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I don't know about you, but I've been struggling with my winter work wardrobe recently.

Nailing a week's worth of office outfits is harder than I expected. It's a Venn diagram: I need to feel comfortable, yet stylish and professional. Warm enough to brave the commute, but with layers I can strip off to avoid sweating through my bra and stinking up my knits once the office heating hits.

Before buying anything new to solve this fashion dilemma, I cleaned out my wardrobe like a good girl. Two things became obvious:

A) I do not need any more jackets and coats.

B) I do not own a single pair of comfortable work pants.

Watch: The trends Leigh Campbell is seeing everywhere for winter. Post continues below.

The trend Leigh is seeing everywhere this winter | Nothing to Wear

The trend Leigh is seeing everywhere this winter | Nothing to Wear

As the proud owner of an itty bitty waist and a big ol' bum, shopping for trousers often ends in tears. Too tight across the thighs. Too gappy at the back. Way too long. Waaaaay too uncomfortable to wear sitting at my desk for several hours.

That's why I hate jeans and love bias cut slip skirts, but as soon as the weather turns, almost all of my go-to skirts become impractical and unappealing. The feeling of silk against your skin in summer? Divine. On a chilly winter morning? You're basically asking to catch a cold.

So off I went to the shops over the weekend in search of work-appropriate trousers. Not fashion trackies — a post-Covid novelty that've thankfully cemented their place as a wardrobe staple. I already own two pairs of colourful dressy women's trackies, but I'm missing a more corporate-looking pair of trousers that I can dress up with a blazer and boot, or down with a knit and sneakers.

So you can imagine how stoked I was to walk past these Active Motion Stripe Trackpants while browsing at Target. The second I put them on, I knew I'd be wearing them all winter.

Oh, and did I mention they're $40?! Dead.

The bathroom mirror hates to see me coming. Image: Supplied.

There's a lot to love about these trackpants pretending to be work trousers:

  • From a distance, these trackies look like a pair of dressy navy pants. So far, I've styled mine with a knit and knee-high boots, but I am already planning to pair them with sneakers.
  • I can confirm these are desk day approved! The slightly stretchy polyester, elastane and viscose fabric blend is so comfortable to sit in.
  • The adjustable elastic waistband sits just above the hip, but you can cinch them in tighter or looser if you prefer a high-waisted or low-waisted look.
  • Pinstripes and white piping on the side seams make my legs look longer than they are!
  • You've also got invisible zippers, and hidden toggles at the bottom to customise the hem.
  • The style currently comes in sizes XXS-XXXL and two colours: navy pinstripe and grey marle, both of which have matching $50 windbreakers if you're partial to a matching set.

I think these pants are an optical illusion! Image: Supplied.
A closer look at the professional pinstripes. Image: Supplied.

To help with the sizing for those buying online: I'm 163cm and typically wear a size 16.

I bought size L; the length touches the ground in a nonchalant way without shoes, and the fit is snug around the hip (but not uncomfortably so) before skimming the leg really nicely for that 'work pant' look.

Finally, a word of warning: These will sell out fast, so be quick if you're keen on a pair.

Target Active Motion Stripe Trackpants in Navy Pinstripe, $40.

Image: Target.
Image: Target.

Target Active Motion Trackpants in Grey Marle, $40.

Image: Target.
Image: Target.

For more helpful style advice and shopping recommendations, subscribe to the weekly Nothing to Wear Substack, listen to the Nothing to Wear podcast or watch Nothing to Wear on YouTube.

At Mamamia, we independently curate and write about products we rave about in our group chats and think you should know about too. If you purchase a product we have recommended, we may earn a small commission.

Feature image: Supplied.

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Amy Clark

Lifestyle Editor

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