The Item I Wear to Death: My Adidas Track Pants

In our biweekly series, editors share "the item they wear to death," whether it be a basic white tee or a super-trendy jumpsuit. Prepare yourself (and your credit card) for some guilt-free shopping.

Portland, Oregon, reminds me of my loving family, gorgeous vineyards, home-cooked meals, freshly-brewed coffee, fields of crisp greenery...and my beloved Adidas track pants. They say home is where the heart is, and these pants, purchased in my hometown, definitely have a soft spot in my heart. My love affair with these track pants took me by surprise. Growing up, Portland wasn't the most fashion-forward city (don't @ me). We had other things, like amazing art and lots of cute dogs, to make up for it. Slowly but surely, though, the ever-growing population of Portland has made fashion come alive.

In 2015, Adidas built a gigantic campus in Oregon. In turn, Portlanders got special treatment, like exclusive deals and access to collabs available only in PDX. One day, my mom and I were on a shopping date, and walked into Adidas headquarters. I had low expectations of finding anything good despite my all-access pass. I'm more of a heels-wearing lady than a sneaker head, and I didn't even consider what apparel the brand had to offer because workout pants were all that came to mind. I was proven wrong the moment I laid my eyes on these stunners.

To create these limited-edition pants, Adidas collaborated with Amsterdam-based designer Daniëlle Cathari. The green tonal patchwork, deconstructed silhouette, diagonal white stripes, snap fastenings, zip panels, and wide-leg flare—they had me at hello. I wasted no time going to the dressing room to try these bad boys on. First impressions: I loved their throwback, retro feel that livens up any lewk. I loved how comfy the elastic stretch band felt on my stomach. Plus they're high-waisted, which means I could wear them with crop tops for my Hot Girl Summer—even better for endless styling options! I also snagged the pants in black because I'm obsessed with black clothing. You know the love is real when you buy an item in not one, but two colors.

Fast-forward to now, day IDK of quarantine, and I've leaned into lazy dressing more than ever before. Jeans are a thing of the past and I have a sweatpants only policy. However, to break me out of any cozy-girl ruts, I've thrown on my track pants, which are a chic step-up, if I do say so myself. They're like loungewear 2.0 and make me feel put together for a full work day ahead.

Pre-isolation-orders, these pants were literally one of the most versatile pieces in my closet, and I dressed them up and down. The wide legs give me the freedom to wear them with heels, which makes me feel like a stallion walking on stilts, or with sneakers for a more chill look. Because of these cool-girl pants, I had my first-ever Getty Images debut during New York Fashion Week(!!!):

Another shot from the same day, just so you can understand how much these pants make me feel myself:

They're fun party attire, too. Remember when we could go to parties and snuggle with our besties?!? What a time to be alive.

I also wear the black colorway to death. Here I am on a press trip with Sephora in Blackberry Mountain. The weather was perfect, so I wore them with a crop top:

The pants work with any pattern. Case in point: This outfit, which I wore to brunch with friends in the midst of winter.

But, in either color, the compliments flow in like crazy everywhere I go. They're the quintessential, effortlessly stylish IDGAF pants, which is the vibe I'm always going for.

These pants spark joy, are peak comfort, and still make me feel fashionable and fly in the house, which is all that matters. Clothes are powerful!

Shop Similar Sporty, Chic Track Pants Below:

For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.

subscribe here