Live Like a Leading Lady with Inspiration from these Five Classic Heroines

If you’ve ever closed a book or watched the credits roll after The End and yearned for the life of a classic heroine, you’re not alone. And, though we would prefer to skip out on the trials and tribulations of our favorite leading ladies (Cinderella stories sound fun in theory, but does anyone really want a wicked stepmother?) we can’t go amiss taking a few tips from what they’ve learned. 

Who better as our first leading lady than a true girlhood icon?

Jo March: The Writer

Ah, Jo—the heroine for every tomboy, would-be writer, and, honestly, all of us. While we love the other March sisters, it’s often Jo (based on Louisa May Alcott herself) who wins the dearest place in our heart.

Jo reminds us that, though we may have to learn to temper our words at times, having an opinion isn’t a detriment to our femininity. However, she’s also humble enough to listen when her mother, Marmee, offers loving advice. 

No matter how old we are, we all need to trust the people in our lives who have our best interests at heart and are willing to say a word in season. (Even when we’d rather give in to our stubborn side.) 

Jo’s story also serves as a reminder that having lofty ambitions and goals doesn’t require the exclusion of family or romance. From her dedication to Beth during her final days to her gentle romance with Professor Bhaer, Jo always prioritizes the people in her life as much as her writing.

Perhaps that’s why we love Jo so much—no matter how big her dreams, she never loses sight of those who matter most.

If you want to live a little more like Jo:

• Surround yourself with people (like Marmee and Professor Bhaer) who have your best interests at heart.

• Be persistent—Jo’s career as an author was a long and bumpy journey, but it ended in success.

• Don’t forget about who matters most. Whether your dreams succeed or fail, those you love will always be there.

• For a dash of fashion inspiration, why not channel the classic writer look with a well-cut blazer? Or take a cue from big screen adaptions and incorporate a muted plaid into your outfit.

Mary Poppins: The Magician

“A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down…”

Before she appeared on the big screen, Mary Poppins captivated children through the pages of four whimsically wonderful novels. (If you’ve never read them, you most certainly should.)

Brisk, practical, and magical, Mary is “practically perfect” in every way. While that description may feel unattainable, a bit of efficiency and practicality isn’t. 

Ready to bring out your inner Mary Poppins?

• Make everyday chores fun. Listen to an audiobook or your favorite music artist while vacuuming or dance as you dust.

• Use rewards to be more efficient. If you have an overwhelming list or a particularly difficult job, plan on a small treat afterward. It can be a snack, watching your favorite show in the evening, or even just sitting outside with a good book.

• Do your least favorite task first—get it out of the way so you can move on with the fun part of your day.

• For a Mary Poppins-approved look, create your own twenty-first century version of Disney’s iconic “Jolly Holiday” outfit with a white summer dress and matching hat.

Jane Eyre: The Trailblazer

A classic meme suggests that, when a teen girl decides to be either an Austen girl or Brontë girl, that sole decision determines the course of her life. It’s slightly dramatic (who says you can’t appreciate both?) but within the statement rests an element of truth. 

After all, Jane is known for her swoony, upright heroes and proper, witty romance whereas Brontë books feature swoony…not-so upright heroes and all the Gothic vibes.

Though Jane Eyre’s Mr. Rochester may land on the list of controversial romantic heroes, we can’t help loving Jane. Despite facing seemingly insurmountable trials, she always emerges with her faith and strong spirit intact. She also exemplifies a wealth of relationship wisdom that still applies to the twenty-first century. 

When Jane discovers Rochester’s secret, she refuses to compromise her integrity, despite her deep love for him. Instead, she leaves without expectation of return—she knows no one can make someone change for them.

However Mr. Rochester does change—in part because Jane refuses to lower her own moral standards, awakening his own conscience. It is only then, when he has become a better man, that Jane returns.

On a lighter note, Jane can also inspire our creativity through her artistic side. We can’t all wield a pencil or paintbrush with precision, but we all have a special creative pursuit. 

If you’re searching for a new artistic outlet, try crocheting or experiment with baking. Take a pottery class and learn how it feels to mold clay with your hands. Visit a nearby art gallery, even if you don’t know much about art—the experience itself can teach you more than you could learn from a class. Sometimes, colleges or performing arts schools offer free concerts or theatrical productions. Even decorating your house and entertaining guests can be an art.

Or imitate Jane more precisely and pick up a pencil. Who knows what unexpected talents you might discover?

To live an Eyre-inspired life…

• Don’t expect to be able to change someone. Love them for who they are, flaws and all.

• Have real standards—ones for which you’re willing to make sacrifices.

• Explore unexpected forms of creativity in your life.

• Try a new hairdo! While Jane’s style tends to be simple and muted in movie adaptions, we love her braided crown hairstyle in the 2011 version.

Eliza Doolittle: The Fair Lady

“The difference between a lady and a flower girl is not how she behaves, but how she is treated.” 

While originating onstage rather than the printed page, Eliza Doolittle is a worthy addition to our list of leading ladies, especially considering Audrey Hepburn’s performance in My Fair Lady (1961).

Like a true leading lady, Eliza possesses a sense of worth and dignity long before she gets her dramatic makeover— she was a fair lady long before the professor’s diction lessons made her sound like one. Because of this, our spirited flower girl holds her own against the blustery Professor Higgins, eventually earning the respect of those around her.

And this sense of belonging is available to all of us. 

We’re valuable not because we speak elegantly or have lovely clothes (although we definitely appreciate those attributes!) but because we are created by the God who loved us enough to die to save us. 

That’s what makes us all fair ladies…however much we feel like a flower girl.

But speaking of clothes…we could watch this film all day for fashion inspiration. Though we may not want to copy Cecil Beaton’s Edwardian designs stitch for stitch, we should all keep an eye on the lovely color combinations, elegant lines, and careful details. These transfer seamlessly into the modern day and are perfect concepts to apply to your own wardrobe—especially if you have a special evening event coming up. 

While you can’t go wrong with a dependable little black dress in any situation, we’re still dreaming of Eliza’s pink rose outfit from the final scene.

To give your life the full Eliza Doolittle treatment…

• Walk as though you know your worth—remember your intrinsic value, no matter what

• If you’re looking for one more Hepburn-inspired fashion tip, try a classic straw hat, perfect for sunny summer afternoons.

• Treat others with the respect you want. You don’t know how many fair ladies might be hidden under a flower girl appearance.

Cinderella: The Princess

Her origins might be a bit shadowy (China? France? Brothers Grimm?) but Cinderella is one of our favorite fairy tales, beloved the world over. A quick glance at popular romances, both on the page and on the screen, shows that we can’t get enough of this classic story.

Why do we love Cinderella so much? Perhaps because, like Jane Eyre, this leading lady refuses to let the cruelty of others kill the kindness in her. And, similar to Jo March, she persists through grief and hard times to find her happy ending. 

And, like Eliza Doolittle, she’s a reminder that there is a princess in every one of us—even if we’re dressed in rags or don’t feel very royal at the moment.

To keep your head held high like a princess, take these tips to heart:

• The world may seem cruel, but you don’t have to be.

• Don’t give up because life is hard—you never know when things will change for the better.

• Always remember you’re a real princess—not the spoiled kind, but a woman of worth and dignity.

• Get Cinderella’s princess glow by remembering that style is more than what you wear. Cultivate a gracious confidence to complement your outfit.

Final Thoughts

Over and over again, these five beloved characters remind us to keep our heads up and our hearts both brave and kind. (Not to mention, they’ve given us more than a few iconic looks over the years!)

Whether you need the persistence of Jo, the hope of Cinderella, or the practicality of Mary Poppins, you can always find a little spot of inspiration in your favorite heroine.

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A post shared by Emma Donovan (@emmadonovan_author)

Special thanks to Emma Donovan for this guest article! Make sure to give her a follow @emmadonovan_author for more classic literary inspiration + comment below which leading ladies we should profile next!