Plenty of people pull on a tracksuit for a morning workout and then end up doing the big shop in it, the school run, maybe a quick stop at the chemist. Some sets handle that fine.
Others look a bit sorry for themselves by the time you're in the bread aisle. The cut is usually what makes the difference, more than the fabric or the price.
The Tapered Jogger
Nearly everyone has a pair of these somewhere. They're a little loose at the top of the leg and they narrow down to a ribbed cuff at the ankle.
The cuff is handy. It keeps the hem out of puddles in the car park, and it won't catch on the pedals of a spin bike either.
They go wrong at the hips. A really baggy pair looks like it's been slept in, which no one wants at the checkout. Something with a gentle taper and a bit of room in the seat looks far tidier.
Add a zip-up jacket that finishes around the hip and it looks like a set. Cotton blends are soft, though a pair with some stretch is much nicer once you start moving.
The Straight Leg
Straight legs are the easiest of the lot to wear in town. The trouser drops in a clean line from the hip, with no cuff at the bottom, so the hem just sits over your trainers.
From a distance, it looks more like a pair of casual trousers than gym kit. That's the whole appeal.
Length is the thing to get right. If the hem drags, it'll get caught under your feet on the rowing machine, and it'll be soaked after one rainy walk to the bus stop.
A lot of women's tracksuits with a straight leg come in short and long fits now. The right one just touches the top of the shoe.
A boxy half-zip top goes with it nicely, since it balances out the wider leg.
Thin jersey isn't great here. It clings to the leg and loses that straight shape. A heavier knit keeps its line, even after a sweaty hour on the cross trainer.
The Slim Stretch Fit
This is the cut that feels most like proper sportswear. The trousers sit close to the leg without being as tight as leggings. There's plenty of give in the fabric.
So nothing rides up or bunches when you're doing lunges or stretching on a mat.
To make it work outside the gym, it's mostly down to the jacket. A fitted track top with a high collar smartens the whole outfit up straight away. Darker colours help too.
Navy and black hide sweat patches, and they look neater walking down the high street.
Most women's tracksuits in this cut are a polyester mix with some elastane in it. It dries quickly and doesn't come out of the gym bag looking crumpled.
Before buying, it's worth bending over in front of the changing room mirror. Stretchy fabric can go see-through. If it does, it's not going to feel great in the supermarket either.
The Relaxed Co-Ord
Oversized sets are the trendiest of the four, and they're still fine for some exercise. The bottoms are roomy all over, usually with an elastic waist and a wide leg or a loose cuff. On top there's normally a big hoodie or a sweatshirt with dropped shoulders. It's lovely for a long day of running about.
All that fabric does get in the way during a hard session, though. It's better for a yoga class or a long walk with the dog. If the plan is a heavier workout, a fitted vest underneath sorts that out. Take the hoodie off to train and pop it back on for the drive home.
Wearing the top and bottom in the same colour is what stops it looking scruffy. The loose shape then looks like a choice. Grey marl and sage turn up a lot in relaxed women's tracksuits, and both look smart enough for lunch out with a friend. White trainers finish it off.
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