How to Dress up a Boy Like a Girl (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

Download Article

Explore this Article

parts

1Getting Him Ready

2Dressing Up Like a Girl

3Styling His Hair

4Applying Makeup

5Acting Like a Girl

+Show 2 more...

-Show less...

Other Sections

Tips and Warnings

Related Articles

References

Article Summary

Co-authored byTannya Bernadette

Last Updated: April 28, 2024Fact Checked

Download Article

Sometimes a boy wants or needs to dress like a girl. Whether it’s for an acting role, just for fun, gaining a new perspective, or adopting a new lifestyle, a boy can easily dress like a girl. With a little preparation, the right outfit, and stylish makeup, any boy can look like a girl.

Things You Should Know

  • Find a gorgeous and fitting feminine outfit. Throw on some accessories for added flair, like a necklace, dress shoes, or rings.
  • Make his hair look classically feminine with a wig or, if you'd rather, accessorize with a clip or headband.
  • Apply bright-colored lipstick and flattering eye makeup to take the look to the next level. Then, finish up with some blush.

Part 1

Part 1 of 5:

Getting Him Ready

Download Article

  1. 1

    Make sure he wants to do this. You should only dress him up if he thinks it's a good idea. He should be comfortable and relaxed about the idea.

    • Don't take any photos or videos without his permission. If you do take them, never share them without permission. This counts as a betrayal of trust. Double-check with him before taking or sharing pictures or videos.
    • If he doesn't think it would be fun, then let it go. Maybe another boy would like to dress up.
    • Double-check each step of the process with him. For example, if he's scared of the tweezers, tell him that he can skip having his eyebrows plucked.
  2. 2

    Shave his legs, armpits, and face. For a boy to dress like a girl, he needs to have no leg, facial, or armpit hair. Have him take a shower and shave his legs, armpits, and face. If he doesn’t want to do it himself, have him sit on a chair while you gently shave him.[1]

    • Spread shaving cream onto his legs, dip a razor in a bucket of water, and then save the hair off of his legs. Dip the razor into the water after each pass of the razor on his legs to prevent cuts.

    Advertisem*nt

  3. 3

    Shape his eyebrows. Girls shape their eyebrows to achieve a natural arch without any stray hairs, so shaping the boy’s eyebrows will help him look feminine.[2]

    • Use tweezers to pluck stray eyebrow hairs or use face wax to wax the eyebrows into a natural arch.
  4. 4

    Put girl’s deodorant and perfume on. The scent of deodorant is different for boys and girls. Get a deodorant sold for girls and have the boy wear it. You should also have the boy wear a perfume meant for girls to get him smelling like a girl.

  5. Advertisem*nt

Part 2

Part 2 of 5:

Dressing Up Like a Girl

Download Article

  1. 1

    Find an outfit that fits well. Girls tend to wear clothes that are more form-fitting so you need to pick out an outfit that fits the boy well. Choosing a dress or skirt for the boy to wear will make it easy to distinguish that he’s dressing like a girl.

    • Some boys have very broad shoulders so finding a dress that fits him right might be hard. If the boy has broad shoulders, consider putting him in a skirt and shirt to get a better fit.
    • If you choose to have him wear pants, it would be a good idea to have him wear skinny jeans with boots. This look is a popular style with girls.
  2. 2

    Pick complementary colors and styles. The shape of his clothing can impact how others view him when they look at his body. Get a more feminine shape by using clothes and their colors to accentuate areas of the body.[3]

    • Wearing dark colors around the waist provides a slimming effect to create an hourglass look.
    • Pick v-neck or lower cut tops to provide a more girly style.
    • Florals and prints can give a feminine look.[4]
  3. 3

    Add accessories. You can add different types of accessories to the outfit to complete the look. Accessories are an important part of a girl’s outfit, so adding accessories will give an authentic look to the boy’s outfit.

    • Jewelry like necklaces, bracelets, rings, and clip-on earrings will add a feminine touch to the outfit.
    • Wearing colorful clothes and a lot of jewelry can make a person look more feminine.[5]
    • If the boy is wearing a dress or skirt, you can have him wear tights to add color or design to his look.
  4. 4

    Select feminine shoes. The shoe style is important when trying to dress a boy like a girl. If you want to make a boy look like a girl, he needs to wear shoes that are feminine.

    • Shoes with heels are a great choice. There are dress shoes and boots that have heels. Choosing a shorter heel is a good idea if the boy isn’t used to walking in heels yet.
    • Fashion boots are also a great choice for dressing a boy as a girl.
    • Pointed toe flat shoes can also give a feminine appearance.[6]
  5. Advertisem*nt

Part 3

Part 3 of 5:

Styling His Hair

Download Article

  1. 1

    Grow long hair. Boys who enjoy dressing like girls often grow long hair to accommodate lots of different hairstyles.

    • Curl his hair to add more volume.
    • Blow-dry and style his hair after a shower.
    • He can wear a low ponytail if he wants to dress like a boy.
  2. 2

    Cut his hair in a flowy style. Get a haircut that incorporates soft waves to soften and feminize the face.

    • Haircuts with sharp angles may make his face look more angular and rigid.
    • If you choose to dye his hair, pick a color that compliments his skin tone. Light colors are best for cool skin tones, darker colors compliment warm skin tones.
  3. 3

    Accessorize his hair. You can accessorize his natural hair with hair clips, bows, and headbands to add a feminine touch to the outfit. Brush his hair and sweep the front to the side with a girl’s hair clip to make his hair look like a girl’s pixie cut.

    • Hair clips, headbands, and bows are a great accessory to add to the boy’s hair.
    • Put ribbons or barrettes in his hair to look more feminine.
  4. 4

    Put on a wig. If you want him to have longer hair, he can wear a wig. Choose a wig that is close to his hair color to make it look more natural. Style the wig in any style you like.

    • Wigs are a good way to create a total transformation in his look.
  5. Advertisem*nt

Part 4

Part 4 of 5:

Applying Makeup

Download Article

  1. 1

    Apply foundation and powder. Find a foundation color that matches his skin tone and apply it evenly to his face. Apply a matching powder over the foundation to finish the base of the makeup.[7]

  2. 2

    Put eye makeup on him. Eye makeup will help accent his eyes and make them look bigger. Eye makeup is a great way to make a boy look more feminine.[8]

    • Apply eyeshadow on his eyes to accentuate his eye color. Consider using two or three colors to blend onto his eyelid to make his eyes look bigger.
    • Use eyeliner to draw a line at the base of the eyelid. This will accent the eyes and give a finished look to the eye makeup.
    • Finish with mascara on his eyelashes. Use black mascara if he has dark eyelashes and brown mascara if he has light eyelashes. For a fun, festive look you can use colored mascara, like blue or purple, to make his eyelashes pop.
  3. 3

    Add blush to his cheeks. Blush is a great addition to dress a boy like a girl because it makes the face look more feminine. Apply the blush to the apples of his cheeks and his cheekbones.

  4. 4

    Finish with lipstick. The finishing touch to makeup is adding color to the lips. You can line his lips with lip liner and then fill in the rest with lipstick.[9]

    • Red, Pink, and Neutral colors are good choices to pick for his lipstick.
  5. Advertisem*nt

Part 5

Part 5 of 5:

Acting Like a Girl

Download Article

  1. 1

    Encourage him to speak in a higher register. Even if he looks like a girl, a voice that sounds like a male’s will be easily recognized as a male.

    • Tell him to practice speaking in a higher tone to make himself sound more feminine.
    • Record him speaking so he can hear what he sounds like.
  2. 2

    Have him practice walking in a feminine manner. A feminine walk will help make the look of dressing like a woman appear more natural.[10] Women tend to walk more elegantly and keep their knees and feet closer together than men do.

    • His feet should pull him forward instead of storming ahead head first.
    • Have him move his hips as he walks; let his hips lead his legs to engage his whole body as he walks.
  3. 3

    Help him adopt female mannerisms. Become more sensitive to the interactions he has with other people to make the interactions more feminine. Acting like a girl can often have as much mental impact as dressing like a girl in terms of how an individual is observed.[11]

  4. Advertisem*nt

Break Out of Gender Norms with this Expert Series

You have the right to dress however you like, and, if you're looking to dress as a man or just look more masculine, we have an expert series just for you. These articles will help you crossdress, present as male, and generally look more masculine.

1Crossdress As a Man (for Women)2Crossdress3Look Like a Man4Pass As a Male (For FTMs)5Dress Like a Guy6Gender Bend

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

  • Question

    What happens if I go to a wig store and someone asks me why I'm getting the wig?

    How to Dress up a Boy Like a Girl (with Pictures) - wikiHow (33)

    Community Answer

    That's probably not going to happen, but if it does, just tell them you're buying it for a costume and they probably won't bother you further.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 32Helpful 145

  • Question

    How do I dress up like a boy if I have to wear a bra?

    How to Dress up a Boy Like a Girl (with Pictures) - wikiHow (34)

    Marian Andersen

    Community Answer

    Bind your breasts with tight wrappings or wear a tight sports bra. Also you could wear a very loose-fitting top.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 64Helpful 106

  • Question

    How do I hide my penis when I wear jeans?

    How to Dress up a Boy Like a Girl (with Pictures) - wikiHow (35)

    Community Answer

    You could always tuck it between your legs. There are tucking devices you can buy online or at specialty stores.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 46Helpful 139

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

      Advertisem*nt

      Tips

      • If your friend feels like being a girl is more real and authentic, then it's possible your friend is a transgender girl. If so, encourage her to be herself, and do your best to help her take steps towards living everyday life like the girl she is (if it's safe for her to do so).[12][13][14]

        Thanks

        Helpful0Not Helpful0

      • Find clothing and makeup colors that match or coordinate with his eye color.

        Thanks

        Helpful0Not Helpful0

      • Teach him how to walk comfortably in heels to naturally look like a girl.

        Thanks

        Helpful0Not Helpful0

      Show More Tips

      Tips from our Readers How to Dress up a Boy Like a Girl (with Pictures) - wikiHow (36)

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

      • Focus on finding outfits that fit well, like form-fitting tops or skirts. V-necks and darker colors around the waist can be slimming.
      • Help him shave his body hair for a smoother, more feminine look. Go slowly and use shaving cream to prevent nicks.
      • Make sure he is comfortable with dressing up and agrees to it. Do not take or share photos without his consent.
      • Have him use feminine-scented products like perfumes and deodorants. This helps complete the transformation.
      • Accessorize with jewelry, handbags, hair accessories. These finishing touches add flair.
      • Shape his eyebrows into a feminine arch, using tweezers or wax. Avoid over-plucking.

      Submit a Tip

      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

      Submit

      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Advertisem*nt

      Warnings

      • Some boys may have mixed feelings about dressing as a girl. Talk to him openly about how he feels or make sure he has someone to talk to if he needs it.

        Thanks

        Helpful153Not Helpful38

      Advertisem*nt

      You Might Also Like

      How toDress up Like a GirlHow toLook Like a Woman
      How toGender BendHow to Wear Feminine Clothing as a Trans WomanHow toPass As a Male (For FTMs)How toBe a Girly GirlHow toLook CuteHow toBe MasculineHow toBe Cute and GirlyHow toChange from a Tomboy to a Girly GirlHow toBe GirlyHow toDress Yourself and Look Good (for Girls)How to Look CottagecoreHow toDress Nice Every Day (for Girls)

      Advertisem*nt

      References

      1. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/want-a-smooth-safe-shave-every-time-try-these-10-tips/
      2. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-ways-to-get-overplucked-eyebrows-to-grow-back/
      3. http://stylecaster.com/how-to-look-thinner/
      4. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/dress-for-success-how-clothes-influence-our-performance/
      5. https://www.scienceofpeople.com/fashion-psychology/
      6. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-psychology-dress/201206/psychology-fashion-and-the-lab
      7. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-truth-about-exercise-addiction/201606/the-surprising-psychology-behind-makeup
      8. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/meet-catch-and-keep/201502/5-research-backed-reasons-we-wear-makeup
      9. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/meet-catch-and-keep/201502/5-research-backed-reasons-we-wear-makeup

      More References (5)

      About This Article

      How to Dress up a Boy Like a Girl (with Pictures) - wikiHow (52)

      Co-authored by:

      Tannya Bernadette

      Professional Stylist

      This article was co-authored by Tannya Bernadette. Tannya Bernadette is the Founder of The Closet Edit, a Seattle-based personal styling service. She has been in the fashion industry for over 10 years and has been recognized as Ann Taylor’s LOFT brand ambassador and Seattle Southside’s official Rockstar Stylist. Tannya received her BA in Fashion Marketing and Business from The Art Institutes. This article has been viewed 872,011 times.

      91 votes - 81%

      Co-authors: 31

      Updated: April 28, 2024

      Views:872,011

      Categories: Youth Fashion

      Article SummaryX

      To dress up a boy like a girl, focus on making his appearance more feminine and picking out an outfit to suit his new look. First, shave his face, legs, and armpits so his skin looks smooth. Put on a deodorant and perfume designed for girls, which will help him smell like a girl. Then, pick out an outfit that’s more form-fitting than typical male clothing, like a skirt or dress. If you choose a skirt and a top for him to wear, go for tops with lower necklines for a more feminine look. Add accessories to his outfit to give it an extra edge, such as a bracelet or tights. Remember to pick out feminine-looking shoes, like high heels or a cute pair of boots, to complete his look. For tips on how to style your hair to look like a girl, keep reading!

      Did this summary help you?

      In other languages

      Spanish

      Russian

      French

      Chinese

      Dutch

      Hindi

      Thai

      Korean

      • Print
      • Send fan mail to authors

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 872,011 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • How to Dress up a Boy Like a Girl (with Pictures) - wikiHow (53)

        Rashawn Smith

        Aug 9, 2016

        "I got dressed up like a girl for Halloween, and I love wearing girls clothes. I would love to be a woman instead..." more

      More reader storiesHide reader stories

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisem*nt

      How to Dress up a Boy Like a Girl (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

      FAQs

      How to dress up a boy like a girl? ›

      Jewelry like necklaces, bracelets, rings, and clip-on earrings will add a feminine touch to the outfit. Wearing colorful clothes and a lot of jewelry can make a person look more feminine. If the boy is wearing a dress or skirt, you can have him wear tights to add color or design to his look.

      What do you call a boy who dresses like a girl? ›

      The term is borrowed from the modern French phrase en femme meaning "as a woman." Most crossdressers also use a female name whilst en femme; that is their "femme name". In the cross-dressing community the persona a man adopts when he dresses as a woman is known as his "femme self".

      What do you call a boy who acts like a girl? ›

      Femboy (alternatively spelled femboi) is a modern slang term used to refer to a male who displays traditionally feminine characteristics, such as wearing dresses, skirts, and/or thigh-highs. It is a portmanteau of feminine and boy.

      Is it normal for a boy to dress like a girl? ›

      Written by Roni Cohen Leiderman, Ph. D. Although most school-age children have by now developed a strong identification with their given gender (boys tend to play with boys, and girls with girls, in fairly gender-specific ways), some continued private experimentation with opposite-gender roles is also normal.

      Can boys wear girls dress? ›

      The answer is a resounding Yes. Clothes have no gender, they don't care who wears them, and stores don't care who buys them either. Some people say guys shouldn't wear bras but hell, if you want to, go for it.

      Why does my daughter dress like a boy? ›

      “For younger kids, it's very common to explore different gender expressions,” Hodax says. “A lot of kids do this during dress-up play or pretend play. It may mean that they're exploring their gender identity as well, but a lot of times, they're just exploring expression and seeing how these different things feel.”

      What is it called when a boy turns into a girl? ›

      A trans woman (short for transgender woman) is a woman who was assigned male at birth. Trans women have a female gender identity and may experience gender dysphoria (distress brought upon by the discrepancy between a person's gender identity and their sex assigned at birth).

      Why does a boy acts like a girl? ›

      One may be genetic, a mutation or an inherited tendency. Another reason may be that the mother was given male hormones to treat a condition, and the female fetus developed a male brain. Or she was treated with female hormones, and the male fetus developed a female brain.

      What's it called when a girl looks like a boy? ›

      The word "tomboy" is a compound word which combines "tom" with "boy". Though this word is now used to refer to "boy-like girls", the etymology suggests the meaning of tomboy has changed drastically over time.

      What do you call a boy wanting to be a girl? ›

      Transgender: When a person's gender identity is not the same as the assigned sex at birth, the umbrella term “transgender” (often shortened to “trans”) is used. For example, a child born with female genitalia may identify as a boy.

      Can a boy wear a skirt? ›

      Outside Western cultures, men's clothing commonly includes skirts and skirt-like garments; however, in the Americas and much of Europe, skirts are usually seen as feminine clothing and socially stigmatized for men and boys to wear, despite having done so for centuries.

      Is it normal for a 5 year old boy to want to be a girl? ›

      Perfectly normal developmental phase for a child to pretend to be something they're not.

      Why does my son like girl stuff? ›

      Preferring toys and objects that are traditionally associated with a different gender does not necessarily have anything to do with gender identity or sexual orientation. Your son may be more sensitive and nurturing than his male peers. There are girls his age who prefer some of the more traditionally male toys.

      How to dress like a male as a female? ›

      How To Dress Masculine As A Girl (12 Easy Style Tips)
      1. Wear loose-fitting clothes. ...
      2. Try on baggy pants. ...
      3. Wear staples like boyfriend jeans. ...
      4. Get oversized layers. ...
      5. Choose neutral colors. ...
      6. Buy high-quality shirts. ...
      7. Try on canvas sneakers. ...
      8. Put on work boots.
      Sep 17, 2022

      How to make a guy look like a girl? ›

      How can a guy look like a girl?
      1. Shave ALL body hair, including leg, arm, armpit, chest, face, and back hair.
      2. Work on being as non-muscular as possible. Lanky arms look girlier than bulky biceps.
      3. Wax your eyebrows. Thinner eyebrows can be a big tell.
      4. Buy and wear girly clothing. ...
      5. Feminine mannerisms.
      Jul 9, 2018

      How to wear girl clothes as a guy? ›

      Make sure your clothes aren't too tight or too loose - you want them to look like they were made for you. Finally, think about what kind of woman's clothes you're wearing. If it's a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, then go with something more masculine - think boots and plaid shirts instead of sandals and floral prints.

      Top Articles
      Latest Posts
      Article information

      Author: Trent Wehner

      Last Updated:

      Views: 6106

      Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

      Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

      Author information

      Name: Trent Wehner

      Birthday: 1993-03-14

      Address: 872 Kevin Squares, New Codyville, AK 01785-0416

      Phone: +18698800304764

      Job: Senior Farming Developer

      Hobby: Paintball, Calligraphy, Hunting, Flying disc, Lapidary, Rafting, Inline skating

      Introduction: My name is Trent Wehner, I am a talented, brainy, zealous, light, funny, gleaming, attractive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.