Top 5 Ways to Make Your School Uniform Unique
How do the stars on Gossip Girl manage to rock their uniforms so well? Expressing your personal style when you wear a uniform to school is no easy task, but if you work within your school’s guidelines, you can look stylish and stand out from the crowd. Always remember that you must make your uniform unique in ways that adhere to your school’s dress code, so your modifications might have to be small, though they’ll have a big impact.
Scarves and Jewelry
These are great ways to add sophistication and color to your outfit. Tie a pastel ribbon in a bow through your collar or knot a silk scarf around your neck. Dangle some fancy earrings off your ears or layer several necklaces of differing lengths around your neck. For a more classic look, try simple bracelets and pearl earrings, or a locket or cameo necklace. If you’re allowed, cozy up in a big winter scarf and your school’s blazer on cold days. Find some antique pins to attach your blazer or jacket lapel.
Shoes
Most schools restrict the type and color of shoes you can wear, so chances are you won’t be wearing heeled oxfords or baby-blue Converse to school (if you can, then by all means, go wild). However, you can still find cute flat shoes in acceptable colors. Flat, ankle-high oxfords are very in this season. Choose some in grey or brown suede. Use a satin ribbon instead of laces to add a girly touch. Find a nice pair of ballet flats to dress up your uniform. Consider buying them in soft pink or camel, colors that go with nearly everything but which are more unique than black and brown. Details like bows and studs make any shoe more interesting.
Modifications
Even without accessories, you can make your school uniform unique. Just modify the clothes you have within acceptable bounds. Roll the sleeves of your blazer or shirt. Cuff your pants and wear boat shoes or oxfords with socks no one can see. Consider buying one pair of pants a size larger and using a skinny belt to hold them up, with your shirt loosely tucked. Make small modifications every day, like tucking your shirt one day and un-tucking it the next.
Headwear
Headbands, hats and hairpins are great ways to make your uniform different from other students’. It’s easy to accumulate great headbands. Look for brightly colored ones with bows, or delicate ones that use metal to construct leaves or flowers. Even a simple ribbon will suffice. It makes you look pretty and feminine. Most schools won’t let you wear a hat indoors, but outside the school doors, your head needs to stay warm! Consider a cute beret or knit hate with pompoms. Your school may even let you wear a beret indoors. Hairpins like bows or flowers are great ways to show your personality and keep your locks under control. If you’re afraid of wearing something too girly, try an artsy or funny pin.
Hair and Nails
Your hairstyle can make a total difference for your uniform. Change it depending on how you feel or what you’re wearing. With a metal headband, or large necklace, try a messy bun with wisps around your ears. If you’re using a bow or hairpin, leave your hair down. Spritz some texturizing spray (Oribe makes a great one) to get instant waves and more volume. Straighten your hair and use serum to get it sleek and shiny. If your school allows you to paint your nails, then splurge on your favorite brands and colors to keep your hands looking pretty. Try the newest nail fad, nail decals, if you want leopard spots, rainbows, or even celebrity faces on your fingers.
