Summer School with Sex and the City

What’s the number one thing that’s influenced your style? For some, it may be someone they see often and secretly wonder “How do they know to put that together?” For others, magazines are the secret to dressing success. For me? Reruns of Sex and the City do the trick. I was watching last night (What can I say? I still can’t say goodbye) and heard Carrie say

“I’m looking for the perfect $7 dress to go with my new $300 shoes.”

This describes my shopping experiences to a T. I justify spending the money on shoes because you can wear them with more than one thing. And the cheaper the dress, the more you can have. There are a bunch of places in Columbia that you can find that perfect, little, cheap dress. I’ve mentioned this store before but the His House Thrift Store on #1 has tons of clothes, be prepared to dig deep. All clothes there are $1, and I almost always find a cute vintage dress there. Sometimes they need a little altering, but the $1 price tag added to a $10 tailoring fee? A perfect dress for a grand total of $11! If digging through piles of old, ahem vintage, clothes isn’t the thing for you, the Goody’s in West Columbia has a ton of cute, cheap clothes. Good Luck! I'm back to watching Sex... :D

Coming up after the break...

Stay Tuned...

Coming up in the very near future, a new section will be added where we show the most stylish of Columbia. So get out there, where your best clothes, and when someone tells you to "smile"-Do it!

Do boots get the boot in summer?

In summertime, especially here in Columbia, it gets freakin' hot! Normally, if you're not at work (or for me, even if you are), you wear flip flops. Preferably Rainbows, but never, ever closed toe shoes. However, I came across this picture of Cameron Diaz wearing boots during summer, and it looks so cute! And really easy to pull off too!

Everyone has a simple white tank top, and you can find a skirt like hers at American Apparel for around 20 bucks. I recently went to the His House thrift store on #1, and saw boots almost just like that for a mere $1! (Alas, they weren't my size :( ) That just goes to show you that it doesn't cost big bucks to have great style! Someone should try this look and then let me know if it's too hot for here...or maybe too hot to handle?

The short skirt and tan colored boots would really elongate the legs, even if you have short legs like me! And the light top and darker bottom conceal the problem areas most women have! A flattering, cheap, and stylish outfit? What more could a girl ask for?

Say "seersucker for summer in South Carolina" six times fast...

On a specific day of the week (help me out, I don't know when), most State House employees wear seersucker suits. Some may say it's dated. I say,

Welcome to the South.

Seersucker is a cotton blend, usually worn only during the spring and summer months. It's light weight, and pastel colors make it perfect for wearing when you want to look dressed up, but don't want the stifling heat a normal suit brings. (This becomes really important in late August, especially here in Columbia).

A more traditional way to wear the seersucker suit (light blue is considered the most traditional) is with a solid white shirt and solid tie, usually red or navy. (Much like the first picture). However, if you're feeling bold and adventurous, wear an unusual color seersucker such as green or pink. Add a subtlety plaid shirt and polka dot bow tie, both in complimentary colors, and you'll be the talk of the town.

contrary to Vogue, ankle boots are NOT the "next big thing"

Some trends need to be left alone, no matter how many celebrities are spotted wearing them or how much they are heralded in fashion magazines. Case in point? Ankle boots! They were all over the runway for Fall '06, and then reappeared again in the Fall '07 shows. They didn't get any better the second time around.

The only point ankle boots serve is to shorten the leg, rather than elongate it (which, I'm assuming, is what most women want!) A simple, stiletto pump is much better, and more flattering, option every time. (Notice how much longer La Lohan's legs look in the second picture!)

Ankle boots are a throwback to the '80s, and they need to stay there. Besides, wearing ankle boots here in Columbia? A fashion faux pas that might get you sent to Bull St!

I get it. So what's your point?

Columbia Couture blog was created to report and discuss fashion and lifestyle trends in the Columbia, SC (and surrounding) areas. Most fashion magazines and blogs are directed towards audiences located in larger cities, such as NY or LA. I wanted to change that. Any input is welcomed, and I hope this is a success!