There’s nothing like cozying up by the fire in a pair of worn-in sweatpants when the weather is chilly—but what happens come summer, when it’s too hot to wear your favorite sweats even with the AC on full blast? Allow us to introduce you to the summer equivalent of the comfiest wardrobe essential: plus-size sweat shorts. Imagine your absolute coziest pair of sweatpants simply turned into equally-cozy shorts. You have the same feel, same material, same everything—except wearing sweat shorts won’t leave you sweating up a storm. It’s the hero piece of summer loungewear, and we’re ready to stock up on a few (or a lot).
While sweatpants hold a very special place in our hearts, there’s no denying that they’re just not always suitable for hot summer days—or even those days leading into fall, when the temperatures haven’t quite cooled off yet. Weather is a fickle mistress, but luckily, loungewear doesn’t have to be. Just like you’d swap out your winter turtlenecks and oversized sweaters for breezy blouses and crop tops come summer, you can do the same with your coziest wardrobe pieces, too.
If the summer heatwaves are too much for you to handle, all you have to do is tuck away your favorite sweatpants (just for now!) and slip into a pair of plus-size sweat shorts. You’ll stay just as cozy as you would while wearing those sweatpants you stole from your ex five years ago, only without overheating. And frankly, maybe those tattered old sweats need to go. (Sorry not sorry.)
To help get you into the sweat shorts of your loungewear dreams, we’ve rounded up some of our absolute favorite pairs below. You’ll find trendy tie-dye, classic solid hues and even a couple matching sweat shorts sets, so be prepared to add quite a few pieces to your cart. The summer heat is relentless, but we’ve got a secret weapon this year.
Here at Unruly, we’re committed to featuring plus-size pieces we genuinely love and want to share with you. We’re connected to an affiliate revenue program, which means we might make a small commission when you buy products through our shopping guides. This in no way affects the pieces we choose to feature, and it never will. (Confused? We’d love to answer any questions you have about this. Email us at beunrulyinfo@gmail.com!)
1. Drawn Into You Dolphin Shorts
shop the shorts – $12.99 from Fashion Nova
2. Sweat Shorts
shop the shorts – $12.99 from Fashion Nova
3. Cotton Candy Sweat Shorts
shop the shorts – $78 from Big Bud Press
4. Drawstring Shorts
shop the shorts – $18.99 from Forever 21
5. Balloon-Sleeve Sweat and Short Set
shop the shorts set – $30 from Boohoo
6. 7-Day Knit Shorts
shop the shorts – $11.99 from Woman Within
7. Cloud Tie-Dye Sweat Shorts
shop the shorts – $75 from Good American
8. Sport Knit Shorts
shop the shorts – $11.99 from Woman Within
9. Ringer Dolphin Shorts
shop the shorts – $12 from Forever 21
10. Taste the Rainbow Dolphin Shorts
shop the shorts – $12.99 from Fashion Nova
11. Dolphin Shorts
shop the shorts – $12.99 from Forever 21
12. Easter Egg Sweat Shorts
shop the shorts – $78 from Big Bud Press
13. Mid-Rise French Terry Shorts
shop the shorts – $30 from Old Navy
14. Flamingo Crystal Wash Sweat Shorts
shop the shorts – $78 from Big Bud Press
15. Need You Now Jogger Shorts
shop the shorts – $12.80 from Nasty Gal
16. Sport Knit Shorts
shop the shorts – $11.99 from Woman Within
17. Nike Washed Jersey Shorts
shop the shorts – $45 from ASOS
18. Jersey Knit Shorts
shop the shorts – $12.99 from Woman Within
19. Drawstring Shorts
shop the shorts – $18.99 from Forever 21
20. Our Day to Day Shorts Lounge Set
shop the shorts set – $24.80 from Nasty Gal
21. Drawn Into You Dolphin Shorts
shop the shorts – $12.99 from Fashion Nova
22. 7-Day Knit Shorts
shop the shorts – $11.99 from Woman Within
23. Hippie Trippy Delight Tie-Dye Shorts
shop the shorts – $30 from Dolls Kill
24. Ringer Dolphin Shorts
shop the shorts – $12 from Forever 21
25. Sport Knit Shorts
shop the shorts – $11.99 from Woman Within
26. Sweat Shorts
shop the shorts – $12.99 from H&M
27. LIVI Tie-Dye French Terry Shorts
shop the shorts – $49.95 from Lane Bryant
28. 7-Day Knit Shorts
shop the shorts – $11.99 from Woman Within
29. Top Notch Top and Shorts Lounge Set
shop the shorts – $18 from Nasty Gal
30. Sweat Shorts
shop the shorts – $12.99 from H&M
31. 7-Day Knit Shorts
shop the shorts – $11.99 from Woman Within
32. Roaman’s Soft Knit Shorts
shop the shorts – $19.34 from Walmart
33. Drawn Into You Dolphin Shorts
shop the shorts – $12.99 from Fashion Nova
34. Sweat Shorts
shop the shorts – $12.99 from H&M
35. 7-Day Knit Shorts
shop the shorts – $11.99 from Woman Within