The word “feminine” is often associated with being weak, emotional, and less capable than men.
However, a woman can be feminine and still be strong, intelligent, and skilled.
Being feminine means embracing your womanly qualities.
How to be feminine is a question that has been asked by women for generations.
And the good news is that being feminine is an art that can be learned!
Many women have been led to believe that being feminine means wearing pink, frilly clothes or dressing up like a Barbie doll.
But there’s so much more to it than that.
Being feminine is about your attitude and your personality.
Being confident and happy in who you are and what you stand for is the true essence of femininity.
It’s not about fitting into a stereotype.
There are many aspects of femininity, and in this article, I’m going to explore some of them with you.
HOW TO BE FEMININE AND SOFT
1. Be confident and comfortable in your skin
You can’t exude femininity if you lack confidence in yourself as a woman.
Never apologize for being a woman.
Having confidence in yourself can be a challenge, but it’s worth working on.
If you don’t like something about yourself, set a goal to change it.
One of the best ways to boost your self-confidence is improving your appearance or gaining new skills and abilities.
If something is bothering you for some time, start taking steps toward changing it and make that your goal.
Whether it is losing weight, getting stronger, or having healthier skin, take small steps to accomplish this task so that afterward, you can walk around with pride for what you have accomplished.
It’s easy to be feminine if you are confident in your womanness.
2. Soften
If you want to be more feminine, work on softening yourself.
Softness is undervalued—it’s seen as a sign of weakness when it’s quite the opposite.
It takes a lot of strength to be soft, and it takes even more strength to be soft in a world that can’t handle it.
What does “being soft” mean, exactly?
It means being tender with yourself and others.
It means having warmth in your words and actions, even when you’re feeling far from warm inside.
It means holding your own in the world but finding a way to do so in a way that involves less conflict and more connection.
Being feminine requires self-awareness, flexibility, and strength—and it allows you to be those things while remaining graceful and kind.
You don’t have to shout to be heard—you just have to speak your truth calmly and be sure of what you say.
You don’t have to force your way into someone else’s space—you just have to wait until they’re ready for you and make sure they see the value of what you bring.
3. Smile and make eye contact
To be feminine, look people in the eye when you talk to them.
When you smile and make eye contact with other people, they will see you as approachable, friendly, and feminine.
Be sure that your smile is not fake or forced.
A genuine smile will enhance your appearance and let others know that you are approachable.
You can’t be feminine if you always maintain a resting bitch face (RBF) and look ready to fight anyone who messes with you.
Smiling also releases endorphins in your brain, improving your mood and reducing stress levels, so it’s a win-win situation!
4. Dress like a lady
You often hear people saying, “Well, women shouldn’t wear that! It’s unladylike!”
But what does it mean to dress like a lady?
The truth is, there are all kinds of ways to be feminine.
What makes a look feminine is how you feel in it.
For example, if you feel sexy in a pair of sweatpants, then that’s feminine clothing.
If you want to dress more classically feminine, you can do a few things to accomplish that vibe.
The first thing you can do is wear skirts.
If you don’t want to go with a skirt—or if it doesn’t feel like your personal style—you can also just go for dresses and jumpsuits.
Another way to dress more classically feminine is through patterns and bright colors.
Consider wearing floral patterns and pastels; they’re traditionally associated with femininity and will help pull your look together.
The vital thing is to choose colors that flatter your skin tone and some that contrast for interest.
If you’re very pale, try to avoid pastels; if you’re quite dark, avoid anything too bright or too dull.
And don’t forget the shoes!
Heels are best, but try wedges if you can’t manage them.
Ballet flats are fine for casual occasions but aren’t the flattering option.
Also, the way you walk should be elegant and ladylike.
Keep your back straight, shoulders back, head up, and eyes forward.
Your knees should point forward; your feet should be close together, don’t sway or bounce while walking.
Men walk with a purposeful stride; women walk with confidence and a certain amount of grace.
Make sure that you are walking like the woman you are!
5. Dress for the occasion
In learning how to be feminine, you need to dress appropriately for any occasion, whether it’s a casual day at work or an elegant dinner with friends and colleagues.
The same goes for makeup: apply just enough to look put together, but not too much that everyone notices you walking into the room.
You don’t need heavy makeup and revealing clothes to show your feminine side.
This is where a lot of women miss it.
They think wearing revealing clothes will make them attractive, but the opposite is usually true.
Makeup should enhance your natural beauty and features, not cover them up.
You don’t want to wind up looking like a clown.
And if you’re going for the completely bare look, that can make you look washed out and unwell.
So, find the right balance; play with colors and test out different styles until you find the look that works best for you.
6. Wear perfume, but don’t overdo it
When it comes to wearing perfume, the first rule is never to use too much.
It’s a special detail that makes a difference, but it should be understated in its power to attract attention.
No one wants to walk into a room and feel like they’re inhaling an entire vat of fragrance.
The best rule of thumb is to dab your chosen perfume on the insides of your wrists, behind your ears, and on your neck, where it will blend with sweat or body oil and create an enveloping scent without being overwhelming.
As you experiment with fragrances, keep in mind that there are scents that you’ll probably love (floral notes) and others that may not be for you (spicy ones).
Try out different options until you find one that feels alluring without being overpowering.
7. Prioritize your health, well-being, and appearance
Take care of yourself both physically and mentally, as that is the first step to becoming feminine.
If you need to lose weight or go see a doctor because you have not had a check-up in months, do it.
You should always take good care of yourself before everything else.
Two months ago, I joined a 60-day healthy eating challenge.
Although I didn’t follow the meal plan rigidly, I’m more conscious of my meal choices, and I’ve also lost some kg.
I know it’s tough to lose weight as a wife and mom, but no one is coming to save us.
No one will help you take your health seriously.
You have to take care of yourself to care for others.
Be comfortable with spending time and money on your appearance.
Femininity is much more than just putting on some mascara or lip gloss; it’s taking pride in your appearance, being presentable and stylish.
You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars at the salon every week (or month) but do not be afraid to splurge once in a while!
Take care of your mental health by staying away from toxic people, situations, and relationships.
Toxic relationships will sap your energy, and you’ll have none left to be feminine.
8. Develop empathy, understanding, and compassion for others
Empathy is an essential feminine characteristic and skill that can be developed with practice.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, empathy is defined as “the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.”
It means you can put yourself in another person’s shoes, understand how they feel, and respond with kindness.
Empathy involves understanding other people’s perspectives, experiences, feelings, and emotions; it requires us to go beyond our own life experiences and consider someone else’s struggle or joy.
Empathy enables us to connect with fellow human beings on a deeper level.
The more empathetic you are towards others, the happier you will be because empathy is a form of altruism—it gives you a warm feeling inside when you help others feel good about themselves.
Think about how people have often done things for you just because they care about your well-being; it always improves your day.
With this in mind, make efforts to be empathetic and kind.
That is true femininity.
Of course, it doesn’t mean you should let yourself be a doormat.
9. Read to be intelligent
Being more intelligent is key to being feminine.
You can tell that a woman is intelligent by the way she speaks and carries herself.
Reading is a great way to learn how to be more intelligent because you can learn from people who have already figured it out.
It’s also a great way to show off how smart you are.
When you read, you can answer questions more quickly.
You’ll be able to understand problems and solve them faster than other people, earning the admiration and respect of others.
10. Associate with other feminine women
Femininity is not a solo venture–you have to have a community of women around you who will support you in your journey.
You have to put yourself in situations where you can learn from more feminine women than you.
Being feminine is such an important part of being a woman, and it’s also something that’s always changing.
The way we think about femininity as a culture is always evolving and shifting, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find your way to be feminine!
If you are looking for simple ways to add a touch of femininity to your day-to-day life or just feel like experimenting, you can try one or all of these tips to find the level of feminine expression that makes you happy.