How to Be Girly and More Feminine (2023)

How To Look More Feminine

Girls are a diverse bunch. We come in all shapes and sizes, and we all have different personalities, hobbies, and likes and dislikes. There is no such thing as a "typical girl."

Almost everything that is traditionally considered to be feminine is taught to us by society from a very young age. You can see it in all the movies, magazines, and TV shows: girls are expected to look, dress, and act a certain way. And, though none of us have to follow these expectations that are set by the media, sometimes we want to paint our nails or wear winged liner, and that's ok!

A Guide to Embracing Your Femininity

So, if you'd like to embrace a more typically girly image, this guide will help you navigate the complicated expectations that women are often encouraged to meet. Whether you're preparing for an acting role, exploring gender identities, or just want to portray a certain image to your friends and family, this article will go into the ways you can adopt this image by doing all the "girly" stuff that you possibly can, such as:

1. Wearing makeup
2. Removing body hair
3. Taking care of your skin, hair, and nails
4. Wearing girly clothes and accessories
5. Using the right fragrances
6. Using "feminine" body language and speech patterns
7. Avoiding undesirable situations
8. Staying true to yourself!

From tips on your wardrobe and accessories to tips on how to behave, read on to find out how to be more stereotypically feminine.

Changing Up Your Style

For years, caring about your appearance has been traditionally associated with being more feminine. While this isn't necessarily true, you can choose to embrace the stereotype and make a big effort to adjust your appearance. Keep in mind, however, that caring about your appearance can be time-consuming. Choose the steps that give you joy, and skip the parts that seem like a chore!

1. Use Makeup and Cosmetic Products

Call it stereotypical or a result of popular culture, a girly girl never leaves the house without dabbing some makeup on and adjusting her appearance with a cosmetic product. Lip gloss, foundation, eyeliner, mascara, and powder are a few basic makeup items that you might want to carry in your handbag to touch up throughout the day. Wear more—such as eyeshadow, lipstick, foundation, and concealer—if you so wish!

Whether you are stepping out in your leggings to buy groceries at the supermarket or are hanging out with friends at the mall or park, take a quick look in the mirror and dab on a bit of makeup—it's the ultimate girly girl activity!

Remember, however, that you don't have to wear makeup. Make sure you do what you feel comfortable and confident in; if that means going out barefaced, so be it!

2. Facial or Body Hair Is a No-No

Traditionally, facial or body hair is an absolute no-no for girls. It may be impractical to be spotlessly clean every single day, but to embrace the stereotypically feminine image, you have to do everything it takes to mask unwanted facial or body hair.

From your brows to lips to arms to legs, being free of body hair will help you look the part of the traditionally feminine girl. This can include tweezing, epilating, waxing, threading, or shaving—do what you have to do to get the look you want! Or, if you're feeling lazy, just cover up your legs when you don't want to shave. No one will know the difference.

Again, you don't have to shave if you don't want to. It's totally cool if you want to skip the razor and wear shorts. As they say, long hair, don't care!

3. Pay Attention to Your Nails, Hair, Skin and Everything Else

The most important thing you can do to help your appearance is to take care of yourself. Staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising, managing your stress, and wearing sunscreen are everyday things that everybody, men and women, should make a habit of! Luckily, doing all these things will also positively affect the appearance and strength of your skin, hair, and nails.

However, if you're looking for other ways to tweak your appearance, wearing makeup and removing unwanted body hair aren't the only things girls are expected to make a habit of. The stereotypical girly girl also has to obsess over her nails, hair, skin, lips, and other beauty-related aspects of her body.

To play into this image, you'll have to pay more attention to the nail color you wear, keep your skin moisturized at all times, style your hair, and look at all the other minute details that contribute to your overall look and make you feel sexy. Don't be shy of experimenting with bright and peppy colors for your nails, and don't back away from trying the latest hairstyles or dying your hair a daring color. There are many different ways to subtly change your appearance.

This can be a lot to take care of and can become quite expensive, so if it's not your thing, there's no need to make a habit of it. Do what makes you feel good.

4. Wear Bright and Preppy Clothes

From short skirts and tight leggings to skinny jeans and hot pants, from frilly tops to shrugs to frocks, fill your wardrobe with clothes that are stereotypically girly and feminine.

Throw on a pair of skintight leggings for a quick visit to the mall and switch them up for some cute skinny jeans for a preppy, "going to the movies" look. On a sunny day at the beach, you can try wearing a bright-colored bikini, and try incorporating a short skirt into your outfit for a fun date or outing. An oversized shirt is perfect for those lazy Sunday mornings. And, of course, a black dress is a must for formal evenings!

Bright colors like pink, lavender, yellow, lime green, shades of orange, blue, mustard, and red are traditionally considered feminine. Unless you are looking for evening or formal wear, avoid dark shades like navy blue, black, burgundy or brown—since these are stereotypically must-haves in a man's wardrobe. However, if those are the colors you prefer to wear, have at it! You can totally be a girl and wear all black every day. What matters most is what you like!

5. Carry a Clutch or a Tote Bag Instead of a Backpack

Regardless of whether you need a bag to carry your books from the dorm to class or you want to take a few things for work, to be more feminine you will have to ditch the backpack for a tote bag or a clutch.

Avoid satchels and briefcases. Unless you are traveling, replace your backpack or duffle bag with a chic tote or handbag. Sometimes briefcases and backpacks are more practical though, so do what makes sense for the load you're carrying.

6. Avoid Wearing Flats: Girls Like Their Heels!

Wearing heels will give your height a boost, lift your torso and accentuate your body lines in all the right places. To look more feminine, heels could possibly be your best friend.

If you can't handle stilettos or are used to wearing flat-soled shoes, start by wearing heels that are just an inch high. Even a small lift will add definition to your legs if you step out wearing skinny jeans.

That being said, don't let anyone make you feel like you have to wear heels. They're often uncomfortable and are not good for your posture long-term, so make sure to stay in your comfort zone!

7. Wear Accessories or Jewelry

It is difficult to picture an image of a girly girl without fashion accessories or a piece of jewelry like a bracelet, necklace, ring, scarf, brooch, pin, wrist band, colored pantyhose, earrings, bangles, sunglasses, a watch, or more. There is a wide variety of accessories that you can choose to complement your style and personality. You can even have a separate jewelry box where you can carefully store your jewelry.

Apart from these, incorporate girly colors in the items that you use all the time. For example, buy a pink cover for your iPhone or get yourself a brightly patterned handbag. Or, you know, you could just go without accessories. They're called accessories for a reason after all—they're not necessities.

8. Use Mild Floral and Fruity Fragrances

There are certain fragrances that are traditionally associated with men and women. For example, musk takes a strong note in men's perfumes, whereas tea lavender, tree oil, chamomile, orange zest, and sea-buckthorn are common notes in feminine fragrances.

"Masculine" perfumes usually have quite an earthy smell. Traditionally feminine scents have light, fruity or flowery notes, such as Juicy Couture's Viva La Juicy or Britney Spear's Fantasy Perfume. If you do decide to use a fragrance, just choose something you like—you'll be smelling it the most, after all!

How to Be More Girly by Using Different Behavior, Body Language, and Attitude

Besides the way you look, there is a wide variety of behaviors traditionally associated with being feminine that you can incorporate into your day-to-day. These stereotypical behaviors are perpetuated by movies, tv shows, magazines, and more. If the image of being a girly girl is what you want to portray, adopting some of these habits will help you get there.

9. Sit With Your Legs Crossed or Knees Closed With Good Posture

One of the classic traits of a girly girl is that she sits with her legs crossed. Women who sit with their legs wide apart may not appear as feminine as those who tactfully cross their legs. It is more "womanly," it feels sexier, and it's much more graceful.

There are many advantages of sitting with your legs crossed. It can make a woman's figure look more curvaceous while also preventing unwanted flashing when she's wearing miniskirts and short dresses. Don't sit like that if it's not comfortable for you, though. Girls can sit however they want!

10. Play With Your Hair

The typical scene of a Hollywood-crafted girly girl is not complete without a pretty lady sitting by herself while she twirls her hair. Playing with your hair is a clichéd feminine trait, which basically conveys that a girl is fragile and sensitive yet very beautiful. Simply twirl your locks with your fingers or maybe even sweep your hair from one shoulder to another.

Again, this is a stereotype, not a fact. Girls don't have to twirl their hair if they don't want to.

11. Shield Yourself From the Elements

Regardless of what you look like, it's important to stay warm and dry during harsh winter storms or cold blasts. Wear gloves and mufflers in winter to shield yourself from the icy cold breeze! Accessories like gloves, mufflers, hats, umbrellas, and more can both protect you from the elements while also keeping you chic and stylish.

If in your quest to appear like a girly girl you have already put a lot of effort into your appearance, it would be a shame if the rain ruined all of your hard work. However, if it doesn't bother you, skip the umbrella and let the wind blow in your hair!

In movies, men are often portrayed giving their lady love their jackets when it is cold or sharing umbrellas when it is raining. However, this doesn't always happen in real life, so it's important to be prepared. If you find yourself caught in the middle of a rainstorm, pull out your umbrella or button up your raincoat. Otherwise, run for cover!

12. Work on Your Social Skills

Whether you're a man or a woman, it's really important to be able to communicate with the people around you. This could be something as simple as saying "good morning" to your classmates each day. By creating a small relationship with the people you see every day, you'll learn to be considerate of their feelings and, in turn, they'll be more considerate of yours.

Even if you consider yourself shy or introverted, it can be helpful to share a few words or a smile with the familiar faces around you each day. If it doesn't come to you naturally, however, don't force it! There's no use trying to be someone you're not.

13. Steer Away From Dirt and Filth

Do you scream "Eww!" when you see something gross? Does a disgusted expression cross your face when you walk into a messy house? Do you hate people who score low on hygiene and cleanliness?

If you have been nodding, you already have one of these stereotypically feminine traits. Women are often portrayed as disgusted by the sight of anything dirty, unhygienic, or filthy. This isn't always true, though. Some of us love to run in the mud or take pleasure in living in a filthy apartment. Just make sure you stick to what you're comfortable with.

14. Avoid Swearing Excessively

In most social environments, it's important not to use swear words in every other sentence. Both women and men should think before using swear words in front of others, especially in more formal environments like offices and workplaces.

However, in popular culture, women are often associated with speaking more politely all the time. Just be yourself and express yourself the way you want to when you're with your friends and family!

15. Don't Be Seen Chugging Beer, Hogging Food, or Picking Fights

You may have to put a lot of effort into constructing a feminine image, but popular culture has even made certain actions associated more with masculinity than femininity. In Hollywood, a beautiful damsel is not typically seen chugging away on a pint of beer or savagely chomping on a big piece of meat. If you really want to play up the "girly" image (or if you just like the way it tastes), choose a glass of red or a fruity cocktail instead.

That being said, being a girly should not stop you from enjoying your favorite things. If you are a beer lover, be sure to enjoy your favorite brew on the weekends! Chug it, pour it, or sip it—do what you like!

16. Read Women's Magazines

Because the media helps shape what is considered girly and what's not, reading women's magazines will help you find out what the typical woman is "supposed" to be like. Tuning into the latest style, fashion, relationship advice, dating trends, and more will really help you know what women are traditionally expected to behave and look like in today's society. Vogue, Elle, Allure, and Cosmopolitan are some great examples of magazines marketed toward women.

As you flip through one glossy page after another, be sure to stay true to yourself and not to take every claim in these magazines as truth—they are designed to advertise, not to advise.

17. Be Expressive and Show Emotion Through Your Body Language

A smile can say a lot about how someone is feeling. For reasons that cannot be explained, a smile sends out the message that someone is approachable and friendly.

Body language is a great way to express yourself when you don't feel there is much to be said. With your eyes, you can look flirty or angry; changing the way you walk can make you appear sexier, or you can give off a quirky smirk to let others know that you like or dislike something.

Don't hold back on communicating what you're feeling, though! You can't rely on body language for everything, and it's important that you tell people what you're thinking in a straightforward way in order to avoid miscommunication.

18. Carry a Girly Attitude

Your attitude and personality make you special. If you're a girl, whatever attitude you have is girly, whether that's bubbly, sassy, hyper, or relaxed. Choose your friends wisely and make sure to hang around people who accept you for who you are—you shouldn't have to change how you look or behave just to fit in or be liked by someone!

Be True to Yourself, Regardless of Gender

As you can see, being a stereotypical girly girl is a lot of work! Unfortunately, women and girls have a lot of standards they're expected to meet, and it can be stressful to navigate them all.

It's important to remember that this is just a list of suggestions—you don't have to do any of these things if you don't want to. And, though you might think this guide is for women and girls, the reality is that anyone can use this guide. Whether you're male, female, non-binary, or genderfluid, you can use these tips to try a new look or incorporate new habits into your everyday life. You can use all of them or pick and choose the ones you like. Or, you don't have to use them at all!

Despite what the TV and magazines might say, there's nothing saying that you have to behave a certain way if you're a girl or look a certain way if you're a boy. That being said, it doesn't hurt to experiment with your clothes or try looking at the world from a new point of view, so don't be afraid to explore as long as you're being true to yourself at the end of the day.

i hate me on August 25, 2020:

my parents are forcing me to be a girly girl i live in a toxic and abusive involvement

Jon on August 06, 2020:

Im trying hard to be the girl i want to be

hazhezreen on August 04, 2020:

love this articles..im just started my journey mtf

Bee on June 27, 2020:

I think I am too rough...so I just want be a lil bit femine

lillymae on June 22, 2020:

ty this helps a lot :) my mom wants me to be more girlier and im already a failure to her lols so the most i can do is be girly for her and it makes her happy when im girly and if it makes her happy then im happy

Butterfly on May 13, 2020:

wish I were a girl

wishter on May 13, 2020:

my mistake was having a mother who knew of my girly desires ,a father who would have no part .."he's a boy,he's going to remain a boy, like it or not.

Cool dude on April 03, 2020:

Just wanna be a girl

Aubre on March 13, 2020:

this is hard because I have a strong country accent and i am not girly

GAY DUDE on December 27, 2019:

I came here cause my boyfriend was too manly ewww

love feminine on November 27, 2019:

I used to be a tomboy but now my girly girl came out and I love being feminine

blank on September 26, 2019:

I am not trying to be mean but most of these messages are mean to the girl who wrote this. She probably was saying what her style was and what she likes to do. But don't look this up if you want to be feminine and girly JUST BE YOURSELF!!!! if you want to change try your own personal ideas. You look and act beautiful the way you are so don't change that. And whoever wrote this this there is no pressure. Just be yourself.

Pubwoozayy on August 02, 2019:

So many pick me girls in the comments *eyeroll*. If you aren't girly, don't come on an article about being girly and feminine and bash the author's opinion!

Probe97 on July 31, 2019:

I would love women to supply me with International gorgeous glossy fashion and beauty sweet scented magazines?

Anomalous on July 21, 2019:

I just went here because my parents say I'm not girly enough

.

Sabrina I wish on July 04, 2019:

Wish a Woman would teach me how to be feminine

Oh dear on April 22, 2019:

@ella oh noo, whoever said that has no clue what they're talking about. I'm sure you're lovely, and you don't need to change because someone else doesn't think you're good enough.

Youralldumb on April 03, 2019:

To the people commenting about gossip, your un-educated. Gossip is how you talk sexual to your friends. If you think of it or use gossip to talk trash, than your a little kid in middle school.

Valerie on April 02, 2019:

Your post very much so contradics itself. On one paragraph, you say girly girls are nice, yet in the next paragraph you tell girls to gossip. Gossiping isnt nice guys, and its not girly, its bitc*y

pasteltwister on March 30, 2019:

Wow, just wow. This post is very stereotypical, and it seems like you can't like what you like while still being girly. I'm both girly, and tomboyish, I like pastel and rainbows but I hate pink. I have a black galaxy cover on my iPhone and I like colors like navy blue too. I love looking good but I also like putting on a "don't mess with me" atitude. And gossip is a bad thing, it's a form of social bullying, and it's a way to talk trash behind someone's back, which can feel like a punch in the face.

Nimue666 on March 23, 2019:

@Noa A pink hater?! I have found my species!

Nimue666 on March 12, 2019:

I've got a lot of problems with this. I am girly, but not to the extent of this. I love my backpack, not only because I need it for school but because tote and sling bags make me feel like I'm dislocating my shoulders. And for the what to wear on a beach day part, a bikini? I am a long-sleeved kind of girl. And especially the gossip. Gossip is terrible, and it's a shameful thing to do. Just be yourselves guys. You'll feel much better when you're being yourself.

The ghost With No Name on March 03, 2019:

Welp, this is more like how to be a complete snob. Being very concerned about appearances is a horrible example, you should just dress nicely and neatly and you'll be fine. And I hate pink, and I like navy blue and lavender more. And makeup gives you more acne by the way. And since gaming is a boy thing, why should I stay away from it? I hate filthy bathrooms, but it's fine when I see a mud puddle. Gossip is a horrible thing, it's a way to talk trash about someone behind their backs, and it's a form of bullying. If you want to be girly, just check out the one from WikiHow, that's a much better example. ;)

Noa on January 30, 2019:

So I am a girl. I’m a tomboy. I love my name, I love rolling in mud while it rains. I give my jacket to my friends if their cold. I am confident. I don’t like pink. I like purposely being weird and crazy for the entertainment of my friends. I’m not lesbian or bisexual. I will never get rid of my PRACTICAL backpack and I can’t become a girly girl and I don’t want to. Soccer and basketball r my thing too. Gossip is terrible. It’s just another way of talking about someone behind their back. But that’s just me.

Sghjbcxgn on January 30, 2019:

This is very stereo typical. I don’t act like this and never will. I love mud and clay...

Bintou Camara on January 23, 2019:

like i wear strong fragrance perfumes and i can talkk like a girl i cant walk like a girl not even in heels....im in a critic state

William Frederick on January 11, 2019:

How can I get help to be more girly girl? Is anybody else here well help me

New girl from the block on December 08, 2018:

I don't know how to handle it I like a boy but he is dating a girl and we're only in 5th graders

Karin on December 05, 2018:

Listen up girls, don’t let what people say change the way you’re acting. Growing up I was both girly and also loved hanging out with the boys that were drama free & could do cool “boyish” things with like fix cars and race. Be who you are. I’m 36 now and no article nor any person could ever change who I am or who I’m meant to be. You’re just figuring out who you are and who you want to be, but take my word of advice... you’ll evolve almost every minute, just enjoy and embrace your individuality. Fake people are miserable!!! Be yourself, but be clean and hygienic. It’s pains me to see so many young girls lost. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself.

Everything on November 16, 2018:

@Zaydaalexis02 be your self queen

zaydaalexis02 on November 02, 2018:

well i am a tomeboy sooo i really dont like pink can anyone help me bc i like this guy but idk if he likes me ?

hello on October 07, 2018:

to be honest, I've been doing all these things since I was born, I literally just spent my arvo doing my nails at a nail place and got my hair cut. (:

girly girl123 on October 03, 2018:

im deffinitly a girly girl

name on September 11, 2018:

I searched this up just because someone said they thought i was a guy when they first looked at me, but I'm not changing that I hate pink and have terrible posture and hate gossip, and neither should you!! (unless its for like a play or something) so be true to yourself and if someone thinks your a guy and judges you about it then your too good for them girl!!! and this whole article is sexist

sam on August 28, 2018:

i would never have searched this up. but i was downsatirs and i heard my sister upstairs talking to her friend about how i was a tomboy and how i never like to wear dresses.

a stranger on August 17, 2018:

What's wrong with body hair? I love my fuzzy legs.

Pink cup cake on July 16, 2018:

I need this for a play I need to act girly!

Thank you so much.

Madison on July 09, 2018:

All the things you said I already do but thx for sharing bye.

ella on June 26, 2018:

i get told im not good enough for being a mistake of a girl cuz i act like a boy :c ...so thx alot and ill start doing some of these but im not quitting rugby

maeraechi on June 05, 2018:

I LOVE THIS SOOOO MUCH!! This is really really helpful

Thanks a lot :-)

somebody on May 23, 2018:

only came here cause i have to be girly for a play , thanks .

Girlygirl101 on March 30, 2018:

What about creating a girly space?

chyanna on February 17, 2018:

im actually a tomboy but my friend dared me to become a girly girl and I never brake dare but how do girly girlztalk

Maya on December 27, 2017:

I was literally shaking my head no to all of these points, I guess it's gonna take a lot of work but I doubt that I will become a girly person because it would just be boring..........

Clove on December 10, 2017:

This is all great Info. but I think I'm gonna start doing this in a month because I have got to buy a whole lot of new clothes ( which I love doing ( Obvi ) but it still cost's money ( which is a lot of HARD work) see ya :)

Someonesgirl on December 07, 2017:

Omg with this I'll be a new person in no time!

teya on November 20, 2017:

amaze info #allreadyactinglikeagirl

Someone on November 11, 2017:

Thank you so much I get judged all the time at school because I wear pants and a sweatshirt and don’t care about makeup and don’t do my hair I just put it in a ponytail and I get called bisexual sometimes because I don’t wear pink and makeup and do my hair and don’t act girly

Chloe Leopard on November 02, 2017:

Like OMG!

Shweta pawar on October 26, 2017:

What?I hate pink colour I am not gonna wear anything pink

A girl on October 23, 2017:

Thank you so much, this will help me a lot. My parents are thinking im bisexual, or lesbian because i dont act girly. Thank you! This will help me a lot

shalom on August 21, 2017:

Such good advice will help

rebekah ruffles from boston on August 16, 2017:

such good advice on how to be girly, i loved reading all the ideas and thinking on how i can improve on and add to what i do already.

alex on July 30, 2017:

you should really add sassy to your mix

Haydn on July 28, 2017:

This is all good tips but they forgot one thing being sasy

Jazzy on July 24, 2017:

I know how now

Lalo on July 08, 2017:

Thanks all the steps are easy and wonderfully made but I don't like what you said about gossiping I don't like to gossip so if you can remove it it would be better

Ryan on July 06, 2017:

I am a compliant and total tomboy I'd roll in mud.I hate pink, and I mean look at my name (Boy name). and the whole body hair thing why just why Don't all girls shave. Sorry If I was ranting a littlee bit.

steph on June 08, 2017:

ill try my best to do this stuff

Not telling my name on May 18, 2017:

Trust me I've been doing all this stuff since I was in diapers

JAne Golden on May 12, 2017:

this is actually good stuff

Haley on May 05, 2017:

Thanks im going to try this.

Melissa on April 28, 2017:

I am just starting my transition and feeling so much better about my feminine self. Some of these tips are really helpful. I feel so pretty wearing a cute tunic dress and tights, and of course sexy lingerie underneath. I wish I had come out as trans years ago, but I guess it's never too late to start. I love feeling girly!

April on April 21, 2017:

I love to wear pretty dresses like a 6-7 and my cousin dress is very pretty I feel company sending it in I love them more than anything too makes me feel good when you but you were nice pretty dress with no stockings beautiful panties

jamariaberry@gmail.com on March 30, 2017:

i need to be a girly girl right now in a month at least thats my goal.

Ron on March 24, 2017:

I do feel feminine like a woman my buddy feel beautiful I don't care if anybody says I feel like a beautiful woman

Its Kare on March 01, 2017:

Uhm well I'm girly, but not extremly girl but thanks for the info

Nettechaos on March 01, 2017:

This is a horrible example,this teaches you not to be yourself while bring girly but to talk about people and change yourself for others. Just because you're girly doesn't mean you have to constantly be cleaning yourself up and stay away from mud or puddles!

Lola on February 14, 2017:

I'm trying to be more girly I've been single for a long time because the guys I talked to only seen me as a homeboy,I even seen myself looking a mess I just want to change for myself and feel pretty

emala jiss on February 13, 2017:

thanks for letting me be girly girl

Destiny on February 10, 2017:

I'm trying to be more feminine and girly but I have a hard time making new friends and I'm not too fond of showing my emotions all the time. Any advice for me?

al on February 07, 2017:

this is confusing