When I was a third year in college nearly 15 years ago now (blblblb — where does the time go?), I splurged on a brand new Lilly Pulitzer dress and a coordinating straw clutch for Foxfields, a horse race that takes place every spring just outside Charlottesville, VA. In actuality, the event has absolutely nothing to do with horses and absolutely everything to do with dressing to the nines, sipping mimosas, and living That Southern Life. As an undergrad, the in-field tailgating set-ups sponsored by frats and sororities were, frankly, a depressing affair: heaps of Bodo’s bagels in crinkly brown paper bags, strong drinks poured out of plastic handles into tacky plastic tumblers emblazoned with Greek letters, aluminum pans of fried chicken. On the outside of the track, however, families and alumni pulled out all the stops, setting out folding tables with tablecloths, floral arrangements, and even china (can you imagine?) to serve crabcakes and the like. Even as undergraduates, Mr. Magpie and I would talk about “one day coming back and doing it up right,” like real adults. And maybe one day we will, if we fulfill our sometime fantasy of living a rural life in Albemarle County.
If I did, I know exactly what I would wear, and it centers around one or several of these elegant accessories from Pamela Munson: I’m dying in particular over the clutch and the hat!
I had the good fortune of catching up with the founder of the eponymous line, Pam Munson, who launched her business last May, after more than a decade in the fashion industry. I’m certain that many magpie moms like myself can relate to the transitional state in which she found herself when she launched her lovely line of accessories:
“Like many mothers, I found it challenging managing the demands of a corporate position with raising a young child,” Pam explained. “I had the opportunity to transition from my role as head of sales at Oscar de la Renta to a part time, consultant position that afforded me more time with my daughter and provided the perspective and balance to pursue my true passion — straw accessories.” I love that the challenge of balancing motherhood with career spurred the birth of something new that she had been passionate about for some time. (I find myself in a similar situation right now!)
Pam grew up on Long Island but traveled frequently to visit her grandparents in Florida and the Bahamas. Straw bags were something of a fashion staple for both her mother and grandmother in those tropical destinations, and she felt, these many years later, that there was an opportunity to create a straw collection that was classic with a dash of nostalgia. The colors in her current collection are inspired by the East Coast (#love) and the hats are made here in New York by Lola Hats — be still my heart.
This post is not sponsored in any way; I just love these accessories and found the story of their lovely co-founder inspiring. Check out her full collection here.
And FYI, I would pair my accessories with this Alice McCall eyelet jumpsuit and these Zimmermann sandals (heels are impractical at the muddy/grassy races). TO DIE.
A couple of other chic options for spring races:
+This very trendy floral lovely (puffed sleeves! off-the-shoulder! midi-length! floral print! yes yes yes yes yes yes yes!)
+This flounced seersucker (under $100!)
+This white midi dress (on sale for $107!) << I would dress this down with flat sandals and casual jewelry.
+This pretty Apiece Apart dress (on ridic sale for $128!)
+This bow-shouldered Rebecca Taylor. (<<would look epic against the pale pink Pamela Munson accessories).
+This striped skirt, with a white eyelet blouse of some kind!
P.S. Lessons I’ve learned from being a part-time stay-at-home mom.
P.P.S. A true love story.
P.P.P.S. Micro-trends I’m loving.
These bags are too chic! If I find myself in the market for a straw bag in the coming months, I’ll be sure to remember Pamela Munson.
LOVE the outfit you pulled together with the Alice McCall jumpsuit! I also have that Apiece Apart dress in red and loooooove it!
Yes!!! I really really want that jumpsuit…!
I have never been drawn to straw bags like so many others, but that Petite Isla Bahia WILL be mine this season. I have never seen such a perfect bag! I adore the line, and I love this feature. It’s so interesting to me to learn about the creators behind these luxurious items. Thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad to hear this! The shape of that bag is BEYOND. Love love love. Also, so glad this bag has made it to your shopping list for summer, because I adore the woman behind it! I love supporting other women who are chasing their entrepreneurial ambitions 🙂 xo
I LOVE straw bags, though for some reason I still haven’t invested in one–I’m really, really attached to my old-school Bermuda bag from the late, great Triminghams. But Pamela Munson’s bag collection is fantastic and I might have to splurge this summer…
The outer track setups are by far the best at racing events. I used to love going to Gold Cup when I lived in DC with the University Club, who always had an amazing tent, great bartender, and fantastic food. It’s definitely a contrast between that and the undergrad (and even recent graduate) scene! And it’s much more fun if your dress doesn’t get covered in mud or alcohol 🙂
PS I LOVED your post about rural living–it’s definitely a dream of ours too after DC and NYC, and hopefully one that will happen sooner rather than later!
Love a vintage bermuda bag — I have one from my college years that I adore, but feel similarly ready for an upgrade to a PM! AH, GOLD CUP! I remember so many of my friends getting into that race 🙂 I don’t know why, but I never went. We did, however, go to this amazing polo event that used to be held way out in the boonies of Virginia, and it was a similar vibe I’m guessing.
xoxo
Gold Cup was great! I went to middle school/boarding school in steeplechase country in Maryland, so I was really into Gold Cup when I lived in DC. I love steeplechase racing so much and definitely miss going! We spent a lot of time going to races in Maryland with my parents. My favorite one by far was the My Lady’s Manor race (highly recommended!)
Similarly, I had a lot of friends who were VERY into Foxfields (UVA and Roanoke grads), but I never went. It did seem to me to be like the scene at the Hunt Cup in Baltimore, though!
Writing these comments and reading this post has made me really wish there was more steeplechase racing in the New York area!!! I know there’s some in Saratoga and also obviously Far Hills… but neither are very close. I love how much polo there is here, though, so hopefully we’ll make it to a polo match at some point!
xoxo
Such a fun idea to attend some of the races in our neck of the woods — that would be a blast, to doll yourself up and head out with a group of friends for the day? My best girlfriend rented a house in Louisville and invited a bunch of friends to attend the Kentucky Derby a few years ago as an elaborate surprise birthday for her husband. It was fun to get dressed up, although we were in the infield and it reminded me of my goal of one day making it to the outer ring for a slightly more elevated experience 🙂 xo