Tomboy

Tomboy is a type of girl who exhibits characteristics or behaviors considered typical of a boy. Common characteristics include wearing masculine clothing and engaging in games and activities that are physical in nature and are considered in many cultures to be unfeminine or the domain of boys. This aesthetic often features feminist themes. Tomboyish girls are free-spirited, tough, sassy, and wild. They love to do fun things and be free to live the way they like. They are also often more chill and quiet in comparison to other girls.

The tomboy concept has developed over the years, as stated in this article. Around the 1840s-1860s, the tomboy concept was actually rooted in racist and misogynistic ideas. Since white people feared that their race would die out, they became concerned for the health of white women and therefore encouraged them to lead more active and typically male life styles. This was also thought to prepare them for marriage and motherhood. This later linked to third wave feminism.

Some tomboyish girls identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community and are lesbian and/or queer, and tomboyism is often associated with Butch/Stud lesbianism and rejects traditional gender norms for girls and women, who identify with a more masculine identity. However, we do not need to be LGBTQ+ to be tomboyish. Anybody of any background, lifestyle, and orientation can be tomboyish.

Fashion[]

Tomboyish fashion consists of feminine outfits modeled after masculine fashions. Things such as:

Oversized shirts
Boyfriend jeans
Distressed stuff
Combat Boots
Sneakers
Father's hats
Camo clothing
Tie-Dye clothing
Leather jackets
Flannel
Carhartt
T-shirts with a rock or metal band's logo and name on it
Clothing torn from physical activity
Skull belt buckles

Often times, however, it can be paired with more feminine fashion accessories, such as golden hoop earrings.

Stores[]

Contrary to popular belief, many tomboyish girls still like shopping, albeit usually not at the same stores or types of stores as girly girls. However, there can sometimes be overlap.

Buckle
Hobby Lobby
Michael’s
Eddie Baeur
Bass Pro Shops
Tilly's
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Hot Topic or Box Lunch
Spencer’s
Spirit Halloween
Target
Forever 21
Urban Outfitters
H&M
American Eagle
Hollister
Abercrombie and Fitch
Aeropostale
Dillards
Ace Hardware
Home Depot
Lowe’s
Best Buy
Game Stop

Makeup/Hair[]

Tomboyish-styled makeup can be anywhere from none at all to heavy. Some makeup styles can include:

Light eyeshadow ( Pale pink, browns/tans, oranges, light grey)
Mascara
Eyeliner
Bronzer
Tinted lip balm
Filled/defined brows

Popular tomboyish hairstyles are things like messy buns, short cuts, naturals, and ponytails.

Media[]

Television[]

Daria (MTV)
Holly Hobbie & Friends
Gravity Falls
Amphibia
The Ghost and Molly McGee
Martha Speaks
Big City Greens
Kiff (TV series)

Film[]

Bend It Like Beckham
Foxfire
Girlfight
Hard Candy
Just One of the Guys
The Legend of Billie Jean
Tomboy

Literature[]

The Hunger Games
To Kill a Mockingbird
Wildwood
Clementine
Judy Moody
Meddling Kids
Percy Jackson
The Penderwicks
Cinder
Ruby Holler

Characters[]

Scout Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird)
Rainbow Dash (My Little Pony)
Applejack (My Little Pony)
Noodle (Gorillaz, specifically phase 1 and 2)
Wendy Corduroy (Gravity Falls)
Vanellope Von Schweetz (Wreck-It Ralph)
Max (Stranger Things)
Eleven (Stranger Things)
Sandy Cheeks (SpongeBob SquarePants)
Sam Puckett (iCarly)
Lynn Loud Jr. (The Loud House)
Lana Loud (The Loud House)
Rosie Redd (Rainbow Rangers)
Indigo Allfruit (Rainbow Rangers)

Music[]

Genres popular within the aesthetic include:

Blues rock
Psychedelic rock
Jazz fusion
Southern rock
Jam band
Progressive rock
Garage rock
Industrial rock
Heavy metal
Hard rock
Hardcore punk
Hardcore hip hop
Hardcore techno
Thrash metal
Industrial metal
Grunge
Outlaw country
Reggae

Activities[]

Sports (such as soccer and basketball)
Video games (especially ones in the action-adventure genre)
Physical activity (such as climbing or running)
Hunting
Fishing
Camping
Hiking
Canoeing and kayaking
Taxidermy
Horseback racing
Collecting pocket knives
Treasure hunting
Star-gazing
Yardwork
Rock Collecting

Contrary to popular belief, not all tomboyish girls are "dumb" or "hate school." Many tomboyish girls like academic subjects that involve action or adventure such as history, geography, geology, biology, paleontology, astronomy, anthropology, archaeology, and photography. Some of them also like action and adventure books as well as technology and engineering.

Culinary[]

Granola bars
Oatmeal
Trail mix
Game meat
Candy bars
Potato chips

Many tomboyish girls also like to drink beer, whiskey, or vodka but other alcohol such as wine, margaritas, and martinis can be a bit too girly for them.

Subgenres[]

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Bro Hoe[]

Bro Hoe is a more sexualized version of the Tomboy aesthetic, described as "McBling but with more edgy & masculine elements". Bro Hoes are usually defined as girls who hang around guys who dirtbike or are tattoo artists. Because of the edgy element to Bro Hoe, there is some crossover with the Scene aesthetic as well, although Bro Hoe doesn't go as over-the-top and alt as Scene does.

Fashion[]

Bro Hoe fashion revolves around graphic tees, often from brands such as Ed Hardy, Metal Mulisha, Konflict, Famous, and Affliction, as well as accessories such as bandanas, baseball caps, piercings, and tattoos. Clothing with the Monster logo or the "Trucker girl" on it are also popular amongst the Bro Hoes.