FASHION MEETS FAMILY

WRITTEN BY ERICA HINTON PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

The littlest gatorbug, Catherine, was born with a love of fashion and could spot a vintage Chanel design by the time she was 10. In late 2018, at the age of 24, she made the decision to open a brick and mortar specializing in women’s contemporary wear. As she worked to pull the store together, tragedy struck the family when Patricia passed away in January 2019. Catherine had been struggling to find the perfect name for her store, when Sydney, her cousin, pointed out that there was really only one name to choose and that was The Gatorbug.

Their goal is to provide women of all ages and sizes with the most fashionable clothing in a wide range of price points, offering everything from clothing and shoes to jewelry and handbags. “Many people will go into the dressing room once, and if something doesn’t work, they won’t come out and try again,” said Sydney. “We want people to come in and trust us to help them with the right fit and style for their body type.”

Check out some of their amazing spring looks, which The Gatorbug graciously took the time to curate for us at their shop at Midtown East in Raleigh. You can also visit them in Cary at Fenton or at Atlantic Station in Atlantic Beach. thegatorbug.com

THESE DRESSES WORK BEAUTIFULLY FOR ANY SPECIAL OCCASION, LIKE A BRIDAL SHOWER OR SPRING HOLIDAY.

DRESS: ELOISE DRESS IN WHITE IKAT BY SHERIDAN FRENCH, $340

EARRINGS: SMALL SHAKEDOWN EARRINGS IN ORANGE BY SHEILA FAJL, $98

MODEL: KRISTEN BARNETT

DRESS: ELEANOR DRESS IN BONBON BY VICTORIA DUNN, $240

EARRINGS: GLOSS FLORAL EARRINGS IN TURQUOISE BY PINK REEF, $90

MODEL: MERRY GRACE BARNETT

A WARDROBE MUST-HAVE FOR A WEEKEND BRUNCH OR A DATE NIGHT OUT.

DRESS: MAISIE DRESS IN WILDCAT BY CROSBY, $268

EARRINGS: AUGUSTA HOOPS IN SHINY 18 KARAT GOLD BY SHEILA FAJL, $98

MODEL: WENDY HAWLEY

THE ULTIMATE ELEVATED CASUAL LOOK.

TOP: FLINT TOP IN PAINT THE TOWN BY CROSBY, $172

JEANS: CONNIE HIGH RISE FAB ANKLE SKINNY IN HERO WASH BY KUT, $103.50

EARRINGS: CHERI STUD EARRINGS IN GOLD BY MIGNONNE GAVIGAN, $95

MODEL: KRISTEN BARNETT

THE PERFECT OUTFIT TO TRANSITION FROM WORK TO A NIGHT OUT.

BLAZER: TUCKER BLAZER IN HOT PINK BY BUDDY LOVE, $140

TOP: SUIT YOURSELF SCOOP NECK TANK BODYSUIT IN WHITE BY SPANX, $68

SHORTS: MAE SHORTS IN HOT PINK BY BUDDY LOVE, $90

EARRINGS: JEWEL BOX EARRINGS IN LIGHT PINK BY PINK REEF, $135

MODEL: MERRY GRACE BARNETT

THIS SET IS PERFECT FOR A TROPICAL GETAWAY.

TOP: HAMPTON TOP IN MARBLE BY EMILY MCCARTHY, $188

PANTS: PALAZZO PARTY PANTS IN MAUVE BY EMILY MCCARTHY, $258

EARRINGS: DEVON EARRINGS IN SILVER-PLATED BY SHEILA FAJL, $98

MODEL: WENDY HAWLEY