This is Style in the South, a series in which our South-based editor, Allyson, shares with you her insights into the trends and shopping habits that Southern girls follow (and don't). She'll also share her own personal experience with how to dress since returning to the South after more than a decade away. Whether you live in the South, are visiting, or just feel curious today, she's here to give her Who What Wear perspective about all things Southern girl.
The point of this story is not to say that Southern girls don't shop at Zara. In fact, to the best of my knowledge, similar to many women around the world, they shop at the fast-fashion retailer like it's their job. But as you know, Zara covers a very wide range of trends across its thousands of pieces in stock at any given time. As someone who is from the South and once again lives in the South, I can confirm that not all of those trends are fully embraced by Southern girls (with exceptions, of course). And in case you're interested, I went through a slew of items that Zara has put their weight behind and chose seven styles that I'm sure Southern girls won't be quick to embrace, for one reason or another. Keep scrolling to find out and to shop what they wouldn't (and would) wear, in my humble opinion.
SKIPPING: Zara Logos
BUYING: Checks and Stripes
While Southern girls love a designer logo, I'd be surprised to see them don even an ironic Zara logo.
Shop Zara Logomania:
Shop Southern Girl–Approved Checks and Stripes
SKIPPING: Neon
BUYING: Leopard Print
The Southern-girl aesthetic tends to skew a little classic. Bold neon hues are anything but.
Shop Bold Neon
Shop Southern Girl–Approved Leopard Print
SKIPPING: Bike Shorts
BUYING: Leggings and Skinny Jeans
The bike shorts craze may hit the South eventually, but for now, Southern girls seem to be sticking to leggings and skinny jeans.
Shop Bike Shorts
Shop Southern Girl–Approved Leggings and Skinny Jeans
SKIPPING: Chain Print
BUYING: Cardigans
Zara fully embraced the chain print this season, but I've yet to see the trending '80s vibe really take hold in the South. But also currently trending are cardigans, which are somewhat of a staple down South.
Shop Chain Print
Shop Southern Girl–Approved Cardigans
SKIPPING: Dad Sneakers
BUYING: Leather Pumps
The dad sneaker trend is fully mainstream at this point, but Southern girls love their classic heels the most.
Shop Dad Sneakers
Shop Southern Girl–Approved Pumps
SKIPPING: Colored Sequins
BUYING: Subtle Sparkles
Save for a festive New Year's Eve, you're much more likely to see subtly shimmering pieces in Southern girls' Zara carts.
Shop Colored Sequins
Shop Southern Girl–Approved Subtle Sparkles
SKIPPING: Belt Bags
BUYING: Crossbody Bags
Even though the belt bag trend has become so massive, it takes more than that to tear Southern girls away from their beloved crossbody bags.
Shop a Belt Bag
Shop Southern Girl–Approved Crossbody Bags
Next, the only shoes Southern girls give a damn about.
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I Objectively Have Enough Shoes, But Then I Saw These On-Trend Styles From Nordstrom, Zara, and ShopbopThey're all under $300, too.
