Since I was a kid, I was referred to as a “tomboy” ( read: baby lesbian ). Perhaps it was the fact that I was raised with two hyper-feminine people, my mother and my twin sister, or perhaps it was the fact that I often put satisfaction first, but the majority of my childhood was spent in a t-shirt and clothing. Flash forward to a decade later, and I’ve fully embraced my tomboy style for day-to-day ventures. I wear sports bras, practically live in muscle tees, and don jeans (no, I won’t feel shamed out of it).
However, there are times when I want to dress up or when I want to dress up and a blazer just wo n’t do it after four years of mock trials. When I need to start putting on some of my own feminine clothing.
Unfortunately, I usually run into a few problems. I dislike the lace texture, don’t wear skirts, and have to chop all of my hair. That leaves me, well, lacking when it comes to being able to dress traditionally feminine.
Throughout the years, I’ve found a few ways to work around this little problem that, if you’re like me, you ’ve no doubt encountered. Luckily, I’m here to help. So, without further ado, here are a few ways to dress non-traditionally feminine:
Make Use of Accessories
I cannot emphasize enough how much accessories make or break an outfit, and they’re often overlooked. Depending on the accessories you choose, a plain white t-shirt and jeans can become either masculine, feminine, or anything in between.
For a feminine look, jewelry is a must. Necklaces, rings and piercings can add a subtle flair to an outfit that it didn’t have beforehand. Additionally, adding a tote, handbag, or pair of sunglasses to your outfit is never a bad idea. When it comes to femininity, I’ve found that the more accessories, the better.
Wear Tight Clothing/Find A Flattering Cut
One of the main distinctions between a feminine outfit and one that is more androgynous is how much it emphasizes a person’s body type. If you want to achieve this form-fitting look, try not to wear too many layers. Instead of sweatpants and baggy hoodies ( guilty! ), get something more form-fitting.
It doesn’t need to be something that only covers the person, but it does have the look of a chihuahua. Make small changes in clothing that you already feel comfortable in. For example, for me, instead of wearing a unisex black crewneck, I’d get one that was made for women with a v-neck. When it comes to embracing your femininity, simple things like the clothing’s tightness and cut can make a huge difference.
Wear the Right Shoes
I’m not entirely sure why men are these days so shoe-obsessed. I’ve never met a woman who is more obsessed with shoes than the guys I know, despite the jokes in almost every chick flick I’ve seen.
Having said that, a straightforward change to a more feminine pair of shoes can transform an outfit. For instance, pairing your outfit with something like Converse or Vans can give it a more feminine feel, especially if you find one of the gorgeous shoes with embroidery. And, for you gay girlies, keep wearing Doc Martens. At this point, it ’s the only way I can identify y’all.
Put on Light Makeup
Yes, yes, I know that makeup is a very traditional feminine piece. But you don’t have to go all-out with blush, lipstick, eyeliner, the works. Women have a unique ability to shapeshift, of course, using makeup. By using concealer, contour and highlighter, you can accentuate the feminine features of your face. You’re going to want to do this by making your nose look slimmer, and by softening your jawline. Even this tidbit of femininity can enhance your features.
You May Do Anything You Want.
At the end of the day, femininity is unique to each person. I am very much a woman, but if you looked at me in my day-to-day life, you probably wouldn’t guess it. That’s because, for me, femininity is something that doesn’t need to be expressed on the outside. Instead, it ’s much more about my experiences, my shared connection to the women around me, and my deeply-ingrained love of romance novels.
Therefore, the main way to dress as feminine is to express your femininity in whatever way you can. For my mom, it ’s red lipstick and hoop earrings. For my sister, it ’s dyeing her hair blonde and painting her room pink. And for me, it ’s wearing hoodies while kicking ass.