Are the optical illusion jeans really worth the splurge?

I have to admit I’m a skeptic when it comes to viral clothing. Perhaps my expectations are too high, but whenever I try a “must-have” item, it often ends up missing the mark.

Personally, I took a while to warm up to the idea of a sweatpant-jean hybrid. In the past, I’ve found that mixing the two styles can either come off as fake-looking or incredibly uncomfortable. After seeing celebrities like Brittany Mahomes, Kylie Minogue, and Cate Blanchett sport the deceptive bottoms and numerous TikToks on my FYP raving about them, though, I sought to find out if the pants were actually worth the investment.

I can confidently say these are some of the most comfortable pants I’ve ever worn. Moreover, I’ve tricked almost everybody into thinking they are traditional jeans.

Rag & Bone’s unique digital printing technique creates an optical illusion that gives the bottoms a denim-like effect, straight down to the faux button detailing. The wide-leg fit also contributes to the illusion, but that’s where any relation to denim stops. The pants are made from 100 percent cotton with a terry cloth interior that feels like your favorite pair of lightweight sweatpants.

I purchased the Miramar Side Stripe High Waist Wide Leg Pants, which come in a light wash shade perfect for transitioning into spring. The Miramar fabric is available in almost 40 styles, including 11 for men. As someone who is 5 feet tall, the 31-inch inseam is a tad long for me, but the jeans are also available in cropped styles.