International Sweatpants Day is observed annually on January 21st and commemorates the casual, soft trousers that were originally designed for athletic purposes but are increasingly worn for comfort.

Athletes wore them to keep their legs warm while exercising, and many still do. However, there is also an ever-growing contingent of people who use sweatpants to lounge around the house or wear them to informal occasions.

It’s the ultimate way for people to be comfortable and likely will be for many years to come. So, we encourage everyone to put on their favorite sweatpants and enjoy this holiday in style.

The History of International Sweatpants Day

The first pair of sweatpants was created by Émile Camuset, the founder of a sports store in France. He created them in the 1920s after recognizing the need for comfortable sportswear for athletes.

His simple yet effective gray sweatpants were named because they retained heat and allowed the athlete to sweat. From the moment he introduced them to the market, athletes used them to keep warm during workouts, and this continued to be their main purpose for the next 50 years or so.

In the 1980s, an increasing number of people began to wear them because they were comfortable. This trend continued through the 1990s when they became a part of slacker culture.

Over the past 30 years, the popularity of sweatpants has continued to rise, reaching its zenith during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2019-2022. The popularity of sweatpants doesn’t seem to be diminishing as people continue to wear them for comfort and style.

In 2009, International Sweatpants Day was created to encourage people to wear sweatpants and see them as more than just loungewear or athletic wear. We’re not entirely sure who invented it, but we do know when and why it was invented, so we’ll take that as a win.

Observing International Sweatpants Day

Grab a pair of sweatpants and wear them on International Sweatpants Day. Not just around the house, but also while going out on the town. Wear them while shopping, running the kids to school, or simply going out with friends.

And while doing that, use the hashtag #InternationalSweatpantsDay to spread the word about this holiday. Let’s all wear sweatpants on this day and spread the word about how comfortable they really are!