Back to School Shopping: Loungewear for College

When you’re doing your back to school shopping for fall, don’t forget to stock up on cute loungewear – pajamas and sweats for hanging out in your dorm.
When you live on campus at college, at least your first year, most of your social life is going to take place in your dorm. Living in a dorm means anyone can stop by your room at any time, and you have to be ready. Do you really want your friends and maybe even some cute boys to see you in your ratty flannel PJ’s when you’re hanging out doing homework?
If the answer is no, you’re going to need to get some cute sweats, tees, and hoodies to lounge in.
Keep reading to find out what types of loungewear you need to have in your wardrobe, and see some picks for some of the cutest stuff out there this year!
Loungewear Must Haves
Here are some loungewear items that you need to pick up if you’re starting college for the first time, or if you just want to update your existing around-the-dorm wardrobe!
Sweatpants / Lounge Pants
As the unofficial college dorm uniform, sweat pants are perfect for hanging out in your room, walking around your building, studying, or even sleeping.
Here are some of my favorite sweat that I already own, plus some cute ones I found online that aren’t too bad price-wise!
From Left: Rebel Yell Skinny Pant ($102.00), So Low Tie Fold Over Crop ($73.00), Juicy Couture Velour Elastic Hem Skinny Pant ($110.00)
From Left: Victoria’s Secret Pink Signature Sweats ($38.50), KRITIK Miriam Crop Pant ($82.00), So Low Striped Fold Over Pants ($79.00)
Hoodies
While the college-specific logo hoodie trumps all in this category, Victoria’s Secret PINK hoodies are a close second in terms of popularity.
I actually think typical university hoodies are so cliche’ that I prefer the VS ones just because they’re a little different. I’m also lovin’ some hoodies from American Apparel to mix it up a bit. Here are my favorite ones right now:
From Left: Seaton Zip Front Hoodie ($78.00), Victoria’s Secret Pink Skinny Hoodie ($38.50), Ed Hardy Tunic Hoody ($165.00)
From Left: Women’s Puff-Sleeve Pullover Hoodie ($24.50), Famous S/S So Here We Are Hoodie ($56.99), California Fleece Pullover Raglan Hoody Dress ($39.00)
Shorts
Essential if you’re going to school in a warmer area or just have fabulous legs that you want to show off year round! Shorts can also do double-duty if you go to the gym or go running a lot.
I like the classic boxer shorts look, but athletic styles are just as cute. Of course, I recommend getting whatever type you like best.
From Left: KRITIK Jessica Striped Terry Short ($53.90), Victoria’s Secret Knit Boxsie ($12.50), Kirra Girls Loungewear – Athletic Green Short ($16.99)
More Back-To-School Shopping
I hope this article helped you with your back to school shopping – at college, what you wear when you lounge around is just as important as what you wear the rest of the time, so have fun with your dormwear & express your personality.
If you want more info on back to school shopping, check back here soon for more articles on the fashion essentials you need for the upcoming semester! Also, don’t forget to check out the rest of the back to school shopping series!
Posted on on August 7, 2008 / Filed Under: College Life / Tags: Back to School Shopping, Basics, Clothing, College Life, Fall 2008, School, Sweats, Tees, Victoria's Secret












Before you post a comment, please read the 

Lyd
Great article… Got a pair of cropped sweats in my wardrobe, but as i agree with you, those pants are for the ‘lazy days’ instead of classes. ;)
Janet
“plus some cute ones I found online that aren’t too bad price-wise!”
$102, $73, $110,$38.50, $82, $79 ??
Aren’t too bad price wise?
Seriously?
Cadri
Sweats are great, but I agree with Janet, they aren’t really well priced there. I found super cute sweatpants for $8 at Urban behavior, never been more comfortable.
Zephyr
Lyd – Exactly! They’re great for around the dorm but not classes.
Janet – Sorry, I got kind of caught up in finding cute ones and forgot about prices. Although those juicy track suits everyone seems to have cost about $250 for pants and a zip up, soo they aren’t completely off the charts.
Cadri – I hear ya. Urban behavior doesn’t have a website, though. I was trying to find cute ones you could get online. Sorry about that!
Alexa
Juicy Couture tracksuits are so comfy. You can seriously buy 2 sets for the price of one at the juicy outlet, it’s so great.
Alyssa
I did the same thing,(not buying enough lounge wear) I just finished up my freshman year, and you definetly want to buy enough cute sweats, and pajamas, oh ands slippers. Until now I haven’t been able find a good pair of sweat pants, I’m 5′10 so it’s extremely hard to find sweat pants that don’t look like high waters after one wash. But i recently found out that American Eagle has some good sweat pants for tall leggy girls, also Alloy has extended inseams which is good for all us tall girls.
Great post
Angie
First off, I really love your blog.
Secondly, I agree that the prices are quite steep in this particular article :)
Thirdly, Anthropologie has some adorable loungewear (i.e. hoodies with huge bows) for some equally steep prices that are way outside of my budget but still fun to gaze at online ;)
Grace
Aerie also has some really cute stuff, I just got a sweatshirt and it’s waaaay softer than my PINK one!
jeanous
i’m a college student like the rest of you but no way in hell do i have the $$$$ to drop $100 on some sweats!!!!!
WHO’S WITH ME????
Zephyr
Jeanous – I hear you, I definitely focused a little too much on cuteness rather than prices in this article, haha. Anyway, as other commenters have said, you can find cute & cheap ones at AE and Urban Behavior. The sweats shown in this article are just examples, and no one’s saying that they’re what you SHOULD buy.
kellie
i’d like to know who has $80+ to spend on a pair of sweatpants, a sweatshirt, or a pair of shorts?!
Kate
Very well discussed topic! And I loved looking at the pictures of sweatpants and reading your article. It is clear that the fashionable sweatpants and hoodies are just model examples and not exactly what you HAVE to buy in order to have cute lounge wear at college!!
Your blog is great and so enjoyable to read and anyone who chooses to diss it should try creating their own fashion blog. (No way it’d be as cool and classy as this). :)