Spooktacular Fashion

     In honor of Halloween, I am dedicating this post to all costume fashion - zombies, pumpkins and everything in between.

     Halloween is an adored holiday for the spooky fun, the delicious candy and the amusing costumes. Costumes come in a variety of shapes, sizes and themes. Some choose to honor occupations and tribute celebrities while others dress in disturbing and gruesome witch, zombie or monster costumes. There is an endless possibility of choices, all offering a day of being anyone or anything you want to be.

     This year, a trend of dressing as celebrities swept the nation. Celebrities even enjoyed being another person of fame. Ellen Degeneres wore a provocative blouse to mock Nicki Minaj. Matt Lauer squeezed into the famous red swimsuit that Pamela Anderson made famous on Bay Watch. 

     Today, my Facebook newsfeed flooded with pictures of people, young and old, participating in Halloween fun. A popular choice for youth boys seemed to be characters from the Louisiana based TV show, Duck Dynasty. The boys wore camouflage clothing, a bandanna around their heads and sported the beard that has been made famous by the Robertson family. Naturally, young girls chose to be princesses for the day. Dressed as characters from their favorite princess story, they shined from head to toe in glitter and sparkles.

     Aside from elaborate costumes and planned fashion themes, some people simply worked with items already in their closet. Any southern girl has the perfect outfit to double as a cowgirl. Who doesn't have a sports jersey and face paint to be the Brett Favre for the night?

     Whereever you are and whoever you are for the night, have a faBOOlous night.

Fall Fashion TO THE TOP!

     As I have mentioned in a previous post, college students at The University of Southern Mississippi very much so influence the fashion trends of the Hattiesburg area. They decide what is hot...or not.

     With a new season comes new trends. Here in south Mississippi, especially at Southern Miss, fall fashion is perfected with a touch of southern style. Popular trends this fall are animal prints, leggings, boots and plaid.

     Scarves are possibly the most popular fall fashion trend. More specifically, leopard print scarves are a favorite choice of many Southern Miss students. It is almost the equivalent of the little black dress in the fact that every girl needs one. Scarves can dress up a casual outfit, finish off the perfect dress, or simply keep you warm.

     The million dollar question in the year 2013 is if leggings are pants or undergarments. At Southern Miss, leggings are most definitely the favorite choice or girls across campus and are considered pants. While leggings come in a wide variety, wearing some with a print under a dress is a way to be game day ready.

     A southern girl's boots are always made for walking! In south Mississippi, the perfect pair of cowgirl boots complete every fall outfit. This southern trend definitely explains itself.

     Plaid is now more fashionable than ever. While conventionally being the choice of farmers and residents of rural areas, it is now one of the hottest trends all over the world. An oversized plaid shirt, leggings and cowgirl boots make an easy outfit for class at Southern Miss.

     Fall weather has moved in. Southern Miss students are bringing fall fashion straight to the top!

Pearls and Pantyhose

                                   


     The South is a place of strictly implemented traditions that are slow to evolve. One of the largest traditions is going to church. This is a regular occurrence in southern culture. Every Sunday is a intricate act including many southern familiarities from a traditional church service to a lunch of fried chicken or pot roast around the table full of small, slow talk and big, loud accents.

     Traditionally, church attire has been very particular and reliable in the south. Being an extremely religious and modest region, people are expected to dress accordingly to church services.

     With Hattiesburg being an increasingly modernized town with more open minded residents that more rural parts of the state, church attire has become more relaxed. In the past, women were seen in skirt suits, pantyhose, pearls, high heels, and exaggerated hats like they were extras in the wedding scene of the southern classic, Steele Magnolias. Women now wear less formal dresses and occasionally avoid high heels. Men would be seen in suit and ties, far from overalls, boots and work wear. Currently, men wear khaki pants and a button up shirt.

     Church is unfortunately a competitive setting where fashion is an important aspect. Although recent dress codes are more relaxed, southerners expect everyone to look their best from their pearls to their pantyhose.

Southern Staples

                                       

     Every wardrobe is not complete without a few staple items that truly finish a perfect outfit. These items are the "go-to" clothing that an entire outfit can revolve around. Essential staple items are ready and waiting in your closet to save the day. In the South, there is a different type of go-to items.

     Cowgirl boots are an absolute must in the deep South. They are a versatile fashion accessory that is perfect for all seasons and weather. They can go from day to night, dress an outfit down or up and are reliably comfortable and fashionable. From a night of dancing to simply looking sassy, cowgirl boots are the perfect southern staple and wardrobe item.

     Whether it is to cover up your bare shoulders or to add a finishing touch to a great outfit, a denim jackets is a must have for any southern girl. A cute, denim jacket is perfect in fall weather when the temperature drops at night. It also is a great accessory for a sun dress. It finishes off your closet and is a staple piece for the entire year.

     Nothing compliments a sweet southern summer like a flirty white sun dress. Whether it is strapless or complete with dainty cap sleeves, a white sun dress is an outfit for any occasion. It can be dressed up with wedges and jewelry or left casual with flip-flops. It is also adorable with the combination of cowgirls boots and a denim jacket. A white sun dress is a wonderful staple for your closet. Just be sure to wear it before Labor Day!

     A southern lady is not complete without pearl earrings. Pearl earrings are the ultimate southern staple that can complete every outfit imaginable. Their elegance and beauty undeniably make them a southern girl's best friend. Regardless of the occasion or outfit, pearl earrings are the perfect finishing touch.

     With these four items, you can create a great outfit together or add them to other pieces.

The Mississippi Snowball

Photo Credit: Lights Jewelers and Gemologists Website

It is snowing in Mississippi!

    Just kidding....

     Across the state, one elegant jewelry collection  is being worn by women of all ages. The Mississippi Snowball is on everyone's birthday and Christmas lists. It is fashionable, simple, and perfectly southern.

     The Missississppi Snowball, an original and copyrighted creation by the gemologists at Lights Jewelers and Gemologists in Hattiesburg, MS, is a cluster of small pearls. There is over 100 necklace chain choices, 35 earring styles, 3 bracelets, and one ring. The most popular item is the snowball necklace, which has become a true fashion statement in Hattiesburg and the surrounding areas.

     Due to the incredible popularity of the Mississippi Snowball jewelry collection, several other versions have been created by including the Perdido Pearl and the Mississippi Cotton Ball.

     The necklace is seen around the necks of woman of all demographics all across the state. It has became a symbol of residency and status. It is the state jewelry piece, if you will.

     For not only the Hattiesburg area but also for the state as an entirety, the Mississippi Snowball creates unity of all women alike. Now, year around Mississippi is covered in snow.

Shopping Online - It's What a Girl Wants!

 

     The world we live in truly is fast paced. We use drive-thrus for meals, pay our bills online, and can even deposit checks into our bank accounts by taking a picture. Relying on the Internet has become more and more popular.

     Social media is one of the most worshipped inventions of our time. You can virtually talk, view, or share anything with anyone, at anytime on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Shopping on social networks is the newest online trend.

     Selling and buying on social networks goes beyond for sale ads on personal pages or common interest groups. While local boutiques advertise online, some stores are strictly online and on social media sites.

     One boutique that I am an avid customer of is called IIt's What a Girl Wants. The store is owned by my mom's friend who started the business to gain extra money while helping women, who like her, were crunched for time and money.

     She buys clothing online through different wholesalers. She then advertises the products on the boutiques Facebook page. Since she purchases the clothing at wholesale price, she does not feel the need to increase the price of each item significantly.

     This trend is especially beneficial to women in the southern parts of the United States. In the South, many women stay at home to take care of children and other duties; therefore, shopping at home can be more convenient. When boutiques are strictly online, the owners can save money on bills that would be used to keep a store open. Saving this money can in return allow them to lower the cost of clothing. In a poor economy in a part of the country which is more poverty stricken, saving every penny counts. This trend is also helpful for women who would like to generate an extra income. With the store being virtual, it is possible to work a full time job and sell clothing online after your working hours.

     Unfortunately, the rising popularity of these online only boutiques may hurt other local boutiques in the Hattiesburg area. Small stores do well in the South, but shopping from home is such a convince.

Tying a Southern Knot

   

       The South has a very distinct style, especially when it comes to weddings. Every little girl dreams of a big, large, southern wedding complete with all of the bells and whistles. Southern weddings are usually very traditional, especially when it comes to the choice of dresses.

       Recently, there is a rising popularity in a new southern wedding style. Pastel dresses, cowboy boots, and a slightly more casual attire has became all the rage. The style has been referred to as rustic chic or southern chic. 

      Southern weddings are often outdoor settings with rustic decorations and a natural feel. The bride is elegant in a large ball gown or  a lacy, fitted dress. Guys are recently more casual in button downs and a nice pant. Bridesmaids are generally in shorter gowns . To complete the southern feel, everyone wears cowboy boots.

      This style has been a huge hit this past summer with weddings. Southern chic is a country twist to the conventional wedding style. With Hattiesburg being a popular site for weddings, this area has been familiarized with the southern chic style. 

                                                     Photo Credit: Peacock Photo Blog

On Wednesdays, we wear PINK!

Photo Credit: Eve Marie's Boutique Facebook 

     In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Eve Marie's Boutique in Hattiesburg will donate part of their sales to a local Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation. This is a great way for the boutique to give back to their community, especially with it being a women's store.

      In Mississippi, out of 1,000 woman 314 will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Eve Marie's small effort will make a huge impact on the Hattiesburg community. Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in women.

      The idea around Eve Marie's campaign comes from the movie Mean Girls. A famous line from the movie is, "On Wednesdays, we wear pink." With pink being the symbolic color for breast cancer awareness, the line is perfect inspiration for this campaign.

      Eve Marie's is an avid supporter of shopping local. The boutique strives to give back to the Hattiesburg community so that consumers support them in return. This helps to positively effect the local economy, increase unity in the community, and create a positive image for Hattiesburg.

Photo Credit: Eve Marie's Boutique Facebook