Lilly & Jack
The further south you go, the bolder the prints is a general rule. Lilly Pulitzer patterns have been sported by Southern women for decades. The trend includes bright colors, fun prints, and generally modest styles. These dresses are worn tailgating, on beaches, to dinner, generally anywhere. They are extremely versatile and there is a unique pattern for every woman’s style. Nothing pairs better with a Lilly dress than Jack Rogers Sandals. I own the traditional Navajo Jacks in Platinum and they are truly one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. They are simple yet stylish and match any fun Lilly outfit you could dream of!
Sundresses & Pearls
Guaranteed way to make a southern man’s heart melt? Sundresses. Without question, the traditional sundress with a tight bodice and flowy lower half looks wonderful on nearly anyone. My closet includes precisely 42 of these wonderful dresses. They’re generally modest, showing just the right amount of skin to tease. My favorite pattern on this simple style is eyelet. Usually solid colors, the eyelet pattern allows for intricate yet sophisticated detail, perfect for numerous social occasions. Looking for simple accessories to pair with this wardrobe staple? A Southern woman can never go wrong with pairing pearls with her sundress. Again, simple and sophisticated. What more would you want to be?
Sweet Tea & the SEC
Any Southern woman knows how to make the perfect sweet tea. Whether you sip it out of a glass or a mason jar, the sweeter the tea, the sweeter the woman who made it. If a game is on, a fresh pitcher of sweet tea is not far because nothing pairs better with Buffalo wings and party food. While sipping her sweet tea, the Southern woman supports her allegiance to the Southeastern Conference. The SEC is a way of life, unquestionably, and while each has her own favorite team and alma mater, the SEC will prevail in football and basketball. While the University of Kentucky has my undying support, when the national championship remaining in the South is dependent upon Alabama’s victory, the allegiance will shift. The conference is a powerhouse and I’d never live outside of it.
Rocking Chairs & Front Porches —> Birmingham & Savannah
Every Southern woman has a fantasy of her married life. Whether she lives it out or not, her ideal home is a plantation home in the Deep South, with a wraparound porch, swings and rocking chairs. There is a pitcher of sweet tea on the table, a dog running and children playing in the yard. I like to think this life exists in Birmingham and Savannah, where the overall pace is slower and the beauty of the South is truly appreciated. This ideal image for the Southern woman’s future isn’t about marrying rich or owning land, it’s an image of a strong family, a safe and welcoming home, where everyone wants to be.
Boys & Bowties
Southern women fall for the traditional Southern man. This man is equally simple to identify: he knows his style and his confidence is reflected in his appearance. The Southern man isn’t afraid of color and patterns, and ties take the shape of a bow. The image of the fraternity boy comes to mind when I envision who stands next to the ideal Southern woman. While how much you spend on your clothes is trivial, there is an ideal look to achieve. The Southern man can pair colorful shorts, a Polo oxford, Sperry’s, and Ray-Ban Wayfarers and look extremely put together. As much as sundresses are there weakness, this image is ours.
Tailgating is a Sport
While also patronizing the SEC, Southern women take the tailgate almost as seriously as the game itself. Your outfit matters – while you might own the jersey of your favorite player, the warm-weather tailgate outfit includes dresses, accessories, and heels in the colors of your team. For the evening game, say around 7 PM, the Southern woman is prepared to tailgate well before noon, dressed to the nines. At the University of Kentucky, students gather in what is recognized as “the bowl”. This area is quite the party where boys and girls celebrate the sport of tailgating well before any real game is played.
Koozies & Coolers
Alongside the tailgate, accessories for the Southern woman’s drinks are equally valuable. Koozies, bearing the Southern woman’s favorite brands, keep cans and bottles cool under the hot sun on game day, poolside, or just on the farm. Coolers, hand-painted for the Southern gentlemen, are a must as well. Whether you’re headed to the lake or the beach, the cooler must be equally appealing on the outside as it is on the inside. To see a tutorial for a hand-painted cooler, click here.
Jack & Jim
Some of the most trusted men in the South, Jack Daniels and Jim Beam are never far from a Southern man or woman’s reach. Whiskey and bourbon are integral parts of Southern history and no other drink will ever measure up.
Monogram Everything
If something doesn’t bear your monogram, how do you know if it’s really yours? The Southern woman’s obsession with the monogram isn’t a new trend. The sophistication of leaving your mark on clothing, wall décor, accessories, and more has been around for quite some time. The embroidered monogram dresses up the simplest of items and is relatively expensive if you know where to go. My personal favorite items to monogram include over-sized solid color, pocket t-shirts and Columbia PFG Fishing shirts as bathing suit cover-ups. What do you like to monogram?
Country Music & Cutoffs
Music makes my world turn. Just recently, I returned to my roots and embraced the music of my wheelhouse. In the South, making music is a way to cope, celebrate, and make your way. Whether it’s bluegrass, folk, or something more modern, country music is comforting to the soul of all who live below the Mason-Dixon line. While its critics say the themes of country are limited, I think those artists who sing about what they truly know and understand are the most successful. Where would this world be without Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Jr., and Luke Bryan? 😉 The country music genre also has its own style. Call it the style of the farm or the simple life, but there is something undeniably appealing about cut off jeans and button down shirts. It is a style that has stood the test of time and the Southern woman isn’t compromising her sophisticated image by donning this apparel, she’s merely living out the destiny of girls born in Dixie.
