At seventeen, one closet often covers a lot: class, a part-time job, weekends with friends, maybe a college visit or two. The outfits that work best are built from pieces you probably own already, relaxed denim, easy layers, sporty sets and a few accessories, put together in ways that feel like you. Below are 25 complete looks for every season. For each one I've added what to check in the mirror before you head out and what tends to go wrong, so you can wear them on a real school morning and not just in a photo.
Thrifting the Basics on This List
Almost everything below can be found secondhand: mom jeans, flannels, sweater vests, graphic tees and denim skirts turn up all the time. Thrifting is cheaper and often better made than fast fashion, as long as you check each piece properly. These are the checks I run on every rack.
- Denim: look at the inner thighs and the seat for thinning, and check the zipper runs smoothly. Older jeans with little or no stretch hold their shape longer.
- Knits: hold sweaters up to the light for thin patches and moth holes, and check the underarms for pilling.
- Flannel and shirts: check collars and cuffs for fraying and the armpits for stains, which rarely wash out.
- Faux leather: bend it at the elbows. If it cracks or flakes, it will only get worse.
- Fit: try things on or bring a tape measure. Sizes on older labels often run small compared with today's.
Wash everything before you wear it, on the coolest setting the label allows.
1. Oversized graphic tee with biker shorts
An oversized graphic tee over black biker shorts. Big on top, fitted below, and that balance is why it looks like a choice and not like you slept in it. Tuck just the front hem into the waistband for a little shape. I always steer clients to biker shorts with a thick waistband and at least a 6 inch inseam so they stay put when you walk. White crew socks pulled up, chunky sneakers, a mini backpack and tiny gold hoops. A casual school day, a store run or coffee with friends.
2. Cropped hoodie with high-waisted joggers
A cropped hoodie with high-waisted joggers for cool, busy mornings. The crop meets the waistband and shows just a sliver of skin. French terry is lighter and breathes better than fleece, so it's the better choice for a heated building; fleece is warmer for outdoor waits. Oatmeal, sage or charcoal mix easily. Platform sneakers and a crossbody to keep your hands free between classes. It feels like pajamas, which is the point.
3. Light-wash mom jeans with a ribbed tank top
Light-wash mom jeans with a fitted ribbed tank, fully tucked, with a thin belt. The high waist sits at the narrowest part of the torso and the straight leg feels vintage. Mom jeans vary a lot in the seat; some cuts add length between waist and seat that looks baggy on a smaller frame, so I have people try a few before settling. Low canvas sneakers or slip-ons, a thin pendant and a few slim rings.
4. Denim mini skirt with a baby tee
A medium-wash denim mini with a raw hem and a snug baby tee in white or pastel that ends just above the waistband. That's the playful Y2K energy people keep coming back to. A raw hem keeps fraying with every wash, so trim loose threads now and then or it starts to look unkempt. White ankle socks, chunky trainers, a claw clip and beaded bracelets. Friday at school, then the weekend.
5. Flannel shacket with distressed straight-leg jeans
When the weather turns, a flannel shacket over a white tank with distressed straight-leg jeans. A shacket is heavier than a shirt and lighter than a jacket, so it handles a cold morning and ties around your waist by afternoon. Leave it open and roll the sleeves once. Distressed knees rip further with time; a few stitches on the inside stop a small tear from turning into a big one. Combat boots, silver hoops and a canvas tote.
6. Plaid mini skirt with a crewneck sweatshirt
A plaid mini skirt with a solid crewneck sweatshirt, preppy and sporty at once. Front-tuck the sweatshirt to show the waist, and add sheer black tights when it's cold. White crew socks over black loafers or Mary Jane flats. A heavy sweatshirt can pull a light skirt down at the waistband, so a skirt with a firm, structured band holds better. Small studs, a watch and a top-handle mini bag. Picture day or a Friday night out.
7. Wide-leg cargo pants with a fitted long-sleeve top
Wide-leg cargo pants with a fitted long-sleeve top, playing big against small. Cream or khaki cargos with a top in chocolate or burgundy. The fitted top is what keeps all that fabric below from swallowing you. Wide cargos are long by design, so platform sneakers both add height and keep the hem off wet ground. Stacked silver rings and a small shoulder bag.
8. Matching knit lounge set with dad sneakers
A matching knit lounge set in oatmeal or dusty blue: relaxed crewneck, wide-leg pants. For a long school day it's hard to beat. Soft knits pill where your bag rubs and between the thighs, so a fabric shaver kept at home will make the set look new for longer. Dad sneakers add a streetwear edge, and gold huggies plus a thin chain make it look deliberate. An oversized tote for the laptop and water bottle.
9. Slip dress layered over a white tee
A slip dress over a white baby tee turns a party piece into something you can wear on a Tuesday. Satin or matte, neutral or a tiny floral print, with the tee sleeves showing. Satin slip dresses are cut on the bias, which means they cling and show lines; I'd pick a matte crepe if that bothers you. White ankle socks, retro sneakers, a charm necklace and studs. A spring field trip or a birthday brunch.
10. High-waisted denim shorts with a cropped tank top
High-waisted light-wash or white denim shorts with a cropped tank in a bright color or simple stripe. The waist sits at the narrowest part of your torso. White denim shorts can be see-through, so try them on with the underwear you'll actually wear. Slides or platform flip-flops, a pendant, stacked bracelets, round sunglasses and a woven tote. A summer uniform.
11. Oversized button-down shirt with biker shorts
An oversized white or light blue poplin shirt worn open over a cropped tank and biker shorts. The shirt hangs off the shoulders and the shorts keep the base clean. Poplin wrinkles quickly, and on an open shirt like this a few creases look relaxed rather than messy, so don't bother ironing. White socks pulled up, retro sneakers, a baseball cap and a mini backpack.
12. Floral midi dress with white sneakers
A tiered or smocked floral midi dress with short puff sleeves. White leather or canvas sneakers keep it from feeling too dressy for school. Smocked bodices stretch to fit a range of sizes, which makes them comfortable, but check that the smocking sits flat on your bust and doesn't gape. A simple pendant and small hoops. A denim jacket tied at the waist for when the air conditioning kicks on.
13. Black leggings with an oversized crewneck sweater
Black leggings with an oversized crewneck sweater, the cold-weather pair that never lets you down. A thick cable knit or brushed sweater in camel, forest green or cream. The first thing I check is that the sweater covers your seat; a short sweater over leggings leaves things looking unfinished. Shearling-lined boots or high-top sneakers, a long scarf, a puffer tote and a knit headband. For cold walks across campus.
14. Paperbag-waist shorts with a tucked-in tank
Paperbag-waist shorts with a tie belt and a tucked ribbed tank. The gathered waist cinches you in and the leg is loose and breezy. Gathered waists add volume around the middle, so they suit straight figures best; if you're curvy through the hip, a flat-front short in the same color will sit better. A light cropped cardigan for cool mornings, flat leather sandals or espadrilles, a straw tote, studs and a slim bracelet.
15. Cargo skirt with a cropped tee
A mini or midi cargo skirt with a cropped tee, tucked in or ending right at the waistband. The pockets and stiff fabric make it tougher than most skirts. With a midi length, chunky skate shoes balance the weight of the hem better than a slim sneaker. Athletic socks, a claw clip and just a couple of silver earrings and one ring.
16. Wide-leg linen trousers with a tank bodysuit
Wide-leg white or beige linen trousers with a tank bodysuit. The bodysuit stays tucked and smooth, and the linen moves and breathes. Pale linen is often sheer, so I always hold it up to daylight first and wear skin-tone underwear. Bodysuits are awkward in a hurry at a restroom stop; if that's a deal breaker, a fitted tank tucked in gets you close. Flat strappy sandals or slides, a slim shoulder bag and fine gold jewelry. A family lunch or a school event.
17. Faux leather jacket with straight-leg jeans
A faux leather jacket over a white tee and light or medium straight jeans. Cropped or slightly oversized, black or chocolate brown, worn open. Faux leather doesn't breathe, so it gets warm indoors, and cheaper versions can crack at the elbows over time; hang it, don't fold it. Black platform boots, a belt with hardware that matches the zippers, a crescent bag and silver rings. A concert, a night out or a school day you want to feel bold.
18. T-shirt dress with crew socks and sneakers
A cotton t-shirt dress in a solid or subtle stripe, ending mid-thigh or just above the knee. The easiest outfit in your closet. White crew socks and classic sneakers give it a sporty spin. A light sweatshirt tied around your shoulders for when it cools down. Sunglasses on your head and a simple chain. Ready in five minutes.
19. Knit sweater vest with a collared shirt
A knit sweater vest over a crisp white collared shirt for a prep-school look. A neutral argyle or a solid earthy tone like caramel or olive. Let the collar and cuffs show. The vest should end at or just over the waistband; a long vest over a tucked shirt cuts the body in an awkward place. High-waisted pleated shorts or slim trousers, loafers with white socks, a mini satchel and pearl studs.
20. Crochet halter top with wide-leg jeans
A white or cream crochet halter with a sweetheart neckline, worn with high-waisted wide-leg jeans hemmed to skim the floor over platform sandals or wedges. Crochet is open by nature, so plan what goes under it, a matching bandeau or a skin-tone bra, before you leave. Wash it by hand and dry it flat; hanging wet crochet stretches it out of shape. A long pendant and slim bracelets. A good outfit for a day out with friends and photos.
21. Parachute pants with a fitted cami top
Parachute pants in lightweight nylon with a fitted cami tucked in. Loose bottom, slim top. Nylon is quick to dry and packs small, but it's noisy and can feel cold in winter, so I'd treat these as a spring and summer piece. Chunky dad sneakers add height, then a beaded choker, a mini belt bag worn across the body and sporty sunglasses.
22. Tie-front blouse with high-waisted shorts
A lightweight tie-front blouse in a small floral or butter yellow, knotted just above the waistband of linen or denim shorts. It's a little dressier than a tank. A knot ties best with a blouse long enough to make a proper bow; short tails pull loose by lunchtime. Flat huarache or thong sandals, a structured crossbody, small gold hoops and an anklet.
23. Striped long-sleeve tee with overalls
A Breton striped long-sleeve tee under light-wash or white denim overalls with a relaxed leg. The stripes show at the neck and wrists. Overall straps need adjusting so the bib sits flat on your chest; too long and it sags, too short and it pulls at the seat when you sit. Cuffs rolled once, platform canvas sneakers, a canvas backpack and a messy bun. School, a museum trip or lunch with friends.
24. Track pants with a zip-up hoodie
Track pants and a matching zip-up hoodie in heather gray, navy or a tonal pastel, with a white tank underneath and the hoodie left open. One color head to toe is what makes it look planned on a lazy morning. Retro running sneakers and crew socks, a high ponytail, studs and a slim crossbody.
25. Tiered maxi skirt with a graphic tee
A tiered maxi skirt with a vintage graphic tee tucked in. Dressy and casual in one outfit. I check maxi length before anything else: in flat sneakers, the hem should clear the floor by an inch or so, or it'll catch on stairs and pick up dirt. Chunky platform sandals or canvas sneakers, layered necklaces and stacked rings, and a cropped denim jacket for a cool evening. Weekend markets, outdoor movies, casual dinners.
Stretching These Outfits to a Shift or a Campus Tour
Senior year brings new places to dress for: a part-time job, college visits, scholarship or job interviews. You rarely need new clothes. You need to know which outfits above dress up and which don't.
- College tours involve hours of walking and outdoor time. The flannel shacket with straight jeans, or the sweater vest with trousers, both work. Wear sneakers you've already broken in.
- Interviews call for the most polished options: the collared shirt with slim trousers, or the linen trousers with a fitted top and a light cardigan. Skip crop tops, biker shorts and visible tanks.
- Retail and cafe shifts usually have their own rules on closed shoes, black pants or no logos. Ask for the dress code in writing before your first day.
- Keep one go-to dressy outfit that fits right now. Interviews often come up at short notice.
Doing Your Own Laundry Without Shrinking Anything
This is often the year people start washing their own clothes, and the dryer ruins more pieces than anything else. Cotton tees and knits shrink in high heat, faux leather and crochet should never go in at all, and linen comes out creased whichever way you dry it. Wash dark denim inside out on cold to slow fading. Hang or lay flat anything you'd be upset to lose, and read the care label the first time you wash something new.
Senior Year Needs Fewer Clothes Than You Think
A wardrobe at seventeen should be fun to wear and easy to mix. The outfits above cover school, weekends, summer and winter, and almost every one starts from basics: jeans, a tee, a hoodie, a skirt and a good pair of sneakers. Mix what you have with a few new favorites, check fit and fabric in daylight, and look after the pieces you love so they last into next year. Wear what makes you comfortable and you'll walk out the door feeling like yourself.
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