Can you Monogram that?

The southern lifestyle is very much slow and casual.That is especially true if you grew up in a coastal town.Therefore, the fashion must be suitable to the environment.

In the town where I grew up in, it wasn't uncommon for the outfit of choice between the months of March and October to be shorts and a tshirt, more specifically a tshirt of the Salt Life or Calutta variety.Oh, and don't forget the rainbow flip flops, or Sperry's are also a personal preference. From late Spring to the beginning of fall the weather is nonstop blazing heat, so wearing jeans is very uncommon unless you're willing to die of heat exhaustion like the heap of earth worms that always seem to gather on the concrete.

During the colder months the only thing that changes in the way people dress, is that they upgrade to jeans and instead of short sleeve shirts, Salt Life and Calcutta just happen to sell long sleeve shirts as well. It usually doesn't get extremely cold, but during the winter North Face coats can be seen on every 9 out of 10 people you pass by in the mall. If you're feeling extra fancy, a monogrammed pullover or winter jacket would also suffice. A ball cap that either says NC State or Duke might be added for extra head warmth.

Now I can't say that 365 days out of the year we live in denim and tshirts.On Sundays many of the people in my town are in their boats at Masonboro Island or Bald Head Island enjoying the sun rays, but for the other half, Sunday means church. Church is where the real southern lady dresses up. This is where the Vera Bradley or Belk dresses are in copious amounts, and pearls are needed to complete every outfit.The only establishment where hats the size of a watermelon are allowed, even though they block the view of the whole congregation. Monogrammed earrings and necklaces might even earn you extra brownie points.My grandmother always has her color coordinated pantsuit or skirt with the matching shoes.And even though we don't go to the same church, I'd have to get my outfit inspected by my grandmother before leaving for Sunday School just to make sure everything matched,because she claims I am colorblind, and to ensure that my skirt was suitable length. And never, ever, walk into church looking like a "bum on the street"(my mother's words, not mine) because people will talk.

We may not be on the list of most fashionable town in Style Magazine but at least we could be voted for having the fashion with the most Southern charm.