Gymshark’s SoftSense collection in Soft Brown caught my attention first. Then Alo’s Rich Bordeaux pieces appeared, and any intention of introducing another colour quickly disappeared. I’d happily wear these shades together, separately and probably for most of the winter.
Here’s what made the shortlist.
Gymshark SoftSense: choose your shape
There are five pairs of Soft Brown leggings here. I appreciate that sounds like overkill, but the choice comes down to two things: where you like your waistband and what you want happening below the knee.
The SoftSense High-Rise Leggings (£50) are the classic fitted option. I’d wear them with a matching tank and an oversized layer, ideally in burgundy. Cream socks, trainers, done. Some outfits don’t need much deliberation.
The High-Rise Flared Leggings (£54) would be my pick for wearing beyond a session. I like a fitted top with a flare, then a shorter jacket to keep the proportions working. Add a retro trainer and it’s an outfit I’d wear for the rest of the day.
If flares aren’t your thing, the High-Rise Straight Leg Leggings (£54) offer another option. These are the pair I’d be most interested to try: a straight leg, a fitted long-sleeve top and a bomber is very much my sort of uniform.
Prefer a lower waistband? There are Mid-Rise Leggings (£50) and Mid-Rise Flared Leggings (£54) too. Choose the rise you actually enjoy wearing. Nobody needs to spend an entire class negotiating with their waistband.
The appeal across all five is the colour. Brown gives me plenty of ways to change the outfit around it: cream, pale blue, olive and, inevitably, burgundy.
The matching top I’d actually add
The SoftSense Multiway Tank Top (£38) would be my next addition.
I’m very happy to mix brands, but there’s something satisfying about a matching base. It makes the getting-dressed part easy, then you can put your attention into the layer over it.
I’d pair the Soft Brown tank with the flares and an oversized zip-up, or the straight-leg version and a cropped jacket. Gold hoops would almost certainly find their way in too.
Alo Rich Bordeaux: the layer that caught my eye
The Polar Fleece Retreat Cover Up is exactly the sort of thing that makes me start mentally rearranging outfits I already own.
The high neck and relaxed shape appeal, but the Rich Bordeaux colour is doing a considerable amount of the persuading. Over a brown set, with socks and trainers, it would be my first choice from this line-up.
I’d also wear it with leggings for an early gym start or with jeans at the weekend. I like a layer that has somewhere to go once training is finished.
And a pair of trousers for afterwards
Alo’s Suit Up Trouser in Rich Bordeaux takes the colour in a different direction.
I’d keep the styling simple: a fitted cream top, trainers and a brown jacket. Or a chocolate knit if, like me, you see absolutely no reason to break up a favourite colour combination.
They’re the piece I’d look at if you like the palette but have quite enough leggings already. A reasonable position. Apparently.
My pick?
The brown high-rise flares, matching tank and bordeaux fleece would be the outfit I’d put together first.
Would this introduce anything radically different to my wardrobe? No. Would I reach for it repeatedly? That’s rather the point.
Some people branch out. I find another shade of brown.
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