City versus Country - Women's Edition

                                         

   



   








     From high heels to flats and from diamonds to pearls, women have a long list of items to choose from when creating an outfit. This list is generally universal. However, for women in two distinct regional areas, the country and the city, their closets may have few similarities.

Work Wear

     In cities, standards for women have evolved more so than in rural areas. It is more acceptable for women to work outside of the home and even in large corporations that were previously dominated by men. City streets can be full of men and women rushing to their office buildings. Women look very professional in skirt suits or nice, fitted dresses. Heels are an appropriate shoe and jewelry is kept to a minimum in order to maintain a professional look and status. http://www.economist.com/node/15174418


     In the country, women are more likely to stay home. These women most likely are dressed very casual in yoga pants and t-shirts on a regular basis. Common professions in southern areas include education and health. While teachers dress in business casual, nurses are comfortable and relaxed in scrubs. http://myfootpath.com/careers-jobs/rewarding-top-careers/10-rural-jobs/

Date Night

     In a city full of fabulous activities, women have the chance to dress up and look their best. A night on the town calls for a sassy dress, classy heels, and eye-catching jewelry. A more casual look may be nice jeans, a flowy blouse and a shorter heel.

     A country girl may have a slighter different idea of what the perfect date night outfit looks like. A southern girl may choose a flowy dress and boots or jeans, a fashionable blouse and wedge sandals.

"Fashion fades. Only style remains the same." -Coco Chanel

City versus Country - Men's Edition

     There is a distinct line separating the North and the South in both geographical and cultural aspects. Above the Mason Dixon Line, the way of life, the taste of food, and the type of fashion is different.

     This is the first entry in a three part series dedicated to the difference in  fashion in these two regions.    First, let's compare men's fashion - from pleated suits to dusty cowboy boots.

Work Wear

      Generally speaking, when we think of the occupations of males in northern states we think of bankers, lawyers, and anyone else who drives a foreign car and has an Armani suit in every style. When at work they are dressed as if they just stepped out of a GQ ad. From head to toe everything is crisp, clean, and perfectly made. A suit, tie, button down shirt and shiny, leather shoes is the appropriate work attire for men in these fields.

     Being that the South relies heavily on farming, forestry and oil production, a majority of men work in these fields. A suit and tie are far from appropriate when drilling deep into the ground in search for oil. Newly polished shoes are no use when driving a tractor or walking in the dirtiest of outdoor settings. Men in the South have a very different work attire consisting of Carhartt pants or bluejeans. Of course, no man is ready for work without his steel toe boots or cowboy boots.

Date Night

     While being in an artistic, larger city in northern states a date has endless possibilities. From a live show to dinner at a five star restaurant, the dress code is more formal. Men there dress in nice pants, a casual button up top, and nice shoes.

      In the South, date settings are usually more casual. Men are presentable in jeans, a collard shirt, and boots.



Two different worlds call for two different types of attire. While neither is better than the other, they are both different.

Classy Camo

     Television does not always give a positive fashion impression. Reality TV is usually full of provocative outfits.

     The hit show Duck Dynasty, however, makes a different statement,

     The women of the show are tastefully dressed and advise their children to do the same. They dress appropriate to the weather and limit the amount of skin they reveal.

     The men, being avid hunters, are dressed in camouflage. The show has influenced Halloween costumes  and dress up days at schools across the country.

     With Hattiesburg being heavily populated with young people, the fashion is influenced by popular television. The cast of Duck Dynasty demonstrates that dressing provocative isn't necessary to make an impression on the world. The women dress conservatively while still being exceptionally fashionable.

     Being modestly dressed can still mean dressing fashionably. Be happy happy happy in the clothes you wear.

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.