75 Most Stylish Southerners

Charlotte, North Carolina

Owner, Capitol & Poole Shop; Co-founder, House Account (mobile shopping app), capitolcharlotte.com

“Southern women have a steadiness and a strength that sets us apart. We know where we come from and take pride in all the highs and lows of that. This confidence gives us an unwavering sense of style that is always original, often surprising, feminine, and very beautiful.”

Follow Laura on Twitter: @capitolclt

Charleston, South Carolina

Authors, mattleeandtedlee.com

“We’re certainly not the first to say this, but we think Southern style is characterized by a commitment to handcrafted quality, to old methods of manufacturing, and a “worn-in-ness” (for lack of a better word). Also, a little tropical flair, a red-bloodedness. That’s really what seems to unite our favorite Southern designers: Victor and Sarah Litvinenko of Raleigh Denim, Natalie Chanin, Billy Reid, Leigh Magar.”

Follow Matt & Ted on Twitter: @TheLeeBros

Richmond, Virginia

Co-founder and CEO, Ledbury, ledbury.com

“The only thing different about Southern style today is that it is now defining American style. From movies and TV shows to some of the country’s most talented designers, Southern style is having its moment.”

Florence, Alabama

Fashion Designer, billyreid.com

“The world now is so connected that borders don’t define style any longer. The South is a place with its own flavors, nuances, and traditions, but fashion and tastes today seem more global, yet very personal at the same time.”

Follow Billy on Twitter: @billy_reid

Nashville, Tennessee

Musician; Owner, H. Audrey and White’s Mercantile boutiques, hollywilliams.com

“In the South most people believe in quality over quantity, in good fabrics and timeless pieces that will last for generations. I’m thinking about if it will work for my grandkids one day when I buy something. That sounds crazy but it’s rooted in us.”

Follow Holly on Twitter: @hollywilliams1

New Orleans, Louisiana

Design consultant, Decorator, Writer, sararuffincostello.com

“The Southerners whose style I most admire have an enviable quality that suggests nothing is more important than what is happening right now, in front of them.”

Follow Sara on Twitter: @ruffincostello

Nashville, Tennessee

Designers, store reps, event coordinators, etc. for one of Nashville’s coolest brands, imogene and willie, imogeneandwillie.com

“We love Nashville for so many reasons. There is such a respect for tradition in this city, but more and more, so every day, that tradition is marrying individuality. Nashville is a melting pot. If you lined up 100 folks from in the city, you would not see a consistent style because there is not one. The only consistency? Everyone is nice.”

Follow imogene and willie on Twitter: @imogenewillie

New Orleans, Louisiana

Boutique owners, miminola.com

“There is so much design talent coming out of New Orleans. One is Crowe, a line of delicate, feminine, yet clever jewelry from Lauren Bott. It’s all versatile and dynamic, but also very wearable and at a great price point.”

New Orleans, Louisiana

Author

“Southern style at its best is unfussy and all about living with fine old things in a relaxed way. Think slipcovers, faded chintz, Oriental rugs, or sea grass on polished hardwood floors—the comfortable English country house look as translated by Nancy Lancaster, who, after all, was born in Virginia. (And while we’re on the subject, the drearily overwrought Downton Abbey is the opposite of what I’m talking about!)”

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Nashville, Tennessee

Owner and Designer, Otis James Nashville, otisjames.com

“What I like best about Nashville’s style is how unassuming it is. I would consider it a well-dressed city, but it is not over the top or in your face. People take pride in what they wear, but don’t feel the need to be too flashy.”

Follow Otis on Twitter: @OtisJamesNash

Dallas, Texas

Principal Designer and Founder, Ceylon et Cie, ceylonetcie.com

“Southern style is set apart by tradition, elegance, and timelessness. It is reminiscent of English country houses with inherited pieces and of course, great hospitality.”

Follow Michelle on Twitter: @mnussbaumer

Memphis, Tennessee

Musician, valeriejune.com

“Much like folks from France, I find Southerners really care about how they look. We can wear an old rag and make it look like a brand-new purchase because of the way we carry ourselves. We’re just as confident in a pair of overalls as we are in our Sunday best.”

Follow Valerie on Twitter: @TheValerieJune

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Austin, Texas

Chef (Paul)/ Media Director (Deana), qui and East Side King, quiaustin.com; eskaustin.com

“Austin is a brave town and is willing to take risks, from food to fashion and everything else in between.”

Follow Paul on Twitter: @pqui
Follow Deana on Twitter: @DeanaSaukam

New Orleans, Louisiana

Founder, NOLA Fashion Week; Designer, Hazel & Florange; Blogger, Oui We, hazelandflorange.com; ouiwegirl.com

“New Orleans’ deep rooted culture, influenced by jazz music, Carnival season, and the amazing cuisines spills into the way New Orleanians dress. Intricate design with a bit of costume flair is seen in everyday attire. There’s also the classics: seersucker and lightweight cottons appropriate for the tropical weather.”

Follow Andi on Twitter: @andieaton

Florence, Alabama

Designer and Founder, Alabama Chanin, alabamachanin.com

“Southern style—as with many regional style influences—has become a global style. We may often be stereotyped as being about gingham, monograms, or cowboy boots—and there’s not anything wrong with those things, but modern Southern style has found its own voice as a mix of comfort with quality materials and excellent craftsmanship. We love well-made goods that come with a story and have respect for those who have the skill to produce those things.”

Nashville, Tennessee

Interior Designer, rachelhalvorson.com

“As much as Nashville is changing and growing, it still has that heartfelt authenticity to it. Our style is very laid-back. I like that I can wear my boots and blue jeans from client meetings straight to a cocktail party… Or at least, I think I can.”

Oxford, Mississippi

Owner, Cicada, shopcicada.com

“As a region, I believe Southerners are not afraid of and actually prefer color and prints. We love to wear our clothes in brighter and bolder colors than most of the country. Also, it is important to Southerners to have the complete look. Having our hair and makeup done to perfection is just as necessary as wearing a fabulous outfit. I love that about the South.”

Palm Beach, Florida

Founder, Strong Boalt Menswear, strongboalt.com

“Southern style is a combination of heritage and climate. Men tend to be more dapper and women more feminine. We love to keep things sunny and polished. It’s carefree yet classic.”

Washington, D.C.

Owner and Creative Director, Salt & Sundry, shopsaltandsundry.com

“A new wave of creative energy is sweeping D.C. right now. There’s a real focus on individuality and pushing boundaries when it comes to style.”

Atlanta, Georgia

Founder, The Love List; Creative Director, Shops Around Lenox, thelovelist.net; shopsaroundlenox.com

“Southern style will always have roots. Its longevity is based on function. You don’t see that as much up North. Different areas have some colloquial influences—music in Nashville, sporting in Georgia. It’s more about a sense of place than about abiding by trends.”

Follow Jessica on Twitter: @TheLoveList

Austin, Texas

Designer, alysonfox.com

“Austinites are bold, curious, tailored, classic, and out of the box comfortable. I love that I can go to dinner and see so many styles all working at once and everyone looks right at home.”

Athens, Georgia

Creative Director, Hable Construction, hableconstruction.com

“Ladies take great care of themselves in the South. A grocery store visit is treated as an opportunity to put lipstick on. I have lived in many different places and it’s one big thing that I noticed every time I would visit the South. Athens is no exception!”

Austin, Texas

CEO and Founder, Kendra Scott, kendrascott.com

“Southern style, specifically fashion in Texas, is often misinterpreted. It is hard to shake that iconic cowboy boots stereotype. While some may say that having distance from fashion meccas like New York City and L.A. is a disadvantage, there is actually more freedom in expressing your personal style. From classic and feminine to boho-casual and rocker chic—you see it all in the South.”

Follow Kendra on Twitter: @KendraScott

Nashville, Tennessee

Creative consultant, Writer, @libbycallaway1970 on Instagram

“Southern style at its best skirts the line between propriety and eccentricity. The chicest women I know below the Mason-Dixon understand that it’s possible to simultaneously dress to honor your personal history (Why yes, these are grandmother’s pearls...) while letting your freak-flag fly (...that I’m wearing with this black leather jacket I got at a flea market in London).”

Follow Libby on Twitter: @LibbyCallaway

Winter Park, Florida

Owner, East End Market, eastendmkt.com

“Despite cities becoming much more cosmopolitan, there is still a hearkening back to clean lines, crisp collars, and classic patterns when it comes to Southern style. A dark pair of blue jeans, rolled up sleeves, handmade leather belt, and wingtips are the new business suit.”

Follow John on Twitter: @JohnRife

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Owner and Buyer, Lola Boutique, lolaboutique.com

“Being raised a Southern girl, I never feel more pulled together than when I am wearing red lipstick.”

Follow Anna on Twitter: @AnnaECottrell

Charleston, South Carolina

Designer and Founder, Troubadour, troubadourclothing.com

“Our region’s style still has its hand in the traditional, but people are updating those looks with modern takes. For men, think Raleigh Denim jeans with a bow tie; for women mixing and matching prints and unusual silhouettes.”

Follow Lindsey on Twitter: @Troubadour__

Athens, Georgia

Chef and Partner, Five & Ten, The National, Empire State South, Cinco y Diez, hughacheson.com

“I was a punk rock kid who never grew out of a fondness for T-shirts and jeans. I like clothes that fit. I don’t feel right unless I am clean-shaven. I like Paul Smith socks, probably too much. I could wear Blundstone boots everyday of my life.”

Follow Hugh on Twitter: @HughAcheson

Elkmont, Alabama

Cheesemaker, Belle Chevre, bellechevre.com

“When Southern style has been recalled/recollected there were always polarities that would emerge. It was either highbrow elegance (white linen and shaded porches), or working-lass grit and guts that had its own powerful draw. What is wonderful now about our modern style is that those polarities are swirled together in a way that is very real and earthy, yet elegant at the same time.”

Follow Tasia on Twitter: @BelleChevre

Nashville, Tennessee

Musician; Stylist & Music Events Coordinator at Billy Reid, shellycolvin.net

“Southern style has always been viewed as more traditional or conservative, but just as our culture has become more en vogue nationally, our style has become more progressive. There is more awareness in the South of what’s happening in fashion than ever before. Alabama has the third most members of the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) behind New York and California for cryin’ out loud. But like anything Southern, what always sets us apart is our charm, whimsy, and hospitality.”

Follow Shelly on Twitter: @shellycolvin

Charleston, South Carolina

Owner, Hampden & James, hampdenclothing.com

“Southerners value our cultural traditions and therefore every Southern woman understands the importance of dressing for each occasion. While I enjoy wearing black blazers and leather leggings for a Friday night, my Southern roots will always make me gravitate towards a colorful dress for a luncheon for the Historic Charleston Foundation. We often limit our style, but I think in Charleston there is a time and a place for every style.”

Follow Stacy on Twitter: @hampdenclothing