Regardless of where you come from or the kind of lifestyle you lead, very few clothes can beat the comfort of sweatpants. Whether it’s to sit back and unwind with a snack or to go for your morning workout, custom sweatpants are versatile apparel to use in your day-to-day life.

It is no surprise that they’re also one of the most popular outfits. For those looking to create custom merchandise for friends or their business, sweatpants are an excellent choice. 

That said, if you’re new to designing apparel, it is daunting if you don’t know where to start. This article will cover several tips and tricks about the best designs and ideas to keep when making your custom sweatpants.

What are Custom Sweatpants?

Although custom sweatpants are considered athletic apparel, sweatpants rose in popularity from their use in the 80s and 90s hip-hop scene! Originally appearing in gyms and for those who do physical training, sweatpants are now the staple item for anyone who wants to relax at home or anyone who wants an “athleisure” look. Now more used for casual outings and events, sweatpants can work quite well when paired with the right outfit.  

Custom sweatpants however refer to sweatpants that are made to order with a specified color scheme, and design, with the use of specific logos or typography.

Different Types of Sweatpants

To create the best pair of custom sweatpants, knowing the various options out there and how they look can help you get a better idea of the design you want. When it comes to apparel, fit, and style are everything. So, here are the basic types of sweatpants apparel designers need to pay attention to.

Baggy Sweatpants

Baggy sweatpants, like these Bella Canvas Unisex Straight-Leg Sweatpants, Original Favorites Organic Cotton Sweatpants, and Garment-Dyed Lightweight Fleece Sweatpants, are loose-fitting comfortable sweatpants that are perfect for sweating out in the gym or relaxing at home. Although not a popular choice for everyone, these sweatpants unlike some of their slimmer, more form-fitting counterparts are perfect for anyone who wants more of a relaxed fit. 

While the fitness community loves their form-fitting attire, baggy sweatpants are an all-time classic. Since they are non-restrictive, baggy custom sweatpants are great for group exercise and aerobics classes that require you to move around a lot. Baggy sweatpants like the Gildan Elastic Bottom Youth Sweatpants are also great for even the most active kids!

Joggers

Characterized by elastic cuffs at the ankles, joggers, like this pair of Jerzees Nublend Joggers,

Burnside Fleece Joggers, and District Threads V.I.T. Fleece Jogger, are the slimmer sweatpants that aren’t too form-fitting. While there’s a lot more form-fitting athleisure out there, joggers aim to be aesthetically appealing and comfortable to anyone looking to start their fitness journey. Staying in shape takes dedication, and the elastic cuffs on the bottom ensure you don’t feel awkward at the gym or while jogging. 

Perfect for practicing for a half-marathon or hiking outdoors, joggers are athleisure that are sleek and comfortable to work out in. 

Slim Fit Sweatpants

For anyone looking to actively track their progress or embrace body positivity, slim-fit sweatpants, like these Russell Athletic 50/50 Fleece Joggers, District Women’s Perfect Tri Fleece Jogger, and the Holloway Blend Fleece Jogger, are an excellent option. Easily one of the most aesthetically appealing versions of sweatpants to wear, slim-fit sweatpants pair well with a variety of t-shirts and other fitness gear. 

Usually made from a mix of cotton and elastic fiber, these pants help gym goers track muscle gain and any fat being trimmed off in their fitness journey quite easily. 

Sweatpants with Pockets

Morning workouts can be a hassle, so making sure you can carry your car keys and wallet along with you can make things a whole lot easier. Sweatpants that come with pockets, like these Jerzees Open Bottom Sweatpants with Pockets, Oakley Team Issue Enduro Hydrolix Sweatpants, and the District Perfect Tri Fleece Jogger, are a lot more practical and convenient.

 Regardless of whether you’re headed to the grocery store or the gym, making sure you can carry your essentials hassle-free is invaluable. While for some, there may be the notion that pockets are not required for the gym, they’re still an option worth having. When designing custom sweatpants for a diverse group of people, making sure that both gym rats and homebodies are equally happy is a considerate move. 

6 Tips for Creating Custom Sweatpants

1. Design Placement

Design placement is fundamental when designing custom sweatpants. While it may seem inconsequential, it plays a huge role in creating the overall aesthetic. In cases where only using your company or event logo, making sure it looks minimalist is a smart way to go. 

Placing your design along the side of your pants looks aesthetically appealing in a general sense. Another route to take is placing the logo or design on the top left or top right corner of your custom sweatpants. It is a popular route that most popular brands use these days.

2. Color Scheme

When it comes to color schemes, sticking with the basics ensures that you create custom sweatpants that go with a variety of outfits. That said, if you’re designing them for an event, company, or occasion, going with colors that are relevant and cohesive with the theme or brand is important.

Color schemes are complex if you’re having difficulty figuring out where to start. If you’re someone without a background in design, working with a color scheme generator or looking at color palettes can help you. Besides that, using Pinterest to reference some of the popular color combinations is a good option.

Custom sweatpants can look excellent when paired with a custom t-shirt in a similar color scheme. If you’re designing custom sweatpants for an event or corporate branding, going the extra mile and adding a custom print t-shirt can help give you the complete look. 

Also read: Trending T-Shirt Design Ideas of 2022

3. Print and Embroidery options

For custom sweatpants, print and embroidery are the two ways to go. In the case where your designs are smaller, making use of custom embroidery can look elegant and classy. However, if you’re planning on making large designs along the side of your pants, then print options are a better choice. 

When it comes to printing on apparel, sublimation, and screen printing are two of the more popular routes to take. While both methods of printing are suitable for a variety of designs, it often comes down to personal preference. Sublimation tends to have slightly dull colors but is easy to get done in smaller quantities. Screen printing, however, is great for vector designs with a maximum of four to five colors. 

Unlike sublimations, however, screen printing is more suitable when working with large qualities. Heat transfer printing is great for printing vivid colors, however, the print does not become a part of the fabric and as a result, it can fade or peel off in the long run.

Is embroidery an affordable option for custom sweatpants? 

Yes. Embroidery machines allow manufacturers to create custom embroidered designs in a matter of minutes. Besides this, you can easily include your company logo or custom typography and have it embroidered without it being too cost-intensive.

Also read: Best Custom Embroidery Designs

4. Use of Color Contrast

When it comes to creating apparel that stands out, making use of color contrast or pairing contrasting colors is effective. You can do this by using a neutral color like black, white, gray, or beige and combining it with a solid more contrasting color.

While a color scheme deals with colors that are cohesive, ensuring you make use of contrasting colors in your designs and color scheme is what takes your design to the next level.

For anyone that’s having difficulty getting started with this aspect of design, making use of presets or some of the more popular sweatpants can help out significantly. Since sweatpants are paired with a variety of t-shirt colors, you may make use of neutral colors like black or gray.

5. Material 

When it comes to material use in sweatpants cotton, nylon,  polyester, spandex, and fleece are some of the more popular options. The material you choose depends entirely on the utility you’re aiming to achieve. 

If you’re looking to create more athletic wear, opting for fleece and spandex are excellent options. If you live in a colder, more wet climate, then making use of a material like polypropylene is a smart move. Polypropylene is water resistant and has lower thermal connectivity, so you can retain your body heat and even sweat a bit more if you aim to stay trim. Nylon also does this, but it is practical for temperate climates as well.

If you're looking to create custom sweatpants that are more comfortable and convenient for relaxing at home, cotton and polyester are much more comfortable options. 

Conclusion 

Sweatpants are some of the most comfortable apparel available. Customizing your sweatpants for parties, occasions or corporate apparel is an excellent way to add a bit of personality to your apparel. With customized sweatpants, you help mark an occasion with items used every day. While corporate apparel or giveaways can seem impersonal or a requirement to be fulfilled, customizing something that has utility daily helps convey consideration and mindfulness.

So while backpacks are excellent, making use of t-shirts and comfort like sweatpants is an effective way to create a more approachable and mindful brand or gift. Although it can seem cliche, the beauty is in the details which is what makes custom apparel an investment that keeps on giving.
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