What to Wear to Homecoming as a Freshman (Dance and Game)
What to wear to homecoming as a freshman depends on which part you mean. For the game, wear your school colors, jeans and a hoodie. For the dance, think semi-formal: most girls wear a short or midi dress (or a cute two-piece), and most guys wear dress pants and a button-down, with a tie or blazer optional. You don't need to go as fancy as prom.
If the real stress is "I have nothing to wear," WORN is being built to show you what's already in your closet, and what to wear tomorrow: Start my outfit diary
How dressy is homecoming?
Homecoming (hoco) is a fall tradition at many US high schools, usually a week of spirit days, a football game and a dance. Some Canadian schools do a version too. The UK doesn't really have homecoming; the closest thing is a school formal or prom.
Here's how dressy each part is:
| Event | Dress level | Freshman-safe outfit |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit week | Themed, casual | Whatever the day's theme is |
| Homecoming game | Casual | School colors, jeans, hoodie |
| Homecoming dance | Semi-formal | Short dress or two-piece / dress pants and a shirt |
| Prom (for comparison) | Formal | Long dress / suit or tux |
What do freshmen actually wear to hoco?
Freshmen tend to go slightly more casual than upperclassmen, and that's fine. Short dresses, sneakers under the table, dress pants with a nice shirt. Nobody expects a ninth grader in a tux.
Pro tip: ask an older sibling, cousin or friend what people wore last year, or search your school's hoco photos on Instagram. Every school's vibe is different.
Homecoming game outfits
The game is about school spirit, not looking fancy.
Homecoming game outfit ideas
- Spirit fit: school tee or hoodie, jeans, sneakers.
- Colors, no merch: a top and jacket in your school colors, plus a ribbon or scrunchie.
- Cold night: hoodie, puffer, beanie, blanket. Fall games get cold fast after sunset.
- Face paint and glitter: school initials on your cheek, glitter in your school colors.
- Group theme: everyone in one color, or matching jerseys.
Dress up days for homecoming week
Spirit week comes before the game. Classic spirit week ideas you can pull from your closet:
- Pajama day: your comfiest set.
- Anything-but-a-backpack day: a laundry basket, a microwave, a cooler.
- Decades day: 70s flares, 80s neon, 90s denim, Y2K.
- Character day: try a closet cosplay (see our closet cosplay ideas).
- Twin day: match a friend.
- Color day / school spirit day: head to toe school colors.
Homecoming dance outfits for girls
What to wear to homecoming dance if you're a girl, or just want the dress route:
Hoco dress options
- Short dress: the most common. Satin, sequins, bodycon or A-line.
- Midi dress: a bit more grown-up.
- Two-piece: a matching top and skirt. Completely normal at hoco.
- Jumpsuit: if dresses aren't your thing.
Freshman homecoming outfit tips
- Check the dress code. Some schools have rules on length or cut-outs.
- Pick something you can move in. You'll be dancing, jumping and sitting on gym bleachers.
- Bring a layer. Gyms can be hot, but the walk to the car is cold.
- Shop your closet first. A dress from a family wedding or a cousin's hand-me-down restyled with new jewelry works great.
This is where it gets tricky: you want something special, but you also don't want to buy a dress you'll wear once. And you can't remember whether that blue dress still exists or what shoes go with it. WORN is planned as a one-photo-a-day outfit diary with nothing to tag, and after a month it shows you what you really wear and what you never touch. That forgotten dress? It'd be right there. Start my outfit diary
Homecoming dance outfits for guys
What to wear to homecoming guys edition. The vibe is "nicer than school," not "wedding."
Homecoming outfit ideas for guys
- Classic: dress pants or chinos, a button-down shirt, dress shoes or clean sneakers.
- Level up: add a tie or a blazer.
- Full suit: some guys wear one, especially if their date is dressed up. Not required.
- Matching your date: a tie, pocket square or shirt that matches their dress color.
- Relaxed: chinos, a polo or knit polo, loafers or white sneakers, if your school is casual.
Do you wear a suit to homecoming?
You can, but you don't have to. At many schools, most freshman guys wear dress pants and a button-down. If you already own a suit from an event, wear it. Borrowing a blazer from a family member works too.
Hoco outfits for guys: quick tips
- Get the fit right. Pants that hit your shoes, sleeves that hit your wrist.
- Iron the shirt. Wrinkles are the fastest way to look underdressed.
- A belt that matches your shoes.
Shoes you can actually dance in
Shoes matter more than you think for the homecoming dance.
- Girls: block heels, platforms, cute flats or sneakers. Lots of people take off heels during the dance, so bring flats or slides in your bag.
- Guys: dress shoes you've worn before, or clean white sneakers if your school is chill.
- Everyone: break them in at home. Blisters at 9pm are not the vibe.
How to rewear your hoco look
Your hoco outfit doesn't have to be one-and-done.
- Rewear it to winter formal with tights, a coat and new jewelry. See what to wear to a winter formal.
- Restyle it for prom with different hair, heels and makeup. We break that down in can you wear the same prom dress twice.
- Guys: your dress pants and shirt work for holidays, family events, interviews and every future formal.
- Resell or swap if you're truly done with it.
Walk into freshman hoco already knowing your options
The best freshman homecoming outfit usually starts with clothes you already own. WORN is a planned outfit diary: one tap, one photo a day, and it tells you the four things you really wear, the twelve you never touch, and what to wear tomorrow from your own clothes. It's for ages 13 and up, and you'll get one email when it opens.
FAQ
What should a freshman girl wear to homecoming?
A short or midi dress, a two-piece set or a jumpsuit is ideal for the dance, with shoes you can dance in. For the game, wear your school colors with jeans and a hoodie.
What should a freshman guy wear to homecoming?
Dress pants or chinos with a button-down shirt is the standard freshman homecoming outfit for guys. Add a tie or blazer if you want to dress up, but a full suit isn't required.
Is homecoming formal or semi-formal?
Homecoming is usually semi-formal, a step down from prom. Short dresses and dress pants with a nice shirt are typical, but check your school's dress code and ask older students what people wear.
What do you wear to a homecoming game?
Wear school colors or school merch, jeans or leggings, sneakers and a warm layer. Homecoming games are casual and can get cold at night.
Can you rewear a hoco dress?
Yes. You can rewear a hoco dress to winter formal, a birthday, a wedding or even prom with new hair, shoes and accessories. Many students also resell or swap their hoco dresses.