Adidas track pants have spent decades drifting in and out of the fashion conversation – although, arguably, they never really left. Depending on your cultural reference point, the three-striped trousers might bring to mind Sporty Spice, '90s hip-hop, old-school football managers or the cool girl in your secondary school who somehow made her PE kit look chic. Nostalgic they may be, but Adidas track pants are also very much part of the current fashion landscape.
Perhaps you only whip them out of your wardrobe for the gym, a day of running errands or – let's be real – sitting on the sofa all day. In which case, you should broaden your horizons: yes, sweatpants can be fashion. Don't let Karl Lagerfeld's famous quote fool you: “Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life so you bought some sweatpants.” (He was a misogynist and fatphobe anyway, despite his talent.)
The rise of athleisure already blurred the line between sportswear and the rest of our wardrobes, but recent trends have taken the humble track pant even further. Blokecore brought football shirts, retro trainers and terrace style back into the fold, while gorpcore made technical outerwear and practical layers feel entirely appropriate beyond a hiking trail. Add fashion’s renewed enthusiasm for ’90s and Y2K sportswear, and those three stripes suddenly look less like something reserved for five-a-side and more like a genuinely versatile styling tool.
Take a look at how the street-style set wears them and you’ll find Adidas track pants paired with everything from oversized blazers and ballet flats to leather jackets, kitten heels and crisp shirts.
Here’s exactly how to style Adidas track pants while remaining both comfortable and chic. Anyone who insists you can’t be both is simply lacking imagination.
