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When you think of the classic femme fatale, traits of seduction, mystery and danger come to mind. These lustful, powerful, in-control women often are portrayed as leading men to their destruction. It is the sexual deviancy of the femme fatale that makes her the rebellious figure, lashing against traditional domesticity. While the archetype dates back to the age of Cleopatra, what does it mean to be a femme fatale in the 21st century?
Here are 10 Traits of the Modern Femme Fatale:
This fierce female throws her back into her work. She’s either climbing the professional ladder or creating her own, but she is definitely knows how to do it in heels. She’s not afraid of her own femininity. In fact, her heels – platform, spiked or wedge – make her feel more like the boss that she is.
When the modern femme fatale pictures her life, it may involve a partner by her side, but that doesn’t mean she plans around her partner’s income. If the partner brings something to the table, great! But she has her own bank account, likely a financial advisor and, most definitely, goals to secure that bright fiscal future.
Contrary to the traditional narrative, this modern woman isn’t out to break men’s hearts. She has more important things to accomplish and takes control of her body to equalize relationship power dynamics.
She knows how to exude sexiness without showing everything off. Pulling from the early 20th century, the modern femme fatale lives by this rule: Only show off one part of your body at a time. Legs? Perfect. Back? Great. Together? Not so much.
When it’s business time, it’s business time for the modern femme fatale. There is no mixing pleasure and business and anyone that attempts to blur or cross that line with her is simply excused.
The modern femme fatale does not have kids for the sake of having kids. Having kids is a thought out decision and usually hyper planned as to fit into her busy schedule. However, she sets the highest of expectations on herself for being a mother. If that means waiting, then she waits.
The modern day femme fatale is private and doesn’t use her sexuality for a public reputation. Remember when Lauren Conrad had the wittiest answer to the question, “What’s your favorite position?” in an interview regarding sex? She paused for a bit before simply stating, “CEO.” The modern femme fatale keeps her sex life a public mystery.
In contrast to the popular culture of getting so drunk past the point of maintaining control, the modern femme fatale knows her limits. She may be out with her friends sipping on a glass of sauvignon blanc or even a cocktail, but she keeps it to a minimum and is up the next day productive and feeling good.
The modern femme fatale loves her beauty routine and finds empowerment in taking care of herself. She also finds major confidence in worldly knowledge. She knows exactly how to fill in her eyebrows and exactly how the stock market works. Ask her anything, she’s a renaissance woman!
It’s not that she is abrasive or off-putting. She is just genuinely confident. She knows what she is capable of, what she wants to achieve and how to get her dreams rolling. And as the traditional femme fatale broke the molds of domesticity, the modern femme fatale rewrites that mold.
Are you a modern day femme fatale?
