Are you stressing over what to wear for high school? These wardrobe essentials will give you plenty of ideas on how to pair outfits.
These clothing staples will be great for making outfits and suitable for any dress code.
Don’t worry about picking out your clothes anymore as you only need these items to help you. No more debating what to wear in the morning or whether your outfit is appropriate.
These clothing staples are also what I have been loving to wear during high school and are always in style.
Check out these clothing ideas to get inspiration on what to wear for high school.
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What to Wear for High School
1. Oversized Pullover
Any pullover is a great addition to your outfit. This pullover comes in a variety of colors and sizes which is great for cooler mornings or chilly days.
I love wearing a pullover when I don’t know what to wear and you can just throw on leggings, jeans, or sweats to pair with it.
If you like your clothes to fit baggier or oversized, I recommend ordering large or x-large to get that style.
I get cold easily, so a pullover is perfect for wearing over a shirt or long sleeve.
Plus, you won’t have to worry about the dress code as it isn’t revealing, but super cute.
2. High-Waisted Yoga Pants
If you ever got a warning about tight yoga pants, this is a great alternative to combat that dress code.
Not only is it a-mazing with any outfit, but it is super comfy.
I recommend grabbing a pair or two of these yoga pants for casual occasions. You can also dress it up or down based on what you pair with it.
For a simple daily event, pair these yoga pants with a simple tee or crop top (yes crop top since these pants will be able to cover your tummy!). And for more formal occasions, you can dress it up with a blouse and blazer.
There are also many great reviews on Amazon raving about these pants. If you want to tuck in that tummy, show your figure, or look cute, these will be a staple in your wardrobe.
3. Blouse
A pretty blouse is a must for any cute outfit. Pair this up with a pair of jeans or high-waisted yoga pants and you’ve got yourself a look!
There are a variety of colors and patterns to choose from, but I really like this speckled pattern.
No more stressing about what to wear for high school, but more thinking about which outfit to pick.
Add a bracelet and necklace to upgrade your outfit. If you dislike wearing jewelry, you can opt for a bucket hat or some cute socks to go with your outfit.
A blouse works well on so many occasions from casual school days to football games to club and organization events.
4. Zippered Jacket
If you lounge in your sweater all the time, this zippered sweater will be great for back to school.
I love wearing oversized, comfy sweaters or hoodies when I have a test coming up. It allows you to relax and focus more on your academic goals rather than feeling uncomfortable in your outfits.
I recommend going with a soft neutral color so it goes well with many outfits.
Plus, if you wore something too tight or revealing (spaghetti straps), you can cover it up with this sweater.
It’s pretty cute and oversized, so be careful with the sizes since it is already oversized.
5. Hoodie
If you love hoodies, you will also like this midway-zippered sweater.
It has wide pockets and a variety of cute colors to pick from.
It is also slightly cropped, so if you like to wear higher-waisted pants or bottoms, then this will go well with a lot of these items.
You can also unzip the sweater for a different look. Zip it up for a more composed image and unzip it for a calmer image.
This is like an upgraded version of a hoodie that adds more style and flair to an outfit.
6. Neutral Color Shirt
Pick up several neutral color shirts or blouses that you like and you can make hundreds of outfits out of them.
Go for colors like white and black for more formal and put-together looks. Aim for light gray, tans, and browns for a more casual vibe.
And if you are feeling a bit out there, you can also pick up some brighter colors.
If your bottoms and sweaters are neutral colors, then you can feel free to add a pop of color here and there.
Once you discover your favorite blouse or shirt, you can stock up on a few different colors in that style. That way it will be very simple to pair your outfits and tie everything together.
7. Shorts
If your school has a strict dress code for shorts, then these shorts will help you escape the grasp of write-ups.
Opt for loose shorts instead of tight-fitting shorts for more appropriately-cute outfits.
Besides, these are so much comfier than tight shorts.
There are a bunch of colors and fun patterns to choose from so there is one for everybody.
These shorts also goes well with blouses, tops, or shirts tucked in. Plus, it’s perfect for crop tops and halter tops.
Yes, they basically go well with almost any top.
8. Jacket
Sweaters and jackets are a must in my books. I get cold easily, so I love to wear an outer layer for additional warmth.
This furry sweater comes in several colors and styles, but I love this light khaki color.
Doesn’t it look just like a teddy bear?
Pick up a warmer sweater for colder days and go with a more neutral color.
This way you can make a ton of outfit combinations and still look super cute for school.
9. Jeans
Jeans are never out of style. They may change the different styles, but jeans in general are always a popular choice.
Find a pair of jeans that you like and that fits you amazingly.
Then, work with different tops and see how they look with your jeans.
Go for lighter shades of blue for a casual look and darker shades of blue for a more formal image.
You can also dress up your jeans by adding a belt, pairing it with fancy shoes, or wearing an anklet.
10. Dress
Having a button-up dress will be an outfit in itself.
If you ever encounter the question what should I wear today? What should I wear for high school?
A button-up dress will be able to solve your question in seconds. Just grab the dress and a neutral color shirt to go with it.
If it is chilly outside, pair the dress with a furry sweater and knee-high socks or tights. You can also wear long boots or ankle shoes to go with this dress.
For a more casual look, pair the button-up dress with sports shoes and some fun socks.
Interested in more high school content? Check out The Ultimate College Freshman Guide that You NEED to Know.
11. Skirt
You need at least one skirt in your closet.
Even if you don’t wear skirts, there may be occasions when you are feeling it.
Skirts are super cute and they go with a variety of tops.
You can wear shirts tucked into a skirt, layered with a vest, or wrapped with a belt.
For a youthful look, wear pleated skirts. However, for a more polished style, opt for a-line skirts.
12. Sweatshirt
Sweatshirts are such an easy outfit idea. If you are ever in a time crunch and it’s a bit chilly outside, put on a sweatshirt and some jeans.
This sweatshirt is cropped so it will go well with high-waisted pants, jeans, or skirts.
You can go for some pop of color here to draw attention to your outfit.
Similar to other outfits, you can dress this up or down. To dress it up, wear some high-waisted black bottoms with ankle boots or platforms.
And to dress it causally, just wear shorts, jeans, or pants with sports shoes or sneakers.
13. Cardigan
For more feminine looks, you will want to pick up a cardigan.
Opt for cream or light pastel colors if you are going for a softer feel.
Cardigans go really well with skirts, dresses, and blouses.
It is perfect for early mornings when it is cold and easy to tuck in your backpack when it gets warmer throughout the day.
You can go for the cable knit style, the cropped style, or a simple knitted version. Whichever version you choose, they will match well with any bottoms that you throw at it!
14. Light Sweater
Another great staple to have in your wardrobe is a flannel shirt.
You can pair this up with jeans, pants, or skirts.
Moreover, it is great for spring or summer weather.
And if you have spaghetti straps or cropped tops, a flannel shirt will do wonders in covering you, but still, look cute.
I will go for the black, white, or red flannels since they pair up with different outfits quite nicely.
Interested in what other things to buy for high school? Check out The Complete High School Freshman Survival Kit.
15. Tank Tops
An alternative to spaghetti straps is tank tops!
These come in a pack of two and include different colors.
You can tuck them up in jeans and skirts to showcase your bottoms.
These are perfect for spring or summer or for layering.
You can wear a tank top and wear a furry sweater over it for fall. It would be a smart idea to go with neutral colors on tank tops, so they will be super easy to match with any clothing.
What to wear for high school?
Are you unsure of how to create outfits for high school?
Well, here are some ideas that will help you create tons of outfits in minutes.
Using the above-mentioned clothing, we will create some combinations for school.
- Outerwear: oversized pullover, zippered jacket, hoodie, jacket, cardigan, light sweater
- Inner layer: blouse, neutral color shirt, sweatshirt, tank tops
- Bottoms: high-waisted yoga pants, shorts, jeans, skirt
- Full: dress
Next, we can combine these to form outfits. You can pair an oversized pullover with high-waisted yoga pants, shorts, jeans, or a skirt. There, you already have four outfits created!
Another combination can be a neutral color shirt with a zippered jacket, hoodie, cardigan, or light sweater. Then the bottoms can be any of the mentioned. Mix them up and you have yourself a ton more options!
Mix and match between the inner layers and the bottoms and add in an outer layer for chillier days.
It is super simple to make outfits as long as the colors are neutral and the styles go along with each other! Still, need more ideas? Well, there are also tips on how to make your outfits unique and change up your look in the next section!
How to make outfits unique?
If you are trying to add some sparkle to your outfits, here are some suggestions.
- jewelry: necklaces, bracelets, earrings
- headwear: caps, bucket hats, headbands
- accessories: belts
- footwear: sneakers, platforms, ankle boots
- hair: ponytail, bun, braided
Upgrade your outfit by pairing it with different accessories or jewelry.
You can also change your look with your hairstyle. If you are aiming for a more sporty look, aim for a high ponytail and wearing sneakers. Changing your hairstyle can do wonders in changing the overall vibe or look that you are going for.
For a softer look, go for a simple necklace and ankle boots.
Don’t be afraid to try out new looks and hairstyles. You can play around and test it out.
If your teacher does not allow hats in the classroom, you can always wear headbands. Adding or taking something out can really change how your overall look.
That’s a wrap and hopefully, now you know what to wear for high school!
