Is there a regional style?
 

After having spent (more or less) the past nine months in New England, coming back home to the South has been quite a culture shock, even after two years. Anyway, I realized that there's a distinct Southern style. There's some stuff I have here that I would not wear in RI, and there's some stuff that I wear ALL THE TIME in RI that I won't wear here. Part of it is materials (I can't really wear linen in February or wool in July).

Is this just me? Am I the only one who notices that difference?

Yeah, I would say so. In fact, here in the Bay Area, the style actually changes from city to city! I would say a great deal depends on the weather and how traditional the city is. It also depends on whether you live in the suburbs (usually more traditional) or the big metropolitan cities. Also, if you live near a beach, for example--the dress will be a lot different than one living in the Central Valley. For instance, driving down to Santa Cruz (known for the beautiful beaches)...the uniform in the summer is almost always short shorts, flip flops, and tanks/T-shirts for day (for girls). At night, sundresses or some slinky outfit. San Jose--another atmosphere. More dressy/formal there...with lots of corporates/Silicon Valley people there. San Francisco--laid-back, wear whatever (when not at work)...fashion in SF is basically up to you...it's so amazing to see fashionistas, then hippies, then beachwear, etc... SF, I'm sure you know, is known for its eclectic mix of styles and fashions. At night, though, a lot of ppl dress up to the max. You also see a lot of power suits sometimes. Los Angeles--there in ONE city is an array of fashions and styles...from ppl wearing huge designer labels to surfer chicks, etc.

So yeah--definitely...I'd think dressing in the South would be a lot different from dress in teh West Coast. The West Coast in general is soooo laid-back and liberal.


[This message has been edited by newbie (edited June 17, 2001).]

Yes! there is a difference. When I tranferred to a school in Va, I noticed that people are a little more dressy. It's a Big difference in the way people act too. When i was in the deep south,everyone said Hi and very friendly. Now that i'm in Va, People on snobs, not friendly. I guess it must be me. But i can definitely tell the difference.

Binks, yeah, you're right...there is a definite difference in how you're treated from region to region, too! CA is great...friendly ppl all around...yet know when to leave you on your own...

I don't think that the ppl in VA are snobs...they just aren't reared up to be as "hospitable," maybe, as Southerners. I would presume that there would be a HUGE cultural shock from going from the South to bustling NY.

[This message has been edited by newbie (edited June 16, 2001).]

I've lived in Los Angeles for 14 years, grew up in Las Vegas-- and when I am visiting friends in D.C. or Charlotte NC, or when they are visiting here or we are all in Vegas, I marvel at how natural it is for me to feel comfortable prancing around in next to nothing--due in part to always living in hot climates that necessitate short shorts, slinky dresses and tank tops 9 months of the year--and how they are all self conscious and feeling slutty and saying how they could never wear this back home, and how I laugh because I don't even think twice about wearing something they consider slutty to work--nor does anyone else in my office.

I think weather has a lot to do with local style, as does how liberal or conservative an area is.


[This message has been edited by amycat412 (edited June 16, 2001).]

Oh definitely! Just look at all of the South's brighter colors, Lily Pulitzer prints (which I have only seen in vacation spots up North like the Hamptons, but you see people running to Target in them down here), etc. It seems like the friendlier the people, the more "outgoing' the fashions. Something about all black/neutrals says "stay away,don't notice me,I'm busy" while if you are dressed in hot pink capri's, you can't help but be noticed, and therefore be outgoing. I for one would feel like a nutcase if I walked into a store in New York decked out in Lily...........but here in NC, it's second nature!

[This message has been edited by preppie (edited June 16, 2001).]

I went to school in Virginia and have family in California and I can see where you guys are coming from. I know in Sacramento people tend to dress down a lot more and that has to deal with climate and culture. Just like what was said before. I agree that we do tend to dress up more and even more so the closer you work or live to DC. As far as snobbiness/hospitality. I think that just depends on the person, the area your from and the school you went to. Like here people from UVA are considered big time snobs but then people down at Virginia Tech are considered really laid back. I might be generalizing a little bit though. Another thing is that each state has its own political focus. Like some states tend to be more liberal like California or Conservative like some states in the east or south.

-Kevin

I grew up in northern California, and this past semester I transferred schools and lived in southern California- San Diego. Anyway my style has not changed that much- since high school people have always told me that I look very LA...what ever that means. One big change was that at home (northern California) when I would wear sandals they were either Birkenstocks or the Dr. Martin sandals. If I was wearing boots they were Dr. Martins. In SD I only wear flip flops, and I never wore my Dr. Martin boots, regardless of the weather. I'm not saying that everyone in SD is like this, but this was one change I saw in my style when I moved.

It was the opposite culture shock for me. I went from NY to VA. I think Virginians are the nicest people! People are so much nicer than they are in NY.

Everyone wears dresses in Richmond! It was definitely a new thing for me. Coming from NY, I wore jeans all the time. But now I love dresses and wear them all the time to work.

What school did you transfer to in VA? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

I have noticed such a style difference in different parts of Texas. I grew up in far north west texas, were the climate is way different. Back home is up on the plains, and about 4000 ft in elevation. We would get cold weather all the time and wed get our first freeze around Sept 25 and last freeze around April 10th. Blizzards and the such all the time. Summer days were hot, but the nights cool. Days 95, and nights 55, with no humidity.

I moved to deep south Texas (3 1/2 hours from South padre) and the climate is totally different. Winter here is 55 degrees and drizzle. About once a year the temp will drop to 31 and sty there for about 15 minutes (parents will actually put bowls of water outside to prove to their kids that it can freeze outside of the freezer.) Summers are very humid and days are about 95, and nights about 80 AND MUGGY.

Styles here in texas reflect that. Where I grew up you wore pants Sept 1 - May 1 then wore shorts non stop. Even if it was really warm in the school year, you still wore pants, and if we had a cool rainy day in the summer, you still wore shorts. I guess the people there wanted to take advantage of the "summer". Down in South Texas it could be 110 in the summer and it will be an equal mix of pants and shorts. Same goes in Winter. its just really different.
(Although it does suck when it is 80 on New Years Day. Palm trees and Holiday lights just dont do it for me.)

Also, in this part of tx you dont see as much big hair as you do in far north texas. People also eat outside all the time here. Most resturaunts have outside seating. I was 18 before I ever ate outside whilst not on a picnic.

I didnt notice that big of difference from going from DC to Mass in style of dress. I did notice that people arent as friendly, everyone has a depressed look on their face like they lost their best friend.

Well, it even changes from state to state in the south. I'm from Florida and we tend to dress a little bit differently than other traditionally Southern states.

I didn't really ever notice it until my parents came to visit me one time at college in Alabama. My mom wore a red dress to our version of Homecoming and everyone kept commenting on her dress. It's not that it was ugly, just that no one wears a lot of color there for some reason. I looked around and even I was wearing black. :p

VA
 

Keep in mind that Virginia is split into 3 different parts: rural VA (western and southern VA), Northern VA, and Hampton Roads. Speaking for the latter, I can say that for being the eighth largest metropolitan area in the U.S, it is one of the most hospitable around.