Fashion Forecast
still mind-bogglingly. I find myself trying to keep a firm ground in the centrifugal pull of mommy, career girl, church volunteer, wife, friend, housekeeper, chauffeur and daughter. Who the heck am I for me? And that is when I reach for my running shoes. My little happy place is not meant to serve as a metaphor, but is it? Life has seemed to go from simple to complex. What is all of this “stuff?” Even during those times when life may seem to spin out of hand, one thing we remain in control of is our style. This is not just fashion speak, though certainly an embodiment for it. Style is a representation of who we are; our heritage, our likes, even our values. We all want to like what we see and be made to feel confident by our mirror’s reflection. Trends come and go, and though some create a temporary sense of excitement, as it pertains to even my own style, I constantly find myself attracted to that which transcends time. Having small children bears a constant chaos and often happy chaos as it may be, more than ever I am drawn toward all things timeless and classic. There is a great ease about these beautiful, brilliant things, a sense of peace and confidence that comes from being adorned by them. Effortless Parisian style, a three quarter length tan trench cinched at the waist, Katherine Hepburn, tartan plaid, a perfectly tousled chignon, the right amount of skin, oversized tortoise shell sunglasses, Faye Dunaway in Bonnie & Clyde, the color navy, make-up free au naturel skin, impeccable manners and the woman who really doesn’t try very hard but still possesses an unexplained level of attraction toward chivalry, southern refinery and decadence, be it imaginary or real, clever cocktail in hand. Timeless classic is an undefined style which cannot be replicated. Accoutrements of fluff and interest will spark our desire, but we mustn’t lose our firm of who we are to ourselves or for the understanding to that which we are drawn. Just like our Pawleys Island, there will only ever be just one. Photography by Donna Ternigan • momentsbydonna.com
Whitley Adkins Hamlin Whitley Adkins Hamlin is a wardrobe stylist specializing in personal, editorial and commercial work, and the author of the fashion blog, the Queen City Style (www.thequeencitystyle.com). The grand daughter and great granddaughter of wardrobe stylists, Whitley has been exposed to, and collected, one of a kind wardrobe pieces since she was a young girl. As a result, Whitley both learned and taught herself the art of cultivating one of a kind looks she passes on to her clients. In her free time, Whitley is an avid runner who loves spending time with her husband and two young boys, cooking and entertaining and redecorating her house until there is nothing left to redecorate (which is never, ha!).
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