Yes, you can get away with gymwear outside the gym. Here’s how to do it in spring 2018.

If there’s a form of clothing that’s undergone a more dramatic reinvention in recent years than sweats (that is, sweatshirts, track pants and all their zipped and hooded cousins), we have yet to hear about it. Sure, sweats are still technically the best choice of outfit for a hungover Netflix binge. But now, thanks to forward-looking brands such as Gucci and Balenciaga, they’re more than permissible elsewhere, too, from the office to business class to well, naturally, the gym.

Indeed, athleisure (as it’s now known) seems to be more of a school of style than a trend per se. It keeps hanging around, with an increasingly vast selection of tailored, technical fits and extraordinarily high-quality sweats now available from some of our favourite designers, and everyone from Mr Kanye West to Mr Zac Efron seamlessly working them into their ensembles. In our opinion, there’s simply something about comfort that looks good on everyone.

If you’re thinking of adding some sweats to your own wardrobe, these are the pieces we think are worth investing in. We recommend going for something that’ll stand up to repeated use. Once you’ve given them a try, you’re likely to want to wear them almost everywhere. Just don’t call them joggers.

The best clothes are capable of expressing emotion. Consider, for instance, the Thom Browne outfit Ms Michelle Obama chose for her husband’s second inauguration in 2013, and the sense of hope it needed to embody. This zip-up bomber may not be entirely presidential, but that doesn’t stop it from creating its own very real feelings, in this case, unparalleled comfort, thanks to the Japanese-made loopback cotton and a certain muscular athleticism derived from the tennis-themed print, itself inspired by vintage sportswear. Hey, if it’s good enough for the former FLOTUS, it’s good enough for us.

CMMN SWDN’s SS18 collection was noted for channelling the hedonism of 1970s Miami. These Art Deco-inspired track pants are an integral part of that, fusing a laid-back sports silhouette with sheeny satin fabric and an eye-catching grosgrain trim up the length of each leg. This all might sound a little daunting, but they’re not at all difficult to pull off. Just picture Ocean Drive, pick up a pair of oversized shades and throw on a printed camp-collar shirt. Everyone will think that summer’s come early, and you’re the man to thank for it.

As the name suggests, Save Khaki United is a brand with a heavy emphasis on a certain cotton-twill fabric. Its collections are designed to tick two important boxes: comfort and fit. The label’s aesthetic borrows much from American sportswear, which is where this fleece-back sweatshirt comes in. It’s understated, comfortable against the skin and has a regular fit that’s hard not to love. Where it diverges from the template, however, is its garment-dyed colour – a light dusky pink. Yes, it’s perhaps a step beyond the usual sweats comfort zone, but who said they all had to be grey? Rebel against convention and wear it with a pair of light-coloured chinos and some white tennis shoes.

As arguably the most-hyped brand of 2017, it’s no surprise that Balenciaga’s contribution to the season’s sweats makes itself heard above the noise. In this case, the statement comes with a side of irony so arch it might as well be the McDonald’s logo. The bold graphic print takes the wearer on a confusing, whistle-stop tour of the world’s fashion capitals: Paris, New York and London. Creative director Mr Demna Gvasalia is known for his love of “ugly” chic, but we think this is as elegant as it gets. Wear with a pair of distressed jeans and a shell or denim (or both) jacket for that couldn’t-care-less-what-you-think look.

Mr Marcus Wainwright co-founded the New York-based label Rag & Bone with his (now ex) business partner Mr David Neville in 2002. Last year, with Mr Neville’s departure, he became its sole chief executive, taking responsibility for the company’s mastery of high-quality tailoring and relaxed, urban cool onto his own desk. These sleek, comfy sweatpants are evidence that Mr Wainwright’s tenure is off to a good start. Slim-cut with a tapered fit, they’re ideal for any occasion, from a long-haul flight to a weekend stroll. Wear them with a denim shirt and a white henley for a stylishly relaxed off-duty look.

Italian master tailor Brunello Cucinelli is known for treating its employees like family, not to mention donating 20 per cent of the label’s profits to its charity foundation. That feel-good sensibility extends to the clothing, too. You see it in this cotton-blend jersey hoodie. It’s cut with the care you’d expect of the finest Italian three-piece suit, made of a sublimely soft cotton blend and guaranteed to make the wearer feel every bit as good as the admirable business ethics behind its design. Wear it with one of the brand’s superlative bomber jackets, or, if you really want to up your game, a pair of cashmere sweatpants.

Vetements’ collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger was certainly an unexpected twist in the tale of 2017, but it sort of makes sense. The collision of Hilfiger’s apple-pie Americana with Vetements’ ultra-ironic Euro cool was never going to disappoint, and, in the case of this oversized, cotton-blend jersey piece, it reaches a sort of transatlantic logo nirvana. Pair with your favourite pair of plaid trousers and a pair of 1990s-inspired sneakers from Gucci.

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