Tough men: Clint Eastwood, Sonny Barger, Kimbo Slice, Bear Grylls, Sebastian Junger Tough women: Ronda Rousey, Lil’ Kim, Serena Williams, Joan Jett, Courtney Love, Margaret Thatcher
If you’re vegan, or just aren’t a big fan of the idea of wearing leather, most cheap leather jackets aren’t actually leather anyway, but a faux-leather cotton-polyurethane combination. You can still look tough without buying real leather. Typically, used leather jackets tend to look a little more tough. If you’ve got that nice worn leather look, it’ll look like you’ve been around the block a few times. [1] X Research source
If you’re vegan, or just aren’t a big fan of the idea of wearing leather, most cheap leather jackets aren’t actually leather anyway, but a faux-leather cotton-polyurethane combination. You can still look tough without buying real leather. Typically, used leather jackets tend to look a little more tough. If you’ve got that nice worn leather look, it’ll look like you’ve been around the block a few times. [1] X Research source
Buy denim that fits according to your personal tough style. Go tight if you want a tough rocker look, or baggy if you want more of a modern tough style.
Flannel look really good as a baggy shirt, but can also look punk printed on pants. Only tight pants, though, for women. Wear a lot of leather. If you’re vegan, fine. Some stores sell vegan leather, but that can be harder find. Leather skinny pants look extra tough and edgy.
Old army jackets and pants are also typically kind of ripped up looking and cheap, both added bonuses for someone who wants to look tough. Outfit an old army jacket with band patches and other stuff to look like a tough punk.
In terms of sneakers, the simpler, the better. Chuck Taylors in plain black, plain white Keds, or those thickly padded skater shoes with the long tongue and laces, are both tough looks, especially compared to some New Balance. In terms of boots, some chunky Doc Martens, Timberlands, or some other variety of big combat boot will help you look tough.
Thick, short silver chain necklace Skull ring Nose ring Leather cuff Bandana Band t-shirts
Try making one little change every week, to let people get used to the changes. Start with a new jacket, or a new accessory, and start moving slowly, collecting more tough gear as you go. The key to bringing the edgy style is doing it in small portions. Layer edgy printed tops or dresses under a blazer or use a leather-looking piece in a traditional cut (like a pencil skirt) paired with a very sophisticated button-up top with soft fabrics and features. For example, a chiffon pussy bow top in classic white. Monochromatic black looks are always edgy but can look super professional and posh. To bring them into the office, keep the overall look tailored and body-skimming, but not hugging.
If it’s been a while since you’ve exercised, or you’re not a big fan of working out, start slow. Just start taking walks that last for at least 30 or 40 minutes a few times a week, after work or school. Slowly expand your walk area, getting your walks longer and longer. Try doing 30 minutes of cardio workouts 3-5 times a week, when you start getting into shape. This helps to cut the fat quickly and increase your metabolism. You know what’s tough? Eating kale. If you want to really be tough, diet right and increase the number of lean proteins, fresh vegetables and fruits, and whole grains in your diet, and avoid processed foods, fried food, and fattening stuff. Get cut, and get tough.
Longer hair works for rocker looks in guys and can look tough especially if you grease it back and make it look ominous. Think Gordon Gecko and Pat Riley. For girls, longish unkempt hair can look rocker tough. Short hair works to look tough, especially if it’s very short. Mohawks on guys and girls can look punk and military at the same time. If you shave your head bald no one can grab your hair in a fight since there is no hair to grab. That’s tough. For women, wear tough makeup. Wear some heavy black eyeshadow, dark red or black lipstick, and thick black eyeliner. Contour your cheekbones. Women with more defined cheekbones and jawlines are seen as tough.
For girls, growing leg hair or other body hair can look tough sometimes, or it can look kind of hippie, which isn’t a particularly tough look. It’s up to you. Give it a shot.
If and when you laugh, it should be once, and with a kind of smirk, as if to say, “Yeah, that’s amusing to me, although I’d rather be greasing the grain on my motorcycle. " Frown with your eyes, turning your brows down, and pursing your lips slightly, so you look like you’re smelling something that stinks. Make it subtle, or you’ll probably look like you just farted.
The more classic, the better. Anchors? Skulls? Daggers? Dragons? Those are some tough-looking tattoos. They’ll always remind you of your inner toughness.
Try not to yell. Yelling betrays that you’re feeling weak. Instead, speak cool and icily, with tough confidence, especially when you’re feeling upset.
Find out what’s available in your area and take intro lessons. Even just starting to learn can help give you a little tough confidence, and might give you some skills necessary to defend yourself.
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Take slightly larger steps than usual, and puff out your chest just a tiny bit, rolling your shoulders back. Keep your head up. Do this very slightly because if you exaggerate too much, it may look ridiculous. Walk at a constant speed, not looking like you’re worried about being in people’s way. Don’t worry about getting out of anyone’s way in the hallway, just walk like you’re in charge and they’ll clear the way for you.
Don’t hang out with anyone who engages in stupid or risky behavior. Driving recklessly or doing illegal things doesn’t make you look tough, it makes you look like someone who’s about to get arrested.
Smoking cigarettes may seem “tough” at first, because it’s disgusting, but there’s nothing tough about being hooked up to oxygen tanks and coughing your lungs out later in life. Even tough guys will tell you that much. [8] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Alcohol and drugs are likewise problems for people who think they’re shortcuts to toughness. They aren’t. Be tough in your mind, not by taking risks with addictive substances that will incapacitate you. [9] X Research source
