How to Dress Appropriately

Co-authored by Dina Scherer

Last Updated: April 13, 2024

Whether you’re worried about dressing appropriately for your new job or you simply want to make sure your top is on point before you hit the town, it’s important to make sure your outfit suits the situation. Dressing appropriately is essential if you want to look your best without infringing on any social norms. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about dressing appropriately so that you can look and feel great!

1

Organize your closet.

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Sort through your wardrobe to see what your options are. Fold your clothes neatly, hang up your dresses and jeans, and sort shirts and shorts into drawers or baskets.
- Make sure to identify your ideal style and color palette before investing in your wardrobe. Fill it with pieces that fit your body type and make you feel more confident.
- Understanding your body type and the types of fabrics that work best for it is also essential.

2

Find out where you are going.

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You don't want to go to the grocery store in your favorite Sunday clothes, and you probably wouldn't like to go to a fancy restaurant in your PJ's.

3

Pick an outfit.

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First, choose a shirt or blouse. Then find a skirt or pants to go with it. Picking the top first helps you picture the entire outfit better.

4

Accessorize.

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Jewelry is very important to the entire appearance, since it ties the whole outfit together and adds a focal point. Also, you should make sure that if you are going to carry a handbag or purse, be sure that it does not contrast too much. With shoes, be sure that they are comfortable and will not attract too much attention.

5

Apply makeup.

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Don't put on too much- you shouldn't want to appear fake. You don't want it to look like you have makeup on. Less is best sometimes especially when you are older and start to have some wrinkles.

6

Greet the world with a smile.

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A person is only as good as her personality, and you don't want people to think that you are sour or unkind.

7

Defer to the experts for age-appropriate outfits.

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Check out some style websites for teens, tweens, or kids. Copy it or as close as you can. Like what you wear, be comfortable in your clothes, but make sure the clothing you want to wear is appropriate for your age.
- Look for clothes that feel authentic to yourself and are not only "trendy". Also, be mindful of the hemlines so you can feel comfortable without showing more skin than you want to.

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Question

How do I dress appropriately?

Community Answer

Make sure you know your body well. Wear colors that match your skin tone. Wear prints and styles that go along with your body shape.

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As a 12 year old girl, how should I dress for my social? It's a more casual version of a formal, and I don't really have many suitable clothes for special occasions.

Lindseyx

Community Answer

Try a black and white blouse with jeans and a blazer. If you don't have a blouse, any button down will do. Try a casual hairstyle like a ponytail.

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What should I do if all my clothes look really similar?

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You can try cutting them, painting them, or putting patches on them. There are plenty of tutorials online for that.

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Dress yourself nicely wherever you go. People notice if you don't take care of yourself, and when you do, chances are that others will be more open to meeting and talking to you.

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Look people in the eye when meeting them or speaking to them, and always offer your hand to shake before and after introducing yourself.

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Be confident! A sparkling smile is an important part of any outfit.

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Warnings

Keep yourself clean and well groomed. Also, brush your teeth. Bad breath is not a good way to have people think of you.

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If someone insults you, don't insult them back. Laugh it off.

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How to Dress Appropriately

Steps

Organize your closet.

Find out where you are going.

Pick an outfit.

Accessorize.

Apply makeup.

Greet the world with a smile.

Defer to the experts for age-appropriate outfits.

Community Q&A

Reader Videos

Tips

Warnings

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