Why Oversized Clothes Have Become Such A Hit Among Young Women

Among Indian college students today, a noticeable shift in dressing is taking place. Baggy jeans have replaced skinny fits. Oversized T-shirts, boxy jackets, loose trousers, and gender neutral silhouettes are now everyday staples. For many Gen Z students, fashion is no longer about looking traditionally attractive or perfectly put together. It is about comfort, autonomy, and expressing identity without needing to explain it.

Students describe this shift as both practical and personal. Long commutes and packed schedules make comfort essential. Spending hours on campus also plays a role. Dressing loosely helps many students feel less self-conscious in shared public spaces.

“Most days I am either in class or travelling,” says Khushi, an undergraduate student at the University of Delhi. “Baggy clothes make life easier. I feel more relaxed and less aware of how I look to others.”

Beyond comfort, oversized clothing offers a way to step away from expectations placed on young women. There is a quiet resistance in choosing silhouettes that do not prioritise looking feminine or conventionally flattering.

Priyamvada, a student at DU, explains, “I used to think I had to look presentable all the time, even for lectures. Now I wear loose pants and oversized shirts because they feel like me. I am not dressing to impress anyone.”

University spaces have always allowed room for experimentation. Fashion is often one of the first ways students explore independence. Social media has accelerated this shift. It exposes students to global streetwear, thrift culture, and styling that values individuality over polish.

Comfort, Control, and Campus Culture

For many women, dressing baggy is also about moving through public spaces with more ease. Students do not describe their choices as dressing for others. Still, many admit that loose silhouettes help them feel less watched.

“I feel more comfortable in oversized clothes when I am on campus or outside,” says Lekshmi, a DU student. “It gives me a sense of control. I am not thinking about who is looking at me.”

This approach reflects how students respond to their environment rather than fashion rules. Baggy jeans, cargo pants, oversized hoodies, thrifted jackets, and chunky sneakers are everyday choices. They are worn for how they feel rather than how they appear.

Arya, another University of Delhi student, notes how common the shift has become. “Almost everyone I know dresses like this now. There is no single style. Some days people dress bold. Other days they dress simple. No one really judges.”

This movement does not reject femininity or traditional dressing. Students move between styles based on mood and context. Dresses, fitted tops, and makeup heavy looks still exist. They are choices rather than expectations.

The growing preference for relaxed silhouettes reflects changing values among young people. Students want clothing that feels versatile and comfortable. The idea of dressing to look attractive is giving way to dressing to feel like oneself.

At its core, the rise of baggy and unconventional fashion is not about rebellion. It is about opting out of constant self-monitoring. Students want clothes that let them focus on learning and everyday life without feeling on display.

By embracing oversized silhouettes and rejecting rigid norms, students are quietly reshaping campus fashion. Their message is clear. Comfort and choice come first.

Views expressed by the author are their own.