What Do Geeks and Nerds Wear?

These days, when a person is called a nerd or a geek, it’s no longer a negative description. It’s because nerds and geeks today are those who are into video games, comic books, anime, and other things that are quite cool. In most movies, nerds and geeks are always depicted as geniuses and super studious guys or girls that do not have time for physical activities. They are shown as people who wear glasses and other pieces of clothing that make them look dorky. 

In reality, a person can be a geek or a nerd even if they are wearing normal or usual clothes that most people also wear. But if you want to pretend like a geek or a nerd for a special event like Halloween, a costume party, or theme day at school or work, then it’s important to learn about the pieces of clothing and accessories that you need to achieve a geeky or nerdy look just like what you see in the movies. Read on to learn about what geeks and nerds wear. 

The Geek and Nerd Appeal

geeky woman reading comic books

As we’ve mentioned earlier, it’s no longer embarrassing to be called a geek or a nerd. In fact, there are a lot of people, particularly partygoers, who actively emulate their favorite primetime nerds. Another reason geek and nerd costumes are very popular is that they are very easy and inexpensive to make. If you do not have a big budget for an upcoming costume party, then being a geek or a nerd is an affordable alternative. 

In addition to that, dressing up as a geek or nerd does not require you to adhere to a specific outfit in order to pull off your look. All you need is to be creative and come up with your own spin on how to dress like a nerd. 

What Do They Wear?

If you want to pull off a geeky or nerdy look at your next costume party, here are some of the usual items that geeks and nerds wear, as shown in movies and television shows:

  • Ill-Fitting Pants

To achieve a geeky or nerdy look, you need to consider wearing ill-fitting pants. You can wear tight, high-waist pants that kind of limit your movement. This will also help you walk awkwardly like a geek. In addition to that, you also have the option to accessorize your pants with clip-on suspenders or a long belt. 

  • Geeky Shirts

Most male nerds wear short-sleeved Oxford shirts that have pocket protectors. Girls, on the other hand, usually wear argyle sweater vests with a plaid shirt. In addition to that, geeks and nerds also wear tight shirts with Star Wars or Star Trek logos. To pull off a really nerdy look, the shirt should be tuck into the pants. 

  • Mismatched Socks

Nerds are also usually depicted in movies and TV shows wearing mismatched argyle socks. When they are wearing high-waisted pants, they also usually wear a pair of long, thick white socks. The thicker the sock, the geekier it looks, especially when wearing a Bermuda skirt or shorts. 

  • Ill-Fitting Shoes

Geeks and nerds also wear bowling shoes or ill-fitting saddle shoes. Black sneakers can also be worn to complement the nerd ensemble. 

  • Nerdy Hairstyle

Nerdy girls usually put their hair up in lopsided pigtails or pull it into a high bun. Most nerds also wear their hair off their faces. For guys, using tons of hair gel is needed to slick back their hair. Some also tuck a pen or pencil behind their ears. 

Geeky and Nerdy Accessories

nerds wearing glasses

Accessories are also items that make geeks and nerds stand out. Here are some of the must-have accessories for a geeky and nerdy look:

  • Eyeglasses

Big, black-rimmed eyeglasses are a must for geeks and nerds. It is better if it features a piece of tape down the middle of the frame. When wearing it, it should be placed on the edge of the nose. 

  • Bow Tie

To make the outfit look geekier, wearing a bow tie is needed. Nerds and geeks usually wear the most obnoxious colored or patterned bow ties. They are also paired with thick suspenders. 

  • Watch

A watch is also a staple accessory for geeks and nerds. Most of the time, they wear large wristwatches that are outdated. Preferable digital ones that have a built-in calculator. 

  • Backpack

Since most nerds and geeks are bookworms, they usually carry a big backpack to fit all the books they need. These are commonly vibrant in color and have dozens of zippered compartments for all their geeky and nerdy items. 

Conclusion

Geeks and nerds indeed come in all sorts of styles. Therefore, when you choose to dress up like a geek or a nerd, you have endless possibilities out there. You can also get inspiration from movie and TV characters, such as Ugly Betty, MC Frontalot, Carl Sagan, and more. We hope this article helped you learn more about what geeks and nerds wear.