Is there a difference between being "girly" and being feminine?

[Cool-Relax]

This first came up in a discussion with one of my sisters about the whole tomboy vs. "girly girl" debate. I have my opinion on it, but I was wondering what other people thought.

Do you think a girl can be feminine without being girly?

[palek]

When I was growing up (some say it has yet to happen), there were only two other kids of my general age in the neighborhood. One was a boy two years older than I, and the other, a tomboy two years older than I. We spent a lot of time together, pretty much out of necessity, though a bond was formed. The girl (Mary), was a much a boy as I, except for the unavoidable variations. Looking back all these years later, her tomboyishness may have had something to do with the fact that she is/was (let's not go there) a lesbian, though it's remotely possible the obverse is true

I only offer this seemingly abstract information, as I have often wondered if it somehow relates to my lifelong attraction to non-"girly girl" women. Though I prefer a woman who enjoys dressing up when the occasion allows, on a day-to-day basis, I like a woman who's natural and pragmatic. Guess it all just seems genuine (and certainly feminine) to me. ; - )

[Cool-Relax]

I'm sorry, but I had to laugh at the last line of your story lol

I agree that being natural and pragmatic is feminine.

I think tomboys and "girly girls" are the extremes; you can be somewhere in between and still be feminine. That's what I like to tell myself, anyway :P

[Just-A-Random-Guy]

You're either one or the other, tomboy. :D

[Cool-Relax]

If I'm a tomboy, you're a girly-man.

[Just-A-Random-Guy]

I'm a manly-man. :D

[Cool-Relax]

Fine, then I'm a feminine girl.

[Anonymous]

I think being girly is an immature form of femininity. Being a woman is not liking the color pink and designer handbags.

[Cool-Relax]

You should put that on a billboard or something. I'm so tired of the color pink.

[Opinion Owner]

Lol, I think I should.