photo courtesy of Acielle / Styledumonde.com

5 Activewear-Centric Wardrobe Updates

Beyond the obvious comfort factor, borrowed-from-gym-class staples can read both retro and of-the-moment when weaved into an office/weekend wardrobe. Here, five ways to make it work.

• 1

  Stripes on KnitsJudiciously placed stripes (as opposed to all-over) have a distinctly chic collegiate feel; bonus points for non-traditional color combinations.

  
• PUMA Fenty By Rihanna
  Varsity Letter Sweater goop, $200
• MARNI
  Long-Sleeve
  Turtleneck Sweater goop, $860
• THOM BROWNE
  4-Bar Stripe
  Cashmere Jumper Farfetch, $1,390

• MM6
  Ribbon Sneaker goop, $390
• JW ANDERSON X CONVERSE
  Thunderbolt Sneaker Opening Ceremony, $130
• BALENCIAGA
  Race Runners Balenciaga, $695

• 2

  Sneakers with Skirts The sleekness of a sneaker—especially high-fashion versions, like MM6 or Balenciaga—makes for a particularly cool contrast to a flowing hemline.

  

• 3

  Track Pants plus Heels Gently slouchy and surprisingly versatile, this old-school basic feels entirely new paired with pumps (or booties, slides, even pointy-toe flats) and a cashmere sweater.

  
• PUMA
  Fenty By Rihanna
  Side-Slit Track Pant goop, $220
• DRIE VAN NOTEN
  Leather Block Heel
  Bootie, White Bergdorf Goodman, $725
• ZARA
  Pyjama-Style Trousers
  with Side Stripes Zara, $90
• PROENZA SCHOULER
  Grommet Block Heel Mules SSENSE, $975

• MARQUES’ ALMEIDA
  Oversized Hooded Top NET-A-PORTER, $465
• ELECTRIC & ROSE
  7TH AVE HOODIE goop, $154
• ADIDAS ORIGINALS
  Trefoil Printed Hooded Top NET-A-PORTER, $70
• OFF-WHITE
  Cropped Hooded
  Sweatshirt SSENSE, $263

• 4

  Hoodies for
  Date NightBoyish hoodies make surprisingly good matches for feminine pieces like intricately beaded skirts, floral dresses, and dressed-up slacks—just add heels.

  

• 5

  Pop-of-Color PuffersBasic black is great and all, but on the dreariest days of winter, a bright down jacket serves as a toasty, cuddly ray of sunshine.

  
• GANNI
  Vandalia Olive
  Puffer Jacket Intermix, $440
• PRADA
  Quilted shell down jacket NET-A-PORTER, $1,220
• CANADA GOOSE
  Brookvale Hoody Canada Goose, $525
• Tna
  The Super Puff Aritzia, $199