To buy or not to buy: Track Pants

fusslessness

I really love the new track pants trend. I think they're comfy, sophisticated and modern looking, and I'm considering buying a pair. That said, I have no idea whether they'll be out of fashion in a year, or what kind of pattern would be a good investment--I certainly don't need another pair of black pants. I'm a 20-something college student, so I don't want to waste my small clothes budget on something I'll never wear.

I really like these two pairs from Nordstrom--one's a floral and one has a cool reptile print. Do you think track pants are a worthwhile investment? And if so what print would you pick?

10 years ago

Shopping

12 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Kristin L

Veteran

I can't get your links to work, but so I can't comment on those pairs. But, I think if you're on a tight budget, maybe you should try a solid. Sometimes Nordies can be more expensive than other stores, which may not work for a small budget. Have you tried looking at a few other places, just to get a feel for the price?

10 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

I can't see your links, unfortunately, but I have seen track pants with subtle black and white organic designs, or plain black/drapey ones at Marshalls, Ross, and T J Maxx at very good prices. H&M and Forever21 also have patterned ones I think.

My thought is that because they are a soft thin material they may not be as durable as jeans for example, and may snag on something eventually like rayon tops sometimes do, so I wouldn't want to invest a lot of money in them for myself either, although I think the looser drapy silhouette might be around for quite awhile? I'd pick a pattern you love that goes with a lot of your wardrobe and your general style if you are planning to do something different than a solid color.

10 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I'm thinking of these too. For me a solid neutral would be the way to go.

10 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I think the links are these:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ch.....hoppingbag
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tr.....ts/3623969

However, I know nothing about track pants, so I will bow out now and let others give their input! :^)

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10 years ago

crutcher

Veteran

I found a pair of Vince Camuto track pants at TJMaxx over the week-end...If you have the itch to wear them, why not try TJ or Marshall's...I wouldn't spend limited funds on this trend...JMO.. Good luck...

10 years ago

fusslessness

Active Member

Thanks so much for the feedback! And yes, those links are correct--sorry about that! I'll check out some bargain stores and see what I can find!

10 years ago

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I love track pants - the perfect dressy/casual pant for summer, imo. I have the ones in the pic below (from last summer and still current), and am considering adding the ones in the Fav finds" section to my wardrobe this summer.

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Nordstrom

Two by Vince Camuto 'Elephant Stamp' Drawstring Pants

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10 years ago

May

Active Member

As others have mentioned, maybe you should look at F21, Old Navy, TJ Maxx, etc for cheaper alternatives if you are unsure if you will wear it in the years to come. If you like the look then you could buy end of season sale for the pricier/dressier ones that you could wear for many years to come. I like the look of track pants but I think that a high quality material drapes better than polyester or even rayon content. Rayon tend to wrinkle quite easily so be careful how or when you wear it.

The other day, I saw a lady in a pair of black track pants paired with a black halter top. At first I thought it was a jumpsuit as the two black were of the same shade and it looked very chic and dressy with strappy sandals. Made her legs look like they were miles long.

10 years ago

Jules

Veteran

It's true about the rayon, my cheap and cheerful track pants are rayon. I knew it was a trend for me, not an investment purchase, and I don't regret it - if nothing else they are extremely comfortable. But by end of day they just do not look as good any more. Maybe best for a shorter outing that does not involve sitting... it was the rear and hip area that was wrinkling/sagging unattractively.

That said, for your budget/lifestyle, I tend to agree these are not where to make an investment purchase.

10 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

It may be helpful to think in terms of CPW and how you handle repeating items. The advice re: prints is good in general because solids are less "memorable" and you can wear more top options. With print I often find I can not really wear as many colors as I'd like, and not many if any other print tops.
So that's kind of standard. But OTOH we sometimes fail to have fun with a great print.
I got the black Leith track pants last spring and have been very happy because for me it was enough to change up my silhouette, and the black kept it less casual so I could wear some times at work, and I could wear lots of different tops, jackets and shoes for variety.
But, you might find you want to use the track pant to introduce both a style/comfort change and to have not-black pants--to have a fun print. Try estimating, would you wear them once a week? Once on weekday and once on weekend? For prints I look really hard at the size and repeat of the print and how the colors would work with tops I'd be likely to wear, and what footwear I'm going to use.
Polyester ones don't work as well for warm outdoor wear, though I'm find indoors, but are usually washable and don't wrinkle. Pure rayon wrinkles and doesn't wash & wear well--usually have to iron, though prints hide wrinkles more. A rayon-poly blend can often wash, just barely dry a minute or two, and come out pretty well.

10 years ago

Jules

Veteran

Oh yeah my rayon pants are going to require ironing as well. They came out of the wash looking like crinkle fabric.

10 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Oh, I declare silky track pants are nowhere like leg warmers. They'll be around and not embarrassing next year and, I'm sure, the year after that. Silky pants are a classic, in a non-classic way...

10 years ago

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