Arguably the pair that started it all, LA-based designer John Elliott famously almost forgot to include his flagship Escobar sweatpant when he presented his inaugural men’s collection in 2011. Funnily enough, it’s the very same silhouette that put the designer on the map. Originally made from heavyweight French terry and produced entirely in LA, the slimmed down silhouette pairs perfectly with sneakers and alongside the designer’s hallmark Villian side-zip hoodies helped introduce elevated streetwear to U.S. consumers. Launching a wave of imitators, John Elliott set the bar for basics-focused premium menswear, and is arguably responsible for the sweatpant-and-sneaker aesthetic that dominated menswear in the early-2010s.

While the design is now available in a wide variety of materials and colorways, the heather grey original is a testament to Elliot’s accomplishments. Without the Escobar, sweatpants role in American menswear would be drastically different.

LA-based designer [Jerry Lorenzo](grailed.com/drycleanonly/jerry-lorenzo-interview) is easily the most vocal proponent of sweatpants as a high-fashion commodities. During his first Fear of God collection, the designer presented ultra-heavyweight French terry sweats entirely handmade in LA. Boasting a sharp taper—and near-four figure price tag—the style became synonymous with not only the label, but the designer himself. Now, five seasons later, the design has undergone several permutations, including bungee cord ankle closure, elongated drawstrings and a subtle stamped logo—almost unbranded yet immediately recognizable. While the silhouette is not for everyone, for those searching for quite literally the perfect day-in-day-out sweatpant, this is the choice for you. While they are pricey, for this level of material and construction, the price is well worth the cost.

Canadian based Reigning Champ—the in-house label from the vaunted CYC Corporation—offers some of the best entry-level basics money can buy. Apart from serving as Supreme’s blank-of-choice for years, the label gained a cult following for its elevated take on the sweats. Though technically referred to as “slim,” the brand’s flagship sweatpant is more generously cut than most, somewhere between a baggy vintage fit and skinny jogger. The result is a lush French terry pant that could very well be mistaken for a trouser, though the ribbed cuffs are a dead giveaway. If you’re attempting to slyly wear sweats to work, this is the pair for you.

While progressive Columbian-French designer Haider Ackermann is best known for his adventurous outerwear and progressive tailoring, true fans flock towards his best in class basics. His now infamous “Perth sweats”, heavily tapered with aggressive darting at the knee, are a core part of every seasonal collection and despite inching towards $2,000 for pants and a matching hoodie, are the label’s best-sellers. Available in a range of colors and cropped or full-length depending on the season, the pants are a celebrity favorite, worn regularly by both Kanye West and the aforementioned Lorezno (and no doubt a reference point for both). Thankfully, the pants occasionally do pop up on Grailed at a much more palatable price point.

Rick Owens androgynous, gothic, avant-garde aesthetic is certainly not for everyone. That said, even the most conservative shopper can get behind his “Berlin” sweatpant. A part of the designer’s DRKSHDW diffusion label, the pant features an elasticated contrast waistband, elongated drawstring and surprisingly flattering wide fit. Yes, the dropped crotch is intimidating, however given the actual silhouette of the sweatpants with most versions it is almost indiscernible. For those one the fence, trust us, these are some of the most comfortable sweats on the market, and elegant to boot. If you want to fool your coworkers into thinking you’re wearing some wide-leg trousers, the Berlin sweats are the move.

Any list highlighting sweatpants and joggers would not be complete without the classic adidas 3-Stripe track pants. Yes, we know, these are technically “track” pants, however considering the material was initially cotton, we would be remiss to not include them. Originally designed in collaboration with German soccer star Franz Beckenbauer back in 1967, for more than 50 years adidas has sold the 3-stripe warm-up. While today the synthetic nylon version is considerably more popular, the '60s version featuring slim legs and zipped hem is the basis for all modern joggers. They call them adidas Originals for a reason.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Nike’s best-selling Tech Fleece joggers are the pants that took the style mainstream. Made of a knit technical fabric combining layers of foam with traditional cotton, the proprietary blend became a staple in the Nike Sportswear line following its introduction in 2013. While intended as a warm-up, the style—along with matching zip-up hoodie—became a streetwear icon, regularly styled with the latest Nike sneakers during the most recent sneaker boom. Though the style has somewhat declined in popularity as of late, for those looking for a jogger that toes the line between athletic and everyday, this is the pair for you.

While it is neither technically a sweatpant nor a modern (see: cuffed) jogger, the Needles track pant clearly deserves its due praise. Years before brands like Palm Angels and Off-White made tracksuits a runway staple, the Japanese mainstay began producing modern reinterpretations of '70s polyester and synthetic blend warm-ups. Rather than simply recreate classic adidas and Puma joggers, the brand presented clever twists on the garment, including unusual fabric choices and bold colors featuring clashing butterfly embroidery. Like all good things in Japan, the design slowly but surely made its way stateside amassing legions legions of fans along the way. Available in either a wide or narrow cut, the pant is as comfortable as it is versatile. Forget that they technically are not sweats, with a pair this good, it really does not matter. Just like A$AP Ferg said, "This ain't Puma, this is Needles."

There’s few labels that have built a lifestyle like Ralph Lauren. A master of his own brand of Americana, rife with a plethora of iconic graphics and various offshoot labels, it’s practically impossible to not find something to love under the wider Ralph Lauren brand umbrella. While his eponymous label is centered on preppy staples like the polo shirt, Ralph Lauren is no stranger to loungewear. His jogger pant is case in point.

There’s a variety of different iterations for this particular style, which spans from Polo Ralph Lauren’s letterman-style or polo player embroidery to the simplified (but high quality) fleece iterations from tailoring-focused Ralph Lauren Purple Label. Whether you prefer minimal detailing at the top of the left pocket or streetwear-inspired graphic placement down the sides of the legs, there’s plenty of options. As is the case with any Ralph Lauren purchase, the question isn’t if Ralph Lauren has a version of the garment to buy—it’s about deciding which sublabel speaks to you.

In the heyday of “DIY Streetwear,” it’s easy for people to immediately think of brands like Online Ceramics, Come Tees or Boot Boyz Biz. While not as small scale as those labels, Brain Dead shares the same aesthetics and sense of humor, while intersecting with the reach and influence of the bigger, well-known streetwear brands like Stussy or conceptual brands like Cav Empt. You might have been introduced to Brain Dead through its collaborations with A.P.C. and The North Face, but there’s plenty of other incredible pieces from the LA-based label—including the Pleasing Shape Sweatpants.

Bearing various computer graphics that appear ripped from an IBM computer from the 1980s or early 1990s, these sweatpants are traditional in shape and structure (unlike contemporary, slimmer, jogger-style sweats), but retro-futuristic through their graphic design. Still not convinced? You don’t even need to take our word for it. With co-signs from celebs like Kanye West and J. Cole, Brain Dead’s sweatpants are as certified as it gets.