Q&A for How to Dress Like a Nerd

Emo embodies emotions. Think about what you want to express through your wardrobe. Incorporate elements that reflect your personality and preferences.

Wear short, flowy shift dresses or tiered, floral maxi dresses to dress like a hippie. You can also wear fashionable scarves and hats.

Nerds often dress in a preppy, comfortable style. Nice-looking shoes can help your style appear more put-together. Or you can go for comfortable sneakers or sandals. Stay away from shoes that are uncomfortable, tight, or hard to walk in. Nerds value the mind more than looks, so what you wear isn't too important. As long as your shoes aren't uncomfortable (and thus a distraction), they're good.

Polo shirts can be nice, and they're perfect for wearing under a sweater if it's chilly out. You can also experiment with sweater vests, plaid, argyle, headbands, and other nerdy things. Make sure that the child is dressed appropriately for the weather. Above all, the child should be comfortable and able to move freely. Keep in mind that a nerdy child must be free to explore the things they're curious about, so don't dress them in tight-fitting or fancy clothes that could impede this. Look for clothes that the children like, and encourage independent thought by letting them dress themselves as much as they're able. Clothes are only part of the experience; young nerds need to explore their curiosity and begin thinking for themselves.

Many nerds wear glasses, but not all of them. People tend to associate glasses with intelligence, because often people who spend lots of time reading or staring at screens tend to have worse eyesight. However, not all people who wear glasses are smart, and not all smart people wear glasses. You don't have to wear glasses if you don't need or want them.

A nerd can have any type of haircut. Nerds might tend to wear their hair in more practical styles, like a manageable buzz cut or shoulder-length hair in a ponytail. Nerds are sometimes stereotyped as having bangs, though many nerds don't, especially adult nerds. Nerds can do whatever they please with their hair. If you're trying to figure out a good haircut, try figuring out what your face shape is (e.g. round, oblong) and picking a haircut that flatters that shape. When in doubt, go with something simple and easy to care for.

You can, but I don't recommend it. Usually, it's best to only wear one patterned piece of clothing at a time. That way, your outfit isn't too loud or mismatched. It's better if you wear your plaid with solid colors, and you wear your polka dots on a different day with solid colors. While you can wear them both at the same time, you might get a few stares and odd looks.

A good alternative to patterned clothes is a t-shirt. Nerds are typically associated with certain films or books, so wearing a t-shirt with the title of a nerdy show, movie, or book could work instead.