How to Dress Sophisticated when You Are a Teenager

Last Updated: February 17, 2021

Are you a teenager? Are you tired of following trends? Do you want to dress with sophistication without losing your own fashion sense? Maybe you want to improve your own style or perhaps there is a special event where you need to look your best. Whatever the case may be, you can learn how to be original and still stay sophisticated.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:
Your Starting Point

1
Ask yourself: "what types of clothes do I wear most often?"; "what items of clothing do I need to keep for special occasions?"; "what kind of impression do I want to make?".
2
Go through your closet at least once a year. Toss anything that doesn't fit, has irreparable damage, or just isn't your style. Keep in mind those three questions while you are doing this.

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3
Donate, sell, give away, or store your rejects.

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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:
Evaluate

1
Know what works for your height, figure, and coloring.
2
Find your correct bra size.. There is a lot of incorrect information out there, especially at mainstream US stores like Victoria's Secret. The only way to ensure that the salesperson is telling you the truth is to shop at a store that carries 28-50 AA-K.
3
If there isn't a store in your area, you can measure yourself.

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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:
Upgrade

1
Remember those questions you asked yourself when cleaning out your closet? When you first start shopping for new things, try small upgrades of the things you normally feel most comfortable wearing. For example, if you favor hoodies, try cardigans instead. As time goes by, continue adding pieces to fit the impression you hope to make.
2
Shop in a variety of places. Instead of shopping only at the mall, try local boutiques; consignment stores such as Plato's Closet; discount stores such as TJ Maxx and Marshall's; outlet malls; and online auctions like eBay.
3
Get clothes and accessories for free! Swap clothes with a friend, use your older sibling's hand-me-downs, or ask your female relatives if they kept their high school clothes.
4
Don't hold on to items that are uncomfortable. If you can't make something work for you, either via tailoring or handy tricks, like Stretch New Shoes or Fix Painful Shoes.
5
Remember: every store is an opportunity! Try to keep an open mind when shopping, as you never know what you might find.

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Warnings

Remember that manufacturers don't cater to "unusual proportions". If you have a very curvy bust or rear, be prepared for a lot of retail disappointment. Look for stores and brands that cater to the fuller-figured breasts.

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Helpful 5 Not Helpful 0

Don't pile on your jewelry! This can easily make you look overdone. Instead of wearing lots of necklaces, bracelets, rings, and big earrings, pick one feature you want to accent and keep the rest of your jewelry minimal.

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Helpful 7 Not Helpful 1
Don't splurge on trendy items!

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