Dressed-Up Track Pants Are the New Trousers—How to Style Them

Calling all office sirens looking for an alternative to trousers: Beloved by off-duty models and neighborhood it-girls alike, track pants have our attention this fall. In a natural progression of this summer’s gym short trend, there’s been an uptick in pared-back athletic trousers contrasted against dressier staples—including bubble tops, ruffled blouses, and luxe sweaters. If you need any more convincing, we’ve spotted this low-maintenance pants style on fashion-forward celebrities including Alexa Chung, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jennifer Lawrence, and Chloë Sevigny. Ahead, dig deeper into fall’s most sporty-chic trend and discover seven ways to dress up track pants, complete with product picks.

About the Trend

The humble track pants might have once been relegated to sweaty treadmills and late-night bodega runs, but we’re now letting this low-maintenance piece joyfully see the light of day. True to the ever-swinging pendulum of online trends, we first spotted unexpected iterations of this classic athletic piece across our social feeds (particularly over on Pinterest and TikTok) and fashion-forward apparel collections in the spring.

This made way for the summer adoption of the gym-shorts-and-frilly-blouse combo, a Carrie Bradshaw-approved look which gave an earnest nod to the OG sporty-spice piece. The full-length version won the hearts of designers like Sandy Liang, who introduced a frilly spin on the classic athletic pants earlier this year. More recently, creative minds at Old Navy dug into brand archives to offer refreshed versions of retro track pants, and Edikted added teeny bows to their wide-leg version.

This trend earns our stamp of approval for two reasons: One, this “soccer mom”-backed piece is likely already stashed in the back of your closet or easily thrifted. Even better? As fall melts into blustery days of winter, this trend’s lifespan will predictably transform into an even more visually interesting combo—think exaggerated faux-fur jackets and thick knit sweaters. (At least, if our gaze into our proverbial Pinterest crystal ball holds any merit.) To get you started on the infinite possibilities, scroll on for seven ways to style this viral style staple.

How to Dress Up Track Pants

Vibrant Varsity

The secret to this cool-girl style? Confidence (of course), plus just the right amount of color and aesthetic blocking. Stack layers of dressed-up basics on top—including a formal blazer and sleek sunglasses—while keeping your bottom half more unexpected. Pointed-toe stilettos add the right spark of contrast, pulling together the head-to-toe look.

Throwback Trousers

The ‘90s had an undeniable impact on today’s trend cycle, and vintage streetwear is no exception. Lean into this sporty piece’s vintage past with a sweet gingham button-down and tiny sunglasses reminiscent of yesteryear. Metallic ballet flats and a structural crossbody—both foundational trends this year—keep the look fresh for 2024.

Low-Lift Lilac

The track pants trend runs the gamut from sporty minimalism to dressed-up femininity, so rest assured that even a workwear-inspired look lands on that spectrum. If your dress code sways creative, try debuting soft lavender trousers during an in-office day. Build the look with structured basics, such as a striped button-down and fitted blazer, to balance out the casual vibe on the bottom.

Cobalt Combo

EmRata knows her way around a streetwear look, and here, she demonstrates a slightly more polished take on comfortable staples. Try elevating your classic sporty trousers with a sleek turtleneck and chic accessories to match pace. A primary color palette of vibrant hues adds a distinct sportswear feel to even the dressiest elements.

Renaissance Retro

Count us enamored with the latest resurgence of boho aesthetics, but this time they’re back with an athleisure twist. This best-of-both-worlds ensemble juxtaposes sporty basics with another of the season’s hottest trends—big, bold ruffled blouses—for a OOTD-worthy spin on, well, spin class attire. Lean further into the maximalism with an ostrich feather-embellished bag, just for fun.

Sporty Silver

If your style leans more futuristic than retro, place your own spin on the athletic trend with a metallic finish on a similar pants silhouette. (Read: Go for monochromatic mirrorball vibes.) Coordinate a silver pair of pull-on trousers with a shimmery bustier in a similar fabric.

Fuchsia and Floral

Track pants have versatility and range, meaning that they’re even well-suited for a sweet floral top. Try pairing a simple pair of athletic pants with a bold mesh blouse, pulling it all together with a playful fuchsia handbag. The objective is high-contrast, and we’d readily declare that this look secures major fashion points.