It’s been an entire year since I started working from home and using my home office as, well, an office rather than somewhere to collect paper and store unused yoga mats. 

Like many of you, I’m cautiously optimistic about the future and a return to normalcy. I’m looking forward to a future where I visit with friends and family, hug my mom, and shed a little of the anxiety I’ve been hanging on to over the last twelve months. The one thing that I’m not looking forward to is putting on those pants I haven’t worn since this pandemic started.

While I still get dressed for work, and often share the most polished version of me on Instagram, let me assure you that off camera, I live in sweats. Not just any sweats, but sweats that I purchased on impulse while shopping for a wheelbarrow at a hardware store. Still, they aren’t what you’d call “camera-ready” (or, for that matter, “people outside of my family ready” with the coffee, dog, and paint stains found on them in equal measure), and if I want to leave the house and feel like a normal human being, I need to change. And that change WON’T be giving up my soft pants for “hard pants”—a term I heard from a friend in reference to jeans vs. sweatpants. (“I don’t understand how people can wear their hard pants (jeans) past 8:00 p.m. when hanging at home!”)

Anyway, a small upside to this pandemic is that it’s made wearing soft pants socially appropriate all day long. Isn’t that why loungewear was invented, to get dressed without having to “get dressed”? 

So when I received a few key pieces from Summersalt to upgrade my loungewear, I jumped at the opportunity to switch things up (and, perhaps, retire the FF sweats…maybe).

Yes, Summersalt, the ubiquitous brand that we all know for their “miracle swimsuit,” the one with the silhouette that flatters every body. I haven’t tried the swimsuit yet, but from my own experience I can firmly say Summersalt knows a thing or two about what will flatter a woman’s body. 

What I first noticed when trying on the pieces from Summersalt is that the cut fits me (rather than me trying to fit into the cut). The pants, specifically The Softest Ribbed Wide Leg Lounge Pant, were not only comfortable but, dare I say, flattering. As much as I don’t care to admit it, I’m not in my twenties anymore. The cut of some clothing just does not fit as it used to, whether it be due to age, children, or the results of livin’ that pandemic lifestyle. Rather than having to go up an entire size, these pants had just a little extra room in the hips to ensure comfort while still maintaining a flattering silhouette.

Pants in general have been an issue since having kids. Two C-sections in sixteen months have caused a significant amount of scar tissue (which I refuse to call a “pooch”) and have added at least an inch to an area of the body not often taken into account when designers cut patterns. This has made it challenging to find pants (both the “soft” and “hard” variety) that are comfortable to wear. I’m 5’6” and typically wear a size 6 or 8 in pants (sometimes a 4 depending on the fit) and the medium Summersalt pants fit me perfectly. They aren’t too billowy, and I don’t have to cram myself into a pair of pants that are supposed to be comfortable. 

I have to say, this was such a welcome surprise and made me realize how often I slide on clothing only to feel like it wasn’t made for me. This doesn’t happen often, and it is worth noting for anyone who has experienced something similar.

I recently spent the last weekend by myself (don’t get too excited…I spent the entire weekend playing catch-up on work) and tried these new pieces out. During the day, I ran to the grocery store to pick up some coffee, and halfway down an aisle, I froze and realized that I hadn’t changed out of my sweats. I looked down and noticed that I had foregone the worn Fleet Farm variety and actually looked pretty put together. What a nice feeling it was not to have to get dressed twice. 

These items are worth the price, especially if you are taking into consideration how much time you are spending in them. They’re perfect for anyone looking to invest in high-quality pieces to fold into your wardrobe. 

I’d recommend these if you are looking for apparel to work in, but be warned these are not pieces that I’d recommend while painting or participating in messy activities. I think of these as my “business” sweats, for when I still need to look presentable but don’t want to feel constricted.

Use code: WITANDDELIGHT10 to receive $10 toward your order

Editor’s Note: This post is sponsored by Summersalt. The compensation we receive in exchange for placement on Wit & Delight is used to purchase props, hire a photographer, write/edit blog posts, and support the larger team behind Wit & Delight.

While compensation was received in exchange for coverage, all thoughts and opinions are always my own. Sponsored posts like these allow us to continue to develop dynamic unsponsored content. Thank you for supporting our partners!

Kate Arends

Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning how to play tennis and is forever testing the boundaries of her creative muscle. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.