Slow Southern News

It seems there are a few fun and fashionable events happening this weekend. Be sure to check them out!

• Shop 2728 is having a fashion show October 24th at Republic. Model casting calls are being held tomorrow, October 1st at Le Phare.
• The Gem & Jewelry Show is this weekend, October 2nd-4th at the Alario Center in Westwego. Free admission and parking for all guests.
• The Green Project is offering  a "reverse" tie dye class on October 3rd. Bring your old, dark colored clothing and get ready for a funky new wardrobe!

Decidely Downtown

I love Uptown New Orleans. I've lived in several neighborhoods and each have had a certain charm about them. However I've always held the French Quarter as the place to throw down be it enjoying a meal or imbibing in one too many cocktails. When I think downtown instead of the typical tourist trap bars like Pat O' Brian's I think of the gritty, seedy feel of Lower Decatur St. I spent many of late nights and early mornings in some of the best dive bars the city has to offer. There are a guaranteed cast of characters and I'd urge everyone to get off Bourbon St. and hang out where the locals go.

This post is dedicated to the unique style that only the French Quarter can call its own.

Rock&Republic has a reputation for rocker chic vibe and they never disappoint.



My favorite brand of jeans of all time is Citizens of Humanity. If you want  to look hot you have to feel hot and Citizens have a great cut that flatters every time. The black skinny Invaders with zipper detailing are about as bad ass as it gets.



I love the toughness of this McQ by Alexander McQueen topper.



This little Betsey Johnson clutch injects punchy color and a dash of girlie into any outfit.



Going out downtown requires appropriate footwear as the streets of the Vieux Carre can be hazardous (pot holes! cracked sidewalks! what sidewalk?), especially when one has indulged in a few too many. These Loeffler Randall heels are substantial enough to keep you upright.






Make sure you are staying out waaay past your bedtime with this pink and gold watch from La Mer.



All merchandise available from www.revolveclothing.com

Slow Southern News

• Meet designer Tory Burch this Thursday at the New Orleans Saks Fifth Avenue and see her fall 2009 collection.
• Tomato is offering 50-75% off their sale items!
  
• The ladies at Who What Wear  present some new pieces from Ralph Lauren Blue Label. Those little horse emblazoned polos are insanely popular in the south. Why not try something familiar yet updated?

Everyone needs some vaudeville in their lives

OlgaItaly creates fantastical, glamorous hats and hair accessories in an old fashioned New Orleans frame of mind. Inspired by vintage images Olga uses feathers, flowers, and netting to create a Moulin Rouge charm with her creations.



Your pieces have a real vaudevillian vibe. Where do you draw inspiration from when designing each piece?
I have always loved costumes from the 19th and early 20th century. The Burlesque period is so fascinating to me and really playful and that's what I try to recreate. I also grew up going to Las Vegas shows and watching the Folies Bergere girls on stage, which also bring that playful burlesque vibe.


White Magnolia Flower Wedding Fascinator Hairclip


 I love your corsets and find the prices extremely reasonable. Describe how you go about creating them for us. 
I fell in love with the costumes in the Moulin Rouge movie and wanted to make one for myself last year for Halloween, but everything I found online was so expensive so I decided to do research and make one myself. I purchased a couple of corsets in different colors and then I went walking around the French Quarter to see what would inspire me. We luckily live in a city that is perfect for recreating these costumes. I purchased boas and bought hand-beaded fringe and hand-beaded appliques. I usually have an idea of what color I want the costume to be and then take it from there. First I sew on the appliques and then the fringe on the bottom and lastly the feathers (because they make a mess). I really enjoy making the mini top hats, they're small enough where you can really get creative with the colors and style and materials you choose to use. 

 Do you have a particular customer or a wide range of people interested in your items?
I have had a few people order the mini top hats from me that are going to use them in their weddings. And I was happy to do a few top hats for women that are in Burlesque shows themselves. I'm happy that they're being used to try and recreate that time period. Regarding the corsets, I think women just want to feel beautiful and sexy and the costumes help them do that.



Burlesque steam punk mini feather top hat


With so much competition online how do keep an edge?
I try not to overprice the items. I take into consideration the materials I've used and how long each piece took me to make and I price them accordingly. I look at what is being offered out there and then just try to do something a little different. I think that's the only way to separate yourself from the rest.


 Define southern style.
When I think of Southern style, I envision sassy women who still want to be classy but ooze sex appeal. You don't need to show your entire body to be sexy 
and sensual. I see a very feminine woman who wants to be wrapped up in luxurious fabrics and wants to feel like a true woman.


Make sure you check out Olga's Etsy store some glamorous  finishing touches on your Halloween costume.

Stormin' of the Sazerac

The newly reopened Roosevelt Hotel is having a "Stormin' of the Sazerac" tomorrow at 2:00pm. Prior to the original event women were only allowed to drink in the bar on Mardi Gras. Revelers are encouraged to wear 1940s attire or a glamorous vintage getup. If I wasn't doing the unglamorous task of having my tail lights fixed I'd be dressed to the nines and fashionably late.

Slow Southern News

• New Orleans is finally getting a chance to view The September Issue on September 25th. I'm planning on catching a showing and dressing appropriately for it.
• Stop by the New Orleans Buffalo Exchange and enjoy 75% off sale items now through the end of the month.
  
• LF is having a big 60% off sale but you have to shop at the store. Log off and get some deeply discounted gems before they disappear.
  
• Local gallery owner and Oprah employ local New Orleanians to make fair trade bracelets
  
• Are nutria fur coats in our future?
  

When the #?%! is it getting cool?

So y'all know that fall doesn't really exist in Southeastern Louisiana. These past few weeks have been a tease with nights dipping into the upper 70s only followed by a week of 85 degrees and high humidity.  Everyone eagerly anticipates the crispness of cool weather in September but it always remains hot around these parts until Halloween or later.  That said I'm still pining for some new fall clothes as I'm tired of wearing summer dresses and I long for an entirely new winter wardrobe.

 The Black to Basics Skirt is a great base for a myriad of NOLA winter options. At $34 you can certainly purchase a handful of accessories to wear with it. Available at Francesca's.

I'm kind of loving these Sanita hot pink clogs available at Feet First. They would be cute with jeans or cords when comfort is a necessity.







I'm in love with this feather and rhinestone headband available from LF. This is a great piece to wear with just jeans and a tee or the topper on a fanciful look.





If Owls are your thing Fossil has a sweet little coin purse available at Dillard's. I like the teal and dusty rose combination with the silver studs they used for the eyes.

Costume Season

My year revolves around two holidays- Halloween and Mardi Gras. Any reason to don a costume in NOLA is a good one as evidenced by the myriad of events we have such as the red dress run, running of the bulls, Krewe of Cork, and the list goes on. Sadly during my 3.5 year stint in Arizona I was left out of the Mardi Gras loop but I still made my mark for Halloween. Prior to Katrina I had only missed one Mardi Gras. That said a New Orleanian will always do it right, no matter where y'at.

I present to y'all the costumes that I have photographically documented.

My first Halloween away from home was October 2005. I had previously worn this Mardi Gras of 2004 if I remember correctly. This was a quasi goth southern belle.

Wig: Buffalo Exchange Blouse: Urban Outfitters Gloves: remnants from high school prom

Corset: custom made Skirt: Bloomin'Deals vintage dress that I chopped the top off

Thomas, my husband,  as a rhinestone cowboy. Note the red glitter belt and silver spray painted shoes and hat. I should note that he actually has a really short haircut. In every picture he is wearing a wig.

Shirt, belt, and pants: Buffalo Exchange

Admittedly this wasn't for Halloween or Mardi Gras. When I lived in Arizona we had a hair metal dress up day at work. It was always my personal challenge to usurp everyone else.

This is part of a his & her matching square dancing ensemble. The tights came w/ strawberry bows which I lopped off and made into barrettes.

Dress & matching apron, striped tights: Buffalo Exchange Wig: Easley's

A saloon girl costume that I've worn many times. I purchased the dress at a Las Vegas thrift store and added gold trim to the bodice. I also pinned up the skirt so a petticoat would stick out the bottom.

Mardi Gras '05

I was a dark fairy or something like that. I hand beaded an inexpensive corset and made the skirt out of a vintage evening gown. Thomas wore a Legolas costume.

Wig: Fifi Mahony's

And we come to the grand daddy of Mardi Gras 2009. All I can say is that our first Mardi Gras back home was nothing short of magical. I actually bought the dress, which included the cape and gloves, in Arizona! The hat and wig were purchased here in New Orleans. The dress was waaaay too long and I didn't have time to hem it. To compensate I made a "hoop skirt" out of a garter belt, fun noodle pool toy, rope and duct tape. We must have had our picture taken a 100 times that day. I even had one woman get mad at me because she thought that I was a part of the Rex parade and I failed to throw her anything!

My wig: Fifi Mahony's Entire costume: Buffalo Exchange 

His costume: Funky Monkey

So, what are you going to be for Halloween?

bike in style

It is often easier to get around New Orleans on a bike vs. hopping in your car. Finding a parking spot is problematic in the French Quarter and it is so much quicker to chain your two wheels to a light post than parallel park and hoof it to your destination. I found myself in a bit of a dilemma one Saturday night. I wanted to bike to the Quarter but needed a dressy enough outfit to nosh at a mid priced eatery.  The problem lay in my clothing options. All I had were impractical handbags or my functional, yet not very fashionable, Timbuk2 messenger bag. My husband and I opted to take a slightly sleeker Tumi backpack to carry our necessities since we wanted to imbibe at Muriel's later in the evening and didn't want to look like tourists. I opted to wear a just below the knee, voluminous cotton skirt so I could maintain modesty en route and not feel under dressed upon arrival to our destination. I know lots of gals that use bikes as their main transportation and functionality is a must.


A lot of hiking brands have been offering more casual pieces that are designed for an active lifestyle. The cut is crucial for comfort, the length important unless you don't mind flashing unsuspecting pedestrians. For everyone's sake keep the cut loose and the length around the knee.


Isis Lily skirt from REI

If  want something dressier  branch out with different fabrics.

DKNY printed full skirt from Dillard's




 I'm a big fan of how functional and sturdy Lucky Handbags are. The Abbey Road from Zappos marries form and function with a cross body strap and top handles, perfect for when you need something dressier than a messenger bag . 





This B. Makowsky, available from Nordstrom's is also a great option when you need your hands free. 





Unless you want to tote a second pair of shoes I'd suggest wearing something cute yet sporty. 


Lacoste Sollie Flats at Zappos


 Diesel Water Lily also at Zappos

Steve Madden fashion show this weekend

Fashion Week

Alabama Chanin's Spring 2010 collection  is currently up for perusal on style.com. 

I love the easy feeling of this collection. These are (soon to be) old favorites that can be layered into an existing wardrobe and worn season after season.

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All images via style.com

Slow Southern News

I had a vision of doing some sort of weekly news links but just as the title suggests the South is sloooow in the fashion news front. I'll share my three measly links anyway.

• Karen Elson opened a vintage store in Nashville, TN. This might be a good reason to travel to Tennessee! I haven't been since I was a kid. 

• New Orleans Fashion Week is having a casting call for models on September 19th at the W Hotel. The website says 5 to 8 but doesn't indicate if that is a.m. or p.m
• The SPCA is looking for models to work a fashion show benefit in February. 

I'm getting set to do some more local designer interviews and shop profiles so brace yourselves!

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Feel free to add Slow Southern Style to your Facebook. I created a Facebook fan page so y'all show me some love and help spread the word.

Fashion at any cost

With all this talk of high end goodies a representation of a lower priced option is needed.  I've always had a penchant for well designed, well made clothing while retaining a budget frame of mind. I like to think of myself as less frugal, more smart shopper. The trick to outfitting yourself in high quality goods without spending high quality prices is scouring second hand shops, something I'm literally a professional at. The beauty of these shops is that many take clothing on consignment or better yet, buy pieces outright so you can swap out your gently worn garments for new (to you) items. I've listed my top three second hand stores in New Orleans. Feel free to add to this list in the comments section.

Seahorse earrings


In my slightly biased opinion Buffalo Exchange is the best in terms of selection, price, and style. The company was founded in 1974 and is still run by the original owners. This much loved chain has a location in the Garden District with men's and women's selections. There is a large range of price points and brands, from Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, Nine West, Coach, Gucci, and Tory Burch to name a few.


Swap Boutique is the newest consignment shop in New Orleans, located Uptown. This certainly has an upscale boutique feel immediately when you walk in.  While they specialize in high end labels there are many mid to lower priced pieces to be found as well. They stock a good selection of sunglasses, bags, jewelry, as well as clothing. On my last trip I found Chanel sunnies, J. Crew blouses, and formal wear.

Native American Turquoise ring

If your style is more vintage than Funky Monkey is the store for you. This is Magazine St. mainstay is a given for costumes as they stock them year round, in addition to a great selection of vintage/retro jewelry, t-shirts, and more. I often find finishing touches for costumes here.


More terrific pieces I've procured thanks to secondhand shopping. All items were purchased at Buffalo Exchange. I apologize for the shoddy pictures and promise better photos in the future.

Lucky Brand handbag

J. Crew Collection flats

A Big Easy Mainstay now in PDF format

Rubenstein's is like the Nordstrom's of the South, only better. Having opened in 1924 this upscale men's clothing store knows a thing or two about how to dress a man. They are also known for their impeccable service.

In order to help you better integrate your new seasonal purchases with your existing wardrobe, we offer our clients a complimentary closet consultation. One of our sales associates will visit your home and provide suggestions on creatively mixing and matching your wardrobe.

In addition to the personal closet cleaner they also offer complimentary delivery, home/office appointments, shoe repair, tailoring, gift wrap, and a concierge service.



They are also involved with The Forum, an online magazine that provides style advice and offers tips on how to tell a quality shoe, designer profiles, and fashion editorials. While the content is similar to GQ or Details magazines it features the individual shops that are involved with the publication. I highly encourage y'all to check it out. Even if you can't afford to dress in Brioni, Zegna, and Hugo Boss doesn't mean you can't steal some stylings from the best.

 

Let the uniforms match the food

Domencia, John Besh's latest high end eatery, is featuring waiters sporting paisley shirts with contrasting cuffs. This is sort of revolutionary in a town where most servers' uniforms are indistinguishable from the next.
Read the Times Picayune article for more details, including the restaurant itself.



I slung hash for a number of years, getting sucked in by the good money and good hours while I was in college. During that period I had the displeasure of wearing ill fitting men's button downs at every restaurant I worked at. I never understood how a restaurant could be so particular about the food, wine, glassware, and silverware yet be so passive about what the waiters are wearing. If you are dining at an elegant restaurant, dressed to the nines wouldn't you prefer your server in something that at least fits, and is elegant or perhaps fun? Kudos to Domencia for injecting a little style into their uniforms.

Beloved Light Vintage

I'd like to introduce y'all to Aimee Boudreaux MacIver, a native New Orleanian, high school teacher, and owner of Beloved Light Vintage.  Her store combines both her love of vintage and her hometown pride. Each piece is lovingly handpicked as an extension of her personal wardrobe and appropriately named after southern icons. Please read on to find out what makes her Etsy shop so special.


1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.


I consider myself something of an old soul. I'm drawn to anything with a story--objects, books, cities, and especially people, which is one reason I love teaching high school so much. I'm sort of a contradiction in that I have both a deep sense of home and a passionate lust for travel. I also love learning, reading, writing, creating, and thinking. And nothing beats watching the New Orleans Saints win a game.


2. How did you get in the business of selling vintage clothing?

I think I'm like a lot of vintage sellers who really are just vintage collectors who ran out of space for their treasures! Essentially, the more I collected, the more intrigued I became with all the possibility of vintage shopping. Sharing that thrill of discovery was the natural next step. And now I truly enjoy rescuing great vintage finds from obscurity so that someone else can fall in love with them.

Also, in my own collecting, I found that a lot of vintage shops can be overpriced, which just ruins the fun of the whole experience. The last thing I'd want is for vintage collecting to get overly commercialized and then end up homogenized like everything else. Instead, I wanted to create a venue that would allow other people to enjoy the same things I do about vintage shopping, but with more streamlined and efficient access--an online Etsy shop makes an ideal forum for that.

"Clear Creek" horse flounce skirt- $16

3. Is there a set style or item that you hunt for, or do you know it when you see it?

Selling vintage, for me, is kind of like match-making. I never try to sell anything I wouldn't buy for my own closet or home. (In fact, I often decide to keep items from my own inventory or give them as unique gifts!) I just stay alert for some special detail--a fabric, a print, a color, a shape, some purely fun,kitschy element--that simply deserves to be appreciated.

I do keep a general awareness of current trends, but most of the time I'm drawn to things with a sort of classic eclecticism--retro-mod, maybe a little quirky, always stylish and well-designed.

Yet what most attracts me to vintage is that each piece has been loved by somebody, somewhere, and giving that piece a new home is a way of perpetuating the love story. It's also a way to indulge a bit of fantasy, because vintage items give you freedom to imagine--for instance, maybe this dress was worn on the first date of a 50-years-long marriage, or maybe this handbag was used to carry the keys to a first home. With vintage, there's a tactile connection to real, unique people whose individual dreams and lives have already been fulfilled, and that's so much more appealing than just grabbing something mass-produced at the mall.

"Maison Dupuy" 1970s secretary dress- $24


4. What are some of the more popular items that you sell in your shop?

Our most popular items are the things you won't find anywhere else--a piece that is unique, yet somehow has a comfortable familiarity that you recognize when you see it. Handbags, jewelry and scarves are a perfect starting entry into vintage shopping. Vintage accessories are so beautifully well-made while also being totally original and affordable. And--as I long ago realized--accessories always fit, so they're very easy to buy online. We also sell a lot of vintage dresses, which are also easy to fit online. I've found that truly retro housewares are also very popular. Why buy expensive mass-produced reproductions when you can get the real thing with free shipping?

 "Mystic Tea house"
 Pyrex teacup trio- $9




5. I noticed each of your pieces have distinctive New Orleans names, such as Nottoway [Plantation] and Duplex. How do you come up with the names of the items?

I love New Orleans in that borderline-obsessive way that only other people raised here can understand. I've never known another city that has a soul of such wonderful contradiction like New Orleans does--lazy yet always simmering with life; deeply mysterious yet warm and hospitable; with a flair for theatrical drama yet always resilient and steadfast. You don't live in New Orleans; New Orleans lives in you. In that sense, New Orleans captures the mystique of history and romance that I love about vintage things. Naming my items after local streets, sights,and sounds is an attempt to honor that soul.



6. Where do you see your business going in the future?

Beloved Light Vintage will always be about sharing the experience more than anything else. Customer hospitality is paramount, and I believe shoppers appreciate that commitment. From pretty wrapping to fast shipping, we want our customers to feel like they're receiving a gift package, not just a generic order. As long as we strive to maintain our basic philosophy--that vintage shopping should be fun and satisfying, not overpriced or overly serious--I'm sure we'll continue to grow.

"St. Tammany" mod daisy scarf- $12



7.What is your definition of Southern style?

I think the magnolia is a perfect icon of Southern style. Soft, lush, and traditional fused with bold, confident, and a bit gothic--a certain elegance paired with a vivacious joie de vivre. I just love how Southern style spikes that sense of old-school graciousness and propriety with a defiant edge. A Southern woman will wear a black-and-gold beaded cocktail dress...to a football game. A Southern woman will wear lipstick, but never be too prissy to crack a beer and peel a crawfish. Southern women know their femininity and beauty are assets, not a liability like women in so many other places believe. I think of my grandmothers and great-aunts, who would fully embraced beauty and style, but wouldn't dream of sacrificing their beignets just to fit into a tight dress. What fun is being stylish if you can't have a life?



I'd like to give Aimee a big "Thank you" for being my first interview subject and wish her the best of luck running her business. She is currently offering 20% off all boots and shoes throughout the month of September and as always, free shipping. Also make sure to check out her "thrift scores" and "summer farewell" sections for end of summer markdowns.

All images courtesy of Beloved Light Vintage

      

Southern Decadence

Alabama Chanin is the epitome of southern style. Founded by Natalie "Alabama" Chanin, the creator of Project Alabama.

"Project" had a following several years ago and received mention in fashion magazines such as Vogue. The Alabama Chanin line focuses on handcrafted, artisanal style, employing craftspeople in the community. However this 'aint your maw maw's doilies and bonnet clad geese sweaters. These highly skilled craftspeople produce beautifully stitched clothing and accessories.

"We craft limited-edition products for the individual and the home. Our products are made-by-hand using a combination of new, organic and recycled materials. Each piece is constructed with care by talented artisans who live and work in communities in and around Florence, Alabama."

A fine example of their work are the not so basic fitted t-shirts.

The tees are crafted out of organic cotton and have beautiful appliques that showcase sublime stitching. These pieces of art aren't cheap; the more basic variety starts at $240 and creeps up to $450 for the more intricate ones. However for those of us who can't afford to drop so many benjamins on one garment there are options. Alabama Chanin also sells DIY kits to try your hand at recreating their masterpieces. For $45 you can purchase all of the materials to make your own Chanin shirt. There are a myriad of other DIY kits for sale, such as skirts, tea towels, tablecloths, and even journal covers. I urge you to view the rest of the site, including Natalie's journal. This is southern craftsmanship at its finest; intricate and decadent yet laid back and completely wearable.

All images via http://www.alabamachanin.com/

       

People of the South

I just discovered People of Walmart, an excruciatingly funny look at  Walmart shoppers around the country. Unfortunately for those of us that reside below the Mason-Dixon line, things aren't looking too good. Many of the pictures were taken in Southern states,

Proceed when you are ready.

Florida- How hard is it to buy clothes that fit?










Kentucky- ditto

These next two were taken in our very own state of Louisiana.

We have to make the madness stop! Ladies and gents show the rest of the country that not all of us dress like this. Send your outfit snapshots to nolagurl@gmail.com so we can fight the good fight.

All images via http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/