One thing we get asked probably more than anything else is what you should wear to class in college.
So what do you wear to class, what don’t you wear, what constitutes “dressing up” and what doesn’t?
We have answers to these questions and more, as college students who love fashion but still have to roll out of bed and make it to class on time.
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Table of Contents
The “Dressing Up For Class” Debate
If you haven’t heard about this before, here’s the basic argument:
Some people think that because you’re in college and no one is telling you what to wear, you should use the opportunity to dress sloppy and not care about what you wear.
They claim that baggy pajamas are easier to put on and more comfy than regular clothes. They will ask questions like: “Most college students are hungover every morning, so why should we bother to change out of our PJ’s to make it to class?”
From our personal observations, these are usually the people who drag themselves to class and immediately fall asleep, snoring loudly enough that they eventually wake themselves up. They generally have no idea what’s going on and believe that “just showing up” is good enough.
Here’s why their argument is ridiculous:
First of all, pajamas that really shouldn’t be worn in public aren’t any easier to put on than a clean pair of jeans and a cute top – or even athleisure joggers and a cropped hoodie.
Second of all, if you’re too hungover to function, you don’t belong in class and should really just stay home.
Third, these people are obviously insecure about how they look, and trying to make those who put effort into looking good feel bad about it.
Why You Should Get Dressed For Class
We’re not saying that you should spend 5 hours getting ready every morning or that fashion should be more important than anything else. But we do think that looking nice is important.
Here are some reasons why you SHOULD get “dressed up” for class – even if that just means jeans and a tee or some cute joggers and a fashion sneaker.
Showing respect for your professor
Showing up to class in your pajamas not only makes you look like you don’t care, but it’s also disrespectful to your professor. They dress nicely for class to show that they take their job seriously. When you dress like you’re ready to fall asleep, it says that you could not care less. This is disrespectful to your prof.
Making it easier to focus
We don’t know about all of you, but we don’t feel very productive when we’re wearing PJ’s. Pajamas are good for a few things – sleeping, watching TV, and lounging around. When you’re dressed a little nicer, you’re not going to be tempted to fall back asleep or space out during lecture. (We talked more about how well this works in our realistic college outfits blog post.)
Looking good
Okay, this is an obvious reason not to wear the clothes you slept in. PJ’s aren’t always the cutest. We love our oversized sorority graphic tees and sweat shorts for wearing around the dorm, to the gym, or even to a final if we’ve been up all night studying… but never for a day of classes.
If you love fashion, you should wear your fabulous clothes! Wear something unique and have fun with fashion. Why bother having amazing clothes if you aren’t going to wear them?
What to Wear to Class
Even if you only have a few minutes to get ready, it’s not difficult to wear something cute and comfortable to class. Below, we’ve created some super cute and comfy options.
Here are some examples of outfits to wear to class:
Note: Check out this post and this post for more tips on what to wear in college. For STEM majors, see What to Wear to Lab.
Outfit #1 – Comfy & Cozy Outfit
Products: Top, Pants, Sneakers, Socks, Scrunchie
This outfit is perfect if you are looking for something comfy to wear to class while also making sure that you look super cute!
Joggers have become a very trendy fashion item recently, and they are ideal for wearing to class because they’re the comfiest pants you own while still looking stylish. And let’s be honest, in 2023, it’s all about comfort first.
Just grab some classic grey joggers and pair them with any colorful shirt or accessories you have on hand. This cute purple tank top and velvet scrunchie are ideal ways to add some color to your look.
Related reading: Jogger Pants Outfits: How to Style Jogger Pants for Any Occasion
Outfit #2 – Girly Skirt Outfit
Products: Top, Skirt, Cardigan, Sneakers, Hair Clips, Necklace
If you are looking for a more girly outfit to wear to class, this look is for you!
This outfit pairs a cute high-waisted blue skirt and white crop top with a matching cami. This tennis skirt look is very popular — we’re seeing ’90s throwbacks all over campus right now in a little nod to films like Clueless.
However, unlike Cher in Clueless, we’re pairing our outfit with classic Nike Air Force 1s instead of heels. They’re our favorite fashion sneaker right now — they’re all over every fashion Instagram account but they’re also insanely comfortable and can be paired with absolutely everything.
Also, you can spice up the look by adding fun accessories that are trendy as well as girly, such as a butterfly necklace and hair clips. I love these white ones to match the outfit.
Outfit #3 – Pink Sporty Outfit
Products: Tank, Leggings, Sneakers, Jacket, Headband
Being on campus all day or having to go to multiple classes, can make it seem like you are already getting a workout with all the walking you have to do.
So why not rock a sporty outfit for class? Often times, athletic outfits may not seem the most fashionable, but you can add color to your outfit to win some extra fashion girl points.
This outfit combines a cute pink tank top with white leggings and a matching athletic jacket. It is also paired with a wrap-around headband, which is a trendy hair accessory. We finished the look with matching sneakers to make your athletic outfit look cute for class.
RELATED READING: Cute College Outfits: 10 Looks to Get You Back-to-School Ready
What to Wear in College? It’s All About the Basics
At the end of the day, if you have most of the wardrobe essentials for college girls, then you’re basically good to go when it comes to getting dressed for class.
Most of the time, a cute pair of jeans with a great top or a little athletic look and some accessories are all you need. If you want to wear something more interesting, though, we say go for it! We’re all in favor of showing off the clothes you love and self-expression through fashion.
Have fun with it . . . and just say “no” to pajamas!
What do you think of our guide to what to wear in college?
What do you think about the “getting dressed for class” debate? Would you wear pajamas to class, or would you never even think of it? What would a typical college outfit be for you?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments section!
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2008; it was completely updated and revamped in 2023 with new photos, outfit sets, and information.
I think some people are misinterpreting the spirit of that facebook group. There is a big difference between looking neat and tidy for class versus looking like you’re ready for a photo shoot. One thing to keep in mind when getting ready is the context of the environment. While sweatpants and pajamas don’t belong in the classroom, neither do cocktail dresses and heels.
oh may i add to my previous post, i feel that sweats/pj bottoms and uggs look VERY untidy in my opinion. I make an effort to look good or even decent, even though i may only be there for a few hours…. clothes can express yourself 🙂
Also, I dress up for everything. I always walk out of the house in a skirt or dress and heels. Anthropologie is my lifeline for clothes.
I think its always important to look your best. One of my friends went to Clemson for a year and left because of the way the other girls treated her. She is a huge fan of the sundresses and delicate sandals and would spend a reasonable (but not insane) amount of time getting ready. Well when the other girls showed up to class they all had sweatpants on and they made fun of her. So she actually LEFT CLEMSON to go to the College of Charleston. I mean, we both love Charleston because we’ve lived there our whole lives, but to leave a top southern school to go somewhere else just because of fashion zombies making fun of you…that’s dumb. Girls should be proud of their clothes and take pride in how they walk out of their dorm!
Sweat pants or Pj bottoms and uggs dont cut it for me. .And getting too dressed up (like going to a party etc, is a no-no either)
Why have to buy clothes if all you want to wear to college is sweats/Pajamas and ugg boots? In college, it is our turn to experiment what goes well and what doesn’t, that’s why there is no excuse to go shopping!
So on top of that, dress and leggings are the norm for me, or jeans, shirt and cardigan as well, or a casual skirt instead, but presentation wise, its good to dress a little professionally or neatly. 🙂
My school is seriously called the fashion college r professors even say it how sad is that. I love my sweats pants maybe its just me I went to private school for 4yrs and I’m use to a uniform in the morning I change my mind at least 5 times and sometimes I really wanna stand out I know school is place to get an education but I’m at the fashion capital of the world ny
Oh yes, I hate to see girls dressed from head to toe in A&F AE or Hollister sweats. It’s so unoriginal.
There are so many pretty clothes out there that it’s a waste not to use them.
Sweatpants are for sick days, thanks. Not for going to class.
My idea of bumming it is a hoodie, jeans, and funky sneakers. No way in hell am I walking out of my apartment in sweatpants, sorry!
And I must say, I LOVE that first outfit! Skirts aren’t very practical for me (campus is SUPER windy), but that first one, LOVE!
Kayla: that’s funny, because I use Firefox and the images work just fine. Maybe it’s a reloading thing or…I’m really not quite sure what!
Ugh! We had so many girls wearing sweats to school in HS, and they thought they were so cool, with their cup of Dunkin’, chewing gum, a huge sweatshirt on.
See, I think the roll-out-of-bed look doesn’t mean sweats. It’s more, if I may refer to “Gossip Girl,” the Serena type of look. Just the effortless casualness look.
I’d be interested to see what the general consensus is on hair, though, whether it really is okay to come in with wet hair, because I never would in HS, although many girls did. #1 it makes you sick (at least it creates a higher risk) and #2 it’s messy, at least for me.
I believe that if we are going to pay the amount of money that we do to go to university, we have the right to wear whatever we want to class, be it haut couture or yoga pants and a hoodie. I think that wearing pajamas to class is inappropriate, but I see nothing wrong with sweats, especially at 8:30 on a Monday morning in a class you really didn’t want to go to. I had mono this year and just didn’t have the energy to plan out an outfit like I did the year before. I lived out of my sweats. There is nothing wrong with being extra-comfortable on days that you really need it.
That having been said, I agree that *always* dressing down for class shows a lack of respect for the professor and for the other students. On presentation days or to a meeting with your professor, you should always dress up. And one should make as much of an effort as possible to look presentable no matter where they go, if for no other reason than because it’s fun.
It’s okay to wear wear sweatpants to class, but of course, it depends on how you will carry it during class hours.
Skinny jeans would do for me. I always wear that style since high school.
And it looks good to me because I’m not so tall and not so petite.
Confidence is the answer to everything.
Wow, those facebook groups are extremely judgemental. I think people should generally wear whatever they want to class, as long as they don’t smell bad or look like a 5 cent hooker. For me personally though, I do like to take the extra effort to look cute for class- and you’re right, it really doesn’t take that much extra time!! It helps me to resist the urge to take daytime naps or feel like I just crawled out of bed, and more importantly, it makes me feel BETTER about myself. I have to say though, that facebook hate group is pretty discouraging, but I will try to ignore it and keep looking fabulous 😉
Business casual is dress code at my college. I’m at a loss on how to make it pop, though. I would probably wear the first outfit sans skinny jeans, I just can’t find jeans that don’t make my hips looks HUGE. I love wearing sweaters, especially when I’m studying at the library or tutoring some kids. Too bad it’s always hot and humid here in Miami.lol.
I don’t wear sweats unless I’m home playing DDR for 3 straight hours. Sweats and PJs make me feel like a slob and I usually end up watching Gilmore Girls rather than studying while wearing them.
I agree with you 100%. the outfits you showed that are acceptable are basically what I woe everyday to class in highschool and will continue wearing in college. I think the people who wear sweats everyday don’t care at all. For me being comfortable is wearing skinny jeans and a cute top because then I know I look good and feel good, sweats just make me feel gross and want to go to bed and I have never worn them in public except for a final or regents.
Finally! Someone else who realizes that sweatpants are things that don’t ever make it out of the house! I am so sick and tired of watching people come to class in sweatpants and pajamas and lord knows what else.
I’m glad to know there are other people out there who think dressing up a little for class is something that should always be done.
Haha the “not” picture of the girl walking to class on her phone looks like it could have been taken at my campus. Is that a North Face? Oh this is the typical outfit. I detest it.