Southern Girls Aren't Touching These 2018 Trends

Unlike most people who work in the fashion industry, I live in the South, which admittedly makes for a unique perspective and firsthand insight as to how Southern women dress. While I'm also originally from the South, I took a long hiatus to live in other parts of the country and feel like a bit of an outsider now that I'm back in this region. Because of that, I have a perspective to observe the distinctive style norms of the people who live there.

Generally speaking, people in the South stick to a fairly classic sartorial aesthetic. The new trends they usually choose to try aren't too far out of their comfort zones, and there's nothing wrong with that. There's something to be said for knowing what you like and sticking to it. That said, it always intrigues me to see which current trends Southern fashion girls are skipping and which they're trying. In this "extra" Hypebae world we're currently living in, there are actually quite a few trends that they're skipping in 2018. Find out what they are and what they're wearing instead below, according to an in-the-know fashion editor (me).

Aren't Touching: PVC

PVC shoes, belts, visors, jackets, and more are everywhere as of late, except the South. Alternatively, you'll find plenty of also-trending leopard print.

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Aren't Touching: Tiny Sunglasses

The futuristic shades that the Hadids and Kardashian-Jenners made a thing are a bit too directional for Southern girls, but classic cat eyes seem to be here to stay down South.

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Aren't Touching: Lavender

Surprisingly, the whole lavender trend doesn't seem to have hit the South as hard as it has the fashion world. That said, yellow is another It color that they've embraced.

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Not Touching: Lucite Hoop Earrings

Celebs like Emrata and Bella Hadid are just two of the It girls who have spearheaded the lucite hoop trend, but Southern girls seem to be sticking to their tassel earrings for now.

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Aren't Touching: Bike Shorts

The bike shorts movement that's quickly heating up is one that I've yet to notice any Southern girls wearing, but they're still obsessed with printed leggings.

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Aren't Touching: Bucket Hats

Bucket hats are a microtrend that Southern girls might wear fly-fishing, but that's it. Instead, they all have a straw hat or two in their closets.

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Aren't Touching: Tie Tops

Those itty-bitty tie tops that are trending this summer are being passed over for an even bigger trend: smocking.

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Aren't Touching: Scrunchies

Everywhere I go this season, I'm the only one wearing a scrunchie for the sake of fashion. But I'm definitely not the only person wearing polka dots.

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Aren't Touching: Chunky Sneakers

The biggest sneaker trend of the year isn't one that fits in very well with a typical Southern girl's wardrobe, but something they'll never give up is their classic logo pieces.

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Not Touching: Netting

Netted bags and such have created quite the fashion-crowd frenzy this summer, but Southern girls are leaving it with the fisherman and donning pretty sequinned pieces instead.

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Aren't Touching: Belt Bags

I've been patiently waiting for Southern girls to adopt the belt-bag trend, but no such luck. Another "touristy" piece that they are wearing is windbreakers.

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