Following the same line

Let’s admit(!) like it or not tracksuits are no longer an exclusively gym outfit, suits can be worn with sneakers and sweatshirts have become a wardrobe essential. Fashion, like anything else, evolves and happens to often converge in favour of sportiness and comfort. It seemed to be an ephemeral fashion, but the side stripe trousers have come to stay and they’ve hit the market for yet another season. Although, at first it felt as though we were never going to surrender to its charm now there is no shop window or wardrobe that can resist it. First, it was the ‘it girls’ like, Olivia Palermo who dared to combine the trousers with a blouse and ankle boots making them pass almost like any other regular bottoms. Soon after, they were embraced by many other fashion visionaries giving the new craze a personal touch converting everyone into a fan of the trend wearing one, day, night, summer or winter. Even so, going for this option is not always easy, the trousers have been, without a doubt, a successful out-turn for a few seasons now and hide more possibilities than you may think. The trend had taken every form by 2016, managing to be on classic jeans, palazzo or suit trousers, and fashion has been ‘tinged’ with a sporty personality ever since. If you have previously invested in them, you are in luck, because this autumn/winter you could easily continue to take advantage of them for many occasions.

Proof that trousers with side stripes are already more than acceptable for different occasions was the fact that fashion designers went crazy for them in 2018. There were versions of thin stripes at the Balmain catwalk, Prada showed coordinated tops, while Valentino presented retro sportswear. Basically, if you did not have lines on your legs in the spring-summer 2018 season, you were not following men's fashion. The key in making the side stripes work without being too sporty is balance. Yes, you can wear trainers with them, but you will need to add a fitted shirt for a less sporty look. Designers like Alexander McQueen and Neil Barrett also decided to incorporate side stripes into their designs, giving menswear a new element. And while the classy menswear was still one of the biggest movements in menswear that season, it is this graphic touch that added a much-needed dose of sporty and dynamic energy to the trousers. It’s worth remembering that this well-debated garment is nowhere near a sporty piece, but it is not a fancy one either which by we conclude that you can wear it with just about anything and just about anywhere. But, let's face it, the aesthetic was a reminiscent of the mythical Adidas sweatpants causing certain stylistic doubts of looking like you had just left the gym. Despite everything, the sporty style has already become the king of 'street style', making the tracksuit a real bet putting 'athleisure' within everyone's reach.

As you might already have noticed, I love mixing smart looks with casual garments and vice versa. I wanted to elevate this one by adding smart elements to the jeans giving it then the right balance. I love how these trousers fit and how beautiful the blue side line looks going all the way up the waist in contrast with the predominant ivory. I am wearing this with a Cuban-collar, short-sleeve shirt made of poplin fabric perfect for the summer high temperatures and a double-breasted navy blazer. I have chosen multi-coloured brogues to go with and a vivid-yellow, crossbody bag to add some contrast and boldness to the look. Moving on to the accessories, I am wearing a vintage watch my dad gave to me some years ago with a tan watchband and gold colour sunglasses vital for these glorious sunny days.