Maxine Thompson

Full Bio

Over her years in the kitchen, Australian-born, London-based chef Maxine Thompson found herself frustrated at the unbecoming trousers she and her fellow female cooks had to wear. 

With the increasing amount of female chefs who work in kitchens, cater at private events and generally take pride in their appearance, female chef coats have evolved to become more tailored, however the only trousers out there are baggy, unflattering and aimed at a unisex market so Maxine began sketching the ideal female chef trouser - one designed for functionality and comfort, but also for style. 

The name PolkaPants originates from a pair of beloved polka dot trousers that Maxine first made when she studied fashion design and wore whilst working as a freelance chef. The design of the PolkaPants trousers is inspired by the Utility Scheme clothing of the 40s - simple, robust and functional. They’re a tailored, slim-fit make, with a classic high waist and two leg lengths, cropped and longer. They are available in black, houndstooth, white or polka dots (the signature style). 

All trousers are made in London from fabric that is 97% cotton with a 3% stretch for ease of movement. And they are so great that we decided to bring Polka Pants to Matriark so every woman can wear it – in a busy kitchen or anywhere else!