Southern Belle Fashion

As soon as we think about the Southern belle image, stereotypical big hoopskirts and huge hats come into our mind. The Southern belle style still appears on the scene of catwalks and fashion magazines. Though women don't stroll on the streets wearing hoop skirts in their everyday life, yet, we can trace the typical belle image in the fashion world. One of the evidences about the influence of the Southern belle on contemporary fashion is Ralph Lauren's spring collection in 2010. The world-wide known ELLE fashion magazine dedicated its trend riport to the Southern Belle in March 2010. As we see from the photos, the Southern belle image preserved its true feminine character, but altered in several ways. Just like the definition of the Southern belle figure, fashion also altered according to modern times. Huge hats are still very fashionable. As far as colors are concerned, feminine colors are still in dominance. Regarding patterns, light floral patterns and plain textiles are the most popular. A true Southern belle is still faithful to skirts and trousers are neglected from her wardrobe. Besides the strong feminine character, mystique is another feature that appears in her clothing. Sunglasses are perfect accessories of the Southern belle look. What is more, the Oscard Award winner movie, "The Help" inspired many fashion designers to rediscover the Southern belle image of the 1960s. Many fashion houses, such as Rodart or designers like Alberta Ferretti or Gucci reinterpreted of the Southern belle model of the 1960s and dressed up their models inspired by the belle image.
As we can see, the Southern belle image is constantly reinterpreted on the catwalk as well and influences the fashion world also. Though it is adapted to current trends, it preserved the feminine and fragile aristicratic look.

 

Rules of the Southern Belle

Today, I will compare the "do-s and don'ts" of the Southern belle in the antebellum era and recent tendencies. To draw a parallel between the past I used Maryln Schwartz's A Southern Belle Primer. In the 19th century the Southern belle was controlled by a lot of behavior rules. Although recent  rules are adapted to modern lifestyle, the Southern belle's figure is still defined by strict orders. For instance, in the antebellum South young ladies were not allowed to wear pants or trousers, they were obliged to wear a dress that completely covered their wrists and ankles. Covering body parts is still a key issue in dressing up but the belle in the 21st century can wear jeans. Still, jeans must be paired with a nice blouse. Like Southern belles of the past, modern belles care a lot about their appearance. They never go out without a perfect make up, nails manicured and their hair styled properly. In the past, Southern ladies were not allowed to wear white shoes before Easter. As opposed to this, the only criteria regarding shoes is that they need to be season and occasion-appropriate, color-coodinated for the outfit. Accessories are required but on a moderate level, since too much is too tacky. Supporting this assumption, piercings and tatoos are definitely undesired. Concerning modern trends, such as body piercings, cigarette is prohibited for a Southern belle.
The 19th century Southern belle always had to use a delicate tone, proper grammar and use a refined vocabulary. This did not alter by the sequence of time. Southern belles are not allowed to raise their voice, they have to avoid swear words. As far as vocabulary is concerned, modern Southern belles are easily recognizable about overuse of expressions, such as 'bless one's heart', 'precious', 'darling' and 'love'. Furthermore, sexuality and bodily functions are still taboo topics, as a hundred years before. Unlike in the 1800s and early 1900s when speaking to someone non white reflected bad manners, today Southern belles rather focus on etiquette than skin color. As I have mentioned in an earlier post, the image of the Southern belle has been already adapted on an African American woman as well. 
To sum up, we can conclude that the etiquette of the Southern belle has changed by the flow of time. It became altered by changing lifestyle, but still reflects the old traditions of the antebellum South. 

Sources:

Schwartz, Marlyn. "A Southern Belle Primer." Main Street Books. 2006.
Jabour, Anya. "Scarlett's Sisters: Young Women in the Old South." North Carolina UP. 2007.
"Southern Belle Rules." http://brenda-runningwithscissors.blogspot.com/2010/03/i-got-call-couple-of-weeks-ago.html