THE GREAT TRACKIE DEBATE
Are track pants the
new trousers?
I’m going to say yes.
The Nike burgundy knit — substantial enough to hang like a proper trouser.
And I think it’s time we stopped treating this as a controversial opinion.
I have always loved a tracksuit moment, as long as it’s done with intention. There is a version of this look that is polished, considered and genuinely stylish, and a version that looks like you couldn’t be bothered. The difference between the two is smaller than you’d think.
This is the version I’m interested in.
TIP 01
The coat trick
Let’s start with the easiest one. If you’re not ready to fully commit to the elevated trackie look, throw a fabulous coat over your tracksuit and add a pair of big sunglasses. The coat does all the heavy lifting, it immediately shifts the whole thing from casual to intentional, and the sunglasses add that final layer of polish. It’s a no-brainer, and it works every single time.
TIP 02
The pants that started this conversation
What I’m really excited about right now is the wide-leg tracksuit pant. Specifically, the Adidas wide-leg style and I recently caved and bought a Nike pair in the most gorgeous burgundy knit fabric that I simply could not walk away from. (I’ll be honest: I have absolutely no idea who Jordan is, but clearly he has excellent taste in fabric.)
The reason these work so well comes down to one thing: weight. The fabric is substantial enough to hang and drape properly on the body, which means it moves the way a good trouser moves. That’s the secret. A light, flimsy fabric will always look like gym wear. A weighty, well-constructed fabric looks like a considered choice.
Treat them exactly as you would your favourite pair of trousers.
TIP 03
How to style them
That means pairing them with a crisp cotton shirt, a fine wool knit, a blazer, or a coat. Any of these will immediately elevate the pant and anchor the look in the polished-casual space rather than the just-rolled-out-of-bed space.
Shoes matter enormously here. Step away from the chunky gym trainer it will pull the whole look back into activewear territory. Instead, reach for a cleaner, sleeker sneaker, ballet flats, the new loafer silhouette, or a pointy boot. Each of these keeps the look feeling intentional.
And please, always create some shape at the waist. A half tuck or full tuck of your top will do it. If you’d rather not tuck, try tying a sweater loosely around your waist instead it gives the illusion of a cinched-in waistline, and adds another layer of that effortless, thrown-together-but-not-really energy that makes this look so appealing.
A Friday uniform worth having
For me, this is the ultimate Friday or weekend look. Comfortable enough to actually enjoy your day, styled enough that you don’t feel like you’ve given up. That balance is everything.
Would you wear this trend? I’d love to know where you stand on the great trackie debate.
YOUR MOVE
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