How to Look Androgynous

Co-authored by Joanne Gruber and Sophia Latorre

Last Updated: July 31, 2022 References Approved

An androgynous look is one that ignores gender binaries and embraces both feminine and masculine qualities. Whether you want a more permanent androgynous look or are playing with styles to see what you like, the most important thing to remember is to choose the fashion, hair, and makeup that make you happy.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Dressing Androgynously for Femmes And Feminine Looking People

1
Stick with greyscale colors. A truly androgynous look relies heavily on black, white, and shades of gray. While the occasional splash of color can amp up your look, you should typically stick with more neutral tones.^{[1]
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EXPERT TIP

Joanne Gruber
Professional Stylist
Joanne Gruber is the owner of The Closet Stylist, a personal style service combining wardrobe editing with organization. She has worked in the fashion and style industries for over 10 years.

Joanne Gruber
Professional Stylist

Many fashion brands are catering to androgyny. Stylist and wardrobe organizer Joanne Gruber says: "We're seeing a lot of realignments with how brands are designing their collections and the way they represent themselves in stores. We're even seeing some brands take away different sides of the stores for different genders, which creates a really uniform shopping experience."
2
Wear loose bottoms. Tight pants will show off your curves and feminine figure, which is the opposite of what the androgynous look is about. Stick with pants that are a bit less fitted. Boyfriend jeans are a nice option and look great paired with a t-shirt and cardigan.^{[2]
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3
Pick an oversized shirt. A loose top will hide your figure better than something super fitted. Get a few men’s button-up shirts in a variety of colors or prints so that you can mix and match them with various bottoms. Try wearing a simple white button-up under a cardigan with a pair of boyfriend jeans and canvas sneakers.^{[3]
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4
Choose a boat-necked top. As far as necklines go, a boat-neck is perfect for the androgynous look as it is a mix of masculine and feminine. Pair a printed boat-neck top with corduroy pants and oxfords for a chic androgynous style.^{[4]
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5
Wear a vest. Vests are a great way to add style to your basic pieces. Layer a vest over a plain or printed top and pair it with neutral pants and boots. Add a watch to complete the look.^{[5]
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6
Choose a blazer. Pick a blazer in a fun print and layer it over a plain shirt. Add boot-cut jeans and a canvas sneaker to keep it casual, or pair it with black pants and oxfords for a dressier look. Also pick up a blazer in a neutral color, like navy, to pair with bold or printed tops and bottoms.^{[6]
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7
Wear masculine fabrics. Choose some items in traditionally masculine fabrics, like tweed, corduroy, or leather. Fabrics that are a bit heavier, more structured, and don’t conform to the shape of your body will help you complete your androgynous look.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Dressing Androgynously for Masculine Looking People

1
Wear fitted bottoms. Rather than opting for baggy pants, choose a more fitted bottom. You can choose skinny jeans or well-fitted dress pants. Wear a cardigan over a t-shirt paired with skinny jeans and canvas sneakers for an everyday androgynous look.^{[7]
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2
Try harem trousers. Harem trousers have a partial skirt around the waist and taper toward the ankle. If you’re ready for a bold look, try pairing harem trousers with a fitted button-up shirt.^{[8]
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3
Choose tailored tops. Fitted tops are great for masculine looking people who want the androgynous look. Rather than wearing a loose t-shirt, pair a tailored top with your favorite jeans. Add canvas sneakers or oxfords to complete the look.^{[9]
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4
Wear a blouse. Blouses are flowy tops that may be gathered at the waist or hips. They are often sheer or made from fabrics like linen or satin. It’s not as uncommon as it once was for men to wear blouses, and even Gucci recently developed a line of men’s blouses. Pair a blouse in a bold color with fitted pants in a neutral tone.^{[10]
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5
Add a floral print. A floral print can add a feminine touch to your overall look. You can wear floral pants with a white button-down, or pair corduroy pants with a floral top. Finish the look with a portfolio or briefcase and a great watch.^{[11]
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6
Wear feminine fabrics. Choose items made from traditionally feminine fabrics, such as lace, silk, satin, and velvet. Pair a velvet blazer with skinny jeans and canvas sneakers, or dress it up with fitted black pants and oxfords.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Adding Accessories

1
Add a leather belt. Choose a leather belt in black or brown for a versatile, chic accessory. Wear it in the traditional style, or sling it low around your hips.^{[12]
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2
Invest in a pair of oxfords for formal attire. Oxfords are an androgynous staple. Pick a pair in brown or black, and wear them with jeans or dress pants.^{[13]
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3
Wear canvas sneakers for a casual look. Canvas sneakers can be worn with nearly any outfit. Get two pairs, one in a neutral color, and one in a fun print or with a bit of bling so you have a pair to coordinate with any outfit.^{[14]
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4
Add a hat. Hats are the perfect accessory for the androgynous look, as many are gender-neutral. You can go for a fedora, newsboy cap, trapper, or even a baseball hat. Try wearing a newsboy cap with a button-up, jeans, and oxfords.^{[15]
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5
Wear a large watch. Choose a bold, chunky, metallic watch to compliment your androgynous look. Pick one with a bit of bling, or stick to a simple style. Alternatively, choose a wooden watch for a trendy but natural look. Roll up the sleeves on your button-up or cardigan to show off your watch.^{[16]
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6
Choose a portfolio or briefcase. As far as bags go, a portfolio -- a combination of a briefcase and a purse -- is the perfect mix of feminine and masculine. Choose a leather portfolio in a neutral color like black or brown so you can use it every day. Alternatively, choose a briefcase in a fun fabric, such a suede, or a bold color or pattern.^{[17]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Wearing Androgynous Makeup

1
Use foundation and concealer minimally. Use matte powder to create a natural look and hide blemishes. Avoid adding a full face of foundation or bright eyeshadow or lipstick.^{[18]
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2
Go for a bold brow. People with features traditionally thought of as masculine can tweeze their eyebrows for a more feminine shape. People with features traditionally thought of as feminine should allow their brows to grow out naturally, or brush their brows upward for a bushier, boyish look. Fill in your brows but stick to their natural shape. Concentrate on the outer ends of your brows.^{[19]
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3
Choose neutral eye shadow. A neutral eye shadow can help blur the gender lines. Choose a neutral color of matte shadow or amp up your look with a glossy shadow in a color close to your skin tone.^{[20]
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4
Add eyeliner. Black eyeliner will make your eyes pop. Line either just the top or the top and bottom, but avoid the cat-eye look as it is traditionally feminine. Choose liquid eyeliner for a bold look or pencil eyeliner for a more subtle look.^{[21]
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5
Wear a neutral lip gloss. Glossy, subtle lips are a great way to get the androgynous look. Swipe on a clear gloss or choose a rosy gloss to add some color. You can also wear a tan or beige lipstick for a truly neutral look.^{[22]
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6
Play up your masculine features if you have features traditionally thought of as feminine. A chiseled jaw is often seen as a masculine feature. Sweep a matte bronzer along your jawline to add definition. Avoid highlighting traditionally feminine features, such as high cheekbones.^{[23]
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7
Play up your feminine features if you have traditionally masculine features. Highlight your cheekbones with a shimmery blush. Experiment with contouring to create a slender neck and less-defined jaw line.^{[24]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Creating an Androgynous Hairstyle

1
Chop off your locks. Though you don’t have to have short hair to get the androgynous look, you may want to go all in. Consider a pixie cut or even a buzz cut or a shaved head.^{[25]
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2
Slick your hair back. Slicked back hair can ramp up the edginess of your look. Use gel or pomade to create a sleek and shiny style.^{[26]
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3
Wear a curly mohawk. Your hair doesn’t need to be short or slick for an androgynous look. Embrace your curls and add a bit of edginess to your look by styling your locks into a faux-hawk. You can also shave the sides of your head for a true mohawk.^{[27]
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4
Try the shag look. Androgynous icon Joan Jett was famous for her shaggy hairstyle. Both men and women can embrace the shag look. As a bonus, it’s a versatile, low-maintenance style that you’re likely to love.^{[28]
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5
Color your locks. Don’t be afraid to add a pop of color to your look by tinting your hair. You can add subtle highlights or go for a bold color like purple. Experiment with different options to see which you like best.^{[29]
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Community Q&A

Question

Do I need to cut my hair to look androgynous as a girl?

Community Answer

No way! Rock your own style. Don't let anyone tell you how you should dress or how long or short your hair should be. What's most important is that you feel like you. There are plenty of guys with long hair and girls with short hair so hair length does not have to correspond to any particular gender/identity.
Question

What if I live at home and this kind of thing isn't allowed? My mother won't let me cut my hair and she always makes me wear girly clothes. What should I do? BTW, this really helped.

Community Answer

Tell her that you feel like you should make your own choices on how you dress, and not have other people decide for you. Explain why it's important to you. Tell her that you respect her opinion, but you think you should dress how you want. She may not come around right away, be persistent.
Question

How do I become popular if I am queer?

Community Answer

Be outgoing and kind to everyone, even people you don't like. Get involved in activities - theater and poetry tend to be very accepting of the LGBTQ community, though you can do whatever you like. Embrace your style and queer identity, and be yourself.