Start Off Spring in Southern Style

By Anne Cutler

I can hardly believe it’s been five years since I packed my bags and moved to New Orleans! I’m a California girl at heart, but slowly I’ve traded my avocados for fresh creole tomatoes, my lattes for chickory coffee and my clam chowder for seafood gumbo.

However, my stomach isn’t the only thing that’s evolved… my wardrobe has too!

These days I find just about any excuse to break out a big chapeau. There’s nothing that says New Orleans more than wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat while sipping on a martini at Commander’s Palace. Head to the race track on opening day and you’ll find floppies and fascinators as far as the eye can see. Pop on over to the Audubon Zoo and keep it casual under the oak trees with a cool fedora.

With Easter Sunday fast approaching, it’s time to put away our winter wool. I’ve compiled a few of my top picks for spring. Everyone needs a wide-brimmed straw floppy, but why not add a fedora, panama and even a modern ball cap to the mix? For maximum versatility, keep your colors neutral, but don’t be afraid of texture and print. You’ll be feeling like a Southern Belle in no time!

Favorite floppies:

Funky fedoras:

Perfect panamas:

Chic caps: