https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:07:47 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/3#post-868244 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:37:53 +0000 Echo 868244@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, very old topic, but still very relevant. As it was mentioned earlier in the thread, this brings up all sorts of thoughts about gender roles, social mores and constructs, stereotypes, etc. It is hard to say whether I dress in a "feminine" way, as it depends on the day. As Whitman says, I contain multitudes. Some days I wear heavy boots and slouchy sweaters and studded accessories; other days I wear dotted, flouncy dresses and delicate jewelry; but I am always me, and I am always a woman. I think whether others perceive my clothing or me as feminine might depend more on their constructs around the term than anything objective. That said, in the stereotypical "feminine" department, I love shineys - fine jewelry is my weakness. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/3#post-868237 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:32:00 +0000 adorkable 868237@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's really interesting to me how much people's bodies have to do with their sense of what's feminine or not.</p> <p>For example, I'm a very busty hourglass, quite petite, with a face that looks much younger than I am. I consider the way I dress to be quite feminine - but I steer clear of most ruffles and frills because people don't perceive me as an adult if I dress on the 'girly' side of feminine (as opposed to the, um, womanly side?)</p> <p>Maybe we need to add another word in here - 'sophisticated' or 'romantic' or ... dunno, something - to get at this other dimension of age and body type that so many folks have mentioned. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/3#post-868217 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:07:05 +0000 rachylou 868217@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm. I'm a frilly girl - I will scare you with my pots of make-up and Barbie collection - but no, I don't think I do dress feminine. Too much preppy in me for that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/3#post-867756 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 13:27:14 +0000 Mander 867756@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love the idea of a "tweedy bombshell"! I might have to mull that one over...</p> <p>I don't really think about gender and femininity very much, and never really considered myself either a tomboy or a girly-girl. I do all the household DIY work and like to tinker with computers, but I also spend a lot of time here on YLF and have a very sensitive and caring (stereotypically female qualities) personality. </p> <p>I think that I have a fairly obviously female appearance, but have been mistaken for a man. In my early 20s I cut my hair quite short after a bleaching disaster, and even though I was wearing earrings and lip gloss, customers at the big box retail store I worked in at the time called me "sir" or referred to me as "him" all the time. I guess they thought I was just an unfortunate guy with massive man-boobs? I suppose the boxy polo shirt, baggy jeans, and doc martens didn't help... ;-)</p> <p>These days I'm not really conscious of trying to look feminine or intentionally mixing feminine and masculine looks. I tend to dislike very girly things, like lots of ruffles, lace, and pastels, but in the last few years I have become more interested in style in general and the messages that are conveyed by my appearance. So in that sense I suppose there is a certain kind of feminine that I am aspiring to -- one that is, as my husband once put it, “approachable, but no bulls**t”. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/3#post-867701 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 11:27:16 +0000 Anonymous 867701@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would say that I always look feminine but not girly.I don't like frills and flounces so much, but neither do I wear body con clothes. I'm with Rute in that if I wore a moto I would probably look feminine with accessories used. I'm happy with the vibe that I give off. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/3#post-867677 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 10:36:37 +0000 rute 867677@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>such an interesting topic! I would say I dress feminine, not in a bombshell kind of way but in small details, I love silk blouses, small heels, feminine shoes and bags and I guess even when I have jeans and a moto jacket those details make all the difference! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/3#post-867663 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 09:35:15 +0000 Molly L-R 867663@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm a bit late to the party, but thought I'd chip in! I prefer to have a feminine aspect to my clothing. As a pear, there's just no escaping from the fact that I look better in an A-line skirt and a low heel than in trousers and flats. I used to go for a really girly look - I was massively into the gothic lolita subculture and loved wearing frills and lace. However, once I got past 22 I lost my nerve and felt a bit infantile, so I shed the frilliness. Now I prefer to look womanly. The style descriptor I'm currently working towards is "tweedy bombshell". </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/3#post-867656 Tue, 05 Mar 2013 08:59:36 +0000 harryom87 867656@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is very interested. I really enjoyed hearing your article. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/3#post-321054 Sat, 26 Mar 2011 07:04:15 +0000 Scarlet 321054@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shauntelle--very interesting. I think there is really something to what you are saying.</p> <p>Arya - thanks for sharing the link. I thought it was an interesting read and I will keep my eye on this clothing line. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/3#post-321017 Sat, 26 Mar 2011 04:38:26 +0000 Shauntelle 321017@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great discussion.</p> <p>I think, mostly, I dress rather feminine now. When I was younger, I tried to opt out from fashion in general because I didn't like the wrong male attention it seemed to bring. Now, I (mostly) enjoy my shape and want to dress in a way that shows it off. </p> <p>Whether I was in a jean jumper or a dress, I think I have always come off feminine because I'm petite (only 5'2" with a small frame)... but mostly because of who I am. I tend to be nurturing and touchy... soft spoken and fairly gentle (unless you mess with someone close to me)... meek is how I was described when I was younger... so I'm sure I've always been seen as feminine... </p> <p>On the other hand, if you talk about being "girly" then I guess I don't fall into that category. Until recently, I wasn't big on makeup or painting my nails/toe nails... I wasn't big into sneakers, but I normally wore those big clunky loafers or maybe a thick heeled mary jane if I needed to wear a dressier heel. </p> <p>It's a hard question to answer... at the end of it, I think of how my mom taught me it was important to be lady-like so that people (men) didn't feel they could treat you disrespectfully. For me that meant I didn't let men speak inappropriately to me, I didn't speak inappropriately to them... I just carried myself in such a way that a guy was more careful around me with what he said and did (they still are... I work in an office full of men and they apologize if they happen to say "pissed off" around me...) that Lady-like quality is what I think translates into feminine in the long run... regardless of what you wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/3#post-320707 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 20:28:18 +0000 Aziraphale 320707@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well....yes, I suppose I do dress in a feminine way, because even though I wear a lot of jeans, my top is always feminine, and I wear makeup and jewellery. I suppose it doesn't hurt that I'm short and small-boned, with an annoyingly large rack for my frame. </p> <p>And yes, Angie, you absolutely dress in a feminine way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/3#post-320597 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:27:26 +0000 Arya 320597@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Okay, I know that we've been 'round the bend and back again with this topic, but I wanted to share something I recently read (without starting a new thread).</p> <p><a href="http://www.tessdress.com/conversation/vision/2011/02/tess-vision" rel="nofollow">http://www.tessdress.com/conve.....ess-vision</a></p> <p>There's a new company called Tess, based in Texas, and their vision is to dress *grown* women. Read the link. Look at the beautiful dresses. It's exciting and inspiring! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/3#post-289117 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 16:00:52 +0000 Patty 289117@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OMG Stringy--you wrote ME!! You put into words things I've been thinking and wanting to write and you nailed it so eloquently !! The tomboy personality, lack of curves mistaken as a boy, the performance of feminity (I'm trying to shake the feeling of being in drag). I've also branched into skirts--I thought shorts are short like skirts why not try a skirt.<br /> I hope you have great fun on your way to finding your sweet spot Stringy!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/3#post-289045 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 07:58:32 +0000 anne 289045@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was quite the opposite of a tomboy and didn't even wear jeans til I was nine. My style now is understated feminine. I prefer a tailored and fitted look over an excessively ruffly look, but that has been changing since I joined YLF.</p> <p>Since I had my hair cut short I sometimes find I struggle to feel as feminine in certain outfits and am still adjusting as to how to style them so I feel more so. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/3#post-289026 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 06:50:05 +0000 stringy 289026@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's a huge subject: when you factor in stereotypes, what our mothers made us wear, the era in which we grew up, which clothes and colours suit our bodies, and our personalities, it's got room for all sorts of interpretations.</p> <p>I'm a so-called tomboy in personality and have been one in style. I've been mistaken for a boy while in my early 20s, because I don't have many curves (except for my muffin top now). In my head I feel womanly and grown-up, rather than girly. </p> <p>I've been experimenting with more stereotypically feminine styles lately - skirts and dresses and pink and ruffles - but I don't feel like I've found a sweet spot for myself yet. I still feel like I'm performing feminity when I wear a dress. Heels look nice but shorten my steps so I can't keep up with my husband, and I can't break out into a run if I feel like it. And yet a dress is so convenient in other ways! I'm sure there's a way to make it work for me, but I don't know what it is yet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/3#post-288981 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 04:56:35 +0000 Angie 288981@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow! I really enjoyed hearing your responses. Very articulate and clear cut. Such an insightful bunch :)</p> <p>Sarah, Kari and Joy, thank you for your kind words. </p> <p>I think feminine dressing is not just wrapped up in a visual look, but also a feeling. A feeling that is inside of you and subject to your interpretation. I need to blog about that..... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/3#post-288659 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 18:59:57 +0000 Patty 288659@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So many great comments--I am happy to hear of other women's thoughts as I've often wondered what other woman think of this--is it just natural that they gravitate to a certain way or is it planned--I don't know coz I have no one to ask and have thought the question too personal for face to face, so this is very cool!<br /> I am (here's the most hated word in What Not to Wear) comfortable in jeans and top of some kind depending on the weather. I tried dressing feminine (a curlier hair do here, a bow there--nothing overt more accessory) as a kid but the kids around me ridiculed and taunted me so I let it go and have pretty much been of that mind to this day since adults have done the same--I have SUCKER written all over me I guess. But a year or so ago I accidentally bought a more slim shape fitting (casual- hourglass fit ) top at a jeans store--tried it on and I felt soo different--so good, I nearly cried so now I try to find stuff that can give me a 'feeling'. Is it feminine--I guess so but not girly. I hope to hell people will leave me alone with their stupid comments still. I quietly try. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/2#post-288580 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 16:41:55 +0000 Kari 288580@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think Michelle articulated what's on my mind better than I can.</p> <p>That being said, I am learning that one of the plus sides to being a busty hourglass who is comfortable wearing form - fitting clothes is that I can incorporate some aspect of stereotypically masculine clothing into my style - such as a waistcoat - and feel like I can make the look feminine.</p> <p>I know that this thread is mainly about style, not about cuts, but it's also become clear to me that I cannot possibly wear clothing that is not cut to countour the curves of a woman's body. Shapeless shirts or sack dresses make me look awful, like my entire body is as wide as my bust and hips. Trying to find trousers/dress pants is a joke right now. So even if dresses and pencil skirts are going out of fashion, I will happily continue to wear them because they suit me and my shape.</p> <p>I also don't think that short or long hair is inherently "masculine" or "feminine." Angie's very short crop makes her delicate, ladylike features and perfectly lipsticked smile a center focus. I've sported a short crop before (not as short as Angie's, but still short) and never felt for a second that I was less feminine for it. I've also seen many long-haired women that seem aged or dragged down by their hair because they don't bother to maintain it - it's always pulled back in a harsh tight ponytail - and I really don't understand how merely keeping long hair makes a person more feminine. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/2#post-288452 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 05:01:10 +0000 Anonymous 288452@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've not read the other replies yet. Angie, you always look very feminine. I think bone structure, body type, age, hair and features enter into a femine look just as much as clothing does. As a small busted rectangle I've never looked good in feminine touches like puffy sleeves, tiered ruffled skirts, ditsy florals, gathered waists, the color pink etc. much to my mother's dismay. Tailored bows such as the bow blouse, beads, bangle bracelets, cute flats or low heels, coral and turquoise help me to feel that I've added a feminine touch.<br /> I like tailored clothing in soft fabrics like silk or cashmere or made of lace. If the clothing in these fabrics also has ruffles or gathers, it's too much for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/2#post-288448 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 04:44:15 +0000 Isabel 288448@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't like to wear florals, or lots of ruffles or lace. But I love skirts and dresses and darts and seaming ( shaping ).....I also like a restrained ruffle here and there.</p> <p>My little girl, who is seven, LOVES frippery ! Pink, glitter, pretty shoes, bows, chiffon....you get the idea. But she will take down a teenage boy at the park if he pisses her off. I remember once when she pinned her much larger brother to the wall while she was wearing a pink tutu. ( Ahhhhh.....she's going to grow up to be like MaryK, makes me proud !!! ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/2#post-288378 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 01:16:58 +0000 Maya 288378@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LoP, I guess I just don't find anything you mentioned other than motherhood to he exclusively feminine or even relating in any way to femininity.</p> <p>Nor does all of that necessarily translate when I dress. </p> <p>I see feminine and masculine dressing as having to do with body shape and basic biology, which is why I associate it with dressing sexually. Darkening and plumping up the lips and striving to create that perfect .7 W:H ratio in women, or bulking up the shoulders and slimming the waist in men, among other things.</p> <p>Everything else about daintyness, grace, softness, etc. is just stereotyping. It wasn't my intention to bring in all sorts of feminist philosophy into this conversation, but it's almost impossible not to.</p> <p>Ultimately my answer remains unchanged. Sometimes I dress stereotypically feminine and sometimes I don't. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/2#post-288313 Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:14:32 +0000 Kristine 288313@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't care for girly girl styles- ruffles, lace, bows, but I think I dress femininely. I prefer a cleaner interpretation, slim pants which hug the hips or a boat neck which opens up the neck. I'm not a fan of overly rugged boots but I also don't like high heels. My body is angular and thin so it could be considered feminine in a delicate or elegant way, but not in a voluptuous way. So I don't know, I guess I'm feminine in an understated way? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/2#post-288229 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 22:23:45 +0000 Laura 288229@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hello, Dress Queen here! I guess that makes my answer a big "yes." In fact I think my boyish cropped hair helps cut through the potentially over-the-top girlie-girlness of my dresses and my facial features. It's all about the contrast, right? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/2#post-288184 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 21:29:08 +0000 Michelle 288184@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>With my build, I probably couldn't look masculine even if I wanted to!! The constant presence of jewelry, cheerful colours and a decidedly girly perfume cements my status as a feminine dresser, I'd say. I'm not a huge fan of gender stereotyping in general (I don't believe in feminine music or literature, for instance), but when it comes to my own fashion choices I think there's very little room for interpretation. Angie and others, do speak out if I project a wholely different vibe from the one I think I send out! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/2#post-288174 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 21:22:52 +0000 RoseandJoan 288174@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm often described as a feminine dresser, even my tattoos are quite feminine in style, I'm softly spoken and can count on one hand the number of times I have sworn BUT I deal with the finances in my household and I'm the problem solver. I like to be a book which is slightly different to it's cover! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/2#post-288154 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 20:43:50 +0000 annagybe 288154@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the most feminine part of me is my penchance for high heels. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/2#post-288125 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 19:49:44 +0000 MsMary 288125@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think my wardrobe is getting more feminine by the minute! For most of my career I dressed in business suits, which are by definition pretty masculine. But these days I am all about the whole bombshell thing. Which is interesting because I think most people would say my personality is anything but stereotypically feminine. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/2#post-288086 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:49:01 +0000 teri 288086@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am no doubt 100% girlie-girl </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/2#post-288083 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:44:19 +0000 Scarlet 288083@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I feel strongly (along the lines of Deb's comment) that femininity comes from within. So for example, to me, some men dressed as men are much more feminine than some women I know. Heck, some men are much more feminine than I am. My thinking isn't really clear on this yet, but I would answer, yes, I dress in a feminine way as is, but not to the degree that I would like. I think different gradations are right for different people. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/is-the-way-you-dress-always-feminine/page/2#post-288044 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:04:22 +0000 rae 288044@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I definitely dress more masculine during "me" time (i.e. not working). Jeans, tee shirts, boots, plaid flannel. Part of it is because I was teased by girls at a young age and wanted to identify more with the boys. Part of it is because "dainty" and "graceful" just don't fit my personality. Part of it is because I grew up in - and often visit - an area where obvious femininity (e.g. short dresses, high heels, cleavage accents) will usually bring disrespect (e.g. catcalls, whistles). Part of it is that I feel my body is SO feminine that I need to tone it down. </p> <p>However, I still like my clothes to fit my body well and flatter me in general. </p>