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.
The only time I had ever been in my pj’s at school was for the get up and go day in high school won almost every year. I don’t know if I should be terribly excited about this or a little worried. Hahahaha.
But I took pride in my looks and smell making sure that my flaws were hidden inside though I have never really had a style of my own I have always been in hand me downs my whole life.
Not again though I am now a college girl and I will avenge my non stylish years in high school “Look out world new and improved girl coming through!” With a rocking new look. No one back home in my little unknown town will recognize me I’m changing everything my hair, style, atmosphere.
Just doing some research for content for a website I’m helping with. I loved this post and completely agree! Sweatpants are just an excuse to cover up the damage that too much drinking has done. Cut back on the every night drinking so you can slip into a cute outfit that makes you presentable- am I right? Great post!
Jess, idk if you will see this haha.. but i think that you can wear simple ballet flats and a cute shirt or blouse with black yoga pants! when you dress them up, you can even look classy, since a lot of people won’t notice they are actually yoga pants! try it!
I sometimes wish I could wear my sweatpants to my early morning classes, because they’re so warm and I like the way they look, but I’m always afraid of looking like a slob, haha.
I do have a question though – are yoga pants okay? I’m on dance team, and sometimes I have to go straight from class to practice, so I just wear black yoga pants with some sneakers and a fleece jacket or a hoodie. It’s not super classy, but I don’t think it looks slobbish, just sporty-casual.
What type of style do you recommend for a non-traditional student? I am a 46 year old Junior and struggle with my findin g my place. I don’t want to look like a professor, but I don’t want to look like I’m trying to behave like I’m 19 or 20 either.
I’m going off to college in September I really wanted to get out of my high school fashion looks and go into college prep looks. I’m pretty much working hard all summer long to get into good habits fashion wise like instead of wearing just a shirt and shoes and make up I can play around with some fashion ideas and look more presentable in class. It’s really disrepectful to show up to school and class like you just rolled out of bed. And I’m planning to actually learn how to use a curling iron this summer instead of letting my hair nautrally curl up. WISH ME LUCK! and this site really really did help lol
Thank you so much. I agree with what you said. I also love that first outfit you put up! I really don’t think that people should go to their classes looking as if it’s Kindergarten Pajama Day all over again, as you said.
I hav only vest tops leggings and jeans what can I do with that combanation??
i personaly would never wear sweatpant only because back in HS we would get our picture taken out of nowhere or news camers so i would dress nice just in case something unexpected happened and i think wearing sweats is very unprofessional but is okay if your like sick or something
Hello Guys, can you post info. on what shall a boy must wear for college.,
I believe that a stylish girl is always stylish no matter what she wears.I like dressing up but that doesn’t mean I can’t wear sweatpants.This is 2010. Sweatpants are not grey or black and baggy to make you look like a boy or a sweaty basketball player.I wear velvet sweatpants, in bright girly colours, with gem stones or fur.It depends on my mood and I like variety.One day I wear skinny jeans and heels and the other Juicy Couture sweatpants.Look at Eva Longoria, she has the ability to wear sweatpants and look sexy, athletic, casual chic and stylish. IT depends on you and how you wear it.remember : ‘the dress doesn’t make the girl, the girl makes the dress”
While I agree that sweats are sloppy and should not be worn to class on a regular basis, there are certain instances in which they are acceptable, such as when you’re sick but don’t want to miss out on an important class, so you just throw something on, go to class, and come back and take a nap. Or if you’ve been up studying, and it’s exam week. Other than that, yeah, sweats are ultramessy. I also agree that jeans are the most-weared item in my wardrobe!
I’m definitely all about sweaters, too. I’m more of a pullover girl than a cardigan girl myself. I tend to find them cozier. I have a really cute grey and white striped one on right now.
i love the clothes that you have picked out, they’re not dressy but they look really nice too. i was just thinking….. do you have any other outfit ideas? just so that i could have a look to give me some thoughts in what to wear. i love the fact you pointed out the thing about sweatpants! i so agree! i think they try and do the ‘bed-head’ lazy look, but everyday it just looks like you’re a lazy slob and that’s the only dress sense that you have ..
Zephyr, I love your website and follow most of your fashion advice, however this is something I must say I disagree on you with.
I think wearing sweatpants in public, including class, is perfectly acceptable. The thing is, when you are walking around all day, to and from class, the library, lunch, clubs meetings, etc., sweatpants are soooo much more practical! Jeans are ok, but nothing beats a good pair or sweats.
Sweatpants can be cute, if they are fashionable (like PINK) and fit properly, and are worn with matching colors. I also believe in doing your laundry aka don’t wear dirty pants, or the same ones everyday, or the PJ’s you slept in!
I haven’t noticed much difference compared to the days I wear sweatpants vs. the days I wear a skirt and nice top regarding the professor.. all of my professors like me if I am attentive and participate.
I get the point of the article, and I agree with the underlying idea, but personally I am one to dress fashionable for parties, going out with friends, and dates – not class. No one even notices what you are wearing at 8:30am.
“These are usually the people who drag themselves to class and immediately fall asleep, snoring loudly enough that they eventually wake themselves up. They also smell bad, yawn a lot, and generally have no idea what’s going on. They think that “just showing up” is good enough.”
oh really? they why do I, and most of my good friends who also dress casually in class have excellent grades? and when I say class I don’t mean public relations or english 101 i mean actual class like organic chemistry and molecular biology. many of my professors (not saying that this i right either) look down on the girls who come to lab in designer clothing
I’m heading back to college after being out of high school for about 10 years, I’ve learned in everyday life that dressing the part can get you the part!! I agree that you shouldn’t over due it to the point that it looks like you are obsessed with your appearance but spending some time on your self in the morning and putting some thought into your outfit can do a world of difference for you mood and self esteem 🙂
I’m loving outift #1 it is going to be my inspiration when out shopping for some key back to school outfits!!
* and if by chance I am having one of those icky days you will be sure that my sweats will be clean and my hair will be done!!