What to Wear in High School for Guys – Style Guide

What to wear in high school

Are you wondering what clothes to wear in high school as a guy? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

A few years ago, when I was in high school I would look for inspiration online to dress better. I’ve researched trends on TikTok and Instagram to come up with ways to improve your look.

What to Wear in High School?

In high school, unless there is a dress code, you are free to wear what you want. Jeans, joggers, sweatpants, shorts, graphic t-shirts and sweaters are all commonly worn by high school guys. Avoid wearing clothing that is offensive or inappropriate.

In this post, I share everyday outfits for guys in high school. You’ll also find tips on how to level up your outfit on a budget and where to shop for clothes if you’re in high school.

Nike Shirt

What Should Guys Wear to High School  Everyday – The Basics

Here are some basic everyday items that every high school guy should have. These clothes are a great base and you can level up the outfit by layering it.

Want to know what to wear for the first day of high school? check out this article: What to Wear on the First Day of High School

White Shirts

White t-shirts are the perfect base for any outfit because they are so versatile. No matter what shoes and pants you are wearing, a white tee will match.

I recommend checking out the basic white t-shirts on Amazon and Costco. I’ve found these to be good quality shirts with the right thickness and fit, at affordable prices.

Getting a few white shirts is a good idea, as they will get dirty and so you can wear a white shirt a few days in a row. Keep in mind that white gets dirty super easily so having some extra ones comes in handy.

Black jeans

Just like the white shirt, black jeans also go with everything. A white shirt, black jeans and clean white sneakers makes a super sharp looking outfit.

Black jeans are great for days where you want to dress a little nicer and for going out. Whether it’s to the mall, a party or to school, your black jeans will be worn.

Joggers

Joggers are great pants for high school guys. They’re comfortable, stylish and they will show off your sneakers. Get a pair of black and beige joggers and rotate between them.

For everyday pants, joggers are perfect. You’ll be in that sweet spot of being dressed nicely while not bring overly dressed.

Beige and black joggers will also go with everything so they’re a great base for any outfit.

If you want more information on joggers check out this article: Joggers for Men – Everything You Need to Know

Sweatpants

man in clothes

As a guy, having some nice sweatpants is super important in high school. We all have those days where we want to be comfortable while being at school.

Luckily, new athleisure sweatpants mix comfort and style. Slim fitting sweatpants will look nice while you’re at school and you won’t look sloppy.

Grey and black sweatpants go with so many different outfits. They are a great base for any comfortable outfit.

Shorts

Sweat shorts have become super popular and I’m here for it. Sweat shorts are super comfortable shorts made with the same material as sweatpants.

Currently shorter shorts are in style, so when you are looking for shorts pay attention to the fit.

If you want more information on men’s shorts check out this article: Are Men’s Short Getting Shorter?

Shoes

When it comes to shoes, having one pair of black running shoes and some clean white sneakers is a good idea.

The black pair will be used for when you are playing sports, on rainy days and when you don’t want to get your white pair dirty. Black shoes go with nearly any outfit, so they’re great to have in your wardrobe.

Remember, that when your shoes get dirty it will show a lot less if your shoes are black.

The white pair will look great with your nicer outfits. Get some white sneakers like the Air Force 1’s, Stan Smiths or Reebok Classics. If you keep these shoes clean, they will look good with any outfit.

Remember to clean your white shoes regularly as they will get dirty pretty often.

Cap

For those bad hair days, which all guys have, you’re going to want to wear a hat. A black or blue cap will go nicely with almost any outfit. Hats are a great way to express your interests.

Both snapbacks and fitted caps are currently in style. If you’re unsure of which one to wear, it really comes down to look and preference.

Some schools, may not allow a hat inside the class room. Refer to your schools dress code, to find out whether you can wear a hat or not.

How to Level Up Your Look in High School

Now that we got the base for our outfits out of the way, let’s talk about ways you can level up your look. Levelling up your look will make you look more attractive and stand out next to other guys in school.

Layer you Outfit

Layering your outfit is the best way to level up your outfit. Purchase crewnecks, hoodies, jackets and zip up sweaters.

Wear black jeans, white sneakers, a white shirt and a grey zip up sweater. Here’s the look:

Men's outfit

This will be an extremely nice outfit and it will look great. With the base items that are recommended above, you can layer them with so many different colours, styles and in so many different ways.

Diversify your Wardrobe

To level up your wardrobe, having some diversity is super important. The basic items will go with a lot, but don’t be afraid to add some colors or different styles in there.

Graphic t-shirts are a great way to express your interests and they are in style for guys of all ages. Some crewnecks or hoodies that are beige, blue, red and green will look nice with the black jeans and will add some colour into your wardrobe.

Accessories 

Wearing accessories is another great way to level up your wardrobe. Wearing a chain, rings or a watch is a great way to add to your outfit.

Rings have become really popular among teen guys, so if you like rings don’t be afraid to wear them.

On a nice sunny day, you are going to want to have some sunglasses. Having a pair of sunglasses in your backpack is a great idea because they will certainly come in handy.

If you’re unsure what to pack in your backpack check out this article: Backpack Essentials for High School

Attention to Detail 

Attention to detail is key for levelling up your outfit. Don’t wear clashing colours, make sure your clothes fits properly and isn’t wrinkled.

The fit of your clothing is super important and it’s a detail many people don’t think about when purchasing clothing. Clothes will look different online and on a mannequin then it will when it’s on your body.

Make sure to try on the clothes before wearing it to school. You can have the nicest clothes in the world, but it won’t look good if it doesn’t fit you properly.

If you pay attention to the little things, it will be useful when dressing up, not just for high school but throughout your whole life. As a guy, making sure your hair is always styled will make you look much better.

Clean Clothes and Shoes

Always wear clean clothes to school. If your clothes smell or is stained, do your best to avoid wearing them. Wearing dirty clothes will make you look sloppy.

It’s a good idea to learn how to do the laundry at home, so you have control over what’s clean and what isn’t.

For some reason, many guys overlook the importance of shoes. When it comes to your shoes, do your best to keep them clean. On days where you know they will get dirty, wear your black pair. If you wear your white sneakers take the time to clean them every so often.

Good Hygiene

Man doing hair

Hygiene is super important especially when you are in high school. Make sure to shower daily or every second day, and shave as needed.

Before leaving the house, always brush your teeth, put on deodorant and make sure your hair is styled. Good hygiene is a great habit to get into and will instantly make you look good as a teenage guy.

Confidence

If you’re trying to elevate your look, be confident. If you dress well, your clothes fits nicely and you take care of your hygiene, there is no reason not to be confident.

If you want to appear more confident, start to improve on your posture and consider working out.

Joining a gym or doing some at home workouts will get you in shape. Having a solid workout routine will make you the best version of yourself.

A simple way to improve your posture is to stand up straight with your shoulders up and your chest out. You will appear more manly and look better.

How to Level Up Your Outfit on a Budget in High School

A great way to level up your outfit is to purchase staple pieces for your wardrobe. This means buying a few higher quality or luxury clothing items that can be worn with many different outfits.

When looking for luxury items, purchase ones that are both versatile and will last for a long time. Black shirts, sweaters and shoes will all last a while and won’t get dirty easily.

Having a few luxury pieces will really improve your look and it doesn’t have to break the bank. On your birthday or during the holidays, consider asking for a nice sweater or t-shirt that you can wear when you want to a little dress nicer.

You can also get luxury items at discounted prices on resale sites like Grailed and on Facebook groups. If you are going to purchase something second hand, make sure the item is authenticated and the seller is reputable.

Where Should Guys Shop for Clothes in High School

Men Shopping

The Basics

For the basics check out:

  • Uniqlo
  • H&M
  • Zara
  • Costco
  • Amazon

Trendy Brands

For trendy brands check out:

  • Nike
  • Adidas
  • Urban Outfitters

Luxury Items

For luxury items check out:

  • Facebook Resell Groups
  • Grailed
  • Stock X
  • Goat

Related posts:

What to Wear on Your First Day of High School as a Teenage Guy

15 Backpack Essentials You’ll Actually Need in High School

Style Tips for Teenage Guys

Final Thoughts on What to Wear in High School for Guys

If you’re in high school, you’re going to want to look as good as possible. In this post, we went over what to wear in high school, how to level up your outfit and where to shop for clothes in high school.

What’s your go-to outfit in high school? Please let me know in the comments below.

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