I Searched for the Perfect Joggers for a Year and Finally Found This $24 Pair at Target

When it comes to shopping and style, I'm a fairly decisive person (or at least I like to think that I am). However, my typical ways went off the rails because I went on a yearlong quest to find a pair of joggers. My must-have list didn't seem too exhaustive: mid-rise, ribbing at the waist and around the ankles, and a sweatpant-like feel. But after exploring multiple retailers, purchasing and returning a few misses, and talking to friends, I started to come to the conclusion that I was trying to find a pair of women's joggers designed from gold rather than an all-too-common pandemic closet item. I refused to give up (I was too far down the rabbit hole), and Target finally delivered.

During the holiday season, I popped into Target to pick up a few essentials — and that was the moment when I spotted the All in Motion French Terry Joggers. They only had a few pairs in stock, so I decided to confirm my size before I got too excited about a color. I find All in Motion styles do fit true-to-size, and these joggers were not an exception—they fit perfectly in my typical size and were incredibly comfortable from the moment I put them on. So I did a quick search on the store's site to see what others had to say about these pants, and it seemed like my quest for the perfect joggers had finally come to an end.

"I love them so much," wrote one five-star reviewer. "[The pants] are slim through the leg but not tight, and the pockets are deep." And the praise didn't stop there.

"Love them," added another reviewer. "They wash up really nice and are so comfortable. Getting them in every color."

To buy: $24; target.com.

So what's so special about these pants? Well, the Target joggers are made from 58 percent cotton, 38 percent recycled polyester, and four percent spandex. That combination means they are soft like sweatpants, rather than designed for wicking sweat, like my workout leggings, and they have yet to shrink in the wash. I was intrigued by the drawstring at the top, which I have to admit serves a style purpose rather than a fit purpose. But the joggers do have my requested ribbing at the waist and the ankles, and they have pockets that function. Need I say more?

To buy: $24; target.com.

What really stood out about these pants though, was how they easily became something I could wear no matter the temperature, while still managing to look comfy yet polished. After I purchased the joggers, I wore them for the first time when I was traveling. I instantly discovered that the lighter weight of the fabric was as perfect to wear on a warm walk on the beach as it was to wear once temperatures dipped by 20 degrees later in the week. I also loved being able to effortlessly pair a casual long sleeve shirt or a relaxed T-shirt with my joggers and still look (and feel) just as put together with my go-to pair of sneakers.

The lesson I learned during my jogger search is to wait for what you want. Then when you find it, buy it in all of the colors (olive, gray, and black) before it sells out. Seriously, the joggers have sold out multiple times, so shop while sizes and colors are available.