I recently took a driving trip to Louisiana and Mississippi and found the Deep South’s fanciful, feminine flair absolutely delightful. Of course sultry summer months in the South can really put a damper on dressing, but lightweight cotton, linen, and gauze are the go-to fabrics that keep a gal from “glistening.” (A Southern girl never sweats.)

Here are some other ideas to keep you looking fresh during these steamy days.

Color

Color and pattern seem to be ubiquitous in all the great boutiques I visited. Feminine flounce, puffed sleeves, and bows are all the rage–as seen in the photo below.

A Hat

A hat can be a girl’s best friend for so many reasons. I found these made of straw at a boutique in Natchitoches, Louisiana. I like these plain ones, because you can change out the bands. (Or make your own using a favorite scarf or wide ribbon.)

Accessories with Flair

Some of these items may look a little youthful, but so what? We can take elements from this style equation–fun prints and colorful accessories–and incorporate them at any age.

As mentioned a couple of weeks ago, in a previous blog, large earrings seem to be en vogue, with flowers and pearls in the forefront.

Just because it’s 100 degrees outside, doesn’t mean you can’t look put together.

Here are a few more pictures from our Southern driving trip.

Oh, and this was something I wanted to remember:

Let us know how you incorporate Southern style into your dressing… We ALL love new ideas.