Since the wave of COVID-19 shutdowns that brought the world screeching to a halt, a large majority of the workforce is still working from home. In fact, some companies, such as Aetna, Facebook, and Mastercard are allowing employees to remain working remotely well into the new year. So the question is, what does one wear while working from home? A recent survey showed that 60% of Americans wear casual attire during the workday while 17% are reported wearing an appropriate top, but sweatpants on the bottom (this figure is 49% when taking video calls). A huge influx of people have already begun working from home, so does this mean the age of the traditional suit has entered into a new era?
With the suit being on the cusp of contemporary change as a result of the lock-down, where relaxation and convenience are prioritized, jogger suits and sweatpants have been on the rise in popularity for at-home work hours. Men wear sweatpants at work because simply, they are much more comfortable than the average suit trouser. Fashion labels are approaching this problem quite differently. Brunello Cucinelli, the luxury Italian label known for its cashmere-wool sweaters, has a luxurious cotton wool jogger in their closet. These sweatpants allow a man to feel comfortable, yet somewhat elegant due to the high quality materials used and the expert craftmanship of the brand.
Image Credit: Brioni
But what if you don’t want to wear sweatpants, and instead you’re looking to wear suit pants that keep the comfort level of the jogger? The hybrid suit-jogger is your answer. These pants are not new to the men’s fashion scene, in fact, they have been around streetwear labels for several years now. Accessible labels and outlets such as Zara, H&M, and ASOS have had this style of pants for quite some time. However, due to the recent uptick in working from home styles and the versatility of the suit changing, tailors and high-end labels are answering the call for the luxurious, comfortable suit-inspired jogger. A glance at the “New Arrivals” for many well-known tailors and fashion houses and you will certainly see some style of “smart trouser” or “jogging chino.”
At first, the Banks Slim Fit Pinstripe Wool Pants (BOSS) looks like a standard pinstripe suit pant with a pleated front; however, at the waist, the pants are held not by a zipper and button but jogger drawstring. BOSS describes the pants as, “A modern jogger style and drawstring waist add a sporty touch to pinstriped pants cut from pure wool.” Reminiscent of their pinstripe suit, these joggers are modern, sporty, and perfect to work from home in.
High Performance Wool Jogger 
Image Credit: Ermenegildo Zegna
Ermenegildo Zegna’s High Performance Wool Joggers are described as “sporty-chic” and “exceptionally comfortable.” For a brand known and loved for its sharp suits, they smoothly incorporate the unique style of their suits into a laidback and casual take on the suit jogger hybrid. Like the BOSS pants, they look like the average pair of suit pants, with a tapered silhouette and are made with a performance fabric for optimal comfort.
Black & Grey Checkered Sydney Trousers 
Image Credit: Brioni
Also stepping into the game with their Sydney Trousers is Brioni. The trousers have a slim leg taper similar to most joggers with a black and grey wool checkered pattern one might see on a suit. As Brioni describes, the pants bring a “touch of nonchalant elegance to any casual attire.” These pants might feel and look like joggers, yet they give you a touch of sartorial elegance commonly felt when wearing their beautifully tailored suits.
Has the suit stepped into a new era where suit joggers have integrated with business apparel and claimed the moniker of “business casual?” Professionalism is synonymous with a fine fitting suit, but the fresh look of the hybrid suit jogger has caused a storm in the home workplace. In a time where people are working from home with increased flexibility, it may not seem as important to stay sharp at all moments of the day. However, fashion and class never falls out of style, yet comfort is also king; and for that reason, it will certainly not be surprising to see more high-end brands and tailors release their take on the suit jogger hybrid.
Featured Image Courtesy of: Brioni.com
