If James Bond ever decided to ditch the casino for the couch, there’s a good chance he’d be doing it in a Traxedo. And no, that’s not a typo. The Traxedo is exactly what it sounds like – a tuxedo and a tracksuit hybrid – that might just be the most luxurious thing to hit Australian loungewear since cashmere trackies.
This $2,000 statement piece comes courtesy of luxury tailor Miles Wharton and co-founder Rami Mikhael from The Bespoke Corner, in collaboration with premium bourbon label Woodford Reserve. And, while fashion has flirted with comfort before, it might be flaunting it for the first time in whisky-hued Dormeuil wool jersey, with a shawl lapel jacket and elasticated drawstring trousers. Think red-carpet refinement meets “just one more episode” energy.
The premise is simple. Covid made hibernation cool – as we swapped big nights out for stylish nights in. However, while the pandemic may have started the loungewear boom, Australians have been reluctant to give it up entirely – even when the party invites return. Today, comfort continues to be non-negotiable. The catch is no one really wants to look like they’ve given up entirely. Cue The Traxedo – designed for those who want their Netflix binge to come with a side of sartorial swagger.
This is not your average tracksuit. We’re talking made-to-measure tailoring, cut from ultra-soft Dormeuil fabric that looks like it belongs in a private members’ club and feels like your favourite hoodie. The whisky-inspired tone is a subtle nod to Woodford Reserve’s craftsmanship, while the silhouette borrows heavily from the classic tux – so you can dress for a cocktail party even if your only guest is the Uber Eats driver.
Wharton himself calls it a departure from the traditional suits The Bespoke Corner creates – and that’s exactly the point. “The Traxedo is a one-of-a-kind piece we’ve never attempted before, blending the precision of bespoke tailoring we at The Bespoke Corner are known for, with the ease of loungewear,” he says. Partnering with Woodford Reserve felt natural, he adds, because the brand shares the same appreciation for craftsmanship, quiet luxury and “the simple pleasure of a night well spent.”
Rami Mikhael is equally on board with the vision – mostly because it aligns with his personal Winter ritual. “For me, nothing beats a good bourbon on the couch on a winter’s night in – so when Woodford Reserve came to us with this campaign, it felt like a perfect fit,” he says. The result is a collector’s item that feels indulgent in all the right ways – a tailored two-piece that’s as much about the lifestyle it represents as the garment itself.
And, Woodford Reserve isn’t just lending its name. Every Traxedo order comes with a bespoke gift bag that includes a Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit, complete with a limited-edition bottle, so you can really lean into the “refined but relaxed” brief.
The Traxedo will be available in hyper-limited quantities, made-to-measure via appointments at The Bespoke Corner boutiques in Sydney and Melbourne. Appointments open Wednesday 20 August, and at $2,000 a pop, this is more investment piece than impulse buy. But, then again, most tuxedos aren’t this comfortable – and most tracksuits don’t make you feel like you could take the call if the Oscars rang.
So, should you drop $2000 one one? Well, if you’re the kind of person who has been known to curate a cheeseboard “just for you” and appreciate the finer details then this might just be your Winter wardrobe’s crown jewel. After all, why choose between looking sharp and feeling snug when you can have both?