Easy and Stylish Ways to Dress Up as a Teenager

Co-authored by Stephanie Fajardo and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: December 29, 2021 References

Are you having some trouble picking out a great outfit? Whether you’re getting ready for school or heading to a much fancier event, selecting a stylish look can feel like a tall order. Don’t worry. We’ve answered all your frequently asked questions, so you can look and feel your best when you get dressed up.

Question 1 of 7:

How should a teenage girl dress up?

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Pick out a long dress for a cute, breezy vibe. A long, breezy dress works well for just about any occasion. Stay relaxed in your favorite pair of kicks, or slip on your favorite necklace and earring set to add some sparkle to your look.^{[1]
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- A printed dress can make a fun, stylish statement.
2
Stand out with patterned pants. Wear a professional, light-colored button-up shirt. Then, slip into a pair of patterned pants to give your outfit a stylish dash of color. Finish off your dressy but comfortable ensemble with a nice pair of sneakers.^{[2]
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- You might wear a white button-up with a pair of brightly-colored plaid pants, along with some dark sneakers.
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3
Mix a blazer and hoodie together for a cool, streetwise look. Slide into your favorite pair of jeans, along with a comfortable, oversized hoodie. Then, layer a nice blazer overtop to give your outfit a professional vibe.^{[3]
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- You might mix a light, solid-colored hoodie with a pair of blue jeans and a neutral-toned blazer.

Question 2 of 7:

How can a teen guy dress up?

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Pair chinos and a sweater. Slide into a cozy, solid-colored sweater for a relaxed but comfortable look. Then, slip into a pair of chinos to make your outfit a little dressier. As a finishing touch, wear your favorite sneakers or tennis shoes before heading outside.^{[4]
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- You could mix a dark sweater with solid-colored chinos, along with white sneakers.
2
Stay cozy but stylish in a layered outfit. Pick out a long- or short-sleeved tee to be the bottom layer of your look. Then, layer a button-up flannel overtop. Finish off the outfit with a jean jacket, along with a nice pair of jeans and low boots.^{[5]
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- You could contrast a dark flannel and dark pair of jeans with a light tee and jean jacket.

Question 3 of 7:

How else can a teenager look stylish?

1
Create a casual look with a graphic tee. Graphic tees work well with a ton of different outfits. Stay relaxed with a pair of pants, or search through your closet for some other shorts, capris, or bottoms that you haven’t worn in awhile. Finish off the look with a comfortable pair of shoes, like your favorite sneakers.^{[6]
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- A graphic tee goes great with bold patterns, like a pair of camo pants.
2
Slide into a tracksuit. Tracksuits are a stylish, comfortable, and casual option that’s easy to slip into before school. Pick a matching jacket and sweatpants to create a sleek, seamless look that will leave heads turning.^{[7]
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Question 4 of 7:

How can a teen be pretty?

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Use super sheer-tinted moisturizer for a dewy look.^{[8]
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- For extra protection, pick out a moisturizer with SPF included.
2
Smooth out messy hair with basic hand moisturizer. A bad hair day can make your morning routine a bit stressful, but there’s an easy fix. Squeeze a tiny amount of moisturizer into your hands, and smooth back any unruly strands of hair. Then, style your hair as you normally would.^{[10]
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Question 5 of 7:

How can a teenage girl look cool?

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Have fun with colorful layers. Search through your closet for garments that are easy to layer over one another, like vests and jackets. Pick out your favorite items and transform them into a cool, colorful outfit.^{[11]
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- You might layer a plain jacket over a colorful vest. Then, you could slip a colorful crossbody bag over your shoulder.
2
Wear lots of armbands, bangles, and bracelets. Arm accessories add a cool, stylish touch—plus, they’re really easy to pick and customize. Slide a variety of bracelets, bangles, and other accessories along your wrists and arms for a cool, eclectic look.^{[12]
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- You might mix and match beaded bracelets, leather bands, jeweled bangles, and more.

Question 6 of 7:

How do you dress like a teen with swag?

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Pair a tank top with ripped jeans. Pick out your favorite, casual tank top. Then tuck your top into a stylish pair of ripped jeans. Complete your swag look with a nice pair of sneakers, along with a fancy manicure or nail art.^{[13]
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- Skinny jeans and a form-fitting top are another swag outfit option.
- You might also like mixing a pair of boyfriend jeans with a crop top.
2
Brighten up your outfit with neon. Slip on a pair of denim shorts or jeans, which provide a nice contrast with the neon. Then, slip on a neon garment to create a stylishly swag look.^{[14]
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- You could also wear a plain top with a pair of neon shorts.

Question 7 of 7:

How can a teenage girl look rich?

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Pick out clothes and accessories that are in great condition. Give your jewelry, watches, and other shiny accessories a nice polish before putting them on. Additionally, pick out clothes with clean, professional lines that aren’t wrinkled.^{[15]
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- If your accessories have any nicks or scratches, leave them behind.
2
Create a uniform outfit. Pick out a creamy knit top, black dress, or pair of dark-wash jeans to act as the base of your outfit. Believe it or not, subtle, uniform clothing looks very professional and wealthy.^{[16]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

What skirt length should I wear?

Stephanie Fajardo
Professional Stylist
Stephanie Fajardo is a Personal Stylist based in Portland, Oregon. Stephanie has over 17 years of styling experience in personal consulting, television, photography, and film shoots. Her work has been featured in Esquire Magazine and Portland Fashion Week.

Stephanie Fajardo

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

If you're very short, go with a shorter length skirt. If you're taller, you'll look better in a longer skirt.