How to Stop Being a Girly Girl

Last Updated: October 3, 2022 References

You've been a 'girly girl' in the past, but now you've grown up and have decided that this style and attitude no longer represents you. So, if you want your immature style to convert into a more sophisticated feminine style or tomboy, focus on how you dress and present yourself to others.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Refining and Establishing Your Look

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Stop dressing in youthful attire. Get rid of most of your pink-colored clothing, along with any clothing that displays prints like hearts and flowers. Rid yourself of butterfly-shaped hair clips, and any short skirts. Donate old clothes and clear out space for an entire new wardrobe that you can feel confident wearing.
2
Acquire darker and more sophisticated clothes. Add some black clothes into your wardrobe,^{[1]
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Research source} since they are easy to combine with other articles of clothing. Black, dark blue, and red are colors associated with sophistication and power, so use these to infuse your wardrobe with a more mature vibe.

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3
Reorganize your makeup kit. Use lipstick instead of lip gloss, and go for eyeshadow in natural colors rather than brightly-colored eyeshadow. Alternatively, try wearing no makeup at all for a completely natural and refreshing look.^{[2]
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4
Avoid shopping at preppy stores. Many shops are mostly inclined toward a girly-girl style, so try a more classy and grown-up store, or shop online for clothes that suit your new style. Go for darker hues and basic pieces, such as a simple black dress or a pantsuit, in order to establish a more mature aesthetic.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Altering Any Immature Behavior

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Be aware of your surroundings and be less reactive. When something dramatic happens, don't shriek in public. Be polite and stay aware of the appropriate behavior while you are in a public place.^{[3]
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Resist any urge to become overly affectionate with a loved one in public. Be mindful of your behavior in public spaces. Always put yourself in another person's shoes and imagine what it would be like from their perspective. Refrain from public displays of affection that may offend people.
3
Use proper grammar and broaden your vocabulary. Stop using phrases like "OMG", "UWU" and filler words such as "like" when they are not needed. "Totally" and "duh" are also examples of phrases that can indicate immaturity. Work on broadening your vocabulary by reading more books and newspapers. You can also engage in conversations with a variety of people, which will help you to pick up new words. Doing crossword puzzles and playing word games, like Scrabble, can also be a fun way to learn new words.^{[4]
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4
Avoid playing dumb or ditzy. Although girly girls are not dumb or ditzy, negative stereotypes about your sex may make you pretend to be so that guys will like you more. They won't like you if you are being fake, so just be yourself. You'll have a lot more to gain from behaving like an intelligent person. People will take you more seriously, and you will impress people by acting mature. Not only will you gain the appreciation of peers, but also of adults.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Widening Your Social Circle

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Expand your interests and join a club. Partaking in your interests will help you broaden your social circle and will also help you to determine who you are as an individual. ^{[5]
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Research source} Try out for the debate team, or pursue your passions as a staff member of the school newspaper. Instead of being pigeonholed into a "girly girl" persona, decide who you want to be, and work toward becoming the best version of yourself. Listen to new types of music, and focus more on yourself than on romance.
- Many schools have an annual involvement fair, so attend this to learn about the various groups your school has to offer. Scan the newspaper and look online for groups that are exclusive to the town or city where you live. There could be, for instance, a book club that meets each month at the local library. Ask around!
2
Start practicing a non-girly sport. Play a team sport such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, cross country running, or baseball. A sport teaches you how to be part of a team and how to collaborate with people to attain a certain goal. It also teaches you discipline, solidarity, and strategical thinking. Meeting new people with different interests can help you break free of your girly girl lifestyle.^{[6]
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3
Make friends with guys if you can. As a girly girl, you may have had only female pals, and talked to guys only to flirt with them. You may have a lot to learn from guys, such as how to take matters less seriously and how to be more relaxed. If you have a variety of friends from different backgrounds, you will learn more about the world and about yourself.

Expert Q&A

Question

What do I need to dress like a tomboy?

Natalie Tincher
Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist
Natalie Tincher is the Owner and Principal Style Strategist of BU Style. With more than 10 years of experience, Natalie specializes 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

Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist

Expert Answer

Your core wardrobe items would include jeans, T-shirts, and sweatshirts. For classier occasions, you might wear a blazer, or oxfords.
Question

What colors should I wear if I don't want to dress girly?

Natalie Tincher
Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist
Natalie Tincher is the Owner and Principal Style Strategist of BU Style. With more than 10 years of experience, Natalie specializes 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

Style Strategist & Wardrobe Specialist

Expert Answer

Keep it neutral in the color department. I'd go with black, gray, navy, or white. Shades and tones in those categories will generally come off as less manly.
Question

Can I still wear pink and not be a girly girl? I heard it's not always bad and I can still express myself.

Community Answer

There is no such thing as "boy" and "girl" colors. If you like pink, then wear it, but people might see it as "girly" because of stereotypes.