belles
Admired party women
Belles is the plural of belle, a beautiful or charming woman, especially one who attracts attention at social gatherings.
The term carries an old-fashioned, Southern American flavor: the belles of the ball, Southern belles in their finest dresses.
It suggests feminine grace and social prominence in a way that feels quaint today.
Before a war's start
- plantationLarge-scale farming operation
- magnoliaLarge-flowered ornamental tree
- savannahTropical grassland ecosystem
- debutanteFormally introduced young woman
cotillion · hoop skirt · mint julep · genteel · hospitality · veranda · parasol · finishing school
Formally introduced young woman
- cotillionFormal society dance event
- ballSpherical plaything or gala
- galaFestive formal occasion
- soiréeFormal nighttime social gathering
coming-out · season · suitor · dance card · waltz · gown · tiara · presentation
Effortless beauty of motion
- attractivenessPleasing quality that draws
- radianceGlowing luminous quality
- glamourFascinating, elegant attractiveness
- allureAttractive, tempting quality
prettiness · loveliness · gorgeousness · comeliness · fairness · bloom · complexion · countenance
Effortless beauty of motion
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- eleganceRefined, graceful quality
- sophisticationCultured elegance and complexity
- cultivationFostering growth through care
polish · finesse · gentility · breeding · deportment · demeanor · carriage · composure
Attractive, tempting quality
- enchantmentMagical influence over someone
- charismaMagnetic personal appeal
- fascinationIntense absorbed interest
- magnetismForce between poles
captivation · coquetry · flirtation · wit · vivacity · sparkle · beguiling · winsome
antebellum
Before a war's start
- plantationLarge-scale farming operation
- magnoliaLarge-flowered ornamental tree
- savannahTropical grassland ecosystem
debutante · cotillion · hoop skirt · mint julep · genteel · hospitality · veranda · parasol · finishing school · suitor
debutante
Formally introduced young woman
soirée · coming-out · season · suitor · dance card · waltz · gown · tiara · presentation · court
grace
Effortless beauty of motion
- attractivenessPleasing quality that draws
- radianceGlowing luminous quality
- glamourFascinating, elegant attractiveness
allure · prettiness · loveliness · gorgeousness · comeliness · fairness · bloom · complexion · countenance · visage
grace
Effortless beauty of motion
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- eleganceRefined, graceful quality
- sophisticationCultured elegance and complexity
cultivation · polish · finesse · gentility · breeding · deportment · demeanor · carriage · composure · dignity
allure
Attractive, tempting quality
- enchantmentMagical influence over someone
- charismaMagnetic personal appeal
- fascinationIntense absorbed interest
magnetism · captivation · coquetry · flirtation · wit · vivacity · sparkle · beguiling · winsome · bewitching
bellesdogs
Domesticated barking mammals
ugly ducklings · plain Janes · frumps · eyesores · hags
belleswallflowers
Timid party attendees
shrinking violets · nobodies · pariahs · outcasts · loners
- belle of the ballMost admired woman present
- Southern bellesRefined women from the South
- belle époqueA flourishing cultural period