Whether the Adidas track pants remind you of Sporty Spice, ’90s hip hop or old school football players, chances are they might conjure some feeling of nostalgia. But these classic trackies, with their signature three stripes running up the leg, are actually very now.

Perhaps you only whip them out of your wardrobe for the gym, a day of running errands or – let’s be real – sitting on the sofa all day. In which case, you should broaden your horizons: yes, sweatpants can be fashion. Don’t let Karl Lagerfeld’s famous quote fool you: “Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life so you bought some sweatpants.” (He was a misogynist and fatphobe anyway, despite his talent.)

Take a look at how the street style experts do it and learn exactly how to style Adidas track pants to be comfy and chic. (People who say you can’t be both are haters!)

Make it smart

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What’s an obvious way to instantly dress up a look? A white shirt, of course. While this combo might sound like dressing in the dark, the contrast of the smart shirt with the relaxed trackies actually adds an interesting tension to your outfit. The shirt, combined with some cool accessories, instantly makes the look feel put together rather than like something you’ve thrown on to run out the door. It might seem weird at first to combine something so casual with elevated pieces, but just style your trackies as you might jeans, and you’ll get the hang of it.

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Make it match

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Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

If styling your track pants is a little daunting, there’s good news. Maybe you don’t have to style them at all. Matching sets are all the rage at the moment, and always serve as a trusty outfit combo when you don’t feel like pulling one together. Go for neutrals if you want something quieter, or vibrant shades like red, pink, blue and yellow if you don’t mind attracting some attention.

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Make it sensual

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If you’re an elder Gen Z or young millennial (or what we now call ‘zillennials’), you might remember the phrase “jeans and a nice top.” “What are you wearing to the party?” “Oh, just jeans and a nice top.” The foolproof outfit formula often comprised of Topshop Joni jeans and some sort of party-appropriate, revealing, sensual top. Well, now you can adapt this combo to trackies. Whether it’s a loose, off-the-shoulder top or something a little tighter, showing some skin on top perfectly offsets the relaxed nature of the trackies.

Make it weird

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Go on, why not have some fun with it? In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a big trend going on at the moment for dresses and skirts layered over trousers. Don’t leave your trackies out of all the fun, try throwing them into the mix if you’re brave enough. If you’d rather not, you can still have some fun with the styling by pairing the bottoms with a crop top and rolling down the waistband. Or match them with quirky prints or any other funky garments you’ve got in your wardrobe.

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Make it preppy

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Another way to elevate the humble tracksuit bottom is to match it with a preppy style on top. A shirt, a blazer, a tie or a sweater vest will all serve to instantly dress up the look, meaning you can wear the trackies to dinner or drinks with friends without looking like you’ve “lost control of your life.” (Thanks, Karl…)

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Make it cosy

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One of the most popular uses of trackies is lounging, after all. So don’t be shy to embrace the cosy look – it’s actually having a moment right now, with the popularity of oversized scarves and fleeced shoes like UGGs. An intentional accessory like warm Moon Boots, a maxi scarf or a fun cardigan will send the message that, yes, you’re cosy, but it’s a choice rather than a lack of effort.

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Make it loud

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Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise! Since trackies are a bit like jeans in that they’re a blank canvas, they give you free rein to take the outfit in almost any direction you want. Exciting accessories – a fluffy bag, a printed puffer, trendy shades, stacks of necklaces – will take the look out of loungewear territory and inject your outfit with lots of fun.

Make it tough

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While tracksuit bottoms might be more readily associated with a puffer jacket than a leather one, this is a combo that has been trending recently. And for good reason: it gives off that impossibly chic off-duty model look. The one that says “I’m comfy because I’m an important person with a busy schedule, but I look good doing it.” Plus, the toughness of a structured leather jacket with the casual trackies is a great juxtaposition.

Make it colourful

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Monochrome is a great way to make any outfit feel intentional. It doesn’t have to be the exact same shade either: go for the ‘ton sur ton’ look, which in French means ‘tone on tone’. Or, if you’re brave, opt for colour blocking! If the recent runways have shown us anything, it’s that colour blocking is back. Pairing solid, vibrant, clashing colours together can sometimes feel even more fashion-forward than matching shades. (You can put almost any colours together, it’s all in the confidence and styling.)

Make it roar

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Merge Sporty Spice with Scary Spice with an outfit that combines trackies with leopard print! For some reason, they work really well together. Perhaps it’s because the statement print does most of the talking, allowing you to go more comfy on the bottom. A strong print will attract the eye so that the rest of the outfit can slip under the radar.

Make it elevated

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Trainers are usually the best companion for tracksuit bottoms. But if you want to elevate the look (quite literally), opt for heels! They instantly make the whole outfit feel a lot more dressy. A luxury handbag will do the trick, too. Whether you go smart or cosy on top, rest assured that the accessories will do most of the work for you.