What does being 'feminine' actually mean?

[cherryicecream]

During lunch break today at work a female colleague said that at a bonfire/fireworks party on Saturday night a male friend said she was feminine and initially she was flattered but later when she thought about it, she didn't know what it actually meant since her husband has never used that expression with her. Given the varying opinions in the break room, it seems that none of the rest of us (females) knew either! Comments included whether or not you're considered beautiful (not sure what that says about those of us who have never been told we are), the way you dress, having longer hair, wearing makeup/jewellery/perfume. But really, none of us knew for sure.

Does anyone?

Long hair, not too tall, not too big built, wears dresses/ skirts. No tattoos. Soft voice.

That sort of thing I guess?

Is she small? I have heard that said about small female colleagues (although I'm a giant so everyone's smaller to me), with usually hourglass figures and long flicky hair. Often a nice line in a head tilt too. Does she have those things?

More seriously, I've heard that said about women who can do the attentive listening. Although men can do it too, obviously. Maybe it's that.

Often a nice line in a head tilt That made me laugh out loud!

She's not small, bless her, about 6' in her heels and wears pants and cardigans mostly, though they are always classic in style. She does have shoulder length hair, a sort of dark red, but it is well cut and shiny though for the life of me I can't recall ever seeing her flick it! She's friendly and warm and we all love her to bits (I'm fortunate to work with really lovely people and none of them are bitchy in any way). Sometimes she wears what she calls her Joe90 glasses. She was genuinely baffled by the compliment - we all agree that it was intended so - even if neither she nor we know what it means