How to Achieve Southern Swagg

       When I first moved to the big city, I thought the sorority girls dressed funny here, and then I quickly realized it wasn’t just the sorority girls.  It was everybody!  After a month in Norman I realized the style I was born into was not the popular thing here, yet many of my city slicker friends adored my style.  So, in this article I’m going to teach ya’ll how to achieve that classic “southern swag” that has been captured in Southwestern Oklahoma.

     Step 1. “The higher the hair, the closer to Jesus!”

Where I’m from, one of the signs of a girl becoming a woman is when she starts to “rat” or “tease” her hair.  Through cheerleading and summer camps every girl comes to that stage in life when she realizes she must lift her roots to stay loyal to her roots.  If you have trouble the first time, don’t worry, it just takes lots and lots of practice, and once you’ve got it down, you never leave home with flat hair…ever.

     Step 2. Big hair must be complimented with big jewelry!

Who wants huge hair and small wimpy jewelry? No one!  Therefore, the second step to achieving Southern Swagg is to find the biggest, chunkiest jewelry you can, and wear as much of it at one time as you are able.  Almost everyone you run into will have at least two main pieces of chunky jewelry on at all times, usually a necklace and a bracelet or a bracelet and a ring. 

Then of course you have the real hardcore southern bells that wear three or more huge bracelets on each arm, a chunky ring on each finger, and a massive cross, stone necklace to match!  These women are the goddesses of the south. We all admire their boldness of bling.  So for the first two rules, just remember bigger really is better.  

     Step 3. “If the boot fits…”

The most important staple of any southern-swagged outfit is of course--the cowboy boots.  In the south boots are more than just a shoe, they are a cultural icon.  People who wear boots belong in the south.  They are the essence of southern hospitality.  Of course, there are different types of boots for different types of people, like the following examples:

• ·         The Work Boot-this is for the farmers and ranchers of the south who work hard to bring home the beef every night.  These are usually dirty, brown, no design on the tops, and steel-toed.
• ·         The Roach Killer-This is quite commonly a woman’s boot.  It’s usually a big fancier at the top, not too dirty, and known for being quite sassy.
• ·         The Good Sunday Boots-These boots are really pretty at the top, coming in all colors, and they are always shiny at the bottom.  Southerners only wear these boots to special occasions like Sunday mornings or weddings.
• ·         Last but not least is the Square-Toe-This boot is basically a combination of the previous three.  It can be used as a work boot if needed, but suffices as a nice or sassy boot too.  Women and men both are commonly seen in the classic square-toe, showing off all designs and colors one can imagine!

Any way you wear it, a boot is a boot.  And if the boot fits, wear it! 

     So there you have it, three easy steps to achieve Southern-licious Swagg!  Anyone can pull this style off with practice and confidence.  To learn more about this style come visit Frederick, Oklahoma, or check out www.frederickokchamber.org.