We're Officially Team Track Pants and You Should Be, Too

Remember athleisure? It really took hold during the pandemic when we all stayed home and comfort was queen. Of course, fashion-mined folk always have to have a little sartorial spin on even the most chill ensembles. Back then track pants were a vital member of our loungewear strategy. While some may have traded them for barrel-leg jeans or hot pants, we encourage those select few to rethink their decision.

Why? Because the pants are surprisingly versatile. Just ask the street style set. It's not uncommon to see the usually side-striped silhouette topped off by the coordinating jacket or a striking blouse or bold T-shirt. Honestly, practically anything goes. Especially if you favor black or blue versions with classic white accents.

Another indicator of their prowess? All the designer versions. Balenciaga famously teamed up with Adidas on several logo-clad pairs. In one case, the pants came with heels attached. It label Wales Bonner offers options that coordinate beautifully with its sponsored Sambas. Naturally, the sportswear experts over at Lacoste created numerous iterations. Loewe, JW Anderson, Chloe, Gucci and even Rick Owens are all over the trend, too. The prices of these pieces reflect their designer upbringing. The aforementioned Balenciaga items run several thousand dollars. That's several thousand dollars we don't have. So our picks top off at $1,800. (That may seem like a lot, but Gucci usually demands more of an investment.)

As always, we found quite a few lower-cost alternatives. Adidas' original track pants are pretty perfect as-is. Other sporty labels are also great resources for affordable pairs. Splits59's blood orange set adds the perfect pop of color to any outfit. The Upside's navy pick works in the gym and out on the street. Zara and H&M have options that look way more expensive than they really are. And X-Girl flips the script with contrast piping for under $150.

When it comes to styling, buying the complementary track jacket is always a good idea. It's not required, however. Not only do our top choices perform well with any kind of topper, they work great with any type of footwear. Sneakers, natch. Although we highly recommend sporting them with heels for a chic finish.

Here are the best ones to add to your athleisure roster.