Being feminine

After 100's of visits to my "Why I wear skirts and dresses" I thought I would gather together some of my favourite quotes about being feminine. I wear skirts and dresses because I want to be feminine and look like a woman. I have no interest in dressing like a man or even behaving like a man and I am not alone on this one. 

God gave us a special gift and that gift was femininity and we need to embrace it 100% and not be ashamed of being feminine in a very unfeminine world. We need to be proud of the word "feminine", even if the world is no longer proud of women being "feminine".  We should be as proud of the word "feminine" as feminists are about the word "feminism".

Femininity isn't just about the way we dress or the jewellery we wear, it is about the way we behave, the way we nurture our children, how we interact with others, the way we speak, the way God is in our lives. Being pure, calm, gentle, peaceful, dignified, loving, trustworthy, unselfish, honourable, caring, tender, the carers of our home, not one for gossip, brashness, aggressive, pushy or bossy.


She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness
(Proverbs 31:26)

These attributes are qualities we need to strive for and understand they do not make us weaker, less equal to men, less important and nor do they trap us in the home. They simply make us more Godly women. 


 The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behaviour, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
(Titus 2:3-5)


It is what makes us different to men, and men different to women. 

Just as God intended. 

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"Why do women want to dress like men when they’re fortunate enough to be women? Why lose femininity, which is one of our greatest charms? We get more accomplished by being charming than we would be flaunting around in pants and smoking. I’m very fond of men. I think they are wonderful creatures. I love them dearly. But I don’t want to look like one.” Tasha Tudor 
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“It seems to be the fashion nowadays for a girl to behave as much like a man as possible. Well, I won't! I'll make the best of being a girl and be as nice a specimen as I can: sweet and modest, a dear, dainty thing with clothes smelling all sweet and violety, a soft voice, and pretty, womanly ways. Since I'm a girl, I prefer to be a real one!” Mrs George de Horne Vaizey

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“It is a naive sort of feminism that insists that women prove their ability to do all the things that men do. This is a distortion and a travesty. Men have never sought to prove that they can do all the things women do. Why subject women to purely masculine criteria? Women can and ought to be judged by the criteria of femininity, for it is in their femininity that they participate in the human race. And femininity has its limitations. So has masculinity. That is what we’ve been talking about. To do this is not to do that. To be this is not to be that. To be a woman is not to be a man. To be married is not to be single - which may mean not to have a career. To marry this man is not to marry all the others. A choice is a limitation.” Elisabeth Elliot

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To me, a lady is not frilly, flouncy, flippant, frivolous and fluff-brained, but she is gentle, she is gracious, she is godly and she is giving. You and I have the gift of femininity... the more womanly we are, the more manly men will be and the more God is glorified. Be women, be only women, be real women in obedience to God.” Elisabeth Elliot

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The important message about being feminine: firstly, it is easy to achieve, even on a small budget and secondly, it doesn't need to be frumpy, old fashion, plain or boring.  Here are some lovely examples of a very modern woman dressing modestly. However - whilst it is important to be concerned about the way we dress - we need to be more concerned  about is our inward appearance.

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
(1 Peter 3:3-4)

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Comments

  1. An inspiring post, with some though provoking quotes. Have a lovely day.

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  2. I love wearing skirts and dresses, but....I am not as slim as I used to be, and as some and it is not easy to find dresses and skirts and tops to fit....all the fashions today are for the young and slimmer ladies....but I am still looking....there must be some decent stuff for the "not so slim" *smiling*

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    1. One of the reasons why I learnt to sew was to make my own clothing both to my liking and to my size. Not only are modern clothes designed for slim people, they are also designed for the young and many older ladies find it difficult to find suitable clothing at a reasonable price.

      :)

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  3. I loved this post!! Very encouraging!

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  4. Wonderful post! Thank you for writing it.

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  5. I love being a woman! And I love to dress in feminine clothes. I think a truly feminine woman can be such a witness and a blessing because she's so rare.

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  6. I love being feminine in my dress... But I also love being practical, so some of my clothes reflect that while still being something a man would NOT want to wear!
    Being a female, and being feminine is something to treasure - women have such a special role to play in this world and we should definitely cultivate the kind of spirit and behaviour that pleases the Lord. :)
    Excellent reminder and encouragement to be feminine, Jo. Thank you. xx

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    1. Yes, it is important to dress for the occasion - garden doesn't require feminine!!

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  7. The first two outfits you posted are absolutely spectacular. I'm half and half with my wardrobe. I love skirts and dresses, but sometimes I prefer pants as they are more practical. That being said I 100% agree with the personality traits that you mentioned. I find people brash and crude to be very off putting and generally will avoid them.

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    1. The first three were my favourites - but the brown pleated skirt is so lovely (not something I could make!!). I wear pants in summer if I am doing activities that are more practical in pants. But I always wear skirts to work partly because everyone seems to wear pants to the workplace these days.

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  8. I most wholeheartedly agree with you and all the lovely women you quoted here! :)

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  9. Beautiful post. Beautiful pics and ideas. Thanks for sharing this! I am hopin' to get knee boots for fall and get back into dresses and skirts for work. I would have worn dresses this summer but didn't have any work shoes that I could wear. Almost all I own is sandles and open toes are a no no at work! Thanks for sharing this.
    I love visiting you!

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    1. Skirts do need the right shoes and I do like boots on a cold day but I don't like wearing them to work. I have the habit of kicking off my shoes when I am at my desk and have been known to walk around in my stocking feet!!

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  10. I always admire women who are dressed in pretty modest clothes, they stand out in a crowd. Some great ideas here, thank you :)

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    1. Thankyou Tania - you really do notice someone who has dressed modestly these days as they stand out in the crowd. Which is really sad as it means so many are not dressing with any real care of their modesty.

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  11. Jo, I just wanted to let you know that this was the #1 viewed post from last week and was therefore featured this week :) Thanks for sharing with us on the Art of Home-Making Mondays!

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    1. Thanks heaps Jes :))) love your link up.

      God bless

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  12. This is one of my favourite quotes (yes, I collect them) about fashion and dress:
    If we're really daughters of the Great King, let's dress the part: with good taste and style when the occasion calls for it, with casualness and freedom when it fits, but never afraid to be the woman God made.
    Gini Andrews

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    1. Couldn't agree more - lets stand out and remind people what dressing for Christ really means.

      Have a wonderful week.

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