Starting to be a bit paranoid about my look, thinking that I look masculine

[Teacher7676]

In terms of how I style myself.
I have a pixie cut, which I have been told suits me, I try to grow it out but get impatient and cut it again.
Anyway, I like it but sometimes feel like the odd one out, know very few women of my age (early 30s) which short hair. Virtually none, and I feel that long hair is generally seen as more 'feminine'.
Next, I don't wear make up (apart from a touch of concealer on spots). I'm not good at applying make up but without blowing my own trumpet I have good skin, eyelashes etc.
I also can't be bothered with the hassle of applying and reapplying, then taking off make up every day.
I don't have my nails done, I just keep them short and plain.
I don't wear heels as I find them uncomfortable. I'd wear them for a wedding or something similar but not for work.
I suppose my clothes can vary, I do wear dresses, and I like tighter, fitted clothes as opposed to baggy but I do wonder that if i wear a blazer and trousers for work (combined with all of the above) that I look masculine.
I feel stupid writing this and hope it doesn't come across badly. I think I've got a feminine face but worry that I should be more 'girly'.
Is anybody else like this or felt this way?

I am like you..I wear minimal makeup with short nails. Don't like gel nails or false eyelashes or excessive makeup. I have a bob but only because it is curly and won't suit a pixie. I have never worn heels and I never will.

I don't care about looking girly. I like the more androgynous Katherine Hepburn look ( not that I look like her but it is what I am aiming for).

Glad to hear you are similar. Funnily I do really like false eyelashes, I've had them done a few times but stopped as my natural ones always seem shorter and sparser after they come off.
I'll try and feel more confident about it.

I think a pixie looks so elegant and unusual these days, especially on young women.

Do you think you should be more ‘girly’ for yourself or to appease others?

If you want to be more girly to appease others - then please absolutely do not change. Life is too short to worry about how others perceive our looks. Way too short. If you are happy with how you look and style yourself that’s all that matters. Embrace what makes you, you!

If you want to be more girly for yourself, start to introduce little things. Give yourself a manicure with your favourite colour or a nice light pink. Watch some makeup tutorials on YouTube - there are thousands of tutorials for all ages, races.

I had a very short hair style in my early 30s and rocked it
Im quite petite and was skinny then and whilst quite an androgynous look on me it was more feminine
I’ve always liked jewellery, soft make up and pastels
Enjoy!
Im now nearly 60 and embracing youth and feminity

I've had the same 'masculine' look for over 30 years - apart from the times I couldn't afford the get my hair cut at the hairdressers. You're not alone OP. I only ever thought of it as masculine when my brothers were 'bantering' yeah, thanks guys.
If you're happy with your look then go with it, the only person whose opinion matters is YOU.

Late 30s here. Side shave, undercut pixie. Fat, short. Wear whatever the hell I want. Smart for office then casuals at weekends. Hate my knees so never a dress and definitely no heels. No makeup ( but always earrings, feel oddly naked without!)

Happily married with kids.

The way I see it, if anyone thinks I'm masculine a) they have too much time on their hands b) it doesn't affect me or my life c) their problem that they see it as an "issue" not mine!

You're not alone in the way you look. Own it and be yourself.

I get you OP. I don’t do much in the makeup area, I usually wear jeans and a tshirt, don’t wear heels or dresses. And I’m built like a line backer with boobs. I would wear my hair short if I was petite or curvy but I think it’s the only thing letting people know I’m a woman 😂

Glad to hear there are others like this and hopefully this will boost my confidence.
I just like to stay in bed as late as possible in the mornings and couldn't get up earlier to do make up etc.
Agree short hair can look very feminine but sad to see it is virtually non existent on younger women.

Well I'm sure you look great. When I was your age or a bit younger (1990s, ha) most of us (in my social circle) looked like that, short hair, combats/leggings, boots, I didn't wear makeup at all until I was well into my 30s. The current times are so polarised with this mad idea that womanly=feminine, flowing locks, flowing dresses, tonnes of perfectly applied makeup, defying the passage of time, etc. I think its worse than its ever been and its a total social construct. You should dress in whatever way makes you comfortable (it's kind of a point of feminism so I'd say it to an ultra 'girly' woman too). Ooh and my pixie cut role models (I literally took a picture into the hair dresser) were Natalie Imbruglia and Anna Friel - gorgeous both. Sorry I know that will seem like ancient history to you but honestly it was such an everyday look then. Short hair for women was really, really commonplace.

You sound great to me. I do have long hair (my face is far too fat for a pixie) but I am way more comfortable in baggy band T-shirts and leggings and converse than I am in a dress. I don't wear fitted stuff mostly because as I mentioned, am fat. I do minimal make up (dark eyebrows that need to be tamed!) and NEVER paint my nails or have them long. I don't dye my hair and have greys in it. can't relate to the women at work who have constant chats about nails, make up, perfume (I forget to put it on, I do have it) and hair cuts/extensions. I feel like an impostor when I wear a dress.

I think it's ok to be 'masculine'. I'd much rather Chuck some trainers and a pair of jeans and a T-shirt on as I'm much more comfortable like it!

I'd love to be able to rock a pixie cut (or even just short hair), but ironically, my square and rather masculine jaw means it ain't flattering.

I do dress the way you do - normally a 'deconstructed' suit (wide leg trousers and a loose jacket etc), I don't do my nails or eyebrows because they're both nail and eyebrow-shaped already and therefore fine, and very minimal make-up if I feel the need. Normally wear Converse or brogue-type shoes, flat boots in the winter.

I've never been called 'sir' or anything (but maybe I have a threatening male aura, who knows).

I do have long hair, but I like a more masculine style, so shirt and pants or blazer t shirt and pants with flat shoes for work. Not much make up, but I do like jewellery. It’s just my style and always has been.

I'm 61 (today!) and have dressed and styled myself like you do since my early 20s. It suits me and I don't GAF what other people think of it - to me, life's too short to spend time titivating myself up to look a socially mandated way of being a woman.
Unless you want to change FOR YOU, then don't.

I have a similar look except for long hair (wrong face for a short cut and hate getting my hair cut anyway).

I’m not a morning person so usually skip makeup just because I can’t be arsed or am running late. For years I wore foundation to go everywhere as my skin was so awful. Currently on acne medication and my skin is nearly clear so enjoying that freedom.

I do like a bit of a heel on a boot but refuse to wear traditional heels now as they hurt my feet.

My style tends to be pant suits with nice tops including florals and skirts with tights and boots for work. On the weekend I’m either in active gear or jeans. Love my jeans.

My face is on the androgynous side but I’m short and curvy so body wise not masculine at all.

I hate the current ultra feminine trend and women feeling pressured to get Botox in their 20’s. I do wonder if teenagers girls who don’t fit into this box are now being attracted to being trans rather than just being a different brand or woman or a lesbian.

51, pixie, tall, small boobs, no make up, trimmed unpolished nails, often in trousers. Still definitely feminine.

"Feminine" and "masculine" are just stereotypes. It doesn't make you more of a woman if you have all the characteristics, nor does it make you more of a man if you have less of them.

Be nice tom see a pic of you @Teacher7676 but I am willing to bet you are gorgeous. You sound it.

TO see a pic, not tom!!

I had shorter hair when I was younger (20ish) only ever wore checked shirts skinny jeans etc and just suddenely didn't feel comfortable like that one day, wanted to grow my hair and I am morr 'girly' now at 32 and feel more comfortable but honestly you will look good if you're comfy with your style, that will come across .I'm sure you look fab either way

You sound bloody gorgeous!

If a pixie cut suits you, you are VERY lucky 😊

Embrace it and don't worry. You sound just lovely ❤

Are you a girl?

Is this your look?

Then it’s a girly look.

The rest is (outdated) stereotypes.

Wear what you like and makes you happy!

You sound much like me, except I prefer loose clothing to tight. I don't feel masculine in the slightest and don't believe anyone has ever thought I look masculine - and I have the added bonus of a name which is used mainly for males! Embrace your style, and as long as you are happy with it don't give a second thought to anyone else's opinion.

Do what you like and stop caring whether you match anyone else’s idea of what it means to look feminine. If you’re a woman, you’re feminine. You get to define femininity as much as anyone else.

Early thirties here - probably stereotypical in terms of what you've described other women dressing/looking like.

You sound fucking cool - androgyny is something that few can pull off so - go with it. As fucking cliche and cheesy as it is, you can only be yourself - I sometimes wish I was a bit more edgy like you, but I just don't have it in my locker.

Suppose we all look at each other and wonder if we are doing ourselves 'wrong', when in reality, we don't actually realise that someone else is looking at us and thinking we look good.