50 shades of grey marle
No longer just for the gym or slouching around home, loungewear has taken a chic new turn. But don’t worry, says Josie Steenhart, comfort is still the guiding star.
Grey marle has been around for as long as there have been tracksuits (which was circa 1975, according to Google, but it feels like longer). However, 2020will go down in history as (among other things) the year the world truly fell in love with it – and its perfect partners in crime, the sweatshirt and the track pant.
Lockdown did weird and unexpected things to us all, but one outcome I’m not displeased about was a renewed global appreciation for lounge and leisurewear.
Which could explain why I found myself close to tears recently when local label Marle (appropriately named) released the most buttery soft, perfectly slouchy, GOTS-certified organic cotton tracksuit in, you guessed it, good old grey marle. I mean, just look at it.
Withmy sweatshirtwardrobe already much boosted thanks to Covid, slipping into that gentle hug of a top seems like a given, but when I began to imagine wearing itwith the trackies too, more tears of joy threatened.
The ultimate comfy duo has finally been elevated from sloppy home-only attire, or sportswear if you must, into a fashion combo... and I am so here for it.
‘‘During lockdown I found myselfwanting to be in more relaxed clothing that I could cocoon myself in and knew that the timing was right to introduce our version of the ever enduring tracksuit to our women,’’ says Marle founder Juliet Souter.
‘‘Organic cotton was a non-negotiablewith designing the tracksuit and the element of contrast stitching elevates it further and makes it more synonymous with Marle.’’
Why greymarle? Souter says it epitomises ease. ‘‘And I adore the shade,’’ she says. ‘‘Grey marle for a tracksuit is a classic.’’
Fellow Kiwi designer Juliette Hogan has also released a super luxurious greymarle sweat set, beautifully cut from a (sustainably sourced) cashmere cotton blend.
‘‘Forme, grey marle is the perfect classic neutral basic, with a strong heritage in sportswear,’’ says Hogan.
‘‘We’ve worked really hard to find the right greymarle with the perfect tones. Greymarle really heroes the detailing in a garment and highlights the quality of the fabric or knit.’’
While a greymarle sweater can of course be styled with prettymuch anything from printed skirts to denim, for the trickier (in my opinion) track pant, Hogan says they’re ‘‘always great with a simple T-shirt or, for a more elevated look, you can’t go wrong with a crisp white shirt or a silk cami.’’
Feel like you’re ready for full tracksuit mode? Hogan says for summer she’ll be wearing herswith a dressy/chunky sandal or a house slipper.