Beyond the Bows: 15 Signs You’re Definitely Not a Girly Girl

From childhood, society often presents a very specific, narrow version of femininity—one filled with dolls, frilly dresses, and the color pink. This traditional mold is perpetually reinforced, subtly suggesting that this is what it means to be a woman. However, reality is far more diverse. Not every woman is naturally a “girly girl.” Many of us lean into our inner tomboy, finding more common ground with activities and aesthetics often associated with boys, and feeling like a bit of a misfit in the process.

If you’re a lady who has ever felt disconnected from the typical “girly” expectations, know that you are absolutely not alone. Your comfort, your interests, and your low-maintenance lifestyle are valid and celebrated. Here are 15 undeniable signs that you are happily and confidently far from being a conventional girly girl.

Comfort Over Couture: Your Style and Routine

1. Always Sweatpants, Everywhere. While a girly girl might reserve sweatpants for the confines of her home before swapping them out for skirts or tights, for you, sweats are life. Comfort is king, and you are perfectly willing to wear your favorite pair of cozy joggers to the grocery store, to a casual lunch, or really, anywhere the day takes you.

2. Your Hair Routine is Minimalist. You wholeheartedly embrace the no-fuss lifestyle. The thought of elaborate blowouts, a shelf full of styling products, or spending hours with a curling iron or straightener feels exhausting. You keep your hair routine simple, maybe a quick brush and a ponytail, and you definitely avoid over-the-top hair accessories like bows or bedazzled barrettes.

3. It Takes You Little Time to Get Ready. Your quick preparation time often baffles or even makes your more high-maintenance friends jealous. Your streamlined, low-maintenance routine means you’re out the door in a flash, prioritizing efficiency over an elaborate process.

4. You’re Not a Big Fan of Makeup. Skincare? Sure. But when it comes to foundation, contour, and the perpetually confusing world of eyeliner? You’d rather pass. Despite watching countless YouTube tutorials, you simply can’t seem to master (or even care to master) makeup application. This is often the reason formal events can feel stressful, forcing you to deviate from your natural look.

5. Say No to High Heels. Your preferred footwear is defined by practicality and comfort. It’s sneakers all day, every day. You might grudgingly pull out a platform or a combat boot if absolutely necessary for a dress code, but anything that involves you teetering precariously is a hard pass. Give you running shoes or durable boots any time!

6. Jeans and a Tee Are Your Uniform. You don’t spend time engineering the perfect, complicated outfit like a character from Gossip Girl. Instead, your wardrobe revolves around comfortable, dependable staples. Your uniform is a reliable pair of jeans or leggings paired with a loose, comfortable t-shirt—and you certainly don’t feel the need for a push-up bra.

7. You Don’t Love the Color Pink. While others flock to frills and blush tones, you are drawn to a darker, more muted palette. Greens, blacks, and blues are much more your vibe. People might suggest you need “more color,” but they just don’t understand that pink simply doesn’t align with your personal aesthetic.

Interests and Social Dynamics

8. You Don’t Mind Hanging with the Boys. While a traditional girly girl might prefer a spa day or binge-watching reality TV, you’re the one who leaps at the chance to play video games or get sweaty during a casual sports match. In fact, you’re often a proud, integrated member of the gaming world and feel more comfortable in a group of guys.

9. You Don’t Have a Huge Group of Female Friends. Your friendships are often primarily with boys, or you have a small, close circle of female friends. These women truly understand your tomboy essence and don’t try to change you. You value depth and authenticity over a large, dramatic social circle.

10. Cheerleading is Confusing to You. Even though you recognize that it requires immense athleticism, the concept of cheerleading—with its scantily clad outfits and overtly feminine, sexy dance moves—just isn’t a sport that resonates with your personal style or interests.

Personality and Lifestyle

11. You’re Down for Adventure and Spontaneity. A surprise midnight swim that might ruin your hair? An impromptu, muddy hike that guarantees you’ll be covered in sweat and dirt? Bring it on! You value experiences, thrills, and spontaneity over maintaining a perfect, polished appearance.

12. You’re Not a Diva. You are not squeamish and you’re certainly not a princess. From camping in a tent to dealing with scrapes and cuts, you’re not afraid to get down and dirty. You handle minor discomforts with ease and are never one to complain about the small stuff.

13. You’re Definitely Not the Girl to Only Order a Salad. You eat with passion. You’re happy to dive into a juicy hamburger or a plate of messy nachos, often ending up with a sauce stain or a bit of food around your mouth—and you don’t care! You don’t worry about “looking ladylike” or counting calories; you’re simply enjoying your food. Being able to devour a large pizza is something you might even proudly brag about.

14. You Don’t Deal with Crying or Emotions the Best. You’re not the type to get teary-eyed at the end of a sentimental movie. In fact, you find facing and expressing your own intense emotions a bit overwhelming and unnerving. When you do cry, others in your life know it’s a significant and rare event.

15. You Might Not Have a “Dream Wedding.” While some women spend years swooning over bridal magazines, meticulously planning the dress, venue, and specific flower arrangements, that fantasy simply doesn’t exist for you. Your main source of stress around the topic is likely the inevitable pressure to “dress up” and be the center of a very formal, fuss-filled occasion.

The Confidence of Being You

Being a tomboy or a woman who rejects traditional femininity isn’t a deficit; it’s a testament to your confidence and authenticity. You value comfort, genuine connections, adventure, and low-maintenance living. Your life is defined by your passions, not by society’s restrictive ideals of what a “girl” should be. Embrace your sneakers, your sweatpants, and your wonderful, unique self!

Do you relate to these signs, or are there other non-girly-girl traits you’ve embraced?