s and 80s designers began reimagining the ' jersey knit fabric that had been used for gym garb' into clothes for students' everyday wear. Ĭollege students also contributed to sweatpants' rise in popularity in the United States. The rise of fitness culture, as well as the birth of hip hop in 1980s America, led to the popularization of sweatpants as both leisurewear and streetwear. Adidas introduced the tracksuit that combined the sweatpants with a track top in 1964, which helped popularize athletic fashion. Sweatpants became commonplace at the Olympic Games by the late 1930s, and were seen on many athletes in the decades that followed. These were simple knitted gray jersey pants that allowed athletes to stretch and run comfortably. The first pair of sweatpants was introduced in the 1920s by Émile Camuset, the founder of Le Coq Sportif. In the Philippines, they are called 'jogging pants'. In Australia and New Zealand, they are also commonly known as trackpants, trackies, tracky daks or joggers.

In the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa they are known as tracksuit bottoms. Sweatpants are a casual variety of soft trousers intended for comfort or athletic purposes, although they are now worn in many different situations. Three young men wearing traditional gray sweatpants JSTOR ( April 2013) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message).

Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. This article needs additional citations for verification.

Nike breakaway pants