How Southern Women Really Dress: Not All Southern Women Wear Plaid

Southern Style

Project Runway is one of my favorite shows. I love watching the different designers compete against one another, and most of all, I love to see the beautiful fashions that they design for the runway. One of the season 12 episodes, they hosted a competition where they had to design a look for the modern southern woman. Ken Laurence, one of the competitors who was from Alabama, tried to tell the other competitors and the world that Southern women don’t just wear plaid. He stated that this was a stereotype. They did not listen. He did not win the competition. Other designers who cast us Southern gals in plaid won. Ken Laurence eventually lost and life moved on. End of story. Not so!

Ken Laurence was right. We don’t live in plaid. We are not the country hicks that people think we are. Yes, we enjoy beautiful fashions. No, we don’t wear a lot of couture outfits. It is true. We are somewhat conservative as a whole. But, we do like to wear modern styles and flaunt our stuff. So, for those of you who really want to know what southern style is, here it goes.

 

We like to wear our white dresses and skirts in the summer. We love bold colors just like everyone else. And, we do appreciate designer clothes and accessories.

I confess. I love classy designers like Isaac Mizrahi and Joan Rivers. I am a sucker for Dooney and Bourke purses. I confess. I do shop Avon and consignment shops. I don’t wear the big straw hats during the summer, but I do love to throw on a big, hat for Sundays. I love leather. This includes leather jackets, leather pants, and skirts. And, trust me. I melt when I can find it on sale.

My mother is definitely a fashionsista. You can’t beat her dressing. It doesn’t matter whether she is dressing for church, going to a quick brunch, or heading off to work in a pair of scrubs.

Okay, so I have thrown on a plaid shirt, a pair of blue jeans, and some cowboy boots. But, this is not an everyday occurrence. So, for those of you who do fashion or who make reality shows about fashion, don’t think just because we live in the South that we only like plaid. We don’t. We love a wide variety of styles and colors. No, we may not dress like Olivia Pope from ABC’s Scandal or walk like Naomi Campbell. Take a look at Kim from Kim of Queens. She is from Georgia, and she dresses like a modern southern woman.

Ways to Enjoy Fall in the South

If you are fortunate enough to live in the South, you know how magnificent fall can be. The leaves are changing, and the weather is getting cooler. Don’t let the cooler temperatures and beautiful landscape go to waste. Get out and enjoy fall.

Nature Walks

Take the children on a nature walk. This is one of the best ways for both you and your children to enjoy the fall. You can point out the different colors of autumn leaves and other forest vegetation. Pay special attention to the plants that grow during this time of the year like Golden Rod, Lemon Queen Sunflowers, and Chrysanthemums.

Hunting

The South has an abundance of forest and wildlife. Take advantage of this lush land. One of the best ways to do that is by hunting. Hunting is a great way to get you and the kids outdoors, and to stock your freezer for the winter. Just be sure that you and your children following hunting safety rules.

Harvest Tea

In the South, we are known for our tea. Just because the weather gets cooler, it doesn’t mean that you have to put down your tea glass. When the cooler weather sets in, host a fall tea party. A fall tea party is called “A Harvest Tea”. This is a tea party where the participants each bring a dish that matches one of the fall colors. These colors include brown, gold, white, and red. These autumn-themed dishes are then placed on a table that is decorated the same color. So, invite your friends over and have a Harvest Tea Party at your house or in your backyard.

Sunday Drive

In the South, we are known for our laid back way of life. This Sunday, keep up the tradition. Slow down from the hustle and bustle and go for a nice, slow Sunday drive. Be sure to enjoy the beautiful leaves, bales of hay, pumpkin patches, and other nice scenery.

Scrapbooking

Don’t just rake up the leaves in your yard. Collect some of those beautiful leaves, and make a scrapbook using the fall foliage. Take individual leaf and press it together between contact paper. Then, place the leaves between the pages in a large book to flatten them.  Once the leaves are flattened, you are ready to add them to the scrapbook with your favorite autumn pictures.

Quilting

Quilting is another southern tradition. Quilting can be done all year, but autumn and quilting just seem to go together. Start by finding a pattern that you like. Pick out your fabric. Carefully place your pattern on top of the fabric. Pin the pattern to the material. Cut out the design. Grab the sewing machine or some needle and thread. Finally, you are ready to start. You can do this by yourself or making it into a fun family event. Quilting is fun, and it is a way to help eliminate stress.

Hayride

Go for a hayride this autumn. Decorate the family wagon or tractor. Grab a nice warm blanket. Jump on the wagon, and you are all set to go.

Take advantage of the cooler weather and beautiful, southern scenery. Do some of the fun, fall activities above. 

Southern Cotton

Southern Cotton

Beautiful, soft

Fluffy

Like floating on a cloud

Deceptive façade

Lovely

Even amid the green

Covering acre after acre

Of the Mississippi Delta

Splattered of red

The Old King of the South

Destroyer of lives

Creator of rot and decay

So fluffy

So soft

Southern cotton