Charleston is known for historic buildings and Southern charm (and for good reason). But aside from its good food and great harbor views, the Holy City has earned a reputation as one of the Southeast's most fashionable cities. Fashion in Charleston blends elegance with a coastal, welcoming charm, but it is not about following trends.
There are more and more events in Charleston, and they are instrumental in shaping the city's fashion identity. These events attract designers, retailers, models, and fashion enthusiasts, combining elements such as renowned runway shows and budding resort wear events. Charleston also shows that Southern culture and fashion go hand in hand.
Charleston Fashion Week: A Local Institution
It is impossible to discuss Charleston's fashion without mentioning Charleston Fashion Week (CFW).
CFW started in 2007 and was a cultivation of the city’s fashion and retail community. It is now one of the leading fashion weeks in the region and has opened the doors to many Charleston designers and models.
CFW embodies Charleston’s unique style, and while the city does not reflect the styles of fast-moving cities like New York and Los Angeles, Charleston Fashion Week does reflect the lifestyle of the Lowcountry: polished resort wear and tailored fashion.
The event has also contributed to Charleston's growing national standing in fashion. For example, various types of fashion events, such as designer competitions and runway shows, have expanded Charleston's footprint in the fashion industry, as they've attracted business professionals from across the country.
Perhaps most importantly, Charleston Fashion Week celebrates the city's uniqueness. The showcased collections frequently represent coastal and regional vibes, like Charleston's culture, lifestyle, and beauty. This resonates with both the residents of and visitors to Charleston.
The Rise of Charleston Swim & Resort Week
While the prominence of Charleston Fashion Week downplays the influences of other local events, it showcases the city’s potential to the fashion world.
Ideally, Swim & Resort Fashion Week is a good fit for Charleston's fashion lifestyle, which centers on year-round Resort Fashion and extends to Charleston’s waterfront and coastal locations like Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, and Sullivan’s Island.
The celebration of fashion for coastal lifestyles, including luxury swimwear and women’s breathable cover-ups, men's designer swim shorts, and resort wear for sunset dinners and aesthetic dining on the beach, is an all-inclusive celebration of designers, retailers, and social media influencers.
The energy is specifically Charleston - a culture of prestige that does not intimidate. Instead of aiming only for high fashion, the event emphasizes luxury that can be worn, all within a lifestyle that integrates Charleston and the Lowcountry.
Modern Coastal Fashion Brands Arriving to Charleston
One prominent feature of Charleston Swim & Resort Week is the opportunity to discover brands offering modern coastal fashion styles.
Some of the brands and designers featured in past swim and resort collections, such as Cupshe, Melissa Odabash, Maaji, Nicole Miller Swim, and other resortwear brands, have been emerging around the country as more people seek swimwear and resortwear collections that are more fashionable and less functional.
Charleston is a collectivity largely interested in collections that blend sophistication with comfort. Items such as flowy cover-ups, tailored swim shorts, and elevated printed beachwear are things that Charleston would be interested in because of their aesthetics.
Also, many attendees enjoy spotting new designers who have recently developed coastal collections. These events help attendees begin to discover and focus on new collections before they evolve into what people will find at their nearest department stores.
As in any other show, the designers and brands change frequently; therefore, potential audience members will have to research what the new show has to offer to learn which brands will be showing that year.
Beyond Fashion
The appeal of Charleston's fashion scene comes from everything it offers beyond the show.
Travelers who have a chance to visit will find local shops and boutiques in Charleston’s downtown area selling not only clothing on King Street but also locally designed clothing. Fashion here feels personal and approachable because when people think of Charleston, they think of its friendliness and hospitality.
Fashion is an undeniable part of life throughout the city, at major fashion events, while searching for the ideal summer dress, and while observing from the balconies of cafés and Charleston’s top restaurants.
Holy City's Fashion-Forward
Nearly 2 decades after Charleston Fashion Week's debut, the city's culture still showcases fashion. CFW is well-established, and the upcoming Charleston Swim & Resort Week is growing, offering locals something to experience.
What makes Charleston great is the combination of authenticity and style. While the city takes pride in its runway choices, it does not stray from the things that make the city unique and lovable: Southern charm, creativity, and hospitality.
For tourists and locals alike, Charleston is the ideal fashionable place to be, with effortless style and fun year-round.