You probably already know a lot about Atlanta: recently dubbed the hip-hop capital of America, Hotlanta has hosted the Olympics, is home to major media companies like CNN and TBS (not to mention Coca-Cola), and birthed such visionary artists as Outkast, Ludacris, and Waka Flocka Flame (more on him later) — but do you know how its residents dress during the brutal summer months that helped give the city its nickname?
As a born Southerner, I’m no stranger to Atlanta. I called it home for a summer, while I was interning at a magazine. Prior to that I'd gone back and forth frequently to visit family living just outside the perimeter. But it's been five years since I've lived there, so I decided to revisit my roots.
I planned my recent trip around Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash, a huge rap concert at the Philips Arena featuring the likes of T.I., Rick Ross, Future, Travis Porter, Crime Mob, Gucci Mane, and Trillville. Concertgoers always dress to the nines for this show, an annual event now in its 17th iteration (I also attended in 2007), and I expected to bear witness to some amazing looks. What follows is the story of my trek through the dirty dirty’s best metropolis.
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Shopping My Dad's Closet...
I flew into my hometown, Birmingham, late on Friday. As soon as I walked in the door, my ever-stylish mother complimented my Michael Kors watch. She then proceeded to describe a Wittnauer watch she'd gifted my dad years ago that he "never wears anymore," and asked me if I wanted to see it. Um, yes. What’s funny is that the reason I bought this particular MK watch is that it’s currently the only timepiece in his entire portfolio with a blue face and my dad's watch features the same prominent detail. Clearly I've inherited my father's taste. This watch is beautiful, with a yellow gold band and a diamond to mark every hour of the day. The time-telling mechanisms have long been broken, but — in the words of Atlanta’s own Waka Flocka — I don’t really care.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
And My Mom's
The next morning I shopped my mom’s closet and nabbed this cute skinny white belt with silver studs. My bus left for Atlanta around noon. It was already in the mid-80s, and humid to boot, so I opted for my crochet crop sweater with nothing underneath. The theme for the weekend had already been clearly stated as “Ratchet 2012” so I figured I would get off on the right foot.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
Birthday Bash in a Hurry
The concert was scheduled for the night of my arrival. We were running late so I just washed my face and slipped on my outfit — high-waisted booty shorts, a curve-hugging crop top, and massive heels — called a cab, and proceeded to sit in ridiculous traffic for about 20 minutes. Normally, after living in New York City, I refrain from wearing heels this size unless I know I won’t be walking more than two or three blocks.
But, when in Atlanta — especially for Birthday Bash — you go hard in the paint (I promise, eventually I’ll stop quoting Waka Flocka. Maybe). And as a female, you wear heels. You just do. So I threw caution to the wind and shoes on my feet, and as soon as we found our seats at the venue, they were off. Don’t judge me for going barefoot in public! It was really dark anyway and no one could see! I feel like I should show a closeup of these zapatos so you can fully understand why I made my choices.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
The Huge Heels
See? I love these shoes, but they were definitely not made for walking. The traffic was so bad near the Philips Arena that we ended up hopping out of the cab and walking several blocks. I should have taken this as a bad sign, but was far too hyped-up to think critically.
After the show, we ended up walking about two miles — one to get to a club, and then another to get home from the train station afterward. A few of my toes went numb; my poor little pinky toes have never hurt so bad in my life. I was not happy, and I vowed never again to wear them unless I know for a fact that I would not be walking more than a few blocks. Also, I became painfully aware that I’m just too old for this nonsense.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
Luckily, I Wasn't Alone
I wasn’t lying: people really do dress to the nines for this concert, and ladies wear heels. Granted, I did notice a few women in flats, but you could almost literally see the shun field surrounding them. I love the gold-studded booties in this photo, but more than anything, I think it’s telling that three out of four women in the shot are wearing wedges. Not only are wedges obviously super-trendy right now, but they also tend to be more comfortable than stilettos and other types of heels. This, of course, is barring my bright blue babies, which still hurt like hell. My hat's off to the ladies in this photo, who appeared unfazed by the stacked inches beneath their soles.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
No, Really, People Hold Their Shoes
This is a shot of my friend in the bathroom after the show. Like me, she wore ridiculous heels that were not made for walking, dancing, standing, or really doing anything that requires you to be on your feet. She ended up holding her heels for the rest of the night while wearing a pair of disposable flats she'd packed. All this raises the question: what good are shoes if you can’t do anything but sit in them? I’ll tell you: they look fabulous. As long as you’re sitting down — which, at this point in my life, is what I feel I should spend most of my time doing when I'm out on the town. Sorry I’m not sorry.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
Neon, Patterns, and Weaves, Oh My!
No, not that kind of weave, though those were more than plentiful as well. In keeping with the season's trends, neon was in no short supply at the concert. I spotted this bag as we migrated with the crowd back to the streets of Atlanta after the show. Notice also that the bag's owner is wearing neon coral denim shorts. She is also wearing flat sandals, which definitely places her firmly in the minority, but I suppose she was hoping her bright snakeskin bag would keep everyone's eyeballs above her feet.
She wasn't the only one who relied upon a pop of vivid color to pull her look together: Kelly Rowland, former member of Destiny's Child and the only female artist to take the stage that night, wore my staple summer piece, torn denim shorts, and paired them with a white tee, gold chains, and enormous hoop earrings, while a pair of sky-high "Kiss Me" pumps from Charlotte Olympia added a pop of red to her outfit. Headliner T.I. also participated in the neon trend, choosing a classic orange (duh) Hermès scarf — worn tucked into the front pocket of his camo cargo shorts — that matched his neon orange sneaks.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
Thank God Cut-Off Denim Is Trendy Right Now
Miss Kelly wasn't the only one on-trend that night. Ripped, ragged denim was plentiful among concertgoers, both male and female alike. I saw this lady near the exit: she paired a cutoff crop denim vest with a bright blue top, a neon pink skirt, and high-top black sneakers (in my view, the only acceptable form of flats women can wear to the show).
I like this particular shot because you can see how so many folks around her were also wearing bright, neon colors. Even the woman in the distance, toward the top right corner, is wearing a pattern inlaid with neon outlines. While my ripped denim game is definitely on point, my time in Atlanta made me realize I need to step up my neon! This is partially why, as soon as I arrived back in Birmingham for much-needed family time, I got a neon coral Shellac on my nails. That way, every time I leave the house, my neon is already there, without me having to think about it. Ever-present neon? Yes, please. Now I just need a lip to match.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
Tubing On A River
Inspired by Miss Kelly and her co-horts, the next day I got up and threw this on. My friend and I had plans to tube on the Chattahoochee River, just outside Atlanta. Oh, you don’t know what tubing is, you say? Funny you should ask! I'd never done it before, so here’s the rundown: you sit in an inner tube, preferably attached to a floating cooler filled with choice libations, and you float downstream for a few hours. That’s it. It's quite a popular pastime in the Atlanta area, and is lovingly referred to as "shootin' the Hooch." It's only a mildly dramatic overstatement that it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life.
And since I was a tubing virgin, I had no idea what to wear. I donned my favorite (really, my only functional) swimsuit — a black vintage Jantzen number from the 80s with the highest cut leg holes you ever saw — and then covered it with my fave cut-off vintage denim shorts and this sheer tie crop top from Candies. Yes, that Candies. I wore this on a coffee run before we hit the road toward the river. And just FYI, fellow New Yorkers: in Atlanta, it’s possible to get a grande iced coffee (with soy no less) and a banana at Starbucks for less than $4. I KNOW RIGHT.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
Heels: The Resurrection
After tubing and a well-deserved nap, we went out for a delicious dinner at a sushi restaurant in Midtown. I traded my raggedy denim shorts for my new favorite possession: hip-hugging black J Brand shorts. And then, despite a miniature but valiant fight put up by my little toes, I slipped my tootsies back into the blue monsters from the night before. They just look so good at the end of my legs, I thought. I can do this, I thought. It’s not that bad, I thought. Then I walked to the car, down a few stairs and a gravel driveway, and as soon as my butt hit the seat, I changed into my Tory Burch flats, which completed my look for the rest of the night.
I thoroughly enjoyed my meal without the six or so inches of added height courtesy of the Big Blues, so I’m okay with it. But for my next night out in the Big Apple, as long as I’m either in a cab or sitting down, you best believe they’re making a comeback. I think that makes me what we in the South call an "ignoramus," but it's all in the name of fashion.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
Shopping My Dad's Closet...
I flew into my hometown, Birmingham, late on Friday. As soon as I walked in the door, my ever-stylish mother complimented my Michael Kors watch. She then proceeded to describe a Wittnauer watch she'd gifted my dad years ago that he "never wears anymore," and asked me if I wanted to see it. Um, yes. What’s funny is that the reason I bought this particular MK watch is that it’s currently the only timepiece in his entire portfolio with a blue face and my dad's watch features the same prominent detail. Clearly I've inherited my father's taste. This watch is beautiful, with a yellow gold band and a diamond to mark every hour of the day. The time-telling mechanisms have long been broken, but — in the words of Atlanta’s own Waka Flocka — I don’t really care.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
And My Mom's
The next morning I shopped my mom’s closet and nabbed this cute skinny white belt with silver studs. My bus left for Atlanta around noon. It was already in the mid-80s, and humid to boot, so I opted for my crochet crop sweater with nothing underneath. The theme for the weekend had already been clearly stated as “Ratchet 2012” so I figured I would get off on the right foot.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
Birthday Bash in a Hurry
The concert was scheduled for the night of my arrival. We were running late so I just washed my face and slipped on my outfit — high-waisted booty shorts, a curve-hugging crop top, and massive heels — called a cab, and proceeded to sit in ridiculous traffic for about 20 minutes. Normally, after living in New York City, I refrain from wearing heels this size unless I know I won’t be walking more than two or three blocks.
But, when in Atlanta — especially for Birthday Bash — you go hard in the paint (I promise, eventually I’ll stop quoting Waka Flocka. Maybe). And as a female, you wear heels. You just do. So I threw caution to the wind and shoes on my feet, and as soon as we found our seats at the venue, they were off. Don’t judge me for going barefoot in public! It was really dark anyway and no one could see! I feel like I should show a closeup of these zapatos so you can fully understand why I made my choices.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
The Huge Heels
See? I love these shoes, but they were definitely not made for walking. The traffic was so bad near the Philips Arena that we ended up hopping out of the cab and walking several blocks. I should have taken this as a bad sign, but was far too hyped-up to think critically.
After the show, we ended up walking about two miles — one to get to a club, and then another to get home from the train station afterward. A few of my toes went numb; my poor little pinky toes have never hurt so bad in my life. I was not happy, and I vowed never again to wear them unless I know for a fact that I would not be walking more than a few blocks. Also, I became painfully aware that I’m just too old for this nonsense.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
Luckily, I Wasn't Alone
I wasn’t lying: people really do dress to the nines for this concert, and ladies wear heels. Granted, I did notice a few women in flats, but you could almost literally see the shun field surrounding them. I love the gold-studded booties in this photo, but more than anything, I think it’s telling that three out of four women in the shot are wearing wedges. Not only are wedges obviously super-trendy right now, but they also tend to be more comfortable than stilettos and other types of heels. This, of course, is barring my bright blue babies, which still hurt like hell. My hat's off to the ladies in this photo, who appeared unfazed by the stacked inches beneath their soles.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
No, Really, People Hold Their Shoes
This is a shot of my friend in the bathroom after the show. Like me, she wore ridiculous heels that were not made for walking, dancing, standing, or really doing anything that requires you to be on your feet. She ended up holding her heels for the rest of the night while wearing a pair of disposable flats she'd packed. All this raises the question: what good are shoes if you can’t do anything but sit in them? I’ll tell you: they look fabulous. As long as you’re sitting down — which, at this point in my life, is what I feel I should spend most of my time doing when I'm out on the town. Sorry I’m not sorry.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
Neon, Patterns, and Weaves, Oh My!
No, not that kind of weave, though those were more than plentiful as well. In keeping with the season's trends, neon was in no short supply at the concert. I spotted this bag as we migrated with the crowd back to the streets of Atlanta after the show. Notice also that the bag's owner is wearing neon coral denim shorts. She is also wearing flat sandals, which definitely places her firmly in the minority, but I suppose she was hoping her bright snakeskin bag would keep everyone's eyeballs above her feet.
She wasn't the only one who relied upon a pop of vivid color to pull her look together: Kelly Rowland, former member of Destiny's Child and the only female artist to take the stage that night, wore my staple summer piece, torn denim shorts, and paired them with a white tee, gold chains, and enormous hoop earrings, while a pair of sky-high "Kiss Me" pumps from Charlotte Olympia added a pop of red to her outfit. Headliner T.I. also participated in the neon trend, choosing a classic orange (duh) Hermès scarf — worn tucked into the front pocket of his camo cargo shorts — that matched his neon orange sneaks.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
Thank God Cut-Off Denim Is Trendy Right Now
Miss Kelly wasn't the only one on-trend that night. Ripped, ragged denim was plentiful among concertgoers, both male and female alike. I saw this lady near the exit: she paired a cutoff crop denim vest with a bright blue top, a neon pink skirt, and high-top black sneakers (in my view, the only acceptable form of flats women can wear to the show).
I like this particular shot because you can see how so many folks around her were also wearing bright, neon colors. Even the woman in the distance, toward the top right corner, is wearing a pattern inlaid with neon outlines. While my ripped denim game is definitely on point, my time in Atlanta made me realize I need to step up my neon! This is partially why, as soon as I arrived back in Birmingham for much-needed family time, I got a neon coral Shellac on my nails. That way, every time I leave the house, my neon is already there, without me having to think about it. Ever-present neon? Yes, please. Now I just need a lip to match.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
Tubing On A River
Inspired by Miss Kelly and her co-horts, the next day I got up and threw this on. My friend and I had plans to tube on the Chattahoochee River, just outside Atlanta. Oh, you don’t know what tubing is, you say? Funny you should ask! I'd never done it before, so here’s the rundown: you sit in an inner tube, preferably attached to a floating cooler filled with choice libations, and you float downstream for a few hours. That’s it. It's quite a popular pastime in the Atlanta area, and is lovingly referred to as "shootin' the Hooch." It's only a mildly dramatic overstatement that it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life.
And since I was a tubing virgin, I had no idea what to wear. I donned my favorite (really, my only functional) swimsuit — a black vintage Jantzen number from the 80s with the highest cut leg holes you ever saw — and then covered it with my fave cut-off vintage denim shorts and this sheer tie crop top from Candies. Yes, that Candies. I wore this on a coffee run before we hit the road toward the river. And just FYI, fellow New Yorkers: in Atlanta, it’s possible to get a grande iced coffee (with soy no less) and a banana at Starbucks for less than $4. I KNOW RIGHT.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
Heels: The Resurrection
After tubing and a well-deserved nap, we went out for a delicious dinner at a sushi restaurant in Midtown. I traded my raggedy denim shorts for my new favorite possession: hip-hugging black J Brand shorts. And then, despite a miniature but valiant fight put up by my little toes, I slipped my tootsies back into the blue monsters from the night before. They just look so good at the end of my legs, I thought. I can do this, I thought. It’s not that bad, I thought. Then I walked to the car, down a few stairs and a gravel driveway, and as soon as my butt hit the seat, I changed into my Tory Burch flats, which completed my look for the rest of the night.
I thoroughly enjoyed my meal without the six or so inches of added height courtesy of the Big Blues, so I’m okay with it. But for my next night out in the Big Apple, as long as I’m either in a cab or sitting down, you best believe they’re making a comeback. I think that makes me what we in the South call an "ignoramus," but it's all in the name of fashion.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
Shopping My Dad's Closet...
I flew into my hometown, Birmingham, late on Friday. As soon as I walked in the door, my ever-stylish mother complimented my Michael Kors watch. She then proceeded to describe a Wittnauer watch she'd gifted my dad years ago that he "never wears anymore," and asked me if I wanted to see it. Um, yes. What’s funny is that the reason I bought this particular MK watch is that it’s currently the only timepiece in his entire portfolio with a blue face and my dad's watch features the same prominent detail. Clearly I've inherited my father's taste. This watch is beautiful, with a yellow gold band and a diamond to mark every hour of the day. The time-telling mechanisms have long been broken, but — in the words of Atlanta’s own Waka Flocka — I don’t really care.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
And My Mom's
The next morning I shopped my mom’s closet and nabbed this cute skinny white belt with silver studs. My bus left for Atlanta around noon. It was already in the mid-80s, and humid to boot, so I opted for my crochet crop sweater with nothing underneath. The theme for the weekend had already been clearly stated as “Ratchet 2012” so I figured I would get off on the right foot.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
Birthday Bash in a Hurry
The concert was scheduled for the night of my arrival. We were running late so I just washed my face and slipped on my outfit — high-waisted booty shorts, a curve-hugging crop top, and massive heels — called a cab, and proceeded to sit in ridiculous traffic for about 20 minutes. Normally, after living in New York City, I refrain from wearing heels this size unless I know I won’t be walking more than two or three blocks.
But, when in Atlanta — especially for Birthday Bash — you go hard in the paint (I promise, eventually I’ll stop quoting Waka Flocka. Maybe). And as a female, you wear heels. You just do. So I threw caution to the wind and shoes on my feet, and as soon as we found our seats at the venue, they were off. Don’t judge me for going barefoot in public! It was really dark anyway and no one could see! I feel like I should show a closeup of these zapatos so you can fully understand why I made my choices.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
The Huge Heels
See? I love these shoes, but they were definitely not made for walking. The traffic was so bad near the Philips Arena that we ended up hopping out of the cab and walking several blocks. I should have taken this as a bad sign, but was far too hyped-up to think critically.
After the show, we ended up walking about two miles — one to get to a club, and then another to get home from the train station afterward. A few of my toes went numb; my poor little pinky toes have never hurt so bad in my life. I was not happy, and I vowed never again to wear them unless I know for a fact that I would not be walking more than a few blocks. Also, I became painfully aware that I’m just too old for this nonsense.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
Luckily, I Wasn't Alone
I wasn’t lying: people really do dress to the nines for this concert, and ladies wear heels. Granted, I did notice a few women in flats, but you could almost literally see the shun field surrounding them. I love the gold-studded booties in this photo, but more than anything, I think it’s telling that three out of four women in the shot are wearing wedges. Not only are wedges obviously super-trendy right now, but they also tend to be more comfortable than stilettos and other types of heels. This, of course, is barring my bright blue babies, which still hurt like hell. My hat's off to the ladies in this photo, who appeared unfazed by the stacked inches beneath their soles.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
No, Really, People Hold Their Shoes
This is a shot of my friend in the bathroom after the show. Like me, she wore ridiculous heels that were not made for walking, dancing, standing, or really doing anything that requires you to be on your feet. She ended up holding her heels for the rest of the night while wearing a pair of disposable flats she'd packed. All this raises the question: what good are shoes if you can’t do anything but sit in them? I’ll tell you: they look fabulous. As long as you’re sitting down — which, at this point in my life, is what I feel I should spend most of my time doing when I'm out on the town. Sorry I’m not sorry.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
Neon, Patterns, and Weaves, Oh My!
No, not that kind of weave, though those were more than plentiful as well. In keeping with the season's trends, neon was in no short supply at the concert. I spotted this bag as we migrated with the crowd back to the streets of Atlanta after the show. Notice also that the bag's owner is wearing neon coral denim shorts. She is also wearing flat sandals, which definitely places her firmly in the minority, but I suppose she was hoping her bright snakeskin bag would keep everyone's eyeballs above her feet.
She wasn't the only one who relied upon a pop of vivid color to pull her look together: Kelly Rowland, former member of Destiny's Child and the only female artist to take the stage that night, wore my staple summer piece, torn denim shorts, and paired them with a white tee, gold chains, and enormous hoop earrings, while a pair of sky-high "Kiss Me" pumps from Charlotte Olympia added a pop of red to her outfit. Headliner T.I. also participated in the neon trend, choosing a classic orange (duh) Hermès scarf — worn tucked into the front pocket of his camo cargo shorts — that matched his neon orange sneaks.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
Thank God Cut-Off Denim Is Trendy Right Now
Miss Kelly wasn't the only one on-trend that night. Ripped, ragged denim was plentiful among concertgoers, both male and female alike. I saw this lady near the exit: she paired a cutoff crop denim vest with a bright blue top, a neon pink skirt, and high-top black sneakers (in my view, the only acceptable form of flats women can wear to the show).
I like this particular shot because you can see how so many folks around her were also wearing bright, neon colors. Even the woman in the distance, toward the top right corner, is wearing a pattern inlaid with neon outlines. While my ripped denim game is definitely on point, my time in Atlanta made me realize I need to step up my neon! This is partially why, as soon as I arrived back in Birmingham for much-needed family time, I got a neon coral Shellac on my nails. That way, every time I leave the house, my neon is already there, without me having to think about it. Ever-present neon? Yes, please. Now I just need a lip to match.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
Tubing On A River
Inspired by Miss Kelly and her co-horts, the next day I got up and threw this on. My friend and I had plans to tube on the Chattahoochee River, just outside Atlanta. Oh, you don’t know what tubing is, you say? Funny you should ask! I'd never done it before, so here’s the rundown: you sit in an inner tube, preferably attached to a floating cooler filled with choice libations, and you float downstream for a few hours. That’s it. It's quite a popular pastime in the Atlanta area, and is lovingly referred to as "shootin' the Hooch." It's only a mildly dramatic overstatement that it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life.
And since I was a tubing virgin, I had no idea what to wear. I donned my favorite (really, my only functional) swimsuit — a black vintage Jantzen number from the 80s with the highest cut leg holes you ever saw — and then covered it with my fave cut-off vintage denim shorts and this sheer tie crop top from Candies. Yes, that Candies. I wore this on a coffee run before we hit the road toward the river. And just FYI, fellow New Yorkers: in Atlanta, it’s possible to get a grande iced coffee (with soy no less) and a banana at Starbucks for less than $4. I KNOW RIGHT.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
-
Heels: The Resurrection
After tubing and a well-deserved nap, we went out for a delicious dinner at a sushi restaurant in Midtown. I traded my raggedy denim shorts for my new favorite possession: hip-hugging black J Brand shorts. And then, despite a miniature but valiant fight put up by my little toes, I slipped my tootsies back into the blue monsters from the night before. They just look so good at the end of my legs, I thought. I can do this, I thought. It’s not that bad, I thought. Then I walked to the car, down a few stairs and a gravel driveway, and as soon as my butt hit the seat, I changed into my Tory Burch flats, which completed my look for the rest of the night.
I thoroughly enjoyed my meal without the six or so inches of added height courtesy of the Big Blues, so I’m okay with it. But for my next night out in the Big Apple, as long as I’m either in a cab or sitting down, you best believe they’re making a comeback. I think that makes me what we in the South call an "ignoramus," but it's all in the name of fashion.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
I flew into my hometown, Birmingham, late on Friday. As soon as I walked in the door, my ever-stylish mother complimented my Michael Kors watch. She then proceeded to describe a Wittnauer watch she'd gifted my dad years ago that he "never wears anymore," and asked me if I wanted to see it. Um, yes. What’s funny is that the reason I bought this particular MK watch is that it’s currently the only timepiece in his entire portfolio with a blue face and my dad's watch features the same prominent detail. Clearly I've inherited my father's taste. This watch is beautiful, with a yellow gold band and a diamond to mark every hour of the day. The time-telling mechanisms have long been broken, but — in the words of Atlanta’s own Waka Flocka — I don’t really care.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
The next morning I shopped my mom’s closet and nabbed this cute skinny white belt with silver studs. My bus left for Atlanta around noon. It was already in the mid-80s, and humid to boot, so I opted for my crochet crop sweater with nothing underneath. The theme for the weekend had already been clearly stated as “Ratchet 2012” so I figured I would get off on the right foot.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
The concert was scheduled for the night of my arrival. We were running late so I just washed my face and slipped on my outfit — high-waisted booty shorts, a curve-hugging crop top, and massive heels — called a cab, and proceeded to sit in ridiculous traffic for about 20 minutes. Normally, after living in New York City, I refrain from wearing heels this size unless I know I won’t be walking more than two or three blocks.
But, when in Atlanta — especially for Birthday Bash — you go hard in the paint (I promise, eventually I’ll stop quoting Waka Flocka. Maybe). And as a female, you wear heels. You just do. So I threw caution to the wind and shoes on my feet, and as soon as we found our seats at the venue, they were off. Don’t judge me for going barefoot in public! It was really dark anyway and no one could see! I feel like I should show a closeup of these zapatos so you can fully understand why I made my choices.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
See? I love these shoes, but they were definitely not made for walking. The traffic was so bad near the Philips Arena that we ended up hopping out of the cab and walking several blocks. I should have taken this as a bad sign, but was far too hyped-up to think critically.
After the show, we ended up walking about two miles — one to get to a club, and then another to get home from the train station afterward. A few of my toes went numb; my poor little pinky toes have never hurt so bad in my life. I was not happy, and I vowed never again to wear them unless I know for a fact that I would not be walking more than a few blocks. Also, I became painfully aware that I’m just too old for this nonsense.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
I wasn’t lying: people really do dress to the nines for this concert, and ladies wear heels. Granted, I did notice a few women in flats, but you could almost literally see the shun field surrounding them. I love the gold-studded booties in this photo, but more than anything, I think it’s telling that three out of four women in the shot are wearing wedges. Not only are wedges obviously super-trendy right now, but they also tend to be more comfortable than stilettos and other types of heels. This, of course, is barring my bright blue babies, which still hurt like hell. My hat's off to the ladies in this photo, who appeared unfazed by the stacked inches beneath their soles.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
This is a shot of my friend in the bathroom after the show. Like me, she wore ridiculous heels that were not made for walking, dancing, standing, or really doing anything that requires you to be on your feet. She ended up holding her heels for the rest of the night while wearing a pair of disposable flats she'd packed. All this raises the question: what good are shoes if you can’t do anything but sit in them? I’ll tell you: they look fabulous. As long as you’re sitting down — which, at this point in my life, is what I feel I should spend most of my time doing when I'm out on the town. Sorry I’m not sorry.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
No, not that kind of weave, though those were more than plentiful as well. In keeping with the season's trends, neon was in no short supply at the concert. I spotted this bag as we migrated with the crowd back to the streets of Atlanta after the show. Notice also that the bag's owner is wearing neon coral denim shorts. She is also wearing flat sandals, which definitely places her firmly in the minority, but I suppose she was hoping her bright snakeskin bag would keep everyone's eyeballs above her feet.
She wasn't the only one who relied upon a pop of vivid color to pull her look together: Kelly Rowland, former member of Destiny's Child and the only female artist to take the stage that night, wore my staple summer piece, torn denim shorts, and paired them with a white tee, gold chains, and enormous hoop earrings, while a pair of sky-high "Kiss Me" pumps from Charlotte Olympia added a pop of red to her outfit. Headliner T.I. also participated in the neon trend, choosing a classic orange (duh) Hermès scarf — worn tucked into the front pocket of his camo cargo shorts — that matched his neon orange sneaks.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
Miss Kelly wasn't the only one on-trend that night. Ripped, ragged denim was plentiful among concertgoers, both male and female alike. I saw this lady near the exit: she paired a cutoff crop denim vest with a bright blue top, a neon pink skirt, and high-top black sneakers (in my view, the only acceptable form of flats women can wear to the show).
I like this particular shot because you can see how so many folks around her were also wearing bright, neon colors. Even the woman in the distance, toward the top right corner, is wearing a pattern inlaid with neon outlines. While my ripped denim game is definitely on point, my time in Atlanta made me realize I need to step up my neon! This is partially why, as soon as I arrived back in Birmingham for much-needed family time, I got a neon coral Shellac on my nails. That way, every time I leave the house, my neon is already there, without me having to think about it. Ever-present neon? Yes, please. Now I just need a lip to match.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
Inspired by Miss Kelly and her co-horts, the next day I got up and threw this on. My friend and I had plans to tube on the Chattahoochee River, just outside Atlanta. Oh, you don’t know what tubing is, you say? Funny you should ask! I'd never done it before, so here’s the rundown: you sit in an inner tube, preferably attached to a floating cooler filled with choice libations, and you float downstream for a few hours. That’s it. It's quite a popular pastime in the Atlanta area, and is lovingly referred to as "shootin' the Hooch." It's only a mildly dramatic overstatement that it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life.
And since I was a tubing virgin, I had no idea what to wear. I donned my favorite (really, my only functional) swimsuit — a black vintage Jantzen number from the 80s with the highest cut leg holes you ever saw — and then covered it with my fave cut-off vintage denim shorts and this sheer tie crop top from Candies. Yes, that Candies. I wore this on a coffee run before we hit the road toward the river. And just FYI, fellow New Yorkers: in Atlanta, it’s possible to get a grande iced coffee (with soy no less) and a banana at Starbucks for less than $4. I KNOW RIGHT.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
After tubing and a well-deserved nap, we went out for a delicious dinner at a sushi restaurant in Midtown. I traded my raggedy denim shorts for my new favorite possession: hip-hugging black J Brand shorts. And then, despite a miniature but valiant fight put up by my little toes, I slipped my tootsies back into the blue monsters from the night before. They just look so good at the end of my legs, I thought. I can do this, I thought. It’s not that bad, I thought. Then I walked to the car, down a few stairs and a gravel driveway, and as soon as my butt hit the seat, I changed into my Tory Burch flats, which completed my look for the rest of the night.
I thoroughly enjoyed my meal without the six or so inches of added height courtesy of the Big Blues, so I’m okay with it. But for my next night out in the Big Apple, as long as I’m either in a cab or sitting down, you best believe they’re making a comeback. I think that makes me what we in the South call an "ignoramus," but it's all in the name of fashion.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
I flew into my hometown, Birmingham, late on Friday. As soon as I walked in the door, my ever-stylish mother complimented my Michael Kors watch. She then proceeded to describe a Wittnauer watch she'd gifted my dad years ago that he "never wears anymore," and asked me if I wanted to see it. Um, yes. What’s funny is that the reason I bought this particular MK watch is that it’s currently the only timepiece in his entire portfolio with a blue face and my dad's watch features the same prominent detail. Clearly I've inherited my father's taste. This watch is beautiful, with a yellow gold band and a diamond to mark every hour of the day. The time-telling mechanisms have long been broken, but — in the words of Atlanta’s own Waka Flocka — I don’t really care.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
The next morning I shopped my mom’s closet and nabbed this cute skinny white belt with silver studs. My bus left for Atlanta around noon. It was already in the mid-80s, and humid to boot, so I opted for my crochet crop sweater with nothing underneath. The theme for the weekend had already been clearly stated as “Ratchet 2012” so I figured I would get off on the right foot.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
The concert was scheduled for the night of my arrival. We were running late so I just washed my face and slipped on my outfit — high-waisted booty shorts, a curve-hugging crop top, and massive heels — called a cab, and proceeded to sit in ridiculous traffic for about 20 minutes. Normally, after living in New York City, I refrain from wearing heels this size unless I know I won’t be walking more than two or three blocks.
But, when in Atlanta — especially for Birthday Bash — you go hard in the paint (I promise, eventually I’ll stop quoting Waka Flocka. Maybe). And as a female, you wear heels. You just do. So I threw caution to the wind and shoes on my feet, and as soon as we found our seats at the venue, they were off. Don’t judge me for going barefoot in public! It was really dark anyway and no one could see! I feel like I should show a closeup of these zapatos so you can fully understand why I made my choices.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
See? I love these shoes, but they were definitely not made for walking. The traffic was so bad near the Philips Arena that we ended up hopping out of the cab and walking several blocks. I should have taken this as a bad sign, but was far too hyped-up to think critically.
After the show, we ended up walking about two miles — one to get to a club, and then another to get home from the train station afterward. A few of my toes went numb; my poor little pinky toes have never hurt so bad in my life. I was not happy, and I vowed never again to wear them unless I know for a fact that I would not be walking more than a few blocks. Also, I became painfully aware that I’m just too old for this nonsense.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
I wasn’t lying: people really do dress to the nines for this concert, and ladies wear heels. Granted, I did notice a few women in flats, but you could almost literally see the shun field surrounding them. I love the gold-studded booties in this photo, but more than anything, I think it’s telling that three out of four women in the shot are wearing wedges. Not only are wedges obviously super-trendy right now, but they also tend to be more comfortable than stilettos and other types of heels. This, of course, is barring my bright blue babies, which still hurt like hell. My hat's off to the ladies in this photo, who appeared unfazed by the stacked inches beneath their soles.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
This is a shot of my friend in the bathroom after the show. Like me, she wore ridiculous heels that were not made for walking, dancing, standing, or really doing anything that requires you to be on your feet. She ended up holding her heels for the rest of the night while wearing a pair of disposable flats she'd packed. All this raises the question: what good are shoes if you can’t do anything but sit in them? I’ll tell you: they look fabulous. As long as you’re sitting down — which, at this point in my life, is what I feel I should spend most of my time doing when I'm out on the town. Sorry I’m not sorry.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
No, not that kind of weave, though those were more than plentiful as well. In keeping with the season's trends, neon was in no short supply at the concert. I spotted this bag as we migrated with the crowd back to the streets of Atlanta after the show. Notice also that the bag's owner is wearing neon coral denim shorts. She is also wearing flat sandals, which definitely places her firmly in the minority, but I suppose she was hoping her bright snakeskin bag would keep everyone's eyeballs above her feet.
She wasn't the only one who relied upon a pop of vivid color to pull her look together: Kelly Rowland, former member of Destiny's Child and the only female artist to take the stage that night, wore my staple summer piece, torn denim shorts, and paired them with a white tee, gold chains, and enormous hoop earrings, while a pair of sky-high "Kiss Me" pumps from Charlotte Olympia added a pop of red to her outfit. Headliner T.I. also participated in the neon trend, choosing a classic orange (duh) Hermès scarf — worn tucked into the front pocket of his camo cargo shorts — that matched his neon orange sneaks.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
Miss Kelly wasn't the only one on-trend that night. Ripped, ragged denim was plentiful among concertgoers, both male and female alike. I saw this lady near the exit: she paired a cutoff crop denim vest with a bright blue top, a neon pink skirt, and high-top black sneakers (in my view, the only acceptable form of flats women can wear to the show).
I like this particular shot because you can see how so many folks around her were also wearing bright, neon colors. Even the woman in the distance, toward the top right corner, is wearing a pattern inlaid with neon outlines. While my ripped denim game is definitely on point, my time in Atlanta made me realize I need to step up my neon! This is partially why, as soon as I arrived back in Birmingham for much-needed family time, I got a neon coral Shellac on my nails. That way, every time I leave the house, my neon is already there, without me having to think about it. Ever-present neon? Yes, please. Now I just need a lip to match.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
Inspired by Miss Kelly and her co-horts, the next day I got up and threw this on. My friend and I had plans to tube on the Chattahoochee River, just outside Atlanta. Oh, you don’t know what tubing is, you say? Funny you should ask! I'd never done it before, so here’s the rundown: you sit in an inner tube, preferably attached to a floating cooler filled with choice libations, and you float downstream for a few hours. That’s it. It's quite a popular pastime in the Atlanta area, and is lovingly referred to as "shootin' the Hooch." It's only a mildly dramatic overstatement that it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life.
And since I was a tubing virgin, I had no idea what to wear. I donned my favorite (really, my only functional) swimsuit — a black vintage Jantzen number from the 80s with the highest cut leg holes you ever saw — and then covered it with my fave cut-off vintage denim shorts and this sheer tie crop top from Candies. Yes, that Candies. I wore this on a coffee run before we hit the road toward the river. And just FYI, fellow New Yorkers: in Atlanta, it’s possible to get a grande iced coffee (with soy no less) and a banana at Starbucks for less than $4. I KNOW RIGHT.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
After tubing and a well-deserved nap, we went out for a delicious dinner at a sushi restaurant in Midtown. I traded my raggedy denim shorts for my new favorite possession: hip-hugging black J Brand shorts. And then, despite a miniature but valiant fight put up by my little toes, I slipped my tootsies back into the blue monsters from the night before. They just look so good at the end of my legs, I thought. I can do this, I thought. It’s not that bad, I thought. Then I walked to the car, down a few stairs and a gravel driveway, and as soon as my butt hit the seat, I changed into my Tory Burch flats, which completed my look for the rest of the night.
I thoroughly enjoyed my meal without the six or so inches of added height courtesy of the Big Blues, so I’m okay with it. But for my next night out in the Big Apple, as long as I’m either in a cab or sitting down, you best believe they’re making a comeback. I think that makes me what we in the South call an "ignoramus," but it's all in the name of fashion.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
I flew into my hometown, Birmingham, late on Friday. As soon as I walked in the door, my ever-stylish mother complimented my Michael Kors watch. She then proceeded to describe a Wittnauer watch she'd gifted my dad years ago that he "never wears anymore," and asked me if I wanted to see it. Um, yes. What’s funny is that the reason I bought this particular MK watch is that it’s currently the only timepiece in his entire portfolio with a blue face and my dad's watch features the same prominent detail. Clearly I've inherited my father's taste. This watch is beautiful, with a yellow gold band and a diamond to mark every hour of the day. The time-telling mechanisms have long been broken, but — in the words of Atlanta’s own Waka Flocka — I don’t really care.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
The next morning I shopped my mom’s closet and nabbed this cute skinny white belt with silver studs. My bus left for Atlanta around noon. It was already in the mid-80s, and humid to boot, so I opted for my crochet crop sweater with nothing underneath. The theme for the weekend had already been clearly stated as “Ratchet 2012” so I figured I would get off on the right foot.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
The concert was scheduled for the night of my arrival. We were running late so I just washed my face and slipped on my outfit — high-waisted booty shorts, a curve-hugging crop top, and massive heels — called a cab, and proceeded to sit in ridiculous traffic for about 20 minutes. Normally, after living in New York City, I refrain from wearing heels this size unless I know I won’t be walking more than two or three blocks.
But, when in Atlanta — especially for Birthday Bash — you go hard in the paint (I promise, eventually I’ll stop quoting Waka Flocka. Maybe). And as a female, you wear heels. You just do. So I threw caution to the wind and shoes on my feet, and as soon as we found our seats at the venue, they were off. Don’t judge me for going barefoot in public! It was really dark anyway and no one could see! I feel like I should show a closeup of these zapatos so you can fully understand why I made my choices.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
See? I love these shoes, but they were definitely not made for walking. The traffic was so bad near the Philips Arena that we ended up hopping out of the cab and walking several blocks. I should have taken this as a bad sign, but was far too hyped-up to think critically.
After the show, we ended up walking about two miles — one to get to a club, and then another to get home from the train station afterward. A few of my toes went numb; my poor little pinky toes have never hurt so bad in my life. I was not happy, and I vowed never again to wear them unless I know for a fact that I would not be walking more than a few blocks. Also, I became painfully aware that I’m just too old for this nonsense.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
I wasn’t lying: people really do dress to the nines for this concert, and ladies wear heels. Granted, I did notice a few women in flats, but you could almost literally see the shun field surrounding them. I love the gold-studded booties in this photo, but more than anything, I think it’s telling that three out of four women in the shot are wearing wedges. Not only are wedges obviously super-trendy right now, but they also tend to be more comfortable than stilettos and other types of heels. This, of course, is barring my bright blue babies, which still hurt like hell. My hat's off to the ladies in this photo, who appeared unfazed by the stacked inches beneath their soles.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
This is a shot of my friend in the bathroom after the show. Like me, she wore ridiculous heels that were not made for walking, dancing, standing, or really doing anything that requires you to be on your feet. She ended up holding her heels for the rest of the night while wearing a pair of disposable flats she'd packed. All this raises the question: what good are shoes if you can’t do anything but sit in them? I’ll tell you: they look fabulous. As long as you’re sitting down — which, at this point in my life, is what I feel I should spend most of my time doing when I'm out on the town. Sorry I’m not sorry.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
No, not that kind of weave, though those were more than plentiful as well. In keeping with the season's trends, neon was in no short supply at the concert. I spotted this bag as we migrated with the crowd back to the streets of Atlanta after the show. Notice also that the bag's owner is wearing neon coral denim shorts. She is also wearing flat sandals, which definitely places her firmly in the minority, but I suppose she was hoping her bright snakeskin bag would keep everyone's eyeballs above her feet.
She wasn't the only one who relied upon a pop of vivid color to pull her look together: Kelly Rowland, former member of Destiny's Child and the only female artist to take the stage that night, wore my staple summer piece, torn denim shorts, and paired them with a white tee, gold chains, and enormous hoop earrings, while a pair of sky-high "Kiss Me" pumps from Charlotte Olympia added a pop of red to her outfit. Headliner T.I. also participated in the neon trend, choosing a classic orange (duh) Hermès scarf — worn tucked into the front pocket of his camo cargo shorts — that matched his neon orange sneaks.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
Miss Kelly wasn't the only one on-trend that night. Ripped, ragged denim was plentiful among concertgoers, both male and female alike. I saw this lady near the exit: she paired a cutoff crop denim vest with a bright blue top, a neon pink skirt, and high-top black sneakers (in my view, the only acceptable form of flats women can wear to the show).
I like this particular shot because you can see how so many folks around her were also wearing bright, neon colors. Even the woman in the distance, toward the top right corner, is wearing a pattern inlaid with neon outlines. While my ripped denim game is definitely on point, my time in Atlanta made me realize I need to step up my neon! This is partially why, as soon as I arrived back in Birmingham for much-needed family time, I got a neon coral Shellac on my nails. That way, every time I leave the house, my neon is already there, without me having to think about it. Ever-present neon? Yes, please. Now I just need a lip to match.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
Inspired by Miss Kelly and her co-horts, the next day I got up and threw this on. My friend and I had plans to tube on the Chattahoochee River, just outside Atlanta. Oh, you don’t know what tubing is, you say? Funny you should ask! I'd never done it before, so here’s the rundown: you sit in an inner tube, preferably attached to a floating cooler filled with choice libations, and you float downstream for a few hours. That’s it. It's quite a popular pastime in the Atlanta area, and is lovingly referred to as "shootin' the Hooch." It's only a mildly dramatic overstatement that it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life.
And since I was a tubing virgin, I had no idea what to wear. I donned my favorite (really, my only functional) swimsuit — a black vintage Jantzen number from the 80s with the highest cut leg holes you ever saw — and then covered it with my fave cut-off vintage denim shorts and this sheer tie crop top from Candies. Yes, that Candies. I wore this on a coffee run before we hit the road toward the river. And just FYI, fellow New Yorkers: in Atlanta, it’s possible to get a grande iced coffee (with soy no less) and a banana at Starbucks for less than $4. I KNOW RIGHT.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
After tubing and a well-deserved nap, we went out for a delicious dinner at a sushi restaurant in Midtown. I traded my raggedy denim shorts for my new favorite possession: hip-hugging black J Brand shorts. And then, despite a miniature but valiant fight put up by my little toes, I slipped my tootsies back into the blue monsters from the night before. They just look so good at the end of my legs, I thought. I can do this, I thought. It’s not that bad, I thought. Then I walked to the car, down a few stairs and a gravel driveway, and as soon as my butt hit the seat, I changed into my Tory Burch flats, which completed my look for the rest of the night.
I thoroughly enjoyed my meal without the six or so inches of added height courtesy of the Big Blues, so I’m okay with it. But for my next night out in the Big Apple, as long as I’m either in a cab or sitting down, you best believe they’re making a comeback. I think that makes me what we in the South call an "ignoramus," but it's all in the name of fashion.
Photo: Meghan Blalock
Via: Huge Heels, Neons, and Cut-Offs: An Atlanta Fashion Story