A few years ago I made it my personal mission to upgrade my old pair of sweatpants for a more elevated take on loungewear. I kept seeing the Spanx Air Essentials collection everywhere, so I decided to grab a cropped hoodie and matching pants during one of their sales. Years later, not only do I still have this set (Spanx sadly no longer makes it), I’ve also added a handful of other pieces from the line to my closet.
As an avid traveler and someone who works from home, I was sick of feeling frumpy both at the airport and at my computer. Enter Spanx Air Essentials, a collection of coordinating pieces in a light-as-air fabric that you can mix and match, that checks a lot of boxes for me when it comes to comfort, quality, and aesthetics.
These are some of the best loungewear sets I’ve owned, and since they’re pieces that I reach for over and over again, I’m sharing my honest Spanx Air Essentials review with you here.
Spanx Air Essentials Review
The Fabric
Spanx Air Essentials material is a buttery, light-as-air-fabric that keeps you warm, but it’s also breathable enough to wear for hours. (Trust me, I’ve worn my sets on dozens of full travel days, including overnight flights to Europe.)
It’s squishy to the touch, like a soft neoprene. And despite an almost pajama-like feel on the skin (heavenly!), it doesn’t look like you just rolled out of bed. The simple silhouettes and clean lines give these matching sets an effortless look without sacrificing comfort, and it’s no wonder Spanx Air Essentials have routinely made it onto Oprah’s Favorite Things list.
The Fit
The Spanx website offers Air Essentials pants in petite, regular, and tall lengths, making it easy for pretty much anyone to get their desired length. I’m 5’ 4” and most regular length pants are too long on me and require hemming. As such, I usually go for petite sizing when only the length is the affected measurement, and that’s what I do with all my Spanx pants.
I’m a small/medium in tops and a size 6 (or 28 in denim) in pants. I wear a medium petite in Spanx pants and a medium in the tops. Although the brand’s size chart indicates that size small would fit, I like to have a little room in my loungewear, which is why I prefer mediums. I’d say these run true to size, but if you want a more generous fit then take the next size up.
Care Instructions
I love these even more because they’re easy to care for items. The Spanx website lists washing the garments in cold water on the gentle cycle, and tumble dry on low heat. You can also dry clean them, but nobody wants to do that. I’ve always followed the washing instructions as advised and my items are fine, with no fading, shrinking, or pilling. They still look like new after many, many washes!
Spanx Air Essentials Faves
Wide Leg Pants
Buttery Soft Half-Zip
Minimal Straight Pants
Spanx Air Essentials Pieces I Own
Crewneck Sweatshirt
This is a classic, crewneck style that’s relaxed through the body and hits just at the hip for a fit that’s not too cropped or too long. I love this sweatshirt paired with comfortable jeans for a casual look or when I’m running errands, and the smooth wrinkle-free fabric looks a touch more polished than traditional cotton sweatshirts.
Spanx Air Essentials Half Zip
I love this half-zip sweatshirt so much that I own it in two colors. It has a slightly relaxed fit, and the metal zipper hardware adds just a hint of something to make this feel more elevated than a regular sweatshirt.
This is my preferred sweatshirt for long-haul flights. I’ll usually wear a short-sleeve t-shirt under it in case I need to adjust the zipper, or remove the sweatshirt completely.
Wide Leg Pant
These wide leg pants have a subtle relaxed fit and are oh-so-comfy. As mentioned above, the regular length is too long for me, so I wear the petite length and they’re the perfect length without hemming.
The wide adjustable waistband lays flat to your body with zero digging, and a tie to further customize the fit. If you prefer a cleaner look without a front cord, try the Wide Leg Track Pant or Zero Waistband Wide Leg Pant.
I love how the wide leg pants look with the half-zip pullover for a perfectly slouch look that’s still put-together.
Slim Straight Pant
As an alternative to my regular wide leg pants, I also own Spanx Air Essentials pants in the slim straight silhouette. These are a slightly tapered pant and hit just above my ankle in the petite length. These are the perfect lightweight fabric pants if you’re looking for a modern ankle fit but don’t want a jogger pant with the elastic at the bottom hem.
Unlike the wide leg pants, the slim straight pants have no drawstring tie for a clean, minimalist look.
Are Spanx Air Essentials Pieces Worth It?
For me, yes, Spanx Air Essentials pieces are worth it. Sometimes products hyped all over the internet are only that, but these have lived up to (and exceeded!) my expectations.
When I first discovered Spanx Air Essentials it was to fill a gap in my closet: elevated loungewear that left me feeling put together without sacrificing comfort, whether I was working at home or boarding a flight.
The buttery soft fabric feels luxurious on the skin, but the real test came after I wore my first set on a very long flight and remained perfectly ventilated the entire time. The unique spacer fabric is highly breathable and feels like air, quite literally living up to the Air Essentials name.
Since then I’ve added two more sets to my closet.
I’ve seen other people touting dupe brands with similar options, and although I haven’t tried them, we all know that when something is that good, attempts to imitate the originals lower price points always make their way into the marketplace. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so I think that in itself is a testament to Spanx Air Essentials.
Spanx Air Essentials Faves
Wide Leg Pants
Buttery Soft Half-Zip
Minimal Straight Pants
I love that the brand offers three lengths in the pants; that you can mix and match silhouettes; that these are machine washable; and that even the more relaxed fits still aren’t sloppy.
Spanx Air Essentials feel more special than your typical loungewear. If you’re looking for a set with a more elevated feel that makes you feel good, they’re worth the purchase.
Where to Buy
Given their popularity, you can find the Spanx Air Essentials collection at several retailers, but the full collection, color options, and pant lengths are available on the Spanx website. Spanx Air Essentials collection is available in sizes XS – 3X and offers three pant lengths to fit a variety of body types and sizes.
Here are a few of my other favorite retailers that sell Spanx Air Essentials:
