How To Out Dress Everyone At School Without Really Trying

*Looks at closet in the morning, cries.*

BuzzFeed

We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.

1. Start by cleaning your closet – get rid of the clothes you don't wear, and make more room for the pieces you love.

designlovefest.com

Stained? Doesn't fit? Only worn it once in the last year? Goodbye.

Learn more style tips like this from Design Love Fest.

Read our closet-organizing tips here.

2. Throw a vegan-leather jacket over a T-shirt to upgrade your look from simple to fabulous.

modcloth.com

Get it from ModCloth for $69.99 (sizes S–3X).

3. Follow the rule of three so you appear polished with minimal effort.

Rohappy / Getty Images

To achieve the rule of three, all you have to do is choose your top, bottom, and then add a third piece – such as a bag, statement accessory, belt, or jacket.

For a similar, put-together look, try a flannel from Old Navy for $29.99 (available in six colors, sizes XS–XXL), and get the sunglasses from Amazon for $9.99 and matching lip color from Amazon for $7.54.

4. Slip into a cozy dress and layer that baby up with jeans, a scarf, and sherpa jacket.

Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/sanias/?hl=en, gap.com

Get the look from Gap: tie-belt dress for $63 (sizes XS–XXL), sherpa jacket for $135 (sizes XS–XXL), and embroidered jeans for $17.99 (sizes XS–XXL)

Or get the look from H&M: sweatshirt dress for $17.99 (sizes XS–XL) and striped scarf for $12.99.

Check out more layered midi dress looks at Simply Covered.

5. Transform your favorite jeans and white tank top with accessories.

Steve Suavemente / trendycurvy.com

Get the duster from Charlotte Russe for $16.19 (sizes XS–M), floppy hat from Target for $19.99, and booties from New York & Company for $29 (sizes 6–11).

Upgrade your style with more looks from Trendy Curvy.

Expand your accessory options with our guide here.

6. Don't compromise on comfy basics like Stan Smiths. Color coordinate with other basics like black shorts, a striped wallet, and bomber jacket to elevate your look.

Bonetta / Getty Images

Color coordinating will make it seem like you spent a lot of effort and money on your outfit, when really all you did was match a few colors. Start with a base layer of black and white (white shoes and T-shirt, black shorts) to make the color you add on really pop. Color coordinate and follow the rule of three, and you'll trick everyone into thinking you're a 101 fashion pro.

Get the look from Amazon: Stan Smiths for $43.41+ (available in 28 colors, sizes 4–11), shorts for $17.50+ (sizes 29–42), bomber jacket for $17.99+ (sizes S–XL) and striped wallet for $40.

7. Layer your crew-neck sweater with a collared shirt for an instant, fancy look.

oldnavy.com

Get them from Old Navy: crew-neck sweater for $29 and collared shirt for $33+ (both available in four colors, sizes XS–XL)

8. Add a textured knit sweater to your next all-black outfit.

hm.com

Get it from H&M for $49.99 (sizes XS-XL).

9. Use a blanket scarf and knee-high boots to dress up your next plaid look.

asparklefactor.com

Promising review: "I get so many compliments on this scarf. I love it. You do need to refold it once you get it. I've seen people with the same scarf that just don't seem to understand how to wrap it. That's what Google videos are for. This is a very large scarf, and comes folded neatly. I opened it up all of the way, and folded it into a triangle to wrap around my neck. It's my favorite." –Anna

Get the scarf from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in nine colors) in and boots from DSW for $49.99 (available in four colors, sizes 5–10).

Check out more fall looks like this from A Sparkle Factory.

10. Put on some denim overalls over your long-sleeved shirt, and you're good to go.

us.asos.com, us.asos.com

Get them from Asos: blue for $100 (sizes XS–L) and black for $67 (sizes 26-38).

11. Style in a way no one else can with a unique vintage piece.

fashionlush.com

Get fall-ready vintage and printed jackets from ZiaVintage on Etsy.

Read tips on how to score the best vintage online from Fashion Lush.

12. Get a sweater or T-Shirt to ~color-block~ the fact that you have class.

us.asos.com, us.asos.com

Get them from Asos: sweater for $45 (sizes XS–XL) and T-Shirt for $20.50 (sizes 0-14).

13. Draw the attention away from your outfit and down to your novelty socks.

amazon.com

Promising review: "Love these socks and designs. They stay up all day, and the variety pack includes all different styles to change things up; stripes one day, '70s quilt pattern the next. Socks are more on the thin side, but not too thin, which is good because my feet don't get too hot; and I wear them with my snug fitting dress shoes." –RGG

Get a 12-pack from Amazon for $24.99.

14. Carry your books and computer in classic style with a versatile canvas backpack.

amazon.com

Promising review: "I'm despondent I haven't had this bag all my life, and overjoyed I don't have to go any longer without it. The zippers are large and sturdy, the leather thick and of good quality; the separate laptop compartment eliminates the need to push all your trappings around to access it – making removal and return inconceivably more convenient. There is no strange split down the center of the front-most pouch like there was in my last bag, so I can store my makeup bag comfortably, and the small zippered pouch above it makes a great easy access place for pens, and smaller things I don't want getting lost below." –Noah Lawson

Get it from Amazon for $29.90 (available in two colors).

15. Really get down to the basics with a minimalistic, 37-piece capsule wardrobe.

theeverygirl.com

Never think about what to wear again by limiting your options. Learn how from The Every Girl.

16. Let this wildly fabulous dinosaur necklace say it all.

amazon.com

Promising Review: "Everyone from the postman to the guy at the frame shop to a lady walking past me in the street complimented me on the necklace (mine is gold). It's well-made, a bit heavy, and looks far better than the modest price would suggest. It's unusual, but not crazy-lady unusual. Hip, but not in your face hip. Looks fantastic on a casual black dress. Great fun to wear!" –Anon

Get it from Amazon for $8.50 (available in five colors).

Find more amazing jewelry from our accessories post here.

17. Achieve the classic hoodie-under-a-jean-jacket look in this twofer.

forever21.com

Get it from Forever 21 for $34.90 (sizes S–L).

18. Wear a tailored button-up to dress up your white tee or track pants.

wildfang.com

Get the button-up from Wildfang for $57.60 (sizes XS–XL), a three-pack of crew neck tees from Amazon for $8.44+ (sizes S–4X Plus), and track pants from Amazon for $27.99 (five colors, sizes S–XXXXL).

19. Pair your skinny jeans with a floral bootie made to stand out.

dsw.com

Promising review: "When searching for new shoes for the school year, I was drawn to these boots due to their unique floral pattern; but I bought them because of their comfortable fit and accessible heel height (not too large, not too small)! I would definitely buy more pairs of boots by this brand." –Jenna

Get it from DSW for $49.99 (available in five colors, sizes 6–11).

20. And invest in an elegant wool-blend coat because nothing completes a great outfit (or hides a bad one) like a good coat.

shop.nordstrom.com

Promising review: "The purple color of this coat is gorgeous in person, very true to the photo. The tailoring of the coat is very crisp, it fits perfectly. I got a size 4, am 5'7", 130 lbs., and it was the perfect length. Very glad to have gotten this as my new winter coat!" –hannahel

Get it from Nordstorm for $198 (sizes 2–14).

Walking into school like

Funimation

The reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.