15 Ways to Act & Dress like a Tomboy

PDF download Download Article
Play up your tomboy nature with our fun guide
PDF download Download Article

If you’re someone who identifies as a girl but enjoys activities and clothes typically meant for boys, you (and others) may think of yourself as a “tomboy.” [1] There isn't one right way to be a tomboy, since everyone is unique. However, if you find yourself spending more time with boys or preferring their activities, dressing the part and exploring new interests will help you find friends who accept you just the way you are.

Things You Should Know

  • Wear clothing that makes you feel comfortable and allows you to participate in fun activities, like loose-fitting tops, pants, and sneakers.
  • Don’t be afraid to explore sports and activities society deems more masculine, like rugby, football, and video games.
  • Develop an appreciation for nature by spending more time outdoors. Hiking, camping, and climbing are all considered tomboyish activities.
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Dressing Like a Tomboy

PDF download Download Article
  1. [2] Go for solid prints and straight cuts. You can either wear wide T-shirts with your favorite band’s logo or other print, or a collared button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Whichever style of shirt you choose, try it on before you buy it to make sure it’s comfortable.
    • Choose shirts in neutral colors, like black, navy blue, brown, red, and green. [3] Camo is also a great way to make yourself look tougher. [4]
    • You can also pair a neutral bottom with a colored top, or the other way around.
    • Some tomboys prefer to shop in the boys' or men's section of the store, but you can wear women’s clothes and still be a tomboy. Keep your clothes loose and sporty. [5]
  2. Women’s pants tend to have a curve at the hips and taper down towards the ankle to create a slimming shape. They can also be very tightly fitted and have “fake" pockets. Instead, go for “chinos” (trousers made of a material called “twill”). Jeans are also a good option. [6] You can also wear loose sweatpants if you’re feeling really casual.
    • Roll up the cuffs of your pants to shorten them if they’re too long and show off your cool shoes. It can also help your legs look stockier, if that’s the look you’re going for.
    • When the weather warms up, wear board or cargo shorts. Don’t be afraid of patterns and colors, but make sure they suit your personal style!
    Advertisement
  3. Wear slip-on or lace-up sneakers, boots, or formal men’s shoes, like oxfords. [7] Solid colors or gender-neutral prints, such as a checkerboard pattern or stripes, will help make your look more masculine. Avoid stereotypically feminine features like flowers and glitter. You can also skip the socks if you want!
    • TomboyToes.com makes formal and semi-formal men’s shoes in smaller sizes, so check out their website if you prefer wingtips and boots. [8]
  4. Cufflinks and ties are great ways to make your look more tomboyish if you like to wear button-up shirts. Get ones that represent your favorite TV shows, animals, or movies to add more of your personality to the look. [9] Wear a beanie or dark, flat-brim hat to add a personal touch.
  5. You might want to cut your hair into a short, shaggy style or get a buzz cut. If you want to keep it longer, try wearing it in a simple ponytail or bun. Avoid elaborate hairstyles involving braids, decorative hair clips, and lots of hair products. Keep your look simple and straightforward, and always go to a professional stylist for major hair changes. [10]
  6. It’s okay to put on a little concealer to cover blemishes or fill in your eyebrows if they’re patchy or wear lip balm, but the tomboy look is all about natural simplicity. [11] Go to the makeup counter at the store and ask for help with matching your makeup to your skin tone or hair color.
    7. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Finding Tomboy Interests

PDF download Download Article
  1. You don’t have to be an athlete to be a tomboy! If you’ve never played any sports before, try a game like soccer or kickball first. [12] Once you’re more comfortable on the field, American football and Ultimate Frisbee are fun team sports.
    • Look for sports clubs in your town on Meetup.com, or ask your friends and neighbors where they play their sports.
    • You can also go to recreation centers to find out about their intramural sports leagues.
  2. Video games are thought of as a fairly common male interest, but they can be fun for anyone! If you’ve never played before, ask your friends who play what their favorite games are. If you already play games, join online forums to discuss your favorite video game. [13] If you need to buy a console, ask the employee at the electronics store what they would recommend.
    • Great games to start off with are MarioKart and Minecraft . Classic arcade games like Galaga and Frogger are fun, too!
    • Once you get more comfortable with gaming, The Legend of Zelda series, the Final Fantasy series, League of Legends , and the Dark Souls games are interesting and challenging. [14] There are so many different games out there, so head to a used game shop to pick up affordable titles.
  3. Try hiking, camping, or climbing to cultivate a more rugged persona. [15] You may also find that you like fishing , shooting guns at the range, or hunting . Learn how to safely do these hobbies before jumping into them by taking classes or training with a relative who has a lot of experience.
  4. You might want to learn how to “dish it out,” or poke fun at people. Make sure you can “take it” (laugh at yourself) as much as you can dish it out, and don’t be excessively mean with your jokes.
    • Of course, you don’t have to laugh at things you don’t find funny. Ignore jokes that are insulting to people of a certain gender, race, religion, or other identity. [16]
    • Avoid potential drama by not participating in gossip.
    5. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Making Friends as a Tomboy

PDF download Download Article
  1. Go to sports games (or sports bars if you’re an adult), outdoor events like fishing and ski trips, car shows, and game releases at video game stores. If you see someone you want to be friends with, go over to them and talk to them about the event. [17]
    • Don’t go to events for things that you aren’t interested in. If you don’t like cars, don’t go to a car show and pretend to be into it. It will be hard to find something to talk about!
  2. It will be easier to make friends with guys or other tomboys if you talk more like them, but you don’t have to copy what they say. Treat the people you’re talking to like you’re already one of them; call them nicknames that they already use for each other, and talk about your common interests. [18]
  3. Don’t get upset over things like getting dirty or doing badly in a game. Instead, keep your interactions friendly and casual, and don’t be afraid to make your opinion known. [19]
    • If you are being treated badly, it’s okay to confront the person who’s being mean. You may try “fighting fire with fire” to stop bullying, but don’t be excessively cruel or you’ll lose friends.
  4. It’s okay to be a shy tomboy; you don’t have to be extroverted to make good friends . If you don’t want to do what everyone else is doing, you don’t have to!
  5. Good friends are honest with you and support you in times of need. If someone is causing you more pain than happiness, it’s okay to say, “Hey, I don’t think we should be friends anymore.” You know what’s best for you, so surround yourself with people who support and respect you. [20]
    6. Advertisement

Break Out of Gender Norms with this Expert Series

You have the right to dress however you like, and, if you're looking to dress as a man or just look more masculine, we have an expert series just for you. These articles will help you crossdress, present as male, and generally look more masculine.
1
Crossdress As a Man (for Women)
2
Crossdress
3
Look Like a Man
4
Pass As a Male (For FTMs)
5
Dress Like a Guy
6
Gender Bend

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I dress like a tomboy?
    Natalie Tincher
    Fashion Stylist
    Natalie Tincher is the Owner and Principal Style Strategist of BU Style. Since 2010, Natalie has specialized in personal styling to reflect clients’ individuality, confidence, and comfort. In 2019, she was named the Global Head of Styling for Bloomberg Television. Natalie is certified in Image Consulting through the Fashion Institute of Technology. She regularly shares her expertise with corporate groups at major financial institutions, media companies, and news outlets including: Time Out New York, Refinery 29, and NBC News.
    Natalie Tincher
    Fashion Stylist
    Expert Answer
    For a casual outfit, I recommend something simple like jeans, a t-shirt, and a sweatshirt. If you want to dress up you could wear a button-down with a blazer, chino pants, and oxford shoes.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 21 Helpful 49
  • Question
    Will I still be able to have a boyfriend even if I'm a tomboy?
    Community Answer
    Certainly. Everyone has different preferences, but there are people out there who like the tomboy look and attitude. The most important part is to find someone who appreciates you and respects you just the way you are.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 51 Helpful 515
  • Question
    If I don't like sports, can I still be a tomboy?
    Community Answer
    Of course! People of all gender identities and expressions can choose what they want to spend their time doing, even if it's different from what other people with that identity do. If you don't want to play sports, you don't have to.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 47 Helpful 444
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Not all your friends have to be boys! You can keep your friendships with girls too.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      • Don't put down more traditionally-girly girls. They aren’t doing anything wrong by being feminine, just like you aren’t doing anything wrong by being more masculine. To each their own!
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      • Being a tomboy isn't bad. If you are a tomboy don't change. It's OK to be yourself. If you are a girly girl don't change to a tomboy unless you really want to. And no matter what, don't change whether you're a tomboy or not just because your friends are or because your boyfriend/crush only likes tomboys. Be yourself!
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      Show More Tips

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • You don't have to be good at sports or wear boys clothes to be a tomboy! Just be yourself and just hang out with guys, they won't care what clothes you wear or what sports you play so long as you show them that you are genuinely interested in being friends.
      • Never be a tomboy to be cool. Do it only for you. If you do anything to try and fit in with others, it will eventually come off as inauthentic to the people you put an act on for.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Skateboard
      How to
      Make Distressed Jeans
      How to
      Be Less of a Tomboy
      How to
      Act Like a Guy for Girls
      How to
      Be a Tomboy (Teen Girls)
      What to Wear as a Tomboy: Elevating Your Look & Style
      How to
      Take on a Tomboy Style: The Effortless Essentials for Menswear-Inspired Looks
      How to
      Be a Tomboy in Elementary School
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/tomboy
      2. ↑ Natalie Tincher. Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist. Expert Interview. 13 August 2020.
      3. ↑ Natalie Tincher. Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist. Expert Interview. 13 August 2020.
      4. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/sep/27/in-praise-of-the-tomboy
      5. ↑ http://www.whowhatwear.com/the-essentials-for-dressing-like-a-tomboy/slide4
      6. ↑ Natalie Tincher. Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist. Expert Interview. 13 August 2020.
      7. ↑ Natalie Tincher. Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist. Expert Interview. 13 August 2020.
      8. ↑ https://www.tomboytoes.com/
      9. ↑ https://www.cufflinks.com/shopbydesigner/star-wars.html
      1. ↑ http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/479030/How-to-handle-having-a-tomboy-daughter
      2. ↑ http://everydayfeminism.com/2013/03/on-growing-up-a-tomboy/
      3. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200809/field-guide-the-tomboy-high-heels-and-pink-no-way
      4. ↑ http://everydayfeminism.com/2013/03/on-growing-up-a-tomboy/
      5. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/19/best-video-games-beginners
      6. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200809/field-guide-the-tomboy-high-heels-and-pink-no-way
      7. ↑ http://everydayfeminism.com/2013/03/on-growing-up-a-tomboy/
      8. ↑ http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/479030/How-to-handle-having-a-tomboy-daughter
      9. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200809/field-guide-the-tomboy-high-heels-and-pink-no-way
      10. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200809/field-guide-the-tomboy-high-heels-and-pink-no-way
      11. ↑ https://www.unh.edu/healthyunh/blog/2012/10/surround-yourself-happy-people-be-happy

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To be a tomboy, try wearing loose-fitting shirts, like a collared button-up or an oversized t-shirt. Also, go with boot cut jeans, chinos, or board shorts for bottoms. When it comes to your shoes, opt for sneakers or boots instead of sandals or heels. Whatever you decide to wear, try to stick with neutral colors, like black, navy, brown, red, and green. You should also avoid elaborate hairstyles and makeup looks since tomboys tend to keep things simple and natural. To learn how to find tomboy interests and make friends as a tomboy, scroll down!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 786,150 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement