Sweatshorts Are Back: How To Style Them For College, Travel, And Everyday Wear

One might think sweatshorts only ever belonged in two places – the gym and the sofa. Anywhere else, and the message was loud and clear: ‘you have given up’, much like fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld once famously implied about sweatpants. That idea, though, is outdated. 

If you think about it, this isn’t even new. Early 2000s TV had already laid the groundwork. Shows like One Tree Hill and The O.C. featured men wearing sweatshorts everywhere – basketball courts, beach volleyball games, and school hallways. No one questioned it. They were part of the uniform, alongside graphic tees and questionable haircuts. 

Then fashion did what it always does. Skinny jeans arrived, tailoring got tighter, and these shorts were pushed to the back of the drawer. For a while, they became something you wore at home or not at all. But today’s sweatshorts aren’t about looking sloppy. The fit is better, the fabrics are heavier, and the way they’re worn has shifted. Think Crew Relaxed Fit Sweatshorts by XYXX. You’re not throwing them on because you cannot be bothered. You’re choosing them because they sit comfortably in that active-inspired athleisure space.

Before you even think about styling, get the sweatshorts right itself. This is non-negotiable. Anything that looks like an old PE kit is an immediate no. 

The ideal fit is relaxed, which is designed to fall just above the knee. Not long, not baggy, not clingy. Fabric matters more than people realise. Look for sweatshorts made from French terry or combed cotton with a proper elasticated waistband for better grip around the waist. Premium fleece helps too. These fabrics wear well over time and don’t collapse by midday. 

Colour can make or break a pair. Neutrals always pull their weight. Colours like frost white, ink black, concrete grey, midnight navy, and even a muted quad blue easily slot into everyday outfits without screaming for attention. 

For college, sweatshorts feel best when everything else steps up slightly. Start with a crisp, heavyweight T-shirt. Boxy is fine. Oversized isn’t necessary. 

But if you’re into oversized fits, you can pair sweatshorts with an oversized hoodie from Crew. It gives a cool varsity energy to your look.  

Footwear matters here. Stick to clean trainers or sneakers. Keep the soles simple and the lines sharp. The aim is laid-back, not rolled out of bed five minutes ago. 

Travel is where sweatshorts really earn their place. Pair them with a Crew Oversized Round Neck Sweatshirt or Crew Oversized Zipper Hoodie by XYXX instead of that stretched-out sweater you refuse to throw away. These pieces layer easily and stay reliable through long hours. 

Pair them with trainers that are cushioned enough for walking but still clean. Add a cool baseball cap, compact crossbody, and decent sunglasses to help the outfit feel complete.

From pre-game warm-up to post-game cooldown, these sweatshorts deliver an athletic edge to your look. Pairing them with an oversized tee or Crew Oversized Hoodie by XYXX shifts the look without trying too hard. 

They also make sense for casual, in-between plans like a quick meet-up with friends or match day events that turn into a smoothie stop or a late lunch. In those moments, sweatshorts feel practical without reading purely sporty. For evening-adjacent plans, go darker with the shorts and cleaner with the top.

Sweat shorts no longer signal a lack of effort. Get the fit right, choose fabric that performs day after day, and they make sense across far more situations than we once gave them credit for. From game night to travel and everything in between, they’ve earned their place again. Not as a fallback, but as a choice.