ask: What makes you feel feminine?

So the song goes.

There are females I've seen who are just not the image of femininity. Then, there are those who seem to be the model. The Southern Belle invokes the ultimate feminine creature.

I'm a "tomboy" at heart, very casual, outdoorsy, and more comfortable in jeans than a skirt, but still with a dab of Chanel No.5 behind my ears. Then again, I love to dress to the nines, wear the bling and be seen on the arm of my darling groom. I suppose this would be a societal sense of feeling feminine.

Culturally, I think my assertiveness and confidence might not necessarily be seen as very feminine, as these traits in women often get labeled in very negative, unflattering terms. But, I also prefer running skirts to shorts because I consider them more feminine, not simply a new "girl" trend.

Physically, besides the obvious curves, there is no doubt of my gender. But, "feminine" also implies a certain grace and carriage, and quiet command of all around her. I think I still tend to be a little tomboy-ish, even in spike heels, lipstick and mascara.

I think there's a difference between being perceived as "feminine" versus as "female," the latter seems to carry a rather negative connotation, especially in the South!

I don't associate what I do for work or pleasure as particularly gender specific, and I certainly don't tie my sense of self to my association with someone else.

What a great question. I am a woman that has many different faces. I can do almost anything a man can do, been in the military for eight years, lived on my own, etc. What really makes me feel like a woman is when I paint my face, do my hair and dress up in something that shows off every curve that I have. When I see men's faces watch me as I walk by or gauche at me. So sad.

On the other hand, I can get as dirty as the pig in a mud pile. Do I feel like a woman then, no.

I guess, I really feel like a woman when I get noticed as a woman and not as a friend that wants to go out to a shooting range, fire off a paint ball war or when a guy asks me to help them move something heavy...