PINK Victoria's Secret: The Campus Sweatshirt Brand That Started in 2002

On October 16, 2002, Victoria's Secret announced PINK, a new sub-brand and product line. The idea was simple: a younger shopper, and by the brand's own later description teen girls and college-age women, deserved her own corner of the store. Business of Fashion described it as more loungewear than sexy lingerie, and that is the part that stuck.

That is why PINK Victoria's Secret still reads as a sweatshirt brand first. It reached select stores in late 2003, went chain-wide in July 2004, and in July 2008 the Collegiate Collection put the logos of 60 universities on fleece. A year later the college line grew to include historically black colleges and universities, after a campaign by a Howard University student. Young shoppers were the point from day one, and the fleece still carries it.

The hoodies are where I would begin. The Campus Fleece Full-Zip Hoodie in Heather Gray has a soft brushed interior and a drawstring hood, and it is the one I would throw over anything. The Oversized Mock-Neck Sweatshirt in Coconut Pink is the opposite mood: ribbed neck, cuffs and hem, and a pink that looks soft rather than loud. The Wondersoft Waffle-Knit Off-The-Shoulder Sweatshirt in Victoria Pink is for a night in with your collarbones out, and the Half-Zip Hoodie in Pure Black is what I would wear on a plane.

Most of these are 72% cotton and 28% recycled polyester, so they have that familiar college-fleece feel. My tip: put the zip hoodie on over a plain tank, then check the shoulder seam. Dropped shoulders should sit just off your arm, not halfway down it.

Fleece is only half of a sweatsuit, and the bottoms are where people settle for the wrong rise. Most of these pants run 72% cotton and 28% recycled polyester with a soft brushed interior, so they feel warm the second you put them on.

The Campus Fleece Sweatpants come in Coconut Pink and Heather Gray, both high rise with a drawcord and side-seam pockets. They are the easy ones, and I would match the gray with the gray hoodie from above for a proper set. The Adjustable-Cinch pair in Pink Berry adds an interior drawstring and a cinchable hem, which is what I want for the walk to class when it is cold. For something with shape, the Wide-Leg Split-Hem in Heather Gray and the Cropped Wide-Leg in Pink Sky with raw-edge ankles both look better with sneakers than a jogger does.

The All-Day Cotton Foldover Jogger in Pure Black has a waistband you fold to pick low, mid or high rise. In the fitting room, sit down and fold forward. If the waistband rolls or digs, move to the next rise.

What I would skip: the Cargo Sweatpants in Coconut Pink if you already own a hoodie with a front pocket. Flap pockets plus a kangaroo pouch is a lot of bulk at the hip.

PINK still sits inside Victoria's Secret, so the bras and bralettes are the natural next stop. The cotton ones are what I reach for on a normal Tuesday.

The Cotton Unlined Racerback Bralette in Hollywood Pink, the Triangle in Pink Tulip and the Lace-Trim Scoop all share a 53% cotton, 36% modal, 11% elastane blend. They are unlined and wireless, pull on without a clasp, and disappear under a fitted tee. The Marshmallow Unlined Wireless Comfy Bralette in Pink Lollipop is buttery in a different way, a polyamide and elastane knit that feels closer to a base layer.

If you want shape, the Wear Everywhere Push-Up Bra in Pink Fire is structured with medium lift, and the Wink Push-Up Balconette in Rose Taupe has embroidery you will want to show off. The Wink Push-Up Triangle Bralette in Pink Tulip splits the difference. The Marshmallow Push-Up Wireless Comfy Bra gives lift without a wire.

Check the band, not the cup. Raise your arms over your head and see if it stays level on your ribs. If it climbs, go down a band size.

What I would skip: a push-up under a thin white tee. Pick an unlined cotton one there, and keep the padded pieces for darker tops.

The slump started in 2018. Reports of PINK slowing down began to appear that year, following a shift in consumer preferences toward athleisure. The Relay line is the athleisure side of PINK, with leggings and sports bras made for moving.

The Relay Overlap-Band Leggings in Twilight Gray are high rise with an overlapped waistband and shirring, in a 75% recycled polyester, 25% elastane fabric. The Relay Baby-Rib in Pure Black has a pocket at the back, which is the detail that gets me. The Twist-Band Super Flare in Twilight Gray is the one to wear with a chunky sneaker. For something softer, the AnyWear Leggings in Fall For Me Pink have picot trim at the waistband and four-way stretch, and the Soft Seamless Foldover in Spray Blue lets you choose the rise.

On top, the Relay Racerback Sports Bra and the Micro Scoop in Pink Lollipop are lightly lined with removable padding. The AnyWear Foldover Shorts in Pink Lollipop are the easy add for a hot day.

Do the squat test in the fitting room, in good light. Look at the back of the knee and the seat. If you can see through, size up.

What I would skip: the flare leggings for a run. They are for walking, errands and class, not for speed.

PINK pajamas are where the brand is most itself. It was loungewear first, and the dots and plaids still look that way.

The 24/7 Lounge Modal Lace-Trim Cami and Pants Set in Pink with Black Dots is super-soft modal with a hint of stretch, 94% modal and 6% elastane. The GRWPINK Modal Flyaway Cami and Shorts Set in Pink Tulips Polka Dot print is the summer version. For something dressier, the GRWPINK Satin Flyaway Long-Sleeve and Pants Set in Pink Fire has a collar and button front, and it works as a flight outfit as much as a pajama.

I like the flannel the most. The 100% Cotton Favorite Flannel Pajama Pants and Button-Down Sleepshirt both come in Black and Pink Fire Plaid, and together they look like a proper set from a college dorm. Sweet Dreams Pajama Pants in Black Dots With Cherry and Bow Print are silky lyocell, and the 24/7 Lounge Modal Foldover Pants in Carmel Leopard go under a sweatshirt. The Cotton Side-Slit Tee and Panty Set in Pink Dog Print is the funny one.

Test: rub the fabric against your inner wrist. Flannel should feel brushed, not scratchy, and modal should feel cool and slippery.

What I would skip: the satin set if you run hot at night. Modal or cotton breathes better.

I would build the order in a simple sequence. One fleece layer first, the Coconut Pink Crew or the gray full-zip hoodie, and wear it hard for a week. Then add the matching sweatpants, because the set is what makes it work.

After that, one bralette in cotton, a pair of Relay leggings, and a pair of flannel pants for the cold nights. That covers sleep, class and the sofa.

PINK began in 2002 as a way to sell loungewear to girls heading to college, and you can still feel that in the fleece. It is clothing for the part of the day when nobody is watching, and it has stayed good at that. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Wow Dream Coat and the Frizz Spray That Refused to Stay a Secret.