5 TOMBOY STYLES TO TRY IN 2024
Were you ever told not to play too much with boys or you’ll get ‘boy fever’? Or not to spend too much time around boys or else you’ll start to dress like them? And my personal favourite being “Boys’ clothes aren’t meant for girls.”
In other words, this ‘boy fever’ that many were afraid we would contract is ‘tomboy’.
As for the tomboy style, there are two ways to define it:
- Dressing like a boy and completely giving up your feminine traits, which I call the ‘social stigma’ definition. Or,
- Effortless dressing with a cool twist on menswear for women. With a focus on essentials like T-shirts, denim, hats, etc.
WHEN?
It was in the late 1500s that the word ‘tomboy’ was used to describe a bold-spirited or immodest woman. Although it was only in the 1920s that the boldness began to show itself.
Here is a timeline of the tomboy style through the years.
In addition, this style made women realize that they didn’t necessarily have to adorn tight clothes to bring forth their feminity. We sought to be feminine even through clothes meant for men.
HOW DO I DO THE TOMBOY STYLE IN 2024?
With times becoming more accepting and clothing definitions merging, the tomboy style is now in greater demand. We want men’s clothing not just for its relaxed feel but also to do away with the traditional sexual and body-image norms.
If you’re looking for a wardrobe revamp or would like to just add a few pieces to your current wardrobe, take inspiration from the following styles for your 2024 Tomboy look.
Street Style Tomboy
We know there are no rules when it comes to street style. Street style does not cover just one style of dressing; it encompasses a whole range of style. The focus should be on the little details and how you pair different pieces to suit the vibe you are going for. Remember to keep it comfortable and versatile.
Here are a few tomboy styles for the next time you hit the streets.
NEON BALLER
Basketball shorts with a neon print T-shirt and chunky leopard shoes. Add a neon cap to pull the outfit together.
SUIT AND NO TIE
Get yourself a monochrome suit, i.e., wide-leg pants and an oversized blazer. Seal this look with a pair of chunky sneakers.
DRESS IT LIKE A DUDE
Dude up your lace dress with a grey overcoat, a beanie and, of course, a pair of combat boots.
Here is a list of other dresses you could try this style with.
JUST THE BLAZER PLEASE
Take just the blazer from one of your suits and pair it with baggy jeans and a classic white T-shirt. Slide into a pair of loafers for the ultimate street style tomboy.
L.L.L.LEATHER
Style up your jeans and striped shirt with a leather jacket. Leave the shirt untucked. Add that bling detail with bold shoes.
Check out this feature for more tomboy street styles.
Cute Style Tomboy
Tomboy does not mean having to look extremely boyish. You could look cute as well while adopting this style. Try tracksuit pants, ripped jeans, leggings and shorts for pants. Tank tops, T-shirts and crop tops are also accepted.
Still feeling confused on how you could combine the two? Take inspiration from these adorable styles and let your tomboy outfit exude cuteness.
COLOR ME CUTE
Skip the jackets. Pair a bright-coloured shorts with a bright-coloured shirt and a coloured jacket over. Bring it all together with a neutral inner and shoes.
MEET CUTE MILITARY
Yes! Military green jeans with your staple white shirt are the next cute tomboy look. Don’t forget to wear your Converse with this.
WHITE IS FOR PRINCES
Wear skinny white jeans with a white tank top and offset it burgundy shoes. Strap on a G-shock watch.
DENIM DESIRE
The picture exudes cuteness on its own. Cotton shorts with a button up denim shirt. Add tan shoes to this outfit.
You could swap the cotton shorts with denim shorts.
SHE WAS A SKATER GIRL
With this season bringing the old back as new, it only seems fair to style your baggy jeans and white crop tank top with a baseball shirt.
More cute tomboy inspirations here.
Bohemian Style Tomboy
This one is for all the free spirits out there who value a laid-back feel. The elements in this style are traditional to the boho-chic style. It includes overalls in traditional bohemian colours, denims and, most importantly, messy hair.
This is how you can do the bohemian tomboy style.
BOHO ME BOY
Adorn the true boho colours with dark green pants and a light brown top. Tuck and cinch in with a tan belt aided by similar tan shoes.
Don’t forget your statement neck-piece and messy hair.
OH LIVE TOMBOY
Keep it simple in an olive shirt dress and a black fringe bag.
For the final touch, stand by a maze field.
TOMORROWLAND TOMBOY
Even if we aren’t headed to any festivals right now, it doesn’t mean we can’t draw inspiration from them.
To get this look, pair your skinny denim jeans with a loose white T-shirt and a chunky belt. Complete the look with a top messy bun and round pair of glasses.
DON’T SHOOT THE SUSPENDERS
We have forgotten how good suspenders look. Get a pair of suspenders and pair them over pants and a loose peplum.
Compliment the suspenders with a bohemian hat.
OVERALL TOMBOY
Nothing says bohemian like overalls. Wear a top of an earthy tone and layer your ripped overall over it. Go bold with butler shoes as your footwear choice and denim jacket loosely tied around your waist.
All you need to know about how to wear the bohemian tomboy style is here.
Dad Style Tomboy
It’s the style achieved by borrowing clothes from your dad. In other words, baggy clothes. The dad style tomboy encompasses loose jumpers, shirts, baggy pants and jeans. Baseball hats are a signature of the dad tomboy.
If you still aren’t able to visualise what I am talking about. Take a look for yourselves.
THE FORMAL DADDY
An oversized pant and blazer with a casual T-shirt. Accessorise with a hat and a small pouch.
Don’t forget the sneakers.
THE BASIC DAD TOMBOY
Keep it casual with baggy jeans and a loose T-shirt. Add a pop of colour with the blazer. Complete the look with a cap and a gold chain.
IN-VEST TOMBOY
Nothing says dad look like an oversized vest. Pair this over your baggy jeans and an oversized shirt.
PERENNIAL PLAID
A simple way to ace the dad tomboy look is with baggy jeans and an extremely large plaid shirt. Complete the laid-back look with chunky sneakers.
ONE FOR THE DAD
Imitate the classic dad tomboy look with an oversized shirt tucked into baggy pants. Add to the look with pushed back hair.
Get more styles for your oversized shirt from this feature.
Androgynous Tomboy
Androgynous is more than just a style. It’s a term used to describe someone having both male and female characteristics. Androgynous folks are men and women who don’t fall under a particular sex category; it is a category in itself.
Here is how you can imitate the androgynous style.
No one does androgyny better than Cara Delevingne. Turn your suit into this style by pairing it with a white T-shirt with a black shirt over. Opt for buckled combat boots.
THE SLEEK AND ANDROGYNOUS
Do androgyny with mustard pants with a linen shirt and suspenders hung at the waist.
Chunky mettalic rings and leather wrist bands as accessories.
ANDROGYNY IN PRINT
Combine high-waist pants with a printed shirt and buckle it with a chunky belt. Finish the look the combat boots.
ONCE UPON A TIME ANDROGYNY
Give androgyny a classic spin with black skinny jeans, a white T-shirt layered with an unbuttoned half-sleeve shirt. Top it off with a golfer hat.
THE DAPPER ANDROGYNOUS LOOK
Give your black ripped skinny jeans, printed T-shirt and suede boots an unexpected edge with a colourful bomber jacket.
If you need to know more about androgynous fashion, click here.
Celebrities who gorgeously and effortlessly rock the tomboy style
KRISTEN STEWART
From playing Bella Swan in the Twilight series, Kristen Stewart has become the belle of the tomboy style.
KEIRA KNIGHTLEY
She may adorn a gown on-screen but, off-screen, she is equally comfortable in the tomboy style.
CARA DELEVIGNE
Cara Delevingne can slay it all. From sexy lingerie on the runway to the tomboy look off the runway.
ELLIOT PAGE (formerly ELLEN PAGE)
From being the pretty little nerd in Inception, Elliot Page has now adopted the androgynous style.
WILLOW SMITH
The “Whip My Hair” teenage star has whipped her hair back and taken the tomboy style to another level.
Saving the best for last,
RUBY ROSE
She is the queen of androgyny. Ruby Rose is known for her sleek androgynous styles.
Straight or gay, if you stalk her enough, she will turn into your woman crush.
The list doesn’t end there. Click here for more.
Indian Brands that will satisfy your Tomboy Cravings
NorBlack NorWhite
Born from the creative womb of Mriga Kapadiya and Amrit Kumar, NorBlack NorWhite was created with the intention to bring forth Indian textiles like Bandhani. It all began when the duo went traveling around India and later NorBlack NorWhite was their platform for promoting Indian crafts. Moreover, the brand has grown into a cultural platform that explores the grey space of culture. The clothes offered by this brand are non-conforming and authentic to its roots.
HUEMN
Pronounced ‘Human’, it was co-founded by Pranav Mishra and Shyama Shetty in 2012. Huemn is known for its dynamic DNA, which focuses on relevance and responsibility. Their ethos is a rich mix of multiple aesthetics, schools of thought and voices in our community. Huemn’s main aim is to create products that excite and inspire conversation.
THE POT PLANT
Founded by Sanya Suri and Resham Karmachandani, the label has an unconventional approach towards gender fluidity. They take on gender fluidity through sustainable fashion. Their products are for anyone of any gender. Their vision is to create clothes that can be repeated, reinvented, and shared.
Read about the rise of gender fluid fashion in this feature.
In conclusion, I believe this article aims to do more than just providing styling tips. In light of Pride Month, maybe take that step towards dressing the way you feel the most like yourself. Not just for the LGBTQ+, it’s for you as well to feel proud of the way you are in whatever attire that may be.
Let me know what you think about this article in the comments below.
