History Main / ProperLady

* TheWomanWearingTheQueenlyMask: Proper Lady meets IronLady, add self-sacrifice according to taste.

** [[TheHighQueen Celestine]] is praised by commoner and noble alike for her warmth and humility towards her people. Even TheCynic Kyril sees her as "pure", though he does note that her [[BeautyEqualsGoodness beauty and grace]] put her on a pedestal, attracting many who admire her for the wrong reasons. Her distain for gaudiness and extravagance compliments her vision for prosperity and peace for all people. Both versions of the story have at least one moment that showcases her resolution and strength of mind to resist panicking (leaving her palace to experience the chaos in her city in the original version, and her confrontation with [[RatMen The Rat]] in the remastered version).

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'':
** Princess Sarah of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyI'' is the first in a long line of beautiful, noble princesses. She always wears gold dresses and has HairOfGoldHeartOfGold.
** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'' gives us Princess Garnet Til Alexandros, AKA Dagger, who's a demure little princess when she's not being a [[RebelliousPrincess rebellious one]].

** Prim is a PrincessClassic so unironic that she would get along with her [[Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon Disney]] counterparts. Apart from being the only female character that's described by the narration as [[DelicateIsBeautiful "delicate"]], the increased characterisation in the remastered version accentuates her sharp mind, thoughtfulness, and belief in the good of the sinister, DarkIsNotEvil stranger that is [[NinetiesAntiHero the Hunter]].

* All examples of ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'' ditch the [[{{Housewife}} marriage]] part, but they fit otherwise.
** [[TheHighQueen High Elf Queen]], Celestine Lucross. Even [[TheCynic Kyril]] sees her as "pure", though he does note that her [[BeautyEqualsGoodness beauty and grace]] put her on a pedestal, attracting many who admire her for the wrong reasons.
** Prim Fiorire, naturally. She is a PrincessClassic so unironic that she would get along with her [[Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon Disney]] counterparts.
** The Doll is a {{subversion}}. She may have the [[EnglishRose Victorian motif]], but she does not have the wit and esprit of the ideal archetype, not to mention her [[ArtificialHuman artificial]] nature.

There is no upper age limit to being a Proper Lady. If a lady dies at an advanced age, her death will be dignified, probably caused by old age, and if she [[TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth dies young]] (of [[VictorianNovelDisease nothing too unsightly]]), it will be a heartbreaking -- but not in vain -- tragedy. Her absence will leave behind a great void and she will be dearly missed by not only family members and friends, but also by those who only occasionally had the fortune to be graced with her presence.

* EnglishRose: An archetypal English character with similar properties; popular standard for a Proper Lady's looks.

* GracefulLadiesLikePurple

* TheHighQueen: A regal variety.
* TheIngenue: A potential future Proper Lady.
* LadyOfAdventure: Proper Lady (or more likely Spirited Young Lady) meets GlorySeeker.
* LadyOfWar: Proper Lady or Spirited Young Lady meets ActionGirl.
* MadonnaWhoreComplex: Virginal before marriage, chaste during and after marriage. If she ''doesn't'' live up to this standard, she [[DefiledForever cannot be considered a]] Proper Lady.
* MotherhoodIsSuperior: Is a doting (but firm) mother, or aspires to be one, and it's considered her [[MandatoryMotherhood "destiny"]] and/or [[AppealToNature "natural role"]] by society at large.
* PinkMeansFeminine
* PrimAndProperBun: A hairstyle to indicate a Proper Lady.

* SilkHidingSteel: A Proper Lady who is able and willing to take an active role.

* TrueBlueFemininity

* ''Series/GossipGirl2021'': Audrey could been seen as a younger example of this. She's nonchalant with an icy exterior but she's devoted to her mother especially since her parents' divorce. In addition, her outfits are described as classier and simpler than those of her friends. [[spoiler:{{Deconstructed}} since she also displays some difficulties regarding her longtime boyfriend Aki and shows a more hedonistic side lusting over Max, which led to a threeway relationship with the two boys (although that was partly to let Aki explore his bisexuality too).]] Audrey has the blonde hair that is typical of a ProperLady as well.

There is no upper age limit to being a Proper Lady. Widowed ladies might easily double-qualify as {{Determined Widow}}s. If a lady dies at an advanced age, her death will be dignified, probably caused by old age, and if she [[TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth dies young]] (of [[VictorianNovelDisease nothing too unsightly]]), it will be a heartbreaking -- but not in vain -- tragedy. Her absence will leave behind a great void and she will be dearly missed by not only family members and friends, but also by those who only occasionally had the fortune to be graced with her presence.

* {{Schoolmarm}}: In the WildWest, most female characters are members of TheOldestProfession. The primary, proper, well-educated schoolmarm is the one exception.

A Proper Lady might [[DamselInDistress not always be able to defend herself]], but should in most cases possess the strength of mind to not panic, and [[PluckyGirl the willpower]] to never give in to any [[FateWorseThanDeath vile demands]].

* [[UsefulNotes/DianaPrincessOfWales Lady Diana Spencer]], still known as "Princess Diana" by people who like her (which is ''a lot''), was a [[ZigZaggedTrope zig-zagged example.]] She was accepted as a member of UsefulNotes/TheBritishRoyalFamily because of her proper behavior and manners, but after her marriage to [[UsefulNotes/CharlesIII Prince Charles]], she showed some harmless rebellious streaks such as disobeying some of the Royal fashion rules. However, in the end, she did remain a proper lady and a great mother.

* Lady Diana Spencer, still known as "Princess Diana" by people who like her (which is ''a lot''), was a [[ZigZaggedTrope zig-zagged example.]] She was accepted as a member of the British Royal Family because of her proper behavior and manners, but after her marriage to Prince Charles, she showed some harmless rebellious streaks such as disobeying some of the Royal fashion rules. However, in the end, she did remain a proper lady and a great mother.

%% * Katy in the ''Literature/WhatKatyDid'' novels by Susan Coolidge is a TomBoy who learns to be a Proper Lady. The one who teaches her to be this is her cousin Helen; she mixes this, CoolBigSis... and IllGirl.

** Both subverted and played straight with the women of House Tyrell. Margaery largely presents as the ideal woman valued by her society, but is able to leverage that perception to effect masterful political manipulations. Her grandmother Oleanna also superficially presents as properly feminine, but is extremely politically astute and zero qualms about taking the piss out on anyone, including her own family and social superiors.

* ''Film/{{Hysteria}}'': Thoroughly deconstructed. Emily Dalrymple channels this Victorian ideal of a properly feminine woman. She is a rather capable mistress of her widowed father's household and agrees to marry her father's young assistant so that his successful medical clinic could stay in the family even though she loves him more like a friend or a brother. Later she admits that she behaved like her father had expected her to behave, and she wants to be more true to herself and behave more freely.

* ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'': Women of the Vorin religion are expected to be controlled, quiet, and [[HigherEducationIsForWomen scholarly]]. The vast majority of Vorin scholars are women, with the only men being ardents (who are legally genderless). The traditional Vorin dress is the havah, which is form-fitting like a {{qipao}} but without any skin showing. One of the oddities of Vorinism is that women are supposed to keep their left hands hidden at all times in a sleeve. This "safehand" is not supposed to be used for anything, so the more higher-class women become very good at only using their right hands. Peasant women just wear a glove.

* In ''Webcomic/NoRestForTheWicked'', Perrault disbelieves November because such [[Webcomic/NoRestForTheWicked a refined young lady could hardly come through]] TheLostWoods untouched.

* ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'': Women of the Vorin religion are expected to be controlled, quiet, and [[HigherEducationIsForWomen scholarly]]. The vast majority of Vorin scholars are women, with the only men being ardents (who are legally genderless). The traditional Vorin dress is the havah, which is form-fitting like a ChineseDress but without any skin showing. One of the oddities of Vorinism is that women are supposed to keep their left hands hidden at all times in a sleeve. This "safehand" is not supposed to be used for anything, so the more higher-class women become very good at only using their right hands. Peasant women just wear a glove.

* Deconstructed in ''Film/{{Hysteria}}''. Emily Dalrymple channels this Victorian ideal of a properly feminine woman. She is a rather capable mistress of her widowed father's household and agrees to marry her father's young assistant so that his successful medical clinic could stay in the family even though she loves him more like a friend or a brother. Later she admits that she behaved like her father had expected her to behave, and she wants to be more true to herself and behave more freely.

** Esther Summerson from ''Literature/BleakHouse'' is a Victorian English specimen. She's kind, modest, sensible, and domestically competent, but too down-to-earth to be a PuritySue. Esther is also a deconstruction of the trope, as her extreme humility seems to be in part the result of an upbringing that would be considered emotionally abusive by most modern standards. She could also [[AlternativeCharacterInterpretation be interpreted as]] just [[ExploitedTrope pretending to be one as a cover]] for her own management skills: she takes control over situations or exerts authority over people while presenting herself as modest, unassuming, etc.

** Agnes Wickfield from ''Literature/DavidCopperfield'' is beautiful, loving, caring and good enough to get PuritySue accusations. She's perfect and gets called an angel many, many times. She keeps her father Mr. Wickfield's house, she's immensely patient with everybody and wise beyond her years. She is self-sacrificing and supports her father who is fixated on her. She's the woman who keeps her husband's house peaceful and calm while he goes out into the world to have adventures. Her support is what enables David to get the happy family life he has always wanted (after she was forced to listen about his other loves and crushes -- without a hint of resentment). The problem with Agnes's character is that she doesn't appear to want or do ''anything'' for herself. Everything she does is for others' happiness.

* Lady Diana Spencer, still known as "Princess Diana" by people who like her (which is [[HundredPercentAdorationRating a lot]]), was a [[ZigZaggedTrope zig-zagged example.]] She was accepted as a member of the British Royal Family because of her proper behavior and manners, but after her marriage to Prince Charles, she showed some harmless rebellious streaks such as disobeying some of the Royal fashion rules. However, in the end, she did remain a proper lady and a great mother.

** Both subverted and played straight with the women of House Tyrell. Margaery largely presents as the ideal woman valued by her society, but is able to leverage that perception to effect masterful political manipulations. Her grandmother Oleanna also superficially presents as properly feminine but is also politically astute and zero qualms about taking the piss out on anyone, including her own family and social superiors.

* ''Series/UpstairsDownstairs'':
** Lady Marjorie is adored by her husband and servants, and a Proper Lady through and through. Her saintliness is tarnished only by a short affair she was quick to regret. Also gets a tragic death. Of course, after she dies, everything starts to slowly fall to pieces.
** Hazel Bellamy is a steel core lady, very refined and composed, although not of genteel pedigree. A rare example of a Proper Lady who has ever actually done working class work.

* On ''Radio/OurMissBrooks'', Mrs. Conklin fulfills this role. She's the kindly, intelligent and dignified wife of Miss Brooks' Mr. Conklin.
* In the ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'' episode [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E20WhatIsAndWhatShouldNeverBe "What Is And What Should Never Be"]], Mary from 'wishverse' is portrayed as incredibly gentle and devoted, appearing as a Madonna-like character.
* ''Series/GameOfThrones'':
** Catelyn Stark is one as her book counterpart. She is an impeccable host, she's graceful, intelligent and wise, despite the fact that she can make wrong choices and say the wrong thing as much as the next person.
** Sansa Stark initially aspires to be polite and courteous, partaking in activities like embroidery and happily going along with her ArrangedMarriage, especially compared to her tomboy sister Arya. However, she lacks the poise and wisdom usually associated with this trope. She moves closer to this trope again in later seasons, but with an underlying steeliness and ruthless edge.
* ''{{Series/Dates}}'': Erica is a very elegant, reserved and genteel woman, aside from when she's drunk, which loosens her up a bit. It's indicated that she struggles with this, since her family won't accept her being lesbian, while expecting her to sacrifice true love for them by getting with a man. She finally stops being this and does what she wants, pursuing a romance with another woman.
* Amanda Grayson from ''Franchise/StarTrek'' (aka Spock's mother) pretty much always wears nice dresses and carries herself in a refined and dignified manner, which is constant for [[Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries all]] [[Film/StarTrek2009 her]] [[Series/StarTrekDiscovery portrayals]]. Fitting, given that she's the wife of Ambassador Sarek and would thus be expected to fill this role.

What is a Proper Lady? Also known as a "real lady", a "true lady", simply a "lady" or an "angel in the house", she's the perfect lady in the Victorian British mindset. The Proper Lady archetype was widely used in Victorian and earlier literature. Creator/JaneAusten was one of the first authors that introduced such qualities to heroines that did not fit into the strictest view of what is acceptable for a Proper Lady, beginning the slow death of this trope. The last time it was seen alive in the West in a 100% unironic form was around the 1950s into the 1960s. Modern ones are likely to be accused of being {{Purity Sue}}s or have some quirk or flaw that sets them apart from their predecessors.