Here at HQ, we’re firm believers that tracksuit bottoms should not only be the most comfortable item of clothing in your wardrobe (for obvious reasons), but also retain a level of polish that makes them more than just a sofa-bound staple. Sounds simple enough? Yet somehow, so many miss the mark.

The best pairs, however, have an ability to make even the most thrown-together outfit look considered, whether they’re worn with a simple T-shirt and trainers for a weekend stroll, dressed up with a cropped coat and ballet flats for the commute, or simply pulled on for a day spent working from home. In other words, the humble tracksuit bottom is no longer confined to gym class and lazy Sundays; instead it’s a genuine wardrobe workhorse that’s well worth getting right.

And while there are plenty of designer iterations that have earned a place in the fashion set’s wardrobes, you don’t need to spend a fortune to find a pair that delivers. Our favourite styles come from Uniqlo; the brand that has long been a go-to for its well-cut, hard-wearing basics, with its tracksuit offering spanning everything from classic straight-leg silhouettes to more directional, voluminous shapes.

We’ve tried on Uniqlo’s latest tracksuit line-up to bring you the best styles to invest in this autumn and wear well beyond.

Uniqlo C: Sweat Wide Trousers

Mia wearing the wide Uniqlo tracksuit bottoms in grey.

Mia wearing the wide Uniqlo tracksuit bottoms in black.

“Some might say I was a little overexcited when I first tried on the Uniqlo C tracksuit bottoms, but I assure you they’re worth the hype. I’ve worn them for everything from long weekends and pub trips to the occasional office day, styling them with everything from bomber jackets to blue-striped shirts and ballet pumps. With a sturdy and adjustable waistband that sits on the hips perfectly, and hems that can be cinched for a balloon-like shape or left wide-leg, I think I might just have found the elevated, yet affordable, one-and-done tracksuit to rule them all.” –

Uniqlo: C Sweat Straight Trousers

Augustine wearing the straight-leg Uniqlo: C tracksuit bottoms in grey.

Augustine wearing the straight-leg Uniqlo: C tracksuit bottoms in grey.

The brand’s newest take on the tracksuit bottom has all the appeal of the original version, but comes with a straighter leg, front seam and thicker waistband. The bottoms are made from the same heavyweight, soft fabric that feels nice against the skin, and I’d say this style feels like a more wearable alternative to the baggier, more balloon-like shape of the originals. The only downside is that this style doesn’t have pull-cords for tightening the hems. I would consider getting these in the “shorter” length so they don’t drag on the floor as in the photograph above, or having them taken up slightly.” –

Augustine wearing the wide tracksuit bottoms in black.

Augustine wearing the wide tracksuit bottoms in black.

“This style from the mainline collection has all the appeal of a pair of vintage tracksuit bottoms. Made from a slightly different fabrication to the pairs above, they feel a little more lived-in from the get-go, with a super-stretchy drawstring waistband and a free-flowing, wide-leg silhouette. They’re the kind of trousers you could quite happily spend an entire Sunday in, but with the right styling, they can easily be taken beyond the confines of the sofa. I’d wear mine with an oversized shirt and trainers for a low-key weekend look, or swap in a fitted knit and ballet flats when I want to make them feel a little more considered.” –