Created for a gal How to learn How To Dress in Your 30s. How to dress feminine but not girly. How to dress like a grown woman.
When dressing feminine but trying not to look “too feminine or too young,” we can focus on refinement, sophistication, classic looks.
Even if a lady decides to wear menswear, it can be made feminine.
How To Dress Like A Grown Woman | How To Dress in Your 30s
1. A Midi-Dress Instead Of A Mini
A midi dress is a grown up, lady-like dress that is feminine but not too “girly.” There is a sophistication to her. She’s quite the classy dress.
Not to say a mini dress cannot be worn with class, a midi dress just has a bit more sophistication to it, more mystery as it shows less skin, and can transform a girl. Transform her from a girl, to a grown-up woman.
Put a slit in the dress to add a hint of sex appeal. The color, the pattern and the fabric of the dress also has an effect on how “girly” you want it to appear. In this article I will touch on fabric and color that are feminine but add a bit more of a grown up feel
2. Floral Patterns [Larger Florals]
Dresses and clothing with a floral print do appear very feminine. Sometimes they may offer a bit more of that girly and youthful essence more-so than a woman would like.
To offset this girlishness and create a more adult look with a floral pattern, I noticed choosing florals that are larger seem to do the trick.
This is not a rule and this does not mean that small floral print is too girly or youthful. This comes down to preference and making assessments yourself after trying on the clothing. Clothing, colors and patterns suit each woman differently.
3. Polka Dots [In a Womanly Way]
Polka dots can have a freshening, youthful effect and in fact make you look quite girly! When wanting to create a more grown up look with polka dots, you can turn to brown and white / brown and cream as opposed to white and black.
The brown polka dots give a very grown up sophisticated look. Reference Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman when she begins dressing in a more demure way. The brown polka dot dress in this film remains iconic to this date.
You can also do a cream dress with brown polka dots. The brown and cream are a bit more softening, but also seem a bit more mature than that fresh, youthful white and black polka dot look.
4. Silk & Satin Button Down Shirts
Button down shirts are classic, classy and chic. Selecting them in a satin-like or silky fabric create a different dimension. When fabric has a slight sheen to it, it gives a feminine feeling.
For a more casual look with a kiss of femininity, you can select a tank top or any top in a silky, satin-like fabric.
5. Ruffle & Detail Placement
Ruffles can be super girly, I remember specifically those little socks we wore as children with the little ruffles around the ankle!
The key with this kind of detail and other feminine details like gathering, is to be cognizant of it’s placement on a dress or article of clothing.
A mini dress with ruffles at the bum has it’s assets, however, these two details combined can create a look much “too girly” for some. It can look fantastic, however, for a more grown up and less girlish look, ruffles placed at the bottom of a dress or near the bust can look a bit more grown up.
6. Tweed
This fabric is so classic, lady-like, can be super mature yet super feminine considering it’s structure and cut.
If you look at classic Chanel style, you will find a plethora of tweed jacket and skirt sets. They are a staple in a feminine, classy and expensive (or expensive looking) woman’s wardrobe.
7. A Blazer
A blazer has a certain structure to it where typical feminine clothing is more free-flowing.
However, a piece of clothing can always be perceived as more feminine, more masculine, more youthful etc, when proper colors, fabrics, and silhouette and cuts of fabric are chosen to create the desired look.
Mixing a feminine fabric or color with a structured piece or a more masculine piece, will create a balance for that feminine but not too feminine look, a key I mention in How To Look Feminine At Work: But Still Like A BOSS.
8. Structure
Blazers, as seen above, have a great structure to them. Structured clothing in general give a more grown up feel. One of my favorite dresses is a green structured safari dress with a structured collar and belted design to keep an extra element of feminine.
9. Necklines
Necklines can transform a simple top into a far more flattering piece of clothing. A simple fitted T-shirt can be taken to another level, and made more feminine if the neckline is a scoop neck, sweetheart neck, etc.
Study necklines some. Try on a variety of them and see what looks best with your facial features and body shape. Always look at the overall picture when dressing.
This is a super tip I mention in, How To Feel Good In A Dress: How To Look Good In A Dress.
10. Neutrals
Pinks, Lilacs, Mauves, Pastels – All beautiful and feminine colors.
For some ladies, it may create an overall appearance that is too girly. Therefore selecting their feminine clothing in a neutral color will keep it classic, sophisticated and grown up.
11. Pointed Toe Heels
These babies give such a lovely touch of sophistication. Open toe heels are lovely, remember, this is about balancing to create the desired effect.
For example, in the above picture, the mini dress is usually perceived as youthful and perhaps too girlish. Not always but to some it may be so. To offset this perception, I kept the dress in a neutral color [as the tip above explains] and added classic close-toed pointed toe heels for a more grown up look.
I recommend reading the following pieces I wrote for more details on fabrics, colors, and accessories that add sophistication along with demeanor, mannerisms and other details.
12. Mix In Some Menswear
I love getting inspiration from stewardesses. Their outfits are classic, classy, feminine, but not overtly girly.
There is a sophistication to them, a touch of masculinity, perhaps by wearing a tie with a button up and a blazer.
A men’s blazer can be made feminine by getting it tailored properly. A men’s watch can even add a little something different to a normally feminine outfit.
What about wearing a man’s clologne or a unisex cologne?
On a woman it can be daring, but it can also be very sexy and add just that right amount of juxtaposition.
13. Pantyhose & Stockings
They are classy and grown up.
They can also add sex appeal. Very adult but also put together. Grandma always says that ladies years and years ago never left the home without their pantyhose on.
14. Look To Inspiration
My favorite outfits that are feminine but not “too girly” are inspired by day to day successful ladies in their careers.
To name a few;
- Bankers
- Female Pilots
- Stewardess
- Lawyer In A Classic Two Piece
How To Look More Feminine As A Woman
Looking more feminine as a woman is an effect created by creating an overall presence of a more feminine woman.
This includes;
- Dressing in a more feminine manner by using feminine colors, fabrics, silhouettes.
- Displaying more feminine mannerisms.
- Creating a feminine look with the use of makeup and other strategies.
I have lists of articles to help a woman in creating this more feminine appearance as I had spent years trying to do so myself.
Learning tips and tricks through trial and error, flipping through magazines years ago, studying other girls, reading dozens and dozens of books and making my own observations.
Feminine Body & Features
- How To Make Hands Look Feminine
- How To Make Feet Look More Feminine: In Shoes, Socks, & Bare.
- How To Make Short Nails Look Feminine
- How To Look Curvy When Skinny: Curve Enhancing Techniques
- Look Feminine With Short Hair: Up-Leveling Sex Appeal
- How To Make Your Face Look More Feminine: For A “Non-Typical” Beauty
Feminine Mannerisms
Other Writings of mine to consider when learning how to dress in your 30s:
This article was created to offer tips & suggestions on how to dress feminine but not girly, how to dress in your 30s, how to dress like a grown woman and how to look more feminine as a woman.
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