(30F) Struggling with my BF (35M) comments about my appearance and femininity

My boyfriend and I have been together for about half a year. Recently, I’ve noticed him becoming more distant — less physical touch, less intimacy, and just emotionally checked out in general.

When I asked him what was going on, he told me that there are times when he doesn’t find me physically attractive. He said it’s because I don’t dress up much, tend to wear the same clothes, and act too masculine. He asked me to try harder with my appearance.

I’m trying to figure out how to respond to my boyfriend’s request — how do I tell the difference between healthy compromise in a relationship and changing myself in a way that undermines my self-respect?

TLDR: BF recently become distant and admitted he doesn’t always find me attractive because of how I dress and present myself. He wants me to be more feminine and put in more effort. I’m unsure how to respond without compromising my self-respect. Looking for advice on whether this is something to work through or a sign of deeper incompatibility.