Not that long ago, getting home and putting on a pair of worn-in tracksuit pants was a switch that ended the working day. I could feel the stress of work slip away as my legs slipped into the fleeced lining of my favourite pair of Trackie Daks. For many people the workplace has come into the home. So for those moments throughout the day when it’s necessary to wear pants, why not go for all day comfort?
The use of the trouser brand Dak as slang works perfectly for rhyming with track. It also flows well with the tendency for Aussies to add “ie” to words. In the U.S., Trackie Daks are commonly called Sweat Pants. I can’t imagine looking forward to pulling on a pair of old Sweatie Pants.
I have two pairs of Trackie Daks, both purchased pre-Covid; one new pair and one about five years old. Like red wine, wives and thongs; Trackie Daks get better with age. But unfortunately, also like thongs, Trackie Daks eventually wear out. So this is why I have two pairs. The newer pair would normally be worn in slowly between regular wearing of the old favourites. Covid has escalated the use of both pairs and put them into equal and constant rotation.
Hours of Trackie Dak wearing per week have risen by at least 800% in my home. This constant, comfortable contact with fleece lining has caused a greater appreciation for what are the cheapest pants I own.
When I think of a suit, I think of pants and a jacket. Why do we use the term Tracksuit Top instead of Tracksuit Jacket? Worn as a full suit, you would first put on your Trackie Daks followed by your Trackie Jackie. But when the Tracksuit Top is taken away from the pants it loses its suit identity. If the Tracksuit Top has a hood we Aussies tend to go for the inventive name of Hoodie. With the renaming of the Trackie Jackie to Hoodie, the Tracksuit Top, unlike the Tracksuit Bottom, is now free to be worn in public.
I’ve always felt embarrassed at the thought of wearing my Trackie Daks down the street. It felt lazy. If I was home and needed to go to the shops or to do the school pick up, I would change before leaving the house and then change back when I got home. Now I, might, upgrade to the newer pair. It’s not likely I will be recognized at Safeway with my mask on anyway.
The tracksuit is not the only purpose-specific suit. There’s the Wedding Suit, Swim Suit and Birthday Suit; all of which would draw unwanted attention during the weekly food shop, even while wearing a correctly fitting mask.
If we were to rename the Trackie Dak to match its purpose the “track” must go. Trackie Daks are the all purpose suit for every activity around my home. Through out the day, I wear my Breakie Daks, Home-Schoolie Daks, Cookie Daks, Dinner Daks, Dishie Daks, Take-Out-The-Wheelie-Bin-ie Daks and my Lounging Daks.
All those names seem a bit complicated and hard to keep track of. Some languages simply repeat a word to give it emphasis. Daks is another name for trousers, as is slacks. So, until lock down lifts I will be constantly wearing my Slackie Daks.
