Tough Girl: 10 Ways to Try Tomboy-Chic

So men are from Mars and women are from Venus? Possibly. But if there’s one thing about the male sex that I’m totally attuned to, it’s their fashion.

Since my schooldays, I’ve been siphoning clothes from my brother’s closet (both with and without his consent). The shirts have always been my primary targets—these crisp, pressed things which exude ball-buster attitude with the sleeves rolled up. I love how they look with leather leggings and heels, knotted over a tight dress, or worn tunic-style at the beach. I love how they look on boys too—but, hey, that’s a given!

I’ve always had a soft spot for menswear as womenswear. The older I get, the more it makes sense! Men’s clothes are simple, comfortable, and effortless—and, as in women’s fashion, the central pieces never go out of style. Just think of the past icons of androgyny: Marlene Dietrich, Katharine Hepburn, Diane Keaton, and the like. They favored buttondowns, trousers, tailored jackets, and leather shoes—all of which are vital to both men’s and women’s wardrobes today.

Still, I wouldn’t say it was a breeze to try out this enduring trend. It’s only easy if you’re the experimental type. Take a girly girl bred on dresses and dainty heels and the color pink—then get her to trade her flippy skirts for jodhpurs. Try! It’s no simple feat. I don’t consider myself the princessy type at all, but before I realized how much potential my brother’s wardrobe held for me, I didn’t think dressing like a boy was all that amazing.

That’s why I give big props to the women who pull it off without a hitch. When you finally get the hang of it, tomboy-chic is the very definition of today’s cool girl. It’s got spunk and swagger, and it peddles its own unique brand of sex appeal. Best of all, it’s low-maintenance. You know those rushed days when you need to throw something together in seconds and you don’t know what and the clock is tick-tick-ticking? This is your most confident answer.

Curious about androgynous style? Here’s how some of Manila’s fashionistas are making it their own. I’m taking notes myself!

(Flashbox photo: Screencap of Azmarie Livingston from America’s Next Top Model, Cycle 18 courtesy of The CW)