Traditionally, tracksuit bottoms have been the enemy of fashion. But lockdown has brought change. Last week, Anna Wintour, Vogue editor in chief, stunned many fashionistas by posting a photo of her work-from-home outfit: a Breton top and joggers. According to the tracking firm Edited, sales of sweatpants are up 36% compared with the same period in 2019, while searches have increased by 2,000% since last March on influencer platform Liketoknowit.com. The pandemic has softened towards the tracksuit bottom; elevating it to the work-from-home trouser of choice. "Most people just want an easy, quick choice in these times. They have become the new jeans-and-nice-top," explains fashion stylist Bianca Nicole.

But not everyone is convinced. Last week, Adam Tschorn, deputy fashion editor of the LA Times , wrote an impassioned plea against the rise of the tracksuit bottom in our work-from-home environment. The popularity of the jogging bottom has prompted questions about our postcoronavirus workwear: will we be trading our pencil skirts and chinos for something with an elasticated waist?

Full article: no sweat, tracksuits become lockdown fashion

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