Growing up on the Gulf Coast, there were certain staple items that were crucial to one’s wardrobe. Since I left the coast in 2008, I have not noticed these items in the communities along the east coast seaboard, where I have since lived: Maryland, Washington DC, Philadelphia. The fiance and I tend to return to the coast for July Fourth and Labor Day weekends, and we always pack these key items. We always look like extras from Netflix’s Bloodline (highly recommend!) and I am perfectly okay with that.
We decided only to visit the Gulf Coast for July Fourth this year. Naturally, even though we stayed in Philadelphia for the long weekend, I dressed for a weekend in the south. These are my go-to items:
- A Columbia long sleeved shirt is ideal for going out on the boat and catching a ton of fish. It stays cool in humid temperatures, it has epalettes for rolling the sleeves, and you can flip the collar to keep the back of your neck from getting too much sun. This shirt is also made in men’s sizes. I would be lying if I said that I didn’t purchase it in two colors for me and two colors for the fiance. Admittedly this shirt is a total mom-shirt, but mom is always right everything…right?
- I love the scallop hem shorts. The inseam is more modest at 5 inches, which is what I have been into lately. The family and I were on a winter vacation in Key West, where I made the mistake of wearing a swimsuit and coverup to Duval Street on a day less warm than I anticipated. The fiance took me to Lilly Pulitzer where he insisted on me picking out a pair of shorts and long sleeve top (#twistmyarm) and these were the pair I selected.
- I stand by Rainbow flip flops. Yes, they are the definitive throwback from college, but I loved them (still love them) for making the inevitable dash from the house / store / work to the car during the daily summer 1 pm rain shower. The puddles and rain did not ruin them and on top of that, they never tore up my feet.
- Mignon Faget pieces are total Gulf Coast staples. Women from Destin to New Orleans sport this designer’s pieces and I am no exception. I own the fleur-de-lis collection and most of the tulip collection, save for the tulip-in-the-round earrings
and tulip bracelet, both of which I have had my eye on for YEARS. Wearing the tulip ring has inspired two (DC-based) friends to order it as well. - The Gulf Coast humidity is the culprit of many a bad hair day. For those with fine hair like mine, hot rollers are an essential. While my objective is not to have curly hair, the rollers along with a good dose of hairspray, gives my hair more body and movement.
shirt // scallop hem shorts // sunglasses // flip flop // bucket bag (similar) // black diamond cuff // pearl cuff // prasiolite cuff // tulip ring
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