It’s that in-between stretch of the year when getting dressed feels oddly complicated. Winter layers start migrating to the back of the closet; heavy wool slacks feel excessive, but shorts feel wildly optimistic. What makes sense right now is something in the middle — a category that blends tailoring with performance fabric, structure with stretch. Let’s call them athletic-ish pants.
Athleta has built its reputation on performance-enhancing workout gear, but its non-leggings lineup makes a quieter, more interesting case for your cheat days. These are not gym clothes masquerading as workwear. They are trousers cut with the intention of suiting, made from technical fabrics typically reserved for workouts. After all, the best pants are the ones you actually want to wear, right? In fact, the styles we found at Athleta are so good, we’re revisiting our wardrobe capsule for 2026.
Consider the Pinnacle Trousers. On the hanger, they read like a regular pair of wide-leg pants, something Katie herself would wear. They’re streamlined enough to wear to the office, except the waistband is elastic and forgiving, designed to adapt rather than restrict. They look polished without demanding the kind of posture of traditional tailoring.
The Brooklyn Ankle Pants, a longtime customer favorite, feel particularly suited to this transitional season. Cropped just above the ankle, they can be worn with sneakers and dressier shoes alike. Styled with a button-down and flats, they'll fly in a business-casual setting. Their wrinkle-resistant fabric makes them practical for travel — the sort of pants that can be rolled into a carry-on and worn straight off the plane.
For those willing to experiment with more “out-there” silhouettes, Athleta’s barrel-cut jeans offer a subtle entry point. The shape, which nips at the waist but curves gently through the knee before tapering at the ankle, has become a cross-generational favorite. Athleta’s version tempers the volume with a crisp finish and a structured, denim-like fabric — a notable shift from many rigid, nonstretch barrel jeans.
What distinguishes Athleta’s athletic-ish pants is not simply comfort, though that is a big part of the appeal. These styles also lean further into comfort, without landing in sloppy loungewear territory. That’s the wardrobe reset you deserve.
