* Literal: The softness of the cashmere sweater felt luxurious against her skin.
* Figurative: Her voice held a softness that made him feel safe and protected.
* Contrasting: Despite the harshness of the desert landscape, there was a surprising softness in the way the light filtered through the dunes.
* Emphasizing a quality: The softness of the clay allowed her to easily shape it into intricate figures.
* In a description: The old photograph captured the softness of his grandfather's eyes, filled with wisdom and love.
The best way to use "softness" depends on the context and the specific meaning you want to convey.