Filled with old-world charm, unique character, and charisma, it’s no wonder Charleston, South Carolina is famous for being one of the most spectacular cities in the nation. In addition to its deeply rooted history and historical ambiance, Charleston boasts a certain style among its people.
For centuries, Charleston style has been shaped and molded by society, climate influences, and its casual, yet sophisticated atmosphere. Charleston style encompasses comfort and class with ample room for individual style preferences and personalities to shine through.
Whether living in or visiting Charleston, you’re outfit should make you feel confident and comfortable. Don’t try to change your style to fit into a cookie-cutter description of Charleston style because you won’t feel comfortable and confident—you’ll feel and appear the exact opposite.
No matter where you live or where you travel, it’s important to be true to yourself with your style and add regional influences that compliment your personality.
So how can you add a hint of Charleston style to your wardrobe?
· Dress for comfort: When dressing for Charleston, it’s important to check the weather forecast. Since Charleston has varying weather patterns throughout seasons, it’s vital that you’re prepared to weather whatever it is Charleston throws your way. For the most part, Charleston’s hot and humid weather calls for flowy sundresses, walking shorts, and light skirts. Since Charleston tends to be hot and humid, tight fitting outfits aren’t going to let your body breath, which is why lighter materials, and form complimenting cuts are a must. When checking the weather, remember to view the humidity levels, chance of rain, and wind factor. Why wind factor? You don’t want your flowy skirt to fly up spontaneously, do you?
· Dress for Charleston’s world-famous character: Charleston style is a combination of attire that is both casual and sophisticated. When dressing for a stroll down the battery, or a shopping excursion through King St., don’t wear pumps, or thick sneakers, wear comfortable, open sandals that you feel confident in. Find a pair of sandals that have a unique pattern, such as a braided band, or a fun color that compliments your outfit. When finding the perfect dress to wear downtown, it’s quite simple: look for a dress that fits comfortably and boasts a classy look. Light, cotton sundresses are perfect for walking through the city and reflect just the right amount of comfort and style.
· Dress for you: You’re not going to look or feel great if you’re not wearing something that is comfortable for you and allows your personality to shine through. Although there is a certain Charleston style, no one dresses the same. Everyone has their own, unique spin on the Charleston style, which is what makes dressing in Charleston so much fun. With that said, wear what’s comfortable for you. Whether you’re more comfortable wearing shorts or more comfortable wearing dresses, you’ll look and feel fantastic in Charleston.
Now that you know the Charleston style, it’s time to find the perfect outfit. Let Charleston Style Concierge be your personal shopper in Charleston, SC, and help you find clothes that are comfortable, sophisticated, and fit your individual personality. Charleston Style Concierge is dedicated to helping women feel more confident by developing a unique personal style. Contact us today at 843.323.2466.
Lee Heyward to Speak at ECEW Network Luncheon Series: Successful Business Women of the Lowcountry
Lee Heyward
President and founder, Charleston Style Concierge
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Beginning at 11:30 AM, Waters Edge Restaurant
$20.00 per person includes lunch and gratuity
East Cooper Entrepreneurial Women (ECEW) is pleased to announce that ECEW member, Lee Heyward, President and founder of Charleston Style Concierge will be the keynote speaker for the ECEW Network Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2009, at Waters Edge Resturant (1407 Shrimp Boat Lane, Mt Pleasant). To reserve your seat, register and pay online go to http://www.ecewsc.com.
Charleston Style Concierge is the brainchild of Lee Heyward. At a young age, Lee fell in love with fashion after she became a member of the Stylish Stitchers, a local 4H club dedicated to teaching girls about sewing and design. She learned to make stylish wardrobe pieces and modeled them in 4H fashion shows.
Lee, a College of Charleston graduate, is passionate about giving back to the community and has partnered with the Charleston, South Carolina, chapter of Dress for Success to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women. In addition to accepting appropriate donations from clients, Lee also helps organize fashion fundraising events and sits on the Board of Directors for Dress for Success.
An avid equestrian since the age of 5, Lee spends her free time riding and volunteering for the Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding Program. She lives in Mount Pleasant, with her husband, dog, and two cats.
East Cooper Entrepreneurial Women (ECEW) was founded in 2007 to foster networking and professional development of women who live or work East of the Cooper. Since that time our membership has grown to over 130 business women representing all aspects of our business community.
ECEW Networking Women’s Monthly Luncheon Series will feature successful business women of the Charleston Lowcountry that live and work in the Charleston area while their companies have gained national and international exposure. To learn more about ECEW, upcoming ECEW events, and to become a ECEW member, visit our website at http://www.ecewsc.com.
Personal Style..It’s Closer Than You Think
For this month’s style issue we sat down with Lee Heyward, style expert and owner of Charleston Style Concierge, to find out how to get great style.
Pink: As a personal stylist, what is the one fashion mistake you see people
make most often?
Lee: Wearing clothing that does not fit properly. No matter how “on-trend”
something is, if it doesn’t fit, it isn’t stylish. I think as women, we struggle to
accept our bodies as they are. The best advice I can give is to embrace the body you have and learn how to dress according to its shape.
Pink: Coco Chanel said that fashion is like architecture. Do you agree?
Lee: Yes, fashion is all about proportion and fit. What’s great is that
you can manipulate proportion and fit to create the most flattering look for
your body. For example, if you are pear shaped you can disguise your hips by wearing trousers that create a straight line from your hip to the ground. Your eye is then drawn to the narrowest part of you, your waist. Using tricks like that can completely make over your figure just by changing your pants.
Pink: You speak a lot about having easy and effortless style. Is that
really possible?
Lee: Absolutely. Easy and effortless style is best achieved by simply editing
your closet. Typically, we wear only 20% of the clothing we own. That means you stare at 80% of your clothing each morning never wanting to wear it. A closet edit teaches you how to create a versatile wardrobe that allows you to get dressed quickly and easily. You should be able to get dressed in ten minutes or less.
Pink: What advice would you give someone feeling the pressure of finding
the perfect outfit for a special event?
Lee: First, start in your closet. Remind yourself of the options you already
have. You may not have the perfect dress, but an inventory of what you own will keep you from buying duplicate accessories or shoes when you’re feeling pressed for time. Look for classic styles that can be worn again with a change of accessories. You can also enlist the help of a stylist. A stylist can help you find an outfit that will be versatile for multiple occasions and look great on your body type.
Pink: Do you mean hire a stylist to shop with you? Isn’t that mainly for
the rich and famous?
Lee: Using a stylist to help you shop is a great investment. A stylist will
help you select styles you may not have considered before. Plus, she will teach you to make multiple outfits with just a few pieces. For example, when I shop with a client, I bring along my digital camera to take pictures of the outfits we put together. This way when the client gets home and is on her own, she is
reminded of all the outfit options we put together.
Pink: Is personal shopping the only service available through Charleston
Style Concierge?
Lee: No, we can help through our Virtual Style Consultation. In addition,
each month I teach a teleseminar on a different style topic. These seminars give you great information over the phone from the comfort of your house.
To learn more about Lee Heyward please visit
www.charlestonstyleconcierge.com. Charleston Style Concierge is
a personal styling company committed to making women feel more
confident through the development of a unique personal style.
Read more from Pink’s fabulous June issue at http://www.itsallpink.com.
Lee Heyward, style expert and owner of Charleston Style Concierge, weighs in on the importance of dressing for success in the workplace.
Watch the segment that aired on the 7 o’clock news.
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