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Spring in Los Angeles can be unpredictable, to say the least. We can go from gorgeous 75-and-sunny days to “May gray” within a few hours. Plus, my apartment tends to skew on the chilly side, so I pretty much live in lightweight loungewear both while I’m working from home and when I’m hanging around the house during the weekend. That being said, I have a few requirements for my loungewear. Obviously comfort is top of mind — cotton or linen are my go-tos when the weather is beginning to warm up. This also means no tight waist bands or tops that I’m having to adjust to feel good in. On the other side of the coin, I want my loungewear to skew more towards chic sets over sloppy sweats — I prefer something that I can wear while I browse the aisles of Erewhon without feeling gross.
The loungewear sets from Mate the Label have stolen my heart as of late, especially the matching Organic Waffle Half-Zip Sweatshirt ($104, originally $148) and Organic Waffle Relaxed Jogger ($90, originally $128). So much so that I have reached for the duo every day for the last few days over all my other options. Ahead, I break down everything you need to know about what is about to become your new loungewear staple set.
What I Like About the Mate Waffle Set
First up: the sweatshirt. Of course, the big draw of this set is the waffle texture, which makes the top feel more in line with a menswear-inspired henley (a big yes for me). I love that there is a bit more visual intrigue here than with a typical sweat set top. I’m obsessed with the pouch pocket — practical details for the win! — which can hold chilly hands or a phone and keys when I take my dog for a walk around the block. It’s super cozy and soft without being overly warm, which is ideal for transitional weather.
Now for the pants. The biggest draw for me here is that the pants don’t stretch out in the knees and butt after more than one wear. This is something I hate about sweatpants and most waffle-knit pants in general, so I was excited that the Mate pants held their shape for multiple wears. I also think the ribbed cuffs at the bottom makes these pants look super cute with a clog or a sneaker. Overall, they’re comfy, breathable, and have just enough detail to make them feel like a step above all my other cotton sweatpants.
What to Consider Before Buying This Mate Waffle Set
The first thing to consider is the sizing. I found that both the bottoms and the sweatshirt run large — I originally ordered a size small and ended up exchanging for an extra-small. I’m 5’5″ and 120 pounds, and I usually wear a size 2 or size small, so I was slightly surprised that the small in the pants were basically falling off me. If you’re super petite, even the extra-smalls might be too oversized for your waist.
The next thing to consider is the length of the pants: They’re definitely on the long side. The 5’10” model on the site is probably the ideal height for these pants if you want them not to be bunched on the bottom. I’m 5 inches shorter than her, so the pants are quite slouchy at my ankles. I don’t mind the oversized look, but the pants may require an alteration if you’re 5’4″ and under.
Who Is This Mate Waffle Set Best For?
If you love to live in loungewear but want something a little more elevated than a sweats set, the Mate waffle set is a great option. The texture and colors give the set some extra oomph that make it feel appropriate for wearing on your errands or Sunday morning coffee run.
Where Is This Mate Waffle Set Available to Shop?
The set is only available to shop on matethelabel.com.
Additional Details
- Both the sweatshirt and sweatpants are made from 100 percent GOTS-certified organic cotton.
- The set comes in sizes XS through XL.
- This style is available in three colorways: bone (my choice), jet black, and a limited edition bark.
- The set is machine washable.
Rating:
★★★★☆
Aviel Kanter is the director of branded content for Vox Media and oversees lifestyle content across the portfolio of brands. She manages a team of editors who write articles in the wellness, fitness, beauty, fashion, health, entertaining, pets, and finance categories. She is also a beauty enthusiast and contributes many articles to the POPSUGAR Beauty editorial site.
