A southern belle was a girl who was expected to grow up into a lady. She was supposed to be fragile and flirtatious while also sexually innocent. A true lady embodied the ideals of the South, and was thus hospitable and graceful.

What does it mean to be a Southern girl?

The women I spoke with quickly listed traits such as hospitality, kindness and grace. The most important thing about a being a Southern woman is being nice, considerate, sweet and being a genuinely caring person, Mary Catharine Kolbert said.

Are Southern belles still around?

Are Southern Belles still a thing? Of course. Theyve been redefined a bit, but they still exist. Go to cotillion in Charleston to find them.

What does it mean when someone calls you Southern Belle?

Southern belle (derived from the French word belle, beautiful) is a colloquialism for a debutante in the white upper class of the Antebellum South.

How do you know if youre a Southern Belle?

16 signs you were raised by a Southern BelleFabric wrinkles are worse than nails on a chalkboard. You certainly dont sweat. You cherish tattered, stained index cards with Mawmaw and Mamas handwritten recipes. You rarely resort to swear words. Your favorite vegetable is fried okra.More items •18 Aug 2015

What does a Southern belle wear?

Characteristics. The image of a Southern belle is often characterized by fashion elements such as a hoop skirt, a corset, pantalettes, a wide-brimmed straw hat, and gloves. As signs of tanning were considered working-class and unfashionable during this era, parasols and fans are also often represented.

What does it mean when someone calls you a Southern belle?

A southern belle was a girl who was expected to grow up into a lady. She was supposed to be fragile and flirtatious while also sexually innocent. She was beautiful but risky to touch, like porcelain. A true lady embodied the ideals of the South, and was thus hospitable and graceful.