Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Sit in a traditional position
• Method 2 of 2: Sit cross-legged
• Tips

Traditional etiquette dictates that women sit with an upright posture with both legs together, keeping the skirt hem low and the undergarments out of sight. Maintaining this attitude with long pants also adds elegance. In addition, there are ways to cross your legs, suitable for formal occasions, that are effective in preventing your clothes from fitting incorrectly. Maintaining these attitudes adds an element of class on formal occasions and in everyday life.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Sit in a traditional position

1. Stand as close to your chair as possible. By starting close to the chair, you have less work to do and are much less likely to expose or misjudge yourself and fall.
   • During most formal occasions, it is common for a gentleman to help you to sit. He pulls your chair back, waits for you to stand in front of it, then pushes the chair forward up to your calves. This is sometimes done by your date, a waiter, or another guy sitting nearby.
2. Place your knees together. Make sure your knees and most of your legs are next to each other. One leg should not be in front of the other. Sitting with your legs together will prevent your underwear from showing, no matter how short your skirt is.
3. Sit quietly. Do not bend over; make sure to keep your torso straight. Keep your knees together, sit quietly by bending your knees. Your calves will naturally bend forward, which is one position you'll want to hold.
   • Don't try to use your hands to keep your balance. Keep your arms straight down or slightly bent at the elbows.
4. Smooth your skirt under you. If you wear a skirt or dress, it can wrinkle as you sit down. Sitting will also raise the seam. If you don't want your skirt to look wrinkled or shorter than it actually is, smooth it gently with your hands.
5. Decide how to place your feet. You have two main options for your feet: flat on the floor or crossed at the ankles. If you are short and your feet don't touch the floor, be sure to cross your ankles. If you cross your ankles, do this with your knees still together. There should be no space between your ankles.
6. Fold your legs. If your legs are long or you chose not to cross your ankles, you probably need to fold your knees to the left or right. Such a position makes you look less stiff and a bit more feminine. You don't have to maintain this attitude all the time. In fact, it is polite to shift your knees to the person you are speaking to.
7. Sit up straight. Don't lean back in your chair. For formal occasions, it is best to sit in the center of the chair with your back out of contact with the chair. In addition, do not lean forward and do not hang in your chair.
8. Place your hands in your lap. Keep your hands folded or hold a bag when you have nothing else to do with your hands. Rest them just above your thigh. However, if you are attending a formal dinner in France, place your hands on the table on either side of the plate. There it is considered rude to put your hands under the table on your lap.

Method 2 of 2: Sit cross-legged

1. Sit calmly in your chair with your knees together. Keep your torso straight without leaning forward. Although you may eventually cross your legs, the act of sitting is identical to the act used to maintain the traditional lady posture.
   • Remember, crossing your legs at the knee is much less modest than keeping your legs parallel. This pose will both emphasize your legs while sliding the hem of your skirt up at the same time.
2. Place your hands in your lap. Once you are seated, fold your hands and place them on your lap between your legs. Maintain this placement when your hands are not in use. This position will also keep your skirt down so your underwear won't show when you cross your legs.
3. Move your right leg to the left. Start by lifting your right thigh slightly. Then place your right calf in front of your left. Make sure to keep your thighs together. Spreading the legs, even when shifting, is traditionally considered unfeminine. Even with your hands in your lap, you run the risk that your underwear will be visible when you spread your legs.
4. Put your right calf over your left. Your right knee should now be directly on top of your left knee. The calves should be close together and form a diagonal with the feet pointing to the right or left. In this position you will not be able to keep both feet on the floor with the legs perpendicular to the floor.
5. Keep your legs in a straight line. Both calves should be as parallel as possible and stay as close together as possible. Make sure your legs stay firmly together while you are seated. Keep your toes pointed down.
   • Remember to always sit upright with your back straight.
6. Switch legs if necessary. At some point during the sitting, you may want to switch positions so that the opposite leg is crossed over the other leg. This can be done if you are quick and graceful enough but should be avoided if you are wearing an especially short skirt. You just need to move your legs apart so that they are in the same position they were in when you first sat down. Then simply move the chosen leg over the other to return to a crossed position.
   • Remember to keep your hands in your lap as you switch positions and cross your legs.

Tips

• Crossing your legs is usually considered inappropriate if you are wearing a long dress or a short skirt.
• When you're about to get up, pull the bottom of your skirt down to cover your legs. This prevents your underwear from showing.
• In particular, remember to avoid sitting with your legs spread, even if you are wearing pants.
• Keep in mind that these are just traditional "ladylike" ways of sitting and usually apply to formal occasions. In daily life, women can of course sit as they want.