Choose an Outfit for School

Not knowing what to get dressed in first thing in the morning can start your whole day off on a bad note. Choosing an article to wear for school, the night before, or quickly in the morning, can get your day of to a great start. Begin below with Step One and you will know how to choose an outfit for school.

Steps

  1. Before you go to bed at night, pick one item from your closet. Whether it be shoes, a belt, a shirt, or even a necklace, this item will be the inspiration for your outfit. Don't feel like you have to dress head-to-toe in one color - often that makes you look tacky and unsophisticated.
  2. Don't be afraid of color! Even if your wardrobe is dominated by shades of white, grey, and black, don't worry! Buying a few simple bright accessories, such as a hat, belt or necklace, even shoes, which can be worn with different outfits (saving money) and can add a whole new dimension to an outfit, and make it "pop". Think of celebrities that wear a black top, black pants, then bright blue heels!
  3. Lay out your outfit beforehand. This way, when your alarm goes off, you won't have to rummage through your closet for something clean!
  4. Be yourself! Who says you have to be the same as everyone else? Express yourself through your clothes. It makes you unique and shows people your personality. Try not just to go by "trends" that appear in magazines--those models are not wearing your clothes, you are.
  5. Be spontaneous! Try a multicolored silk blouse or shirt with skinny jeans and bright flats, or something of the sort. Just try something different, something that will catch people's eye (in a good way!).
  6. Don't forget to be unique, your own style and agreeable to fashion itself.
  7. Make sure your clothing colors don't clash like orange and lime green.

Tips

  • Make sure to keep the dress code in mind!- No matter how great that outfit looks, if it breaks the dress code, don't wear it. It's not worth getting in trouble.
  • Dress to flatter your body--this means knowing your body's strengths and flaws. For example, those with a small bust can wear any neckline. If you have a large chest, however, a round neck or deep v-neck will work, but layer it. Remember, you're at school or work, so keep it modest. If you want to highlight a certain "good" area, like a waist or bust, wear a bright color there. Large patterns minimize large tummies, (but be careful, they can also overwhelm you)--just make sure the pattern is limited to one item of your outfit, as too many busy patterns can make you look shabby. Try a flattering black wrap dress or top with a medium size flower print, and keep patterns away from your pants, they do not belong there.
  • The more often you do laundry, the more clean clothes you have to wear.
  • Find yourself wearing the same pants every single day? Give yourself the one-two-three rule. In one week, you can wear an item twice but not more often than every three days. So, you could wear your yellow blouse on Monday, but the earliest you could wear it next was Thursday. But, if you wear it Thursday, you can't wear it until Monday at the earliest.
  • Don't be afraid to ask a parent or friend to help you choose what to wear.
  • Try to wear colors that show off your face and skin tone, that usually boosts the outfit's appeal to other people. Also, wear colors that YOU like and pieces of clothing that you feel comfortable and happy in. Most often when people like the way they feel and look, their confidence radiates and other people will notice you. Without feeling confident and liking the way you look, nobody will even take a glance at your outfit. Be happy and dress the way you want to, not how other people dress!
  • Express how you feel through what you wear.
  • Dress comfortably. If you are uncomfortable, you will not enjoy your outfit!
  • Wear something you will be comfortable in all day, no matter what you do.
  • Make sure not to wear jeans on a day that you have gym class or other physical activities. If you really want to wear jeans, you could change your jeans at school before the activity.
  • Always know when to STOP. If go to far above the limits you might want to tone it down a little. Too much of one thing or another can hurt inspiration in what you wear.
  • When you are picking out an outfit it helps to bring in help! Invite a friend and leave her in the room for 10 minutes! Tell her/him to pick out as many outfits as possible! Your friends often see new ideas better than you!
  • You have to lay out your clothes the night before- otherwise you will be stressed when your alarm goes off and choose something you will hate.

Warnings

  • Really try to find clothes that flatter your body in the right places, because even if you have a great outfit planned, it could be a bust if it doesn't fit right on your body. Check the mirror before going out and starting your day!
  • If you wear the same clothes everyday, kids notice and may comment something that doesn't need to be said. To prevent this: if you only have one or two shirts (in some cases) just change it up a bit! If you notice any bullying, don't be afraid to tell someone.
  • Do not try wearing clothes way out of your comfort zone just to impress someone!
  • Make sure that you are not allergic to some of the popular fabric sprays, detergents, softeners and the like. You could end up sneezing the day away or with a terrible skin rash.

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