How to Style, Wear, and Build Your Athleisure Wardrobe

Few items have taken over modern menswear quite like the tracksuit. What used to be reserved for the gym or a lazy Sunday has now become one of the most in-demand pieces in men's fashion sitting comfortably between streetwear, athleisure, and everyday smart-casual style.

Search interest for "men's tracksuit" and "tracksuit sets" has been climbing steadily across the UK, and it's not hard to see why. The tracksuit has officially graduated from loungewear to a genuine wardrobe staple, and at Elegante London, we've built entire collections around making sure men have access to premium, well-fitted, design-led tracksuits that actually look good both in and out of the gym.

In this guide, we're breaking down everything you need to know about the men's tracksuit in 2026 why it's dominating menswear right now, how to choose the right fit, how to style it for different occasions, and which pieces from our tracksuit collection deserve a spot in your wardrobe this season.

Why the Tracksuit Has Become a Menswear Staple

The rise of athleisure has fundamentally changed how men think about getting dressed. A decade ago, tracksuits were strictly "gym only" baggy, mismatched, and often associated with comfort over style. That's no longer the case. Today's tracksuit sets are tailored, considered, and built using premium fabrics that elevate the entire look.

There are a few reasons this shift has happened. Firstly, comfort has become a non-negotiable in menswear. Men want clothing that performs whether that's stretch fabric for movement, breathable materials for warm weather, or simply a relaxed fit that doesn't restrict during a busy day. Secondly, the line between "activewear" and "everyday wear" has blurred completely. A well-fitted tracksuit jacket paired with the right joggers can look just as intentional as a smart-casual outfit, especially when the design details colour blocking, reflective detailing, premium zips are done right.

Lastly, social media and streetwear culture have played a huge role. Influencers, footballers, and celebrities are regularly seen in coordinated tracksuit sets, proving that the matching set isn't just acceptable anymore it's aspirational. Searches for "men's matching tracksuit sets" and "tracksuit outfit ideas" have surged as a result, and brands that can deliver both style and substance are the ones winning attention.

Choosing the Right Tracksuit Fit for Your Body Type

One of the most common mistakes men make with tracksuits is sizing. Getting the fit right is the difference between looking sharp and looking like you've just rolled out of bed.

Slim or Tapered Fit If you're after a modern, streetwear-inspired look, a slim or tapered tracksuit is the way to go. The jacket should sit close to the body without being restrictive, and the joggers should taper down towards the ankle for a clean silhouette. This fit works particularly well with our Vertex Tracksuit Joggers, which feature an adjustable ankle zip so you can fine-tune exactly how tapered you want the leg to sit.

Relaxed Fit For those who prefer a more laid-back look, a relaxed fit tracksuit offers extra room through the body and leg while still maintaining shape. This is a great option for layering over a hoodie in colder months or for all-day comfort when you're not trying to achieve a fitted silhouette.

Cropped or Regular Length Jackets Jacket length matters more than people realise. A slightly cropped tracksuit jacket pairs beautifully with higher-rise joggers and creates a more proportionate, modern look, while a regular-length jacket offers more coverage and warmth ideal for the UK's unpredictable weather.

Colour and Colourway Combinations - Fit isn't the only thing worth thinking about when choosing a tracksuit colour plays a big part in how the overall look comes together. Classic tones like Black, Navy, and Charcoal Light Grey are the easiest to build a wardrobe around, working well as standalone sets or as a base to mix and match with bolder pieces.

For something a little more directional, tonal combinations such as Black Silver Grey, Black Steel Grey, or Hazel Grey bring subtle depth without straying too far from a neutral palette perfect for the slim or tapered fits mentioned above, where a clean silhouette benefits from understated colouring. 

If you want to make more of a statement, shades like Sky Blue, Turquoise, or Neon Green pair brilliantly with a relaxed fit, adding contrast and personality to a more laid-back silhouette.

A useful styling tip is to let your fit dictate your colour choice: tighter, tapered sets tend to look sharper in muted or monochrome tones, while looser, relaxed fits can carry brighter or more unexpected colourways without overwhelming the overall outfit.

How to Style a Tracksuit: From Gym to Street

The beauty of a quality tracksuit is its versatility. Here's how to take one set and make it work across multiple settings.

1. The Classic Matching Set

This is the easiest way to wear a tracksuit and arguably the most popular look in men's streetwear right now. Pairing a matching jacket and joggers like our Vertex Tracksuit instantly creates a cohesive, put-together outfit with zero effort. Add a pair of clean trainers and you've got a look that works for the gym, travel days, casual meetups, or running errands around London.

The Vertex set in particular leans into the detail-driven design that's trending in menswear at the moment think adjustable hood toggles, reflective branding, and laser-cut ventilation. These small touches are what separate a "basic" tracksuit from a genuinely premium one, and they're exactly the kind of details people are searching for when looking for men's activewear that doesn't look generic.

2. Mixing and Matching for a Streetwear Edge

While matching sets are a safe bet, mixing pieces from different colourways or even different tracksuit lines is a great way to create a more individual look. Try pairing a tracksuit jacket in one colourway with joggers in a contrasting or complementary tone for example, the Vertex Full Black jacket with Vertex Mist Light Grey joggers creates a sharp two-tone look that still feels coordinated without being too matchy.

This approach works particularly well for men who want their outfit to feel a little more considered, drawing on the layering and colour-blocking trends that have been dominating streetwear over the past few seasons.

3. Layering for Cooler Days

A tracksuit jacket isn't just for warm weather. With the right layering, it becomes a genuinely functional outerwear piece. Try wearing a long-sleeve top or quarter-zip underneath your tracksuit jacket, then finish the look with the hood toggles adjusted for a snug fit. This is a particularly popular look during the UK's transitional seasons, when a full coat feels like overkill but a t-shirt alone isn't enough.

4. Elevating with Footwear and Accessories

Footwear can completely transform how a tracksuit reads. Paired with chunky trainers, a tracksuit leans into bold streetwear territory. Swap those for cleaner, minimalist trainers and the same outfit suddenly feels more refined and smart-casual ideal for those days when you want comfort without sacrificing polish. Adding a structured crossbody bag or a simple cap can also help pull the whole look together, especially for those building out a full London-ready athleisure wardrobe.

The Importance of Detail: What Makes a Premium Tracksuit Stand Out

When you're shopping for a men's tracksuit, the difference between an average set and a premium one usually comes down to the details. Here's what to look for:

Functional Pockets - Zipped side pockets on both the jacket and joggers aren't just a design feature, they're genuinely useful for keeping your phone, keys, or cards secure during workouts, commutes, or travel.

Reflective Detailing - With more people training outdoors, especially during early mornings or evenings, reflective branding and detailing has become a smart addition to activewear. It's a feature that adds visibility and safety without compromising on style something we've built into pieces across our jacket and joggers ranges.

Adjustability - Toggles at the hood and waist, drawstrings, and adjustable ankle zips all add a level of customisation that allows the tracksuit to fit your body and your preferences, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Fabric Quality - Breathability, stretch, and durability all matter. A tracksuit that holds its shape after multiple washes and feels good against the skin during movement is one that's going to get worn again and again which is exactly what you want from a wardrobe investment piece.

Branding That Adds Rather Than Distracts - Subtle branding details, like a raised silicone logo or reflective lettering, give a tracksuit a premium, considered look without being overly loud. This is a trend that's been growing across men's fashion generally less about big logos, more about quality execution of smaller details.

Building a Capsule Athleisure Wardrobe

If you're investing in tracksuits as part of your everyday wardrobe, it's worth thinking about how the pieces work together as a system rather than one-off purchases. A strong capsule athleisure wardrobe typically includes:

• At least one neutral-toned tracksuit set (black, navy, or grey) that can be worn on its own or mixed with other pieces
• A lighter-coloured set for warmer months or for adding contrast
• A couple of training tees or performance tops that can be layered under jackets
• A versatile pair of joggers that can be dressed up slightly with a polo or smart tee
• One standout colourway that lets you have some fun with your outfit choices

Building your wardrobe this way means every piece works harder, giving you more outfit combinations without needing to constantly buy new items. It's a more sustainable, cost-effective approach to dressing well and it's exactly the mindset behind how we design and release pieces at Elegante London.

The men's tracksuit isn't going anywhere in 2026 if anything, it's becoming more central to how men dress day-to-day. Is this a good thing or bad thing? You decide, but we think there's always a place for it. The key is choosing pieces with the right colour and fit, quality.

Explore our full range of tracksuits, jackets, and joggers to find your next go-to set, and start building an athleisure wardrobe that works as hard as you do.