Ask CF: Can Dressing Like a Tomboy be Suitable for a College Class?

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Welcome to the latest edition of Ask CF! Every couple of weeks, we select a reader fashion question and answer it here on the site. Do you have a specific fashion question for us? Scroll to the bottom of this post to learn how to send it our way!

Ask CF Question

Hi CF,

I’m very much a tomboy and love wearing jeans and a t-shirt. But a lot of my friends say I can’t wear that going into college. Any ideas for outfits that will stay true to my style, but be suitable for college?

Thanks!

College Tomboy

Our Response

Dear College Tomboy,

Fashion is all about expressing your individual personality; that’s why it’s called personal style. Just because you are going to college doesn’t mean you should dress any differently than how you already like to dress. (Of course, if your college has a strict dress code, that’s an exception. But even then you can always add in your own touch of personal style!)

It’s understandable that others may think jeans and a t-shirt aren’t appropriate for college. But with a few additions to these basics, you can transform a basic jeans and t-shirt uniform into a unique and pulled-together look.

Instead of changing your “tomboy” style into something else, embrace it! Male fashion bloggers such as Andreas, Pelayo, and Adam, have been huge inspirations to myself and many well-known women in fashion. Personally, I’ve found my style inspired by men’s fashion recently. Instead of accessorizing a girly mini-skirt with a pretty necklace and sandals, I have found myself reaching for a baseball cap and sneakers instead. And, of course, the jeans-and-tee route has been on constant rotation.

For inspiration to transform your tomboy style into a statement-making personal style of your own, I’ve created a few “tomboy,” jeans & tee looks below that are appropriate for class. Hope this helps. And enjoy college!

Sincerely,

Jessica

Outfit # 1

High waisted jeans, t-shirt, sneakers, baseball cap, earrings

Product Information:Earrings, T-shirt, Jeans, Sneakers, Baseball Cap

Maybe this t-shirt is a little cliché, but there’s no better way to embrace your tomboy style than to express it outright! For the jeans, I chose a high-waist dark denim jegging. Lately I have been loving a high-waisted jean; it’s a welcome change from the low-rise style that has been popular for a few years.

Like I mentioned above, some fun accessories are all you need to add to a jeans-and-tee routine to keep it looking fresh, unique, and stylish. An oxblood baseball cap perfectly captures a tomboy aesthetic. High-top sneakers are a comfy on-the-go shoe choice, while sparkly chandelier earrings bring in a feminine element to the look.

Related reading: The Ultimate Guide to Tomboy Outfits for Girls

Outfit # 2

Shorts, tee, jacket, boots, hat, necklace

Product Information: Jacket, T-shirt, Hat, Necklace, Shorts,Boots

For this second outfit, I chose to pair some black distressed shorts with a graphic tee. While this boyfriend t-shirt is oversized and casual, the lace print of the numbers add that girlish touch. Additional feminine elements like a jeweled necklace and floral combat boots continue this trend. Finish with a lightweight military jacket and fedora.

Outfit # 3

boyfriend jeans, graphic sweater, sneakers, backpack, watch, sunglasses

Product Information: Backpack, Sweatshirt, Sunglasses, Jeans, Shoes, Watch

No tomboy jeans-and-tee style guide would be complete without a pair of boyfriend jeans. I like the distressed look of these, but there are many other options sans-tears if you prefer. Next, throw on a sweater — I love this graphic superhero one, but a simple knit or color-block sweater could work equally well. Finish the look with accessories like sequin Keds, cat-eye sunnies, a functional black backpack, and a geometric watch.

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What do you think?

Do you consider yourself a tomboy? How do you dress up a jeans and tee look to make it appropriate for class? Do you like these outfits? Which is your favorite? What advice would you give? Please let us know what you think by leaving a comment below!

1 thought on “Ask CF: Can Dressing Like a Tomboy be Suitable for a College Class?”

  1. Why souldn’t it be okay to look like a tomboy in college????
    Here in Germany we wear to our University classes the same cothes we wear every day. If you would dress up for class as someone you are not, that would be strange. But even if you are a person who is always dressed up people are okay with it. we can come as the individuals we are. No one cares if you come as a punk, a tomboy, a lady whatever. I think academic institutes should not dictate to you what to wear, because isn’t their mission to think and be independet.

    Reply

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