If you run a hand over waffle knit, you feel a tiny grid, almost like the surface of a breakfast iron. That three-dimensional texture does more than add visual interest: the “pockets” in the weave trap warm air in winter yet let skin breathe once temperatures rise, so one fabric covers 12 months of comfort. The best part for businesses is that this comfort factor is translating into sales.
At the macro level, anything at the crossroads of loungewear and athleisure is gaining massive attention. Technavio expects sleep- and loungewear alone to expand by USD 36.46 billion between 2024 and 2029, while the broader athleisure pie is projected to jump from USD 431.7 billion in 2025 to USD 731.8 billion by 2033.
Waffle pants comfortably fit into these two profitable categories, demonstrating their potential for profitability in the fashion retail industry. If you’re looking to sell this attire, read on for seven waffle pant styles worth considering in 2025.
Table of Contents
7 waffle pant styles to add to your 2025 collection
1. Classic waffle joggers
2. Wide-leg lounge waffle pants
3. Flared yoga-studio waffle pants
4. Utility-pocket waffle cargo joggers
5. Palazzo-cut waffle pants
6. Thermal base-layer waffle bottoms
7. Paperbag-waist tapered waffle pants
Closing thoughts
7 waffle pant styles to add to your 2025 collection
1. Classic waffle joggers
The modern waffle jogger combines the easy silhouette of a track pant with the thermal fabric that feels comfy under a ski suit. Manufacturers typically cut it with a slim, cuffed ankle, add a drawstring waist, and include deep side pockets if they know what sells.
Shoppers already love joggers because they flex across lifestyles, so they’re bound to love a waffle texture upgrade. The best part is that there are so many ways to style these pants: trendy consumers can style them with oversized blazers for “lazy chic,” fitness enthusiasts can warm up in them at the gym, and parents can grab them for school-run duty because the rib cuffs won’t drag on wet pavement.
2. Wide-leg lounge waffle pants
Wide-leg waffle pants, meanwhile, have a carefree look that pools softly around sneakers or slippers, giving wearers that slouchy, Olsen-twin vibe without a hefty price tag. Interestingly, these roomy drawstring pants look like “intentional comfort” instead of “just rolled out of bed.”
Who What Wear’s May 2025 drawstring-pants roundup includes a viral image of a stone waffle co-ord, positioning the style as one of this summer’s easiest outfit hacks. Consumers love this silhouette because it conceals as much as it reveals; the loose leg hides cellulite concerns, yet the fabric’s vertical drop keeps the line elongated.
3. Flared yoga-studio waffle pants
Flares are back, and the waffle knit gives the retro bell shape a plush, après-flow upgrade. Cut slim through the thigh and opening below the knee, these pants skim the wearer’s curves without pinching thanks to the knit’s natural stretch. TikTok clips tagged #waffleflare show creators pairing them with all kinds of tops, from half-zip fleeces to crop tops and regular tees.
Because the honeycomb knit is opaque, yogis feel covered in a forward bend, solving a transparency issue common with standard cotton leggings. Color is also an excellent strategy for marketing these pieces. Since they’ll target exercise-driven consumers, you can always order them in earthy pilates neutrals and sorbet brights without switching fabrics.
4. Utility-pocket waffle cargo pants
Cargo pockets, once a staple of snowboarding gear, have migrated into mainstream streetwear, and waffle fabric is here to make them sofa-friendly. Think jogger cuffs, a mid-rise waist, and two oversized flap pockets sewn low on the thigh, which leaves room for a phone but is flat enough not to balloon.
Techwear fans will like the contrast of military hardware and bedtime softness, while eco-minded shoppers will appreciate it if you swap brass snaps for recycled plastic toggles. Consumers can pair this fantastic piece with a ribbed baby tee, giving them a Y2K nostalgia outfit reimagined for Netflix binges.
5. Thermal base-layer waffle bottoms
Long before waffle pants were streetwear, they were thermal underwear. And that DNA still exists and attracts buyers. For example, Fruit of the Loom’s two-pack waffle bottoms feature moisture-wicking yarns and heat-retentive loops, speaking to hunters, skiers, and anyone paying winter heating bills.
Modern versions add a dash of athleisure, swapping the old fly-front for a smooth gusset and swapping scratchy cotton for cotton-modal blends. There are two main reasons why consumers rush to purchase these pieces: for insulation under snow gear or as sleep pants in cold bedrooms, making them a year-round repeat-purchase item (thermals are a gift-season staple).
6. Palazzo-cut waffle pants
If lounge pants aren’t wide enough, consumers can opt for even wider options with the palazzo style. These pants typically have a high, clean waistband and a design that practically sweeps the floor. If you quickly look at other retailers selling these pants, you’ll see phrases like “office-to-sofa.”
This marketing angle spotlights the cut’s versatility. Women can wear them with oversized button-downs for Zoom-cam professionalism, then knot the shirt and throw on kick-off slides for a dinner on the patio.
The dramatic volume also helps the waffle weave grab more attention, especially when light hits the raised grid and creates subtle tone shifts, making even solid black look luxe. Because palazzos require more yardage, retailers should lead with earthy neutrals and bestselling heather greys.
7. Paperbag-waist tapered waffle pants
Take a straight-waist trouser, add an extended waistband that ruffles when cinched, and have a silhouette that bridges the gap between office and off-duty. The paper bag waist visually nips in the midsection, while the soft knit prevents any discomfort consumers may get from cinching.
They look great paired with sock booties and cropped cardigans – an outfit that gives off a “dressed but not stiff” aesthetic – making it perfect for the creative agency life. This style may also catch buyers who love joggers’ comfort but need a hint of tailoring. And because the waist detail sits high, petite women gain the illusion of longer legs, making their appeal even broader.
Closing thoughts
Waffle pants are incredibly appealing because they satisfy many consumer cravings, like the lockdown-born love of softness and the post-lockdown desire to look intentional, not sloppy. Whether added to streamlined joggers or dramatic palazzos, this honeycomb knit carries an under-the-radar engineering trick (warmth without weight) that shoppers feel when they try a pair on.
Add social-media validation, celebrity co-signs, and a market for comfortwear that analysts expect to keep expanding for the rest of the decade, and waffle pants stop being a micro-trend and start looking like a dependable profit center. Stock a varied roster of the seven styles above, rotate colors seasonally, and you’re bound to attract buyers.
