How to Look Cool in School

Last Updated: April 16, 2022

Everyone wants to look cool, especially when you’re at school around a ton of other people close to you in age. However, you have to remember that looking cool is going to be different for every person. It’s all about establishing your own style and being yourself in a confident way. Don’t buy into movie stereotypes – find your own type of cool and people will respect you.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Building a Cool Appearance

1
Have fun with what you wear. It’s cool to be creative and have your own style. Don’t go overboard. You don’t want people to think you look like a crazy person, but you can develop a style that suits you. If you don’t have a uniform at school trying wearing something a bit out there. People will think that it’s good if you’re confident about wearing it. ^{[1]
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- For example, if you have to wear a button down shirt for your uniform why don't you try wearing a brightly colored one? Or a tie with strange designs?
2
Pick out your outfit the night before school. This will help you look stylish during the day. If you’re rushing to find something to wear in the morning you might end up looking a bit more sloppy than you intended.

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3
Get a haircut. Don’t stick with the haircut your mom gave you as a little kid. Try to find a hair style that you like and ask a hair stylist to cut your hair to look that way. You can even show them hair styles that famous actresses or actors have and ask them to copy that. ^{[2]
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4
Accessorize. If you look good with sunglasses, wear them! The same goes for necklaces, or watches, or anything else. You have to judge what works for your particular outfit and style.
5
Try to put your own personal spin on your uniform. If you have to wear a uniform at your school then you probably have a relatively strict set of parameters you have to follow. Still, you can alter this style in a way that suits you. Maybe you can wear a button down shirt with a flamboyant color or a particular tie. If you’re a girl you can wear dresses with different patterns or that fit you differently. Try to take some liberties with the uniform without getting in trouble. People will think it’s cool that you’re willing to challenge the rules anyways. ^{[3]
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6
Choose a style and stick to it. You don’t want your outfit to be all over the place. Try to find a style that appeals to you and then change it to fit your personality as you see fit. Maybe you like the alternative style of converse and corduroys.
- For example, maybe you prefer wearing basketball shoes and a baggy sweatshirt. These are styles that work well together, and there are many more to choose from. Don’t try to look like everyone else, but use certain styles as potential guidelines. ^{[4]
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7
Get in good shape. Unfortunately, if you’re really out of shape it’s a little harder to pull off the cool persona. That’s not to say you can’t do it, and you certainly don’t need to have a six-pack. However, most people are more attracted to fit people.
- For example, try incorporating aerobic exercise like running or biking into your routine.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Looking Cool in School

1
Walk confidently. If you're a guy walk with your chest out a little bit, not in a ridiculous way, but in a way that makes you look power. Keep your eyes up and your chin up. This is a confident walk and will make you look cool.
2
Smile. Don’t mix up being cool with being aloof. You can be extremely friendly and mysterious at the same time. You don’t need to constantly reveal things about yourself. Just be friendly to those around you! Smile and wave at people in the hallway. The more that people know you, the more cool people will think you are. If you smile at people, they’ll want to get to know you.
3
Don't always sit up straight. You're not in the military, relax a little bit. It's considered nerdy to have a perfect posture all the time. Slouch in your desk and put your feet out in front of you. You don't have to do this all the time, but it will help you look nonchalant. If you really want to take it to the next level you can put your hands behind your head too.
4
Lean up against things. It's always cool to lean up against things - the cool guys do it all the time in movies. If you're talking to a girl or guy in the lunch line try leaning up against the wall with your shoulder while you keep eye contact with them. Super cool.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Adopting a Cool Persona

1
Don’t try too hard. This is huge. If it seems like you really want to be perceived as cool, no one will think you’re cool. Just try to stay low key. This is hard, but you can do it. ^{[5]
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- For example, don't act too excited when you get invited to a party you really want to go too. Just say something like "that sounds good man. See you there."
2
Be confident. Don’t act like you worry about what other people think. Confidence can make any type of style or personality look cool. People are attracted to those who are unselfconscious and genuine. Stop trying so hard to be cool and just have a good time. Act like a goofball when you want to, be serious when you want to – just be yourself. Really. Everyone is always trying so hard to impress at school that you’ll come across as a breath of fresh air. ^{[6]
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3
Try to laugh and remain lighthearted. ^{[7]
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Research source} Don’t take things too seriously. Being at school is a time to have fun. Try not to get as stressed out about things as everyone else is. People will think you’re cool if you never get really worked up about a test but always seem to do well on them. Just maintain a quiet confidence.
4
Don’t be afraid to break the rules. Make sure you know the rules before you break them and avoid breaking any rules that might actually get you in serious trouble. However, don’t be afraid to stray outside the lines that you’re taught to follow. People will think this is very cool. Don’t brag about it, just don’t be afraid to push the limits a little bit. ^{[8]
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- For example, don't worry about breaking the uniform or being late to class now and then.
5
Take an interest in others. If you want to make friends and seem cool, you have to be interested in other people. Don’t get caught up in your ego or your aura. It’s all well and good to try to be mysterious, but you should also want to get to know your peers. If you have a good conversation with someone, they will probably tell your friends that you are a cool person. Don’t shut any doors. Be willing to have conversations with any type of person.
- For example, don't be afraid to have conversations with kids on the football team as well as kids who do theater. The more people who like you, the cooler you'll be.
6
Act modestly and excel quietly. ^{[9]
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Research source} Being quietly very good at something is a classic characteristic of a cool kid. People will notice that you’re good at it, and if you don’t brag they will think you’re really cool as well. It doesn’t matter if you’re good at something if you talk about it all the time. Excelling at something is a very important part of being cool.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Taking Up Cool Activities

1
Play a sport. ^{[10]
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Research source} Almost everyone thinks playing a sport is cool. However, just being on the basketball or football team doesn’t immediately make you cool. You have to earn peoples respect by being good at it. Make sure you practice your talent. It’s not cool to sit on the bench the whole time.
- Physical sports are often considered cooler.
2
Excel at an instrument. Find and instrument and learn to play it! Once you get better you can join a band or start your own. People will think this is very cool, and you can even play in concerts or at your school’s talent show.
- For example, try taking up guitar! Many people think guitar is cool.
3
Join a club or organization. Find something that you’re passionate about and join the club. If you’re really into politics, you can join your schools political society. Try getting into student government. People will think you’re cool if you are active and involved in the school community. Making your face known is a huge part of being cool. Being an active member of a club could help you accomplish that.
- For example, if you're in student government or the class president that's a great way for people to think you're cool.

Community Q&A

Question

What if my friends think I'm lame?

Community Answer

Then you don't have very good friends! Don't worry about what other people think, just be yourself, and if your friends think you're lame, find better friends!
Question

Will wearing black make me look cool?

Community Answer

It really can if you can pull it off, but some people might call you "goth," so that's something to think about if it bothers you.
Question

How do I look cool if I'm a little overweight?

Community Answer

Just find a style that suits you. Many cool people are also a little overweight.