Something shifted this year and most people felt it before they read about it. The matching spandex set — the one that had to be squeezed into, checked in the mirror, adjusted twice before leaving the house — stopped being the default. Flared sweatpants, striped track pants and loose cotton vests took over instead.
The fashion press has picked it up. We noticed it earlier, in the order data. Our flared pants and oversized tees started outselling everything tight, and they haven't stopped.
Here's the part that matters more than the trend: clothes you don't have to brace yourself to put on are clothes you actually train in. The gap between deciding to go and getting out the door is where most sessions die. If your kit adds friction to that moment, your kit is part of the problem.
So — five rules, and what in our range meets them.
Rule 1: The flare replaced the legging
Not everywhere, and not for everyone. But the silhouette that reads as current right now is wide at the ankle, not sprayed on. It moves. It covers your trainers. It doesn't need a bend test in natural daylight before you leave.
- Flared Sweatpants — Retro Gym Pants, £45. Premium fleece, proper flare. The most direct answer to this trend we make.
- Flared Fleece Pants — Vintage Washed, £45. Same silhouette, worn-in finish from the first wear.
Rule 2: Track pants are back, stripe and all
The side stripe stopped being ironic. Straight leg, elastic waist, a detail down the seam — this is the Noughties reference everyone is making, and it works because it was always comfortable.
- Striped Straight-Leg Sweatpants, £45. Bold stripe, clean straight cut. The full reference, no apology.
- Straight-Leg Sweatpants — Essential, £30. If you want the shape without the stripe.
- Vintage Washed Waist Pants, £45. Relaxed fit, washed finish, sits at the waist without digging in.
Rule 3: Layer the vest, don't hide it
The cotton vest went from base layer to the actual outfit. Worn on its own, worn under an open oversized tee, worn with the tee over the top and the vest showing at the arms. Cotton and cotton blends, not slick synthetics — the texture is the point.
- Boxy Tank Top — French Terry, £30. Boxy cut, terry inside. Built for layering, not for hiding under something.
- Heavyweight Vest, £35. Holds its shape through a full session. Sleeveless cut, full shoulder range.
- Men's Cotton Tank Top, £20. The plain one. Buy two.
- Unisex Oversized Cotton T-Shirt, £20. Dropped shoulder. Goes over any of the above.
Rule 4: Washed beats new
Nothing about this trend wants to look box-fresh. Snow wash, vintage wash, raw edges — the finish does half the work, and it means the piece looks better the longer you own it rather than worse.
- Snow Washed Oversized Cotton T-Shirt, £28. Texture standard cotton can't fake.
- Snow Washed Sweatpants — Raw Edge, Tape Detail, £45. Three design decisions that add up.
Rule 5: Shorts got longer and looser too
Same logic, shorter leg. The mid-thigh compression short didn't disappear, but the roomier cut is what people are reaching for — especially for anything that isn't a max-effort session.
- Men's Loose Fit Performance Shorts, £28. Dual-layer build, genuinely loose.
- Basketball Shorts — Classic Stripe Trim, £22. The most Noughties thing we sell.
- Women's Contrast Stripe Track Shorts, £25. Cotton-modal blend, retro trim.
What we're not going to tell you
That tight is dead. It isn't.
If you're cycling, sprinting, or lifting near your limit, fabric that stays put is doing a job that loose fabric can't. Compression cycling shorts and high-rise yoga shorts exist for a reason, and that reason hasn't changed because a fashion cycle turned.
What actually changed is that you now have a choice, and nobody's going to look at you sideways for taking it. The uniform broke. That's the whole story.
Layer it under an oversized fleece hoodie or a cropped half-zip for the walk in, and you've got a kit that doesn't ask anything of you before you've even started.
Built for the Moment Before.
FAQs
Is loose-fit gym wear actually practical for training?
For most sessions, yes. Weights, machines, walking, classes — a relaxed cut is fine and often more comfortable. The exceptions are anything where fabric catching or shifting is a safety or performance issue: cycling, sprinting, gymnastics, and heavy compound lifts where you want to see your own form.
Are leggings out of style in 2026?
No. What changed is that leggings stopped being the only acceptable option. Flared sweatpants, track pants and loose shorts now sit alongside them rather than replacing them.
What should I wear over a gym vest?
An oversized cotton tee is the standard move — worn open over the vest, or layered so the vest shows at the shoulders. A half-zip or oversized hoodie works for the commute in and comes off for the session.
What's the difference between snow wash and vintage wash?
Both are finishing processes that soften the fabric and add tonal variation. Snow wash gives a lighter, more mottled surface with noticeable texture; vintage wash produces a flatter, faded, worn-in look. Neither affects durability.
Does BRACE do capri leggings?
Not yet. It's the one part of this trend we don't currently cover — our closest options are the high-waisted shorts and the straight-leg sweatpants. Worth watching this space.