The two-in-one trouser you can wear almost anywhere

You’re familiar with flexi working but what about flexi wearing? The idea that the line between the clothes we wear indoors, and the ones we hit our commute in can be blurred has created a whole new category: the two in one trouser. Certainly, a hybrid trouser style that has been designed to take you from yoga to the sofa to the office and back again is the smart wardrobe solution we’ve been crying out for, while we all strive to create a better life balance. 

Occupying the space between loungewear and respectable work attire, this trouser style is all about simplicity and comfort. Undoubtedly it is also about improving our daily routines, with style ideas that are multidimensional in their purpose. And it’s sports and lifestyle brands that have really got behind this idea, with Sweaty Betty very much a leader in its field. Along with a signature offering of leggings and coloured sports bras, Sweaty Betty now offers a growing range of athleisure pieces which are designed to equip women for life beyond the gym. 

A chambray-effect pair of wide-leg, cropped trousers are a fine example. Offering the perfect marriage of flexibility with an of-the-moment silhouette, these will work just as well for Hatha yoga as they do with your favourite blazer and a diary packed with meetings. Sweaty Betty is also currently advocating a hybrid jumpsuit – great for pilates and beyond. 

Away from the gym, lifestyle label Hush – known for its tactile pieces and easy-to-wear ideas – is well versed in flexible trouser styles, with leopard-print track pants among the most coveted items in the current collection. With jersey fabrics a focus, Hush’s remit is about clothes that feel as good on the body as they look which means no irritating buckles and awkward fastenings. If you’re a tracksuit devotee for whom even a hybrid is a step too far, there’s also the opportunity to repurpose their trouser choice for a life beyond the front door.

Invest in a luxurious, well-fitting pair of joggers such as the premium styles seen at Whistles and experiment with styling. A pair of thick-soled sandals and a silk T-shirt will give your joggers a smart new lease of life. More tailored pieces like a boyfriend-cut blazer worn with boxfresh trainers will also add a new dimension to a classic pair of track pants. 

Key to this relaxed new look is that you opt for a hybrid trouser that fits you well. While oversized styles may feel good on the sofa they may not go down well when you return to the office, so seek out your true size and avoid anything with too much slouch. It’s also worth investing in quality – trousers that sag at the knees and bobble at the bottom are not the flexible friend you hoped they would be.