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.