Who goes out in a tracksuit? While popular wisdom warns against wearing sportswear staples such as trainers and sweatpants outside of their ‘intended’ context, they can be incorporated into a look that is fashionable, hyper-cool, even sexy. Sure, if I’m in Sainsbury’s at 10pm in an old hoodie, it is no bold fashion statement, but the comfort and effortlessness of this kind of dressing is something the fashion world is taking seriously.

Looking good is not simply a question of dressing formally, and no one wants to live their daily life according to the strictures of black tie. Sure enough, streetwear as a genre of fashion is a reaction to this, as is the recent trend towards 90s throwback athletic looks - we all know someone who rolls up to every lecture in Adidas wear. But athletic fashion has moved beyond the street and onto the runway. The radical Russian designer Gosha Rubchinskiy has now shown several shows at Paris Fashion Week with models dressed like Soviet Olympic hopefuls, and many established fashion houses, even brands steeped in the traditionalism of French couture such as Saint Laurent and Christian Dior, are embracing sweatshirts and sports shoes.

Luxury is no longer just about big fur coats and couture dresses - Alexander Wang is probably the pioneer of this kind of casual luxe. His incredibly popular collections are influenced by those young urbanites who tend to stay in their gym kit for a little longer than necessary, because they appreciate the comfort and practicality they provide. Wang himself has often said that he doesn’t play any sports - the key to the evolution of this trend is that sportswear is now largely divorced from its origins. Brands like Wang, Acne Studios and Christopher Raeburn take casual staples and pay close attention to their form and construction. In doing so, they elevate these clothes above their humble origins, so a casual athletic piece can be not just stylish, but in fact luxurious.

Basic rules of fit and tailoring apply equally as well in a casual context as on Savile Row - if you are going to step out in joggers, you might want to be extra certain they fit and hang well. Another key to this casual luxe trend is the application of unconventional fabrics. This often comes in the form of high-quality traditional textiles not normally associated with sportswear, such as tailored twill fabrics, silk and even leather, as the newfound function of athletic garments has freed designers from the need to stick to ultra-efficient materials.

Nonetheless, some brands stay truer to the origins of sportswear, exploiting new, manmade fibres for a futuristic, durable look, applying the athletic notion of maximising performance to everyday wear. Perhaps all this attention to detail is all the more appealing because we still feel deep down that it’s a daring move to deliberately dress in sporty clothing when all the activity we’re doing that day is walking to Sidgwick and back.
For those who can afford it, it makes perfect sense to seek the security of assured quality and design when attempting this kind of aesthetic.

But what about those of us seeking athletic chic on a Sports Direct budget? The best bet is to opt for structured styles in more complex fabrics. For sweatpants or joggers, look for elastane mixes and don’t be afraid of polymers - this is one context in which 100 per cent cotton is worth avoiding. T-shirts made from silk blends provide a casual drape while maintaining a flattering silhouette. If you commit to this look, lose the mindset that “it’s only a tracksuit”. There is no reason to skimp on athletic basics if you want to pull this off, and even going for traditional performance sportswear brands such as Nike over cheaper options can ensure you look effortless rather than just like you just stopped caring. Most importantly, confidence in what you are wearing will help you nail sport-luxe - you want it to be obvious that you are dressed like this on purpose.