Comfortable, but chic
Don't dismiss the tracksuit when you're looking for something comfortable to wear on WFH days. The late Karl Lagerfeld might have believed sweatpants to be a sign of defeat, but there’s something about a matching top and bottoms – like lingerie, tailoring and pyjamas – that looks pulled-together, even if it's not.
Fashion has witnessed the rise and rise of athleisure in the past decade, but right now it’s the tracksuit enjoying the spotlight. After years of slick, skintight silhouettes, futuristic fabrics and cycling shorts dominating, sportswear is going back to its roots. Cast your mind back to retro track and field kits, and you’ll get the gist: generous fits, heavy-duty jersey and loop-back cotton, tri-colour stripes and heather-grey hues.
This tracksuit, in its most classic form, is what the fashion set are turning to right now. But, while it’s a given that it's ideal for lounging around in at home, trust us when we say you'll want to wear yours outside of the house too. Just look to the style influencer set for inspiration – like Gilda Ambrosio, who elevates hers with a dusting of diamond jewellery. Or Thor Valdimars, who once styled hers with Bottega shoes and a bucket hat. Jeanette Madsen favours pairing a tracksuit with tailored coats and combat boots, while Pernille Teisbaek likes to layer a blazer over hers.
If you’re suitably intrigued, keep scrolling, because we’ve rounded up an edit of luxe tracksuits you need to treat yourself to now more than ever.
Loewe
Departing from its usual abstract aesthetic, Loewe has been leaning into athleisurewear recently; first came the sell-out logo tank top and now a collection of Nineties-inspired tracksuits. This set is generously cut for an oversized fit with straight-leg trousers and a boxy jacket, so it's both comfortable and cool.
Tracksuit jacket, £875, and trousers, £625, loewe.com
Adanola
Adanola might just have taken the top spot when it comes to the most-loved athleisure brands – the UK-based label reported YoY growth of 311 per cent last year. Its logo-stamped sweats, beloved for their heavy-duty jersey and voluminous, Nineties-inspired shapes, have fast become Instagram catnip. They're also a celebrity favourite: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Kaia Gerber and Stephanie Shepherd are big fans.
Sweatshirt, £54.99, and joggers, £52.99, adanola.com
Life of Ease
It makes perfect sense that Life of Ease launched in 2020, during lockdown – the British brand specialises in louche loungewear, pyjama-inspired separates and retro tracksuits. It's this old-school set we love the most, though, with its cropped track jacket and flattering side-stripe pants.
Track jacket, £145, and pants, £125, johnlewis.com
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Sporty & Rich
Founded in 2015, Sporty & Rich’s logo-adorned tracksuits are loved by the likes of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Hailey Bieber. This navy cotton jersey set perfectly exemplifies the brand’s Eighties aesthetic – it takes inspiration from classic country club attire and the iconic Sloane Ranger uniform.
Sweatshirt, £185, and track pants, £160, net-a-porter.com
Gucci
Luxe tracksuits have been a Gucci signature ever since then-creative director Alessandro Michele first reintroduced streetwear elements to the house codes back in 2015. We particularly like all the retro details on this cream set – from the sporty ribbing, to the appliquéd logo and the brand’s signature webbing.
Jacket, £1,450, and track pants, £1,000, net-a-porter.com
Tory Sport
Tory Burch's sport department is one of the best places to shop for women's tracksuits. Every season, the Seventies-inspired lineup – think stretch-crepe jackets with funnel necks, kick-flare pants and sporty side stripes – never fails to disappoint.
Track jacket, £335, and pants, £410, toryburch.com
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Rotate Birger Christensen
Sunday, Rotate Birger Christensen's sister loungewear brand, launched during the UK's second lockdown in 2020 – talk about perfect timing. Thanks to Nineties-inspired silhouettes, organic cotton-jersey and logo appliqués, the tracksuits became instant Instagram catnip. If dressing down isn't your thing, make like the brand's founders, Thora Valdimars and Jeanette Madsen, and pair yours with heels instead.
Sweatshirt, £70, and track pants, £72, net-a-porter.com
Adidas x Stella McCartney
Since Adidas’ partnership with prolific British fashion designer Stella McCartney began nearly 10 years ago, it has been producing quality sportswear with a directional twist. This staple black set may look simple at first glance, but the uber-cropped hemline and open-back silhouette bring a streetwear vibe.
Sweatshirt, £64, and sweatpants, £140, mytheresa.com
Adidas x Wales Bonner
Part of Adidas Originals’ fifth collaboration with the London-based designer Grace Wales Bonner, this tracksuit nods to both Jamaican streetwear looks as well as traditional British tailoring. The result is a grown-up take on loungewear, featuring structured straight-leg trousers and a Seventies-inspired Harrington jacket.
Jacket, £132, and track pants, £126, net-a-porter.com
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Varley
A favourite among the fashion set, Varley’s gloriously soft tracksuits are chic enough to be worn in or out of the house. Instantly elevate yours for Zoom meetings with gold jewellery, then throw on a wrap coat and ground with white trainers when running errands.
Sweatshirt, £126, and sweatpants, £105, mytheresa.com
