I was struck by a blog, sorry no link just yet, that really spoke to me about the difference and potential scarcity of travel clothes vs. specialty hiking clothes.
Now, we are talking spartan travel or capsules and potential sink-washing or laundry facilities that might not be as delicate as home care, and also quick-dry for changeable weather conditions and being out & about, and not more upscale travel or special occasion wear.

The point was to blend the right fabrications with items that look like stylish clothing, or actually are your real clothes, but somewhere farther down the continuum of comfort and performance than might be your more wrinkle-prone or structured work or dressy wear. Key contrasting reality is that pants, for example, in"performance fabrics" are often only in "dirty trail colors" and with humongous pockets, ruched legs, baggy fit and so on. And tops cut squarish at worst, or look like yoga outfits.

Anyhoo, the point was, to keep eyes out for items that would have this kind of travel functionality but not be instantly recognizable as some catalog travel wear or trail gear. Pants I think are the hardest, for me, but that is in the context of not relying totally on jeans, but using lighter, dry-able fabrics. I was lucky to start with the EB Travex pant, which is still a bit gearish and thin but plain, no cargo pockets. Does have a button on the leg for rolling but otherwise doesn't stand out too much. However, it's not "evening" at all and ideally I'd have something like a micofiber straight (slim for me) trouser, or an interesting blended fabric that doesn't scream polyester.
Tips in addition to just remembering to keep in mind and hunt year-long, were to cruise other "sports" like tennis, golf wear that tend to be more sleek than trail garb.

Also I encountered this year the difficulty of shopping off-season, though I did not maximize the internet on this. Hats, gloves, fleece tights, long underwear and so on are less in stock in usual stores. I can be pretty good about snagging gloves or sweaters or stocking up on things toward end of season, but can be leery of over-buying, and then sometimes the wheels of trip packing just don't start turning well until the countdown is near!

Another thing I noted was that it can be hard to get "layering fit" and good fit not-layered--for me to wear a blouse over some kind of insulating layer, this might mean a whole size difference or a different style altogether, and also the necklines may not jibe. Fluid pullovers are not usually a problem.

Lastly it all got me to thinking of casual capsules and sporty luxe overlap and how things other than obvious trail gear are much more useful IRL for for me for casual wear, and might be part of my future of blending at-home with travel for more versatility. Also is a reminder to me to keep an eye on all my capsules and occasion needs and not spend all energy on work-wear.

Are you able to maintain a list of these elusive items and hunt well in advance? And where have you had luck with "functional" stylish clothing?

ETA see track pants in finds later in post