Charleston’s Magnetism
Charleston, South Carolina’s unapologetic Southern style is magnetic. Charleston exudes a creative style born of profound southern manners and proper protocol. It carries an essence that is as refreshing as its history is complicated. Charleston’s architecture is one of a kind. The architecture is inspired by Colonial, Art Deco, Georgian, Gothic Revival, and Victorian influences. Sprinkled throughout with Italianate styles and other structures prominent during the 1600-1700s that make its landscape rich and breathtaking.
Charleston Is Picturesque
Charleston’s waterfront views are picture-perfect. The ocean is abnormally clean and its seafood is fresh daily. Making, James Beard award-winning chefs, and restaurants are as familiar to Charleston as trap music is to Atlanta.
The city has a long history of embracing the arts and oozes its own dynamic culture. For 44 seasons strong, Charleston has been home to the globally recognized Spoleto Festival USA, America’s Premier International Performing Arts Festival. Spoleto takes over the city for 17 days every spring. Spoleto fills Charleston’s performance venues, historic theatres, and churches with performances by emerging and renowned artists alike.
Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Gian Carlo Menotti, Christopher Keene, and organizers set out to create an American version of their annual Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy. To say they were successful is an understatement. Today, Spoleto brings the best in theatre, dance, symphonic, jazz, and choral music to the city.
Performers in opera, theater, dance, and chamber, symphonic, choral, and jazz music set The Holy City’s energy on fire day and night. Therefore, If a trip to Charleston lingers in your mind, I recommend Spoleto. The 2020 dates run May 22- June 7th.
Charleston has its own Fashion Week, and it’s the most notable fashion week in the south. Notably, the event is rooted in CFW’s Emerging Designers and model competition. Charleston has historically been awarded for by luxury magazines, retailers, and shoppers for its robust downtown shopping area. It touts a fabulous mix of one-of-a-kind boutiques, top shops, and the likes of Gucci and Louis Vuitton. Yet, downtown Charleston offers an eclectic mix of shopping destinations for every taste and budget.
Style Inspiration
During my recent five-day stay at the Belmont Charleston Place, I reacclimated myself with the gem that is downtown Charleston. The weather was gorgeous, and the energy of the city buzzed with old-style charisma. I spent quality time with Jala. She’s now 21- years old. Therefore, yes, we added bar hopping to a list of ‘must-do’s.’
We checked some new spots we had yet to visit like The Darling Oyster Bar and Butcher and Bee. Both came highly recommended, and I reinforce that gesture. Still, we prioritized our staples: Leon’s, Fig, Charleston Grill, and Hall’s Chophouse. We took a historical tour to refresh our history knowledge and, of course, at my fave boutiques with an appetite for a few unique pieces and inspiration for Shop.TheBGuide. Jai and I hit up a few King and Meeting Street favorites.
We started at Hamden Clothing. Next up, Butterfly Consignments, and ended the mission at one of the absolute best luxury consignment shops I’ve visited, Trunk Show.
Each day, getting dressed, I embraced the inspiration from my fave shopping destinations in the south and got cute. Few places embody the deep-rooted charm and authentic sophistication Charleston oozes. Enjoy checking out and shopping my fashion looks from The Holy City an feel free to read more on Charleston at Shop.TheBGuide.com.
What are you favorite things to do and explore in Charleston?
