How to Dress for School

Last Updated: September 9, 2022 References

Wearing the right clothes for school can have a major effect on your confidence. There is a lot of pressure to look good, but to also feel comfortable. If you take the time to find great fitting clothes, and prepare your look before you go to bed, you can wake up in the morning ready to put on an outfit that helps you feel great and ready for the day.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Planning in Advance

1
Take your shower in the evening. When you wake up in the morning, all you have to do is wash your face. If you need your morning shower to help wake up, go ahead and take it, but try to just wash your body, and leave your hair dry to save time.
2
Plan what you are going to wear before you go to bed. Go through your wardrobe, and pull out the clothes you want to wear. Then, decide what accessories or shoes you want to pair with your outfit. This will save you from trying to decide what matches in the morning. Also, it will keep you from frantically searching for a certain top or missing shoe in the morning. Your outfit will look more put together, and you will have less stress in the morning.

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3
Leave yourself enough time to get ready. You may have stayed up late, but you need to avoid hitting the snooze button. The longer you stay in bed, the less time you have to get ready. It may be tempting, but you will regret it when you are trying to look good for the day.
- Try to give yourself at least thirty minutes in the morning to get ready.
- The best way to feel refreshed in the morning, and be ready to get out of bed, is to get plenty of sleep each night. Try to set a bedtime routine that allows you to get at least eight hours of sleep every night.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Creating Looks for Girls

1
Find great fitting jeans. Jeans are the perfect school staple that can be worn just about every day. Jeans come in a variety of different colors and washes so you never have to feel bored wearing them. Also, you can mix up the fit by having skinny jeans, boy-cut jeans, or flare jeans.^{[1]
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2
Wear a fun skirt. Longer skirts that hit the knee are a great way to stay casual, but step up your look. Wear flowing skirts that fall away from your body, and pair them with casual tops likes T-shirts, long sleeve shirts, or blouses. You can choose any pattern or color skirt that you want, just be sure the fit is not too tight or too short.
3
Choose classic tops. An easy way to look chic for school is to find simple tops you can wear repeatedly. Find classic cut tops such as crew necks, V-necks, and collared shirts. Buy neutral colors like black, white, navy, brown, and gray that are solid colors or have stripes. You can mix and match these tops with any style jean or skirt.^{[2]
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- The majority of your tops should be neutral. You should only have a few special tops such as a shirt with rhinestones or words that you wear occasionally.
4
Wear complimentary colors. Modern fashion includes all sorts of styles and color combinations, but there are certain colors that clash together and should not be paired up. To create an outfit that is complimentary together, keep color in mind. Colors that are directly opposite of each other on the color wheel are considered complementary such as blue and orange, pink and green, and yellow and purple. Wearing complimentary colors creates an attractive, color-rich palette.
- For example, you could wear a pink shirt with a green cardigan, or a blue skirt with an orange sweater. Keep the color wheel in mind, but do not be afraid to match other colors you think work well together.
5
Add versatile pieces to your wardrobe. Everyone needs to have essential pieces in their wardrobe that can be easily mixed and matched to any outfit. Here is a list of pieces you should invest in and how to wear them:
- A plain white T-shirt is great on its own or for layering. You can wear it under a sweater, over a tank top, paired with a cardigan, tucked into a skirt, or left free with a pair of jeans.
- A striped shirt, in any color, looks great with a solid, floral, or plaid skirt or jeans. Add your favorite cardigan, and you will create a classic look.^{[3]
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- Dark denim looks great on everyone. Whether the jeans are skinny, bootleg, or flare cut, they will pair perfectly with a striped shirt, floral blouse, or sweater.
- Over-sized cardigans are a must have for current trends. You can never have too many cardigans to pair with your T-shirts, blouses, tank tops, or button downs. Start off with basic colors such as black, blue, and brown, and then accumulate more in brighter colors and designs that you can pair with just about any top.
6
Wear comfortable shoes. As the seasons change, and your outfits, your shoes should as well. It can be boring wearing the same flats, tennis shoes, or boots every day. Allow yourself several options for shoes, and just be sure they are all comfortable.
- Ballet flats are the perfect shoe to dress up or dress down, and they are very comfortable.^{[4]
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- Have a black and brown shoe option. This will help you always have a pair of shoes to match any outfit.
- Steer away from wearing high heels to school. Unless you have a special school function, there is no need for a shoe over three inches. If you do wear a shoe like a stiletto, you might get other students questioning your shoe choice.
7
Complete your look with accessories. You can make your casual outfits more interesting by adding jewelry such as a bracelet, earrings, necklace, or ring. Do not go overboard with your look as it is better to keep it simple by just adding one or two pieces.
- Statement jewelry, like larger necklaces, may not be the best way to go for a school look. Opt for more delicate pieces when you are trying to create a look that is school appropriate.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Creating Looks for Guys

1
Find the perfect blue jeans. Every guy needs to have a pair of great fitting jeans. The exact fit is up to you, but they should fit you properly. Pants that do not stay up, and sag down, are not appropriate or appealing for school.^{[5]
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- Have several pairs of blue jeans in different washes such as light, medium, and dark wash.
- Black jeans are also a great staple item for a guy's closet.
2
Have a variety of tops. Try to have different colors, styles, and fits in your closet to enhance your overall style. Besides the plain white T, you should also have several polo shirts, a few lightweight long-sleeve shirts, and some other crew neck tops in various colors and designs. This way, even though you are essentially wearing T-shirts and blue jeans everyday, you will not get bored with your wardrobe. You will have many items to mix and match.^{[6]
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- Be sure to have cozy sweaters to wear come winter in several colors such as brown, black, blue, and green.^{[7]
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3
Wear collared shirts and button ups. Throughout the year, especially when the weather gets cooler, you will want to have a few button up shirts with a collar. Whether these are cotton or flannel, it will be a great way to enhance your style, and stay warm.^{[8]
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4
Have a simple hoodie. A hoodie is the perfect way to stay warm, and keep your look casual for school. Since your hoodie is meant to be worn almost everyday during cooler seasons, opt for a neutral color with either no design, or one that is simple so that your hoodie will match the rest of your wardrobe.^{[9]
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- A lighter or thinner hoodie is a good way to layer with a button down shirt underneath.^{[10]
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5
Wear complimentary colors. Modern fashion includes all sorts of styles and color combinations, but there are certain colors that clash together and should not be paired up. To create an outfit that is complimentary together, keep color in mind. Colors that are directly opposite of each other on the color wheel are considered complementary such as blue and orange, pink and green, and yellow and purple. Wearing complimentary colors creates an attractive, color-rich palette.
- For example, you could wear an orange shirt with a blue checkered button down, or a dark green hoodie with a purple polo. Keep the color wheel in mind, but do not be afraid to match other colors you think work well together.
6
Create classic looks. It can be easy to create a timeless, casual look for school by pairing staple wardrobe pieces together. It is all about layering. No matter what season it is, layering your tops together with a great pair of denim is always a great look. Here are some wardrobe ideas to follow:
- Always start with a basic T-shirt. A white T-shirt is good for everyday, but you can mix up your look with a variety of colors in a crew neck or V-neck cut.
- Add a polo or button down shirt over your plain T-shirt. If you are wearing a colored T-shirt, be sure that the shirt you wear over is complimentary. So if you are wearing a red T-shirt, try wearing a blue polo, or a blue checkered button down.
- Wear a hoodie or cardigan. Depending on the season, you can add a third layer to keep your look interesting. Cardigans and hoodies are better to leave neutral so you can combine them with more pieces. Try a beige cardigan over your blue checkered button down, or a black hoodie.
7
Stick with comfortable shoes. Unless you are required to wear dress shoes, keep your footwear casual. Shoe styles such as sneakers, saddle shoes, or canvas options are a great way to keep your look school ready. Black shoes pair with everything, but you can try wearing brown shoes when your wardrobe has Earth tones such as browns, greens, and blues.^{[11]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Choosing Appropriate Clothes

1
Follow the school dress code. Every school has a different set of rules that outline what you are allowed to wear. Although these rules vary, most schools require you to dress on the conservative side, and never show your midriff. Check out your specific school rules in the school handbook, or by asking an administrator at the school.^{[12]
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2
Dress casually. Although you might be tempted to wear your best Friday night outfit to school, you have to remember that school is not a party. You are better off dressing comfortably. Regardless of the dress code, conservative outfits that are cute and casual are always the best option. If you show up to school too formally, others might think you are trying too hard.^{[13]
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- Keep in mind, you want to dress in a way that allows your teachers to have respect for you and not be distracted by your revealing clothes.
3
Be sure your clothes fit well. Any attention you receive for your clothes should be positive, and not because your shirt is ultra low, or your pants are too tight. You do not want to find yourself breaking school rules and getting in trouble for inappropriate clothes. School is a professional atmosphere, so you should dress the part. Always check your clothes throughout the year for a proper fit. A top that may have once fit you perfectly, might now be riding a little too high on your stomach. Use these steps to check your clothes before you leave the house:^{[14]
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- Raise your arms in the air, and if your stomach shows, do not wear it to school.
- Bend over and touch your toes to check your pants. If you find that your underwear sits higher than the top of your pants, it may be time to get rid of them.
- Bend over, and check the top of your shirt. If you have a lot of cleavage showing, pick a shirt that is more conservative.
- Do not wear a shirt that shows your bra strap. Many schools require you to have at least three fingers of coverage on your shoulders.
- Check the length of your skirt, dress, or shorts by putting your arms straight down by your side. If the length is shorter than your finger tips, it is not appropriate for school.

Expert Q&A

Question

What should I wear if I want to look like I'm not trying super hard on the first day of school?

Sheila A. Anderson
Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon
Sheila A. Anderson is a Certified Image Consultant, International Branding Icon, and the Founder of Image Power Play, an impression management and personal branding company. With over three decades of experience, she specializes in empowering corporate professionals to raise their personal image to meet the value of their brand. Sheila is a Certified Image Consultant with The Image Resource Network and a Certified Universal Style Consultant with The Universal Style International. Sheila is a member of the C-Suite Network Advisors and the author of the book, I.C.U., The Comprehensive Guide to Breathing Life Back Into Your Personal Brand.

Sheila A. Anderson

Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon

Expert Answer

If you're looking to keep it casual and you don't want to stand out, I'd recommend wearing neutral colors and keeping your outfit mostly monochromatic. If you don't overdo it with the colors, your outfit won't draw a ton of attention.
Question

How can I make my school uniform more interesting?

Sheila A. Anderson
Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon
Sheila A. Anderson is a Certified Image Consultant, International Branding Icon, and the Founder of Image Power Play, an impression management and personal branding company. With over three decades of experience, she specializes in empowering corporate professionals to raise their personal image to meet the value of their brand. Sheila is a Certified Image Consultant with The Image Resource Network and a Certified Universal Style Consultant with The Universal Style International. Sheila is a member of the C-Suite Network Advisors and the author of the book, I.C.U., The Comprehensive Guide to Breathing Life Back Into Your Personal Brand.

Sheila A. Anderson

Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon

Expert Answer

If your school has a dress code, you probably don't have that much freedom in the clothing department. However, you're probably allowed to wear some accessories! Scarves, belts, hats, and statement jewelry are all fun ways to play up a boring school uniform.
Question

What's a good way to reinvent my look for a new school year?

Sheila A. Anderson
Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon
Sheila A. Anderson is a Certified Image Consultant, International Branding Icon, and the Founder of Image Power Play, an impression management and personal branding company. With over three decades of experience, she specializes in empowering corporate professionals to raise their personal image to meet the value of their brand. Sheila is a Certified Image Consultant with The Image Resource Network and a Certified Universal Style Consultant with The Universal Style International. Sheila is a member of the C-Suite Network Advisors and the author of the book, I.C.U., The Comprehensive Guide to Breathing Life Back Into Your Personal Brand.

Sheila A. Anderson

Certified Image Consultant & International Branding Icon

Expert Answer

Change your hairstyle! Getting a brand new hairstyle is one of the quickest and easiest ways to totally change your look without buying new clothing or going overboard with a brand new wardrobe.