We recently received an e-mail from a reader who wishes to remain anonymous: “I am an Asian student and my school is starting on the 24th April…The thing is I am facing this problem, I have got no idea what to school. Jeans and tees are so common…what are some of things I can wear to be different?”

Well, you came to the right place, Ms. Anonymous! Although there are days where a simple jeans-and-t-shirt look are perfect, sometimes you just want to stand out from the crowd. Here are a few ways to do just that:

-Accessorize! Sunglasses, scarves, jewelry, and fun shoes are the perfect way to express your individual style. Usually these things are less expensive than other items of clothing and easier to experiment with. If you find out you just really aren't a skulls-and-crossbones kind of gal, you didn't just drop $200 on an outfit to try it out.

-Wear a skirt. Enough said. I could go on and on about why skirts are so cool, but I already have, so I'll leave it at that.

-Experiment with a signature color. Try wearing a variation of one color in most or all of your outfits. A red sweater, a red watch, and red pumps can all be a little overpowering together... but having a signature color can set you apart. C'mon, we all know the person who wears black every day, right? If blue is your favorite color and you look nice in it, why not incorporate a little blue into all your outfits. It's something you can be known for. (Me, I'm all about the pink.)

-Take the jeans and tees combination up a notch. Antique and thrift stores are a great place to find funky tees and jeans from a bygone era. The internet is also a good place to look. Consider re-tooling a tired t-shirt to fit your own needs. A perfect example of this: the formerly ubiquitous Mickey Mouse t-shirt. It may look a little immature on its own...

(Why do people do this to their poor, innocent dogs? Why?)

but when properly faded and/or worn just peeking out of a jean jacket, it can have its own cool attitude.

-Speaking of attitude...I know it's crazy to hear a fashionista say this, but you are more than your clothes. Your attitude, your smile, your posture, and the way you carry yourself is the best way to set yourself apart from the crowd. You may look like a teenager student, but once people get to know you, your personality and carriage will mean more than anything you could wear.

Hope that helps, Anonymous!