Fashion Week Essentials

With Fashion Week New Orleans just around the corner, we’ve had our hands full prepping to bring you a great show! We have a great lineup of designers and retailers, a Style Lounge for those itching to get their hands on gorgeous fashions ASAP, and even a Bourbon and Bowties section for the fashionable men in our lives. Not to mention our Bridal Runway Show and Retail Therapy shopping event! Phew! That’s a lot of fashion! 

When planning your look, be strategic in what you carry because no one wants to haul around a heavy purse while balancing in sky-high heels.

1. Bring a purse that’s roomy, but not bulky. Something not too heavy but not too small because you’ll need a place to stash all your great Style Lounge finds! And, we swear by a shoulder strap to always keep our hands free.

Bags from Trendz Nola

 2. A battery-packed phone case! Be prepared for a LOT of instagramming, tweeting, and tagging! Our rechargeable phone cases save our social media lives daily and are definitely a Fashion Week DO!

3. An emergency make up kit because the bright lights and flashbulbs will take a toll on your makeup. Bring a few necessities: powder, blush, and lipstick to keep your face looking fresh for all those photo ops! Magnolia Makeup will even be doing their glamorous glitter lips in the Style Lounge!

Glitter Lips on FWNOLA 2012 model by Magnolia Makeup

4. A sturdy heel. All the glamazons will be wearing sky-high heels, but make sure to pick the right one! Look for a platform with a sturdy heel to take you from one red carpet to the next!

Shoes by Feet First

Mardi Gras Cleanse

The festivities are over… at least for a little while! So take advantage of the peace and quiet to let your body rejuvenate.  You let yourself indulge, and now it’s time to get back on track before Fashion Week! Here are some of FWNOLA’s favorite ways to recharge:

 1.     Get comfortable! We’ve been dancing the nights away in our heels and ball gowns, and now its time for leggings (never sweatpants) or a maxi and a sweater. Try textured sweaters to keep it interesting and make sure your leggings are opaque! No see through bottoms please!

Sweater: Hilton Hollis, Skirt: Mesdress

2.     Cleanse. You are what you eat! Put down that king cake and pick up a delicious salad. Our favorite options are Fresh Bar on Magazine, or for extra convenience, have a salad delivered to your doorstep from Green to Go. Now you have no excuse!

Green to go NOLA

 3.     Exercise! It might be hard at first, but it will get easier! Set reasonable goals and find a workout buddy. Take advantage of New Orleans’ parks and beautiful weather and get outside!

 4.     Pamper yourself. If you’ve been working hard to stay healthy, treat yourself to a mani/pedi or spa day. We love Planet Beach for all our relaxation needs.

Planet Beach

Valentine's Day Attire

The festivities are never over in New Orleans and Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! If you’ve been too busy celebrating everything else to think about Valentine’s, don’t fret, FWNOLA is always thinking ahead for your fashion needs!

Valentine’s celebrations come in many forms, so your attire depends on the occasion. Frolicking in the French Quarter? A cocktail dress is not the way to go. Instead try a feminine, flirty, flouncy sundress. Romantic dinner date? A sexy dress is fab, but don’t go overboard or give your date the wrong idea! And if you’re a lady in the streets, and uh … well you know… you could wear anything from House of Lounge underneath your modest date outfit.  

And don’t overlook that Valentine’s Day is a great night to spend with your girlfriends. Pull out all the stops and think bodycon, sparkles, and sky-high heels! We say its OK to give all the gentlemen you see the wrong idea – he’s not your date after all!

Valentine’s day is about feeling beautiful, comfortable and being the fox (or cougar) that you are! Valentine’s Day is about love, so make sure you love yourself, and what you’re wearing!

Dress: Ruby Britt

Dress: Lucy Dang

Top and bottoms: Mesdress

Superbowl Sunday

No matter what team you support, southern hospitality is in our blood, and our mommas taught us that its one thing that NEVER goes out of style. Look past our black and gold loyalties and have an open mind when you see people in red and purple. It’s up to us to show them how to enjoy NOLA stylishly and safely!

Style is about more than just pretty clothes; its about being friendly and helpful while we all laissez le bon temps rouler! Remember that southern hospitality should be a part of your daily life. If you see a lost Superbowl fan, give them directions – even if it is to where they can score the best NOLA Tees (Hello, Fleurty Girl!). Share your insider tips on restaurants, bars, and hotspots. It’s only for a few days after all, and while it’s a testament to our hospitality, it’s also a way to brag on ourselves and all the places we’re famous for.

So whether you’re a Saints, Ravens, or 49ers fan, we’re excited to have you share this special place we have the pleasure to call our home. Here are a few things locals can do to share our stylish southern culture:

1. Teach a tourist the two-step.
2. Send out-of-towners to Dooky Chase.
3. Bring a fan to Blo, where we get our long southern tresses looking so fab!
4. Share the merriment of Magazine Street!
5. …Or the slightly quieter but delicious Oak Street
6. Cruise down St. Charles on the streetcar for some real estate sightseeing
7. Relax by the Mississippi at The Fly (don't forget your crawfish!)
8. Advise a diva to get her walking shoes on, walking is the best way to see the city!

Superbowl in Style

Soon we will welcome the San Francisco 49er’s and the Baltimore Ravens to the Big Easy for Superbowl XLVII! Tailgating fashionably is an art and no one does it like Southern ladies, so here’s what you need to know to prepare for the long game day festivities!

Wear clothes you can move and cheer in. It’s always fun to wear bright Nike kicks, but if you’re a glamazon (like us!), you won’t be caught dead in sneakers and a team jersey! Maxi dresses in your team’s colors are comfortable, fashionable, and you won’t have to change for the after party! 49er’s fans can pair the Sweet Olivier red maxi dress below with a gold sweater and sandals to stay comfortable, fashionable, and FAN-tastic!

A wrap dress is perfect for Ravens fanatics to show how fierce and fashionable they are. The purple Pearl Southern Couture version below would look great with a scarf or blazer! The designer, Amber Perley, also makes a purple blazer so Raven’s fans (& Tiger Fans!) can support their team year-round!

Finally, we carry our hearts on our sleeves and our support on our talons. We’re talking about nail art – so get creative and show your support with every wave! Scour Pinterest for ideas, or just follow FWNOLA for our top picks!

(Designer: Sweet Olivier) 

(Designer: Pearl Southern Couture)