To many, they are simply known as The Pants. Made of a blend of cotton and Lycra, they are touted as something akin to the Holy Grail of legwear: comfortable, flattering and machine-washable. They also cost $US860 ($1275).

If you aren’t familiar with The Pants, they’re made by High Sport, a company launched in 2021 by fashion veteran Alissa Zachary. They quickly garnered well-connected fans, including many Substack writers, who recommended them to readers (they are also known, therefore, as “Newsletter Pants”, a term coined by the influential Substack writer Laura Reilly.)