Ready For Some (College) Football?

Back in high school I was in marching band which meant I went to every single football game of the season. I always chatted with my friends and flirted with the boys vs. actually watching the game so I never really learned what the heck was going on. However there are plenty of girls out there that paid more attention to the pigskin getting tossed around than I did and they all wanted to show school spirit by dressing the part. The only issue is most football related apparel isn't cut for women; the jerseys are boxy, the styles aren't cute or the only option is a men's tee.

Heather Chesser struck out in June of 2011 to combat this problem with her online boutique Dress For The Game. Frustrated with trying to find a dress that complied with her boyfriend's collegiate colors Chesser decided to make it easier for girls in a similar position by seeking out trendy pieces that look just as good at Sunday brunch as they do under the Friday night lights.

Dress For the Game currently stocks options for twelve schools including dresses and accessories. Friend them on Facebook, Twitter and check out their blog for updates on new inventory. So what school will you be rooting for this year?

Guest Post- Affordable Hats

“Slow Southern Style is going to be featuring a few guest bloggers each Monday to liven the place up and get some fresh voices on a variety of subjects. This week Aura Fedora is filling in to talk about her favorite subject, hats . Interested in guest blogging? Contact me at nolagurl at gmail dot com.

New Orleanians are known for their less-than-conventional fashion sense. Though we aren't always embraced by the mainstream, we have always donned hats of various styles. Whether vintage,  trendy, or functional hats are everywhere here. Hats are my signature, and a good hat can get a little expensive, so I'm always on the lookout for something cute on a budget. On a sunny August Saturday, I ventured around Magazine Street to see what I could find.

My first stop was Francesca's. For a chain store, Francesca's has a boutique feel and is reasonably priced. The shop just got in a shipment of cute new hats for fall and there are still some summery hats in stock, with lots of options under $30. A gauzy off-white woven fedora with a textured, feminine bow detail caught my eye.  I imagined it with one of their frilly dresses, or as a cute, unexpected contrast to a crisp denim jacket.

My next stop was The Revival Outpost. I've been looking for an excuse to check this shop out, as they have a mix of old and new clothing and accessories. A bin full of woven hats caught my eye. I was floored by a straw sunhat that reminded me of the early 90's. I could picture it with a tiny floral print dress and some boots. TRO had several vintage dresses there that fit the bill perfectly. The hat had a lot of character for $10. I talked to Alexis at the register,
who told me that shoppers often come looking for affordable sun hats when shopping out in the heat.

 Feet First Stores are known for their selection of shoes, but I'm always impressed by the complimentary accessories they offer, too. There is plethera of fedoras in a mid-weight and a variety of colors that could transition easily from season to season. The ladies at Feet First tell me that they sell the most hats at their French Quarter location, where tourists are walking around in the elements a lot, and also want to take home a hat as a reminder of the locals.

Fancy is another shop offering a combination of both new and second-hand clothes and accessories. I always passed it up before, assuming this store was mostly sundresses, but today I noticed a few hats in the window. I was surprised by how many rooms the shop contained and the overall variety offered. I couldn't help but notice a vintage, hand-woven palmetto leaf fedora in excellent condition. It would be fun to wear to a tiki-themed party, worn tilted on the head.

The dual store Fun Rock'n and Pop City has an unusual selection that ranges from kitsch to hipster to classic- and they always have lots of fun hats. A crushable, packable floppy sun hat in chic black and white reminded me of  Katherine, the eccentric character in 'Under the Tuscan Sun' who sensually proclaims, “I love hats. They make me happy.” On the opposite end of the spectrum, a row of miniature fascinator hats are clipped to a wire. The "tiny hat" got mixed reactions when it was featured on the runway in 2010. A passing fad anywhere else, New Orleanians seemed to have embraced the novelty a little more whole-heartedly, albeit with a wink and a nod. “This year, the tiny hats have been selling like crazy, “ says store associate Cassie, who helped me shop that afternoon. “We thought they would just be popular for the holidays, but people are wearing them to parties and Saints games.” Pop City/Fun Rockn also has a large selection of inexpensive fedoras that range from fun to functional, which  Cassie tells me are their most popular item.

Fedoras are my staple. You have to have one.  Follow me at Backstage on the Bayou and on Sound Cloud.

NOLA Fashion Week Preview

NOLA Fashion Week at the Ogden Museum isn't until October but you can catch a preview of what's in store this coming Saturday at Eiffel Society. Doors at 8pm.

Armoire Anniversary Party

When Erin, the owner of Armoire, asked me to model for a private party celebrating her boutique's one year anniversary I couldn't say no. I met Erin at my own place of work and we also have a mutual friend. Not only is she sweet but she stocks great pieces at affordable prices and I love that she carries plus sizes and most of the inventory is available to shop online as well!

My partner in crime Leslie from UNMADE. 

Leslie did my makeup for me too!

I love how the earrings perfectly compliment the dress without being too matchy matchy.

And many thanks to the Paris Parker team for doing the hair and makeup for the show. I was astonished with how quickly they whipped out these pretty unkempt braids. The Prytania Street team makes it seem so easy!

 To see more pictures from the evening check out Armoire's Facebook photo album. Congrats again Erin and here's to many more years!

Guest Post: Simply Chic

Slow Southern Style is going to be featuring a few guest bloggers each Monday to liven the place up and get some fresh voices on a variety of subjects. This week Elle from Elle Sees is filling in . Interested in guest blogging? Contact me at nolagurl at gmail dot com.

Simply Chic by ellesees featuring glass shades

Hi y'all. I'm Elle, from Elle Sees, a lifestyle blog dedicated to style, beauty, and life. I'm so excited to be guest posting today! I'm a Southern blogger in Atlanta, but easily consider NOLA one of my favorite cities in the US (see my trip here). This week on my blog I'm having a mini Back to School Week, and thought I'd give a little sneak peak today. This outfit is perfect for that first day of school (I always got so excited! Did you?), Picture Day, or maybe a day at work. I love this Simply Chic outfit--it's effortless and stylish. Dress up every now and then to class! It's a great way to make an excellent first impression. How would you modify it to your style? (Click the pic for more info.)

* This boyfriend blazer is one of my must-have basics. It can dressed up/down in so many ways. Plus, it keeps you warm in those freezing classrooms!
* To keep it casual, I paired it with a simple white tank, but a white tee or a printed tee would work as well. Dress it to your style.
* These khakis are super cute. You can wear the military cargo, if that's your style, or chinos, cargos, or khaki capris. Add a brown belt!
* This Betsey Johnson necklace has such detail to dress up my plain white tank.
* I like my hair straight, like in the picture. This Garnier Sleek & Shine will keep hair glossy and sleek during those long lectures.
* My eyeshadow palette is soft, girly, and neutral. These classic sunnies hide my eyes when strolling on campus.
* A girly, soft pink gloss and toes round out my perfect back-to-school outfit!

What's YOUR back to school/work outfit?

Guest Post- The Posh Pearl

Slow Southern Style is going to be featuring a few guest bloggers each Monday to liven the place up and get some fresh voices on a variety of subjects. This week Meganne Parker of The Posh Pearl is filling in . Interested in guest blogging? Contact me at nolagurl at gmail dot com.

Hello lovely readers of Slow Southern Style! I hope you are all doing wonderfully this Monday! I am Meganne, from The Posh Pearl. I am so thrilled to be guest posting for Christy today!

This outfit was my first attempt at color blocking. I've been seeing this trend all over sites like Chictopia and such. I've had a hard time trying to accomplish this look because everything I own has some sort of pattern, mostly florals. Today, I looked in my closet and these three pieces jumped out at me. They worked quite nicely together, I do think.

I found this skirt at a Goodwill store. I think it's quite possibly my favorite item in my entire closet. I love the coral of it and the blue color of my sweater together. It reminds me of the ocean, where I would kill to be right now!

Even though I absolutely love this skirt, I think my favorite part of the outfit is the shoes. I've been looking for a pair of platform sandals like these all summer. On a shopping trip to Baton Rouge, I FINALLY found a pair at Urban Outfitters. Sad thing is, these shoes actually broke after only a few hours of wear, but I managed to repair them with a little bit of crazy glue. Thank God!

Well, I hope you've all enjoyed my little outfit post that I put together. I sure did enjoy doing it! I'd like to thank you all for taking your time and reading this post, and I would also like to thank Christy for allowing me to guest post on her wonderful blog! Thank ya'll!

-Meganne

Southern Street Style- Dallas

This week we are taking a break from the streets of New Orleans and offering up a little Texas style thanks to Elissa Stern.


Northpark Center
July 26th

Andrew: A Dallas fashion producer on a shopping break outside Nordstrom.

Pictures by Elissa Stern, if you aren't familiar with her excellent blog Dress With Courage you should check it out. 

Giveaway from Rahya Jewelry Designs

I'm not sure why I love jewelry so much since my mom and grandma don't even wear their wedding rings much less any other objects of adornment. I guess I'm compensating for the three of us since I'm always seeking out new interesting pieces. Rahya is a New Orleans jewelry designer with two lines, one in sterling silver and Olive by Rahya which is all laser cut acrylic. Her pieces are intricate and come in fun colors such as apple red, neon green, and cobalt blue. While the silver pieces are modestly priced (rings from $60-$150) the Olive line is a steal with nothing over $30!

One lucky Slow Southern Style reader will win this pair of small vine earrings in red. In order to win this giveaway all you have to do is check out www.rahya.com then come back here and tell me what your favorite piece of jewelry is.  The contest ends on August 15th so get those entries in and good luck!

Guest Post- Audrey Grace pop up shop

Slow Southern Style is going to be featuring a few guest bloggers each Monday to liven the place up and get some fresh voices on a variety of subjects. This week Rebecca Diaz is filling in and interviewed Jaclyn Bethany, who is planning a pop up shop in Jackson, Mississippi called Audrey Grace Boutique . Interested in guest blogging? Contact me at nolagurl at gmail dot com.

Illustration Jaclyn and her dog

Why'd you choose a pop-up shop in Jackson, Mississippi?

Jackson is my hometown, and I know tons of people there. It is a logical step to try out my business before taking it somewhere that is more expensive and competitive.

What are you most excited about in opening a shop?

I think seeing all of my ideas come together when the shop opens will be amazing. I know I will cry! I am stocking so many amazing designers and artists, so I am also excited about promoting their work and sharing it with an entirely new market.

Promotional artwork by Tabitha Emma

What do you think makes Southern fashion "southern"?

I like to think Southern fashion is classy. Pearls and sun dresses come to mind when thinking about Southern fashion. But I do not dress this way all the time. I suppose I pick up inspiration wherever I travel and incorporate these influences into my style. My fashion sense always stood out in high school. People always would ask (and still ask me) where I buy things, so I thought it would be a great idea to just open up my own shop full of my favorite things.

Favorite Southern stereotype you embrace?  Southern stereotype you love defying?

This is a hard question. I suppose my favorite Southern stereotype is that we are nice, friendly people. I also love Southern accents- although I don't really have one anymore. I think the Southern stereotype I love defying is the fact that people think we are dumb, and want the South to rise again. (really!!??) Also, the rumor that Mississippians don't wear shoes. Where in the world did that come from? I have had some really weird reactions to telling people I am from Mississippi. A French guy didn't know Mississippi was a state, and thought it was just a river. Most people are just confused as to why someone from all the way in Mississippi lives where I do (currently London, but in the past- NYC, Sydney, etc.) This has happened many times. People in the South have ambitions too!

Jaclyn in an Alice + Olivia dress at the Sydney Film Festival

Since you lived in Australia for awhile, and currently live in NY, but are a native Mississippian, can you think of direct influences each has had on your personal fashion aesthetic?

Well you didn't mention London, but I am currently in London now and I would say as a whole this city most influences my personal style. Think of all the stylish women that have been from London- currently Alexa Chung and Kate Middleton reign as style queens, but in the past it was Princess Diana. I also love that each distinct neighborhood in London has individual style- the punks and hipsters in Camden, the Sloanes with their designer bags in Chelsea, the bohemians in Portobello, and the skinny jeans and t-shirts in Shoreditch, etc. 

A similar aesthetic runs throughout New York, too. People are more aware of how they dress there- because you have to go out on the street to go anywhere. New York is the fashion capital of the world, and you totally feel that at least once every day. I don't think I dress like a "typical" New Yorker. I don't even think that all black aesthetic applies to NYC anymore. 

Sydney was not really as stylish as London or New York, it was more relaxed and very much a beach culture. I think Australia has some fantastic design talent though including Lover, Romance Was Born, Ellery and Lady Petrova (which I am carrying in the shop!) But I found Sydneysiders to want to dress very much like Americans!

How'd you decide which brands to carry in Audrey Grace?

I basically researched and came up with a good price range. Then I thought of some of my favorite designers and also asked for suggestions from designers and friends. I am constantly on the lookout for new brands. 

Did you intentionally keep it a mix of independent designers (Kelsey Genna, Alexandra Grecco) and well-established names (Orla Kiely, Rachel Antonoff)?

I don't think any one brand in the store is a huge name. I like that people can come into Audrey Grace and discover new brands they love. And yes the store will be a mixture of designers, vintage, art work, jewelry, accessories and photography. The main focus is clothing, but I have alot of art and jewelry, too. 

In vintage on her birthday in NYC

Describe your most perfect day.

This really depends on where I am. I try to work on my store every day. In London a perfect day would entail going to one of the amazing markets (like the Columbia Road flower market) and spend the morning finding little knick knacks and treasures. Then I would go somewhere like Laduree for macaroons or Hummingbird Bakery for tea and a cupcake. London has the most amazing sweet shops and bakeries. Then maybe I would go to Covent Garden and walk around, because it's so beautiful and there are so many amazing shops. Even though it's so touristy now, it still makes me feel like I am in My Fair Lady.  Then I'd see a show at one of the amazing theatres here- like the National, The Donmar Warehouse or the Royal Court. I actually had a really great weekend in London this past weekend. I attended the Vintage Festival on Southbank- which had a huge vintage market as well as clubs and restaurants dedicated to the different decades. I picked up a few little things for the store!

What is your most exciting Southern discovery of the last year? (Could be anything! Fashion, food, music, art, etc.)

I would say "The Help," which was written by native Jacksonian Kathryn Stockett. The film is just about to come out and I can't wait!

What comes next for you!?

After I finish these two acting courses here in London, it will be my senior year at Fordham where I am a theatre performance major. In the fall I will also be interning at Teen Vogue, turning 23, and hopefully writing my first play. Audrey Grace will then open in November or December, just in time for the Christmas holidays. After I graduate, I hope to go to graduate school either in New York or London and one day open my store full time in Jackson or NYC. 


Keep up with news of the Audrey Grace Boutique via the Facebook page and her blog.

Back to School Looks on WWL TV

Look y'all I can't lie it takes a lot for me to get up at 5:30 A.M. but when my friend Missy Wilkinson from the Gambit asked me to style some back to school looks featuring items from Buffalo Exchange I knew it would be worth jumping out of bed for. Check out the behind the scenes photos below and watch the entire video on WWL by clicking here.

Myself, Elijah, Melvet, and Kenisha

Kenisha, me, Melvet

Cute as a button Kaci, check out her accessory line on Etsy!

Kenisha's pants are a good alternative to wearing sweats to school

Pretending I'm  college age & that I didn't do that pedicure the night before

High school looks, these kids were cooler than me in high school scratch that cooler than I am now

Also big thanks to the models, Missy Wilkinson, and the WWL TV staff. I'd also like to point out that all but two were Buffalo Exchange employees and Melvet and Elijah styled their own outfits.

Back to School With Blink Boutiques

I wasn't your typical college student, at least when it came to getting dressed for school. While a good chunk of the co-ed set likes to wear flip flops and running shorts to class my wardrobe was dominated by dresses, skirts, and dress pants. While I don't suggest schlepping those heavy books around campus while teetering on 6 inch stiletto shoes there is something satisfying about looking smart while getting smart.

It's been a long time since I've been a student but I was still delighted when Blink asked me to style some looks that are not only great for Fall but back to school as well.  If you've never been to Blink it is worth checking out. Prices hover around $25-$80 for most items and there is always a sizable sale rack for those serious bargain hunters.

The above look is easy enough to wear on the first day of class and make that important first impression. The great thing about these pieces are how stand out they are on their own. The necklace could be easily paired with a plain t-shirt to take it from boring to fun and the crochet vest can be paired with a dress to make it more casual. Usually you'll find me in flats but I do like to wear heels every once in a while.

See all of the looks, including what to wear for study time, weekend fun, and a look styled by Blink's in house stylist Andre Harris click below to see the rest.

Stylin' in the Rain

Slow Southern Style is going to be featuring a few guest bloggers each Monday to liven the place up and get some fresh voices on a variety of subjects. This week Lana of Chapter 29 is filling in. Interested in guest blogging? Contact me at nolagurl at gmail dot com.

modcloth~zappo's~modcloth

Being a southern girl comes with many charms. Some good... adorable accents, sweet tea, front porches, seersucker. Some bad... intolerable heat, humidity, and RAIN! Growing up in the south you just learn to expect your daily afternoon shower. Lately the rain has been more persistent than ever, going beyond the usual light shower into full fledged storms, almost every day! What's a fashionable girl to do? I can't bear the thought of an amazing outfit getting wet... or even having to cover it up with some clunky, chunky, plastic jacket. Fortunately the fashion gods have taken heed to address the situation and there are adorable jackets, boots and even fashionable umbrellas to take the rain by storm. 

top: Anthropologie middle: ASOS
bottom left: modcloth right: zappos

I love that rain jackets come in all shapes, styles and colors. I fell in love with these two from Anthropologie partly because of the great colors, but mainly the lining! How fun and quirky.. they're sure to brighten any day up. Any of these choices would be a great start to a rainy day look! 

top shopruche.com~modcloth~zappos

middle: zappos~ASOS~zappos

bottom: ASOS ~zappos 

It's weird to say there might be rain boot trends, but there are! My favorite trend right now are rain booties! I'm not sure how much protection the ankle boots would provide in a heavy storm, but for your typical summer shower, they're perfect! What drew me to some of these other pairs were the details like studs and bows, fabulous lacing, great patterns and colors that pop!

Just because you need your clothing to be functional, doesn't mean that it can't be stylish! I can't wait until these daily deluges subside, but until they do, I'll be rockin' my all weather duds.