"Let Us Be Elegant or Die..."

"The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides."

~Audrey Hepburn~

Femininity is a semi-lost virtue in today's society.   Today, women think that to be attractive, they must be scantily-clad, harsh, and independent of men and their help and reliance.  Not so!  A feminine woman doesn't have to wear jean jumpers to be Godly, but she also doesn't have to wear her PJ's to the grocery store.  But, more than dress, a true woman is beautiful inside as well as out.  A true woman possess many qualities and virtues that are most becoming.  Not only should women strive to look modestly attractive, but they should also work on inward virtue.  A French Proverb I read once said that beauty without virtue is like a rose without a scent. 

Women should strive to develop and maintain many graces.  

Here are a couple of thoughts on femininity: 

Femininity is important.  A man needs the gentle, strong personality of a woman to make him see his role as protector and supporter.  When a woman is "independent" and makes the man feel as if he isn't needed, roles become confused. Colleen Hammond, from Dressing With Dignity, says that "...Genuine, God-given, inner femininity appeals to men.  It stirs up in them their genuine, innate masculinity and the desire to protect, revere, and defend the gentle sex."

To me, that sounds pretty nice.  I would gladly accept the help of a man and his desire to "protect, revere, and defend" me! How flattering! :)

Colleen Hammond further states that "...men with character are attracted to the virtuous qualities in a woman.  They admire her joy, her inner happiness, her femininity, her playful spunk."  Ladies, you are beautiful creatures!  God made you to be attractive in a modest and moral way.  Use your feminine charms.  Follow the example of the Blessed Mother in attaining virtue.  She is our guide and model in humility, charity, obedience and a thousand other virtues! 

Don't be afraid to be yourself, either.  You have a beautiful, developing, and feminine personality all your own!  As a woman, you have so many unique features that are yours only.  Your kindness to the elderly or disabled, your charity towards your neighbor; helping that elderly lady in the parking lot unload her groceries or talking to an aging man who lives on your street -- all of these small things show your femininity and your beauty! Strive for God's love and mercy and you will be your true self.  I leave you with this quote from one of my favorite speakers: Fulton Sheen.

"The level of any civilization is the level of its womanhood.  When man loves woman, it follows that the nobler the woman, the nobler the love; the higher the demands made by the woman, the more worthy a man must be.  That is why woman is the measure of our civilization."

God bless!