What Whitley Wants: Top-Handle Bags

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If there is one accessory I love it is a super chic lady like purse. I inherited several of this style of bag from my Grandmother and Great Grandmother and have always adored the sophistiecated structure of it so much. That tangerine colored number by Hunting Season and the white with diamond patterned black lines by Valextra hit the nail on the head like we were living two generations ago. And who doesn’t love the little feet on that Lizzie Fortunato version for an added twist? Shop my selection of hot handle top bags for the season ahead by simply clicking on the below images. If you got business to do, this bag is for you!

What Whitley Wants: Holiday Edition

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Oh My! Where do I start?! That Shrimps coat is such one heck of a bad, made, as in totally rad, statement coat that I want, I need, I have to have! And we both know there is no way to totally pull off that look without a fedora like this one from Janessa Leone! Need total darkness to sleep while Santa and the elves deliver their fits? Get some shut eye in style with this Marie Oliver eye mask! And then there’s that Paco Rabanne sweet little bag and couple glasses I spied on The English Room. Yes, I”m still mourinng the loss of my most coevet Chanel purse. This close to Carolina Blue one keeps catching my eye… and the list goes on! Shop all of these looks by click on the below images. Happy Holiday Shopping!

Ready In A Flash with Marie Oliver

There are a lot of things I want to say about what’s going on in this picture. Number one, as a lifelong pattern mixer, I have always been drawn to the complexity of putting outfits together versus simply reaching for a dress, but when I spotted this Marie Oliver situation of a dress, I was STOPPED in my tracks! Icing on the cake? This is a North Carolina born and based company, and that is something really, really awesome. Also, it’s rare I make weekends calls but on Sundays, I wear crosses, and love this one by my long time pal, Kristin Hayes Jewelry. Throw in my favorite hardware in the form of a clutch by Addison Weeks, Primaura Jewelry and Accessories lucite hoop earrings, topped off with my Illesteva shades from Innovative Eye Care in Dilworth and bottomed off with some Coclico gold kickes from the one of a kind mobile glass shoe truck, Elston, and I am out the door in less than five!

Designer Crush: Zimmerman

But seriously, when was the last time you DIDN’T love all things Zimmerman? The Sydney based brand was founded by sisters in 1991 when they launched their collection fusing sweimwear with the fashion world. You’ve seen that Ladybeetle Mystic Mini Dress that Liza wore in Natalie’s house. You know, the one I NEED for my Rodeo debut. And have you ever seen a fringe purse so divine in all your life? Who am I kidding? I NEED it all! You say you do too, eh? Well you can instantly shop my looks below or by following me on the LiketoKnow.it shopping app!

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Designer Crush: Rodarte

Limited but mighty this season’s Rodarte collection on the Moda Operandi Trunk Show didn’t stop me from loving EVERY. SINGLE. PIECE. of it. Goodness. Gorgeous. Gracious. The fact that designers keep cranking out anything, but less the crazy good designs IN A PANDEMIC just amazes me. Flowers, lace, ruffles…. I just mean! This ruffled floral-print silk maxi dress is an absolute feminine dream. Add pink and hearts and even more ruffles, I just don’t even know what to say about this one! Then THISSSSSSS… OMG. That’s all.

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What Whitley Wants Vol. 5

What can I say but we all NEED a fab midi denim skirt! Period. The End. And all this other suff, well, I just think it’s all sooooo good. Those Paco Rabanne gloves, yes ma’am. That Johanna Ortiz women belt, yep. You likey? Well then… Shop The Post + Get The Look! You can also follow me on LiketoKnow.it to gets deets on all my looks.

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What She Wore Vol. 3

Last month’s Moments of Hope worship service on their Chester, SC, farm after six months of not attending live church, under a cloud dappled Carolina blue sky, wheat grass blowing, melodic music, neighboring church bells off in the disstance, community and wooden cross over the hill top… was about the closest to God imaginable! If you are looking for the good, good stuff, grab your family, grab your friends and go this Sunday!! Visit their website for details. And of course… God loves you no matter what you wear, but if there is one think I love, it’s darling ouftit for the farm! Click on the images below to shop the look for yourself! Hope to see you this Sunday!! Whitley

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Designer Crush: Ulla Johnson

What can I say, but Ulla strikes again. If there is one brand that continues to turn out aspirational yet all the while wearable designs season after season, impressing all the rest, Ulla Johson keeps on remaining right up there at the top. Girly and flowy meets trailal and bohemian for a carefully clever mix. Cult-like individual pieces range from instantly indentifiable to cute but steady Sally staples that will remain in the forefront of your wardorbe for years and years to come. Shop all of these designer crush looks by clicking on the below images.

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What Whitley Wants Vol. 4

If I had a spirit animal in the form of a dress, this Prabal Gurung printed silk cut out midi dress certainly would be it! But truly, has tie dye on a lady like frock ever looked so chic? Not to mention those Emilia Wickstead slingbacks that can’t, just won’t stop. And this Campbell + Charlotte cocktail ring of dreams!!! Can you stand it? Shop my latest batch of desires below in vol. 4 of What Whitley Wants!

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Outfit of the Day: Working Saturday!

About 3,700 mosquitoes got very plump in the making of this photo, just so I could bring you my Working Saturday Ouftit of the Day. I suppose I could have stopped with an upclose selfie of my fab accessories, but I am committed to the cause! I stumbled across this little old shack in my neighborhood while out walking the dog one day. Sad to say it is really difficult to now find places of history like this in the city of Charlotte, and so when I do, the outfit often becomes just an excuse to showcase the hidden gem location.

Dress: Paskal from Five One Five. Oldie but goodie, but shop more Paskal here and here. Totally obsessed with this rainbow sleeveless appliqued dress. Clutch: Sarah’s Bag. Necklace: Twine + Twig. Bracelet + earrings: Noelle Munoz Jewelry. Shoes: See by Chloe from Poole Shop. Similar here.

The IT List 2020: 1-5/26

If you keep up with me on the Instagram, I hope you’ve been enjoying so far seeing this year’s stylish set on The IT List, as seen in SouthPark Magazine. If you don’t do the Instagram thing, that’s quite alright; I’m excited to also introduce you to each of this year’s featured men and women here! You can also go grab a copy of your own at just about any Harris Teeter and Auto Bell in the Queen City, as well as the mall or Reid’s Fine Foods! Introducing the very stylish first five on this year’s list…

Natalie Frazier Allen

Growing up in New York City influenced Natalie Frazier Allen’s love of high-low styling. “I am accustomed to valuing everything from Bergdorf’s and Bloomingdale’s to styles you see on the street and subway,” says Frazier Allen, 54. The former attoreny and founder and CEO of The Arts Empowerment Project loves pairing everything from NYC and her travels with items she finds in pop-up shops around Charlotte.

Yele Aluko

“I consider myself a modern-day Renaissance man,” says Yele Aluko, chief medical officer at Ernst & Young. Aluko is inspired by nostalgia and things that tell a story, including a vintage pocket watch he is currently eyeing. “I enjoy being distinct from the mainstream,” Aluko says. “Style is not a fad or fast fashion; it’s about who you are and who you represent.”

Sonya Barnes

Sonya Barnes’ signature color is red, including her favorite pair of signed Sarah Jessica Parker heels that the actor encouraged her to wear often. The life and style strategist for women has her eye on a Gucci caftan to add to her closet. “I love modern elegance with a bit of visual interest. I love timeless pieces that have been reimagined“, says Barnes, 52. 

Troy M. Barnes, Jr.

As a style advisor for Neiman Marcus, Troy M. Barnes Jr. knows style when he sees it. He believes your mood works in tandem with what you wear. “My favorite pieces are my hats. They’re the bridge between generations and all people,” says Barnes, 34. “ A good hat will start a conversation between strangers and develop a friendship that lasts a lifetime.”

Lashawnda Becoats

Not putting style in a box is how life coach, model and Pride Magazine editor Lashawnda Becoats puts her fashion foot forward. “ I love remixing traditional womenswear with a touch of masculinity. It allows me to express my love for both men’s and women’s wear unapologetically, says Becoats, 49, Who calls her style tomboy chic. “ in fact, if you see me in a dress, look down — I’m usually rocking a pair a fly kicks on my feet.”

Written: Shameika Rhymes
Photography: Richard Israel
On location: Johnson C. Smith
On location hair and makeup touch ups: Josiah Reed
Production Assistant: Isabelle Pringle

The IT List 2020

To me, personal style is how you carry yourself, the consisitency of your dress, how you evolve through life’s various stages; but most of all it is how you behave and treat others. What you wear is telling, but how you wear it is more so. Fashion is just one piece of the personal-style pie.

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I couldn’t be more excited about this year’s IT List published in SouthPark Magazine. The series of events that have taken place since March have rocked our country. Production time for this year’s IT List came in the midst of very intentional and purposeful conversations I was having with a handful of my closest Black friends. It was during one of those conversations when it occurred to me that this year’s list should be focused entirely on some of the most sylish Black women and men of our Charlotte, NC community. While the list is by no means comprehensive, as with each year’s list, the overarching goal is always ALWAYS to positively showcase some of the most stylish indivituals in our city while leaving room for next year’s group to hold its own.

In determining the location for the photo shoot, there was no question that the campus of Charlotte’s own Johnson C. Smith University would make a befitting and impeccable stage for this year’s stylish set. On a personal note, I was filled with pride and delight for the perfect opportunity to partner with my close pal since elementary school, entertainment and lifestyle writer Shameika Rhymes. As always, it is nothing but a joy working with Richard Israel and Josiah Reed. A special thanks to my SouthPark Magazine editor, Cathy Martin, for believing in me and to one of the most amazing Rock Star interns, Isabelle Pringle, I could only IMAGE having! I hope you will pick up your own copy of SouthPark Magazine to read and learn more about each of this year’s stylish individuals and tap into some of their inspiration for your very own. I hope you will look forward to seeing and reading more about each of this year’s most stylish IT Listers!

Dress + Cape of Dreams

I recently had the, shall I say, EXPERIENCE, of wearing one too fabulous for words dress and cape by Chicago-born designer Peter Soronen. The dress, on loan to me, was purchased from Charlotte’s own, Capitol, at least 10 years ago. I really think I have never seen anything like it. Certainly I have never worn anything like it.

Dress: Peter Soronen c/o Pam Stowe from Capitol // Photo: Richard Israel // Hair and Makeup: Cali Stott

What Whitley Wants Vol. 3

A little bit funky + a little bit sophisticated… a whole lotta cool. Vol. 3 of What Whitley Wants includes some of my latest finds from designer inspiration, on line shopping sites, client desires and more! Click on the item to Shop The Edit + Get The Look for yourself!

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What Whitley Wants II

What can I say? On-line shopping for others leads to desires of my own. While I’d love ALL of the above items, I am exercising some serious healthy restraint over here. I did, however, not hold myself back from reaching for this freakishly good 70’s vibe velvet midi skirt by one of my forever favorites, Paco Rabanne. Thinking hard about the coordinating turtleneck! I think I’m going to have to also get myself one of those lion door knockers, and then I’ll stow away the current one and if I ever move, hang it back up and take the lion. That’s what I’ve done with all my killer ceiling fixures… is that so horrible? Oh, and that tortoise ice bucket looking bag!!!

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Youth + Young Adult Styling

Back to school, Debutante Ball, Greek rush, job interview; whatever the occasion, no more stress shopping with your son or daughter! Looking for a fun and unique gift to give the youth or young adult in your life? Give the gift of style! Similar to working with an adult, Whitley will come to your youth’s closet for a one-two hour closet evaluation. Together, they will decide what stays, what goes, what gets donated or consigned. Whitley will then hit the stores and curate a dressing room of options for your youth or young adult to try on and make selections, followed by outfit coordination at home where Whitley will put to work her genius in creating one of a kind outfits. Save time and money by helping the youth or young adult in your life purchase items they will enjoy wearing as well as through the creation of unthought of outfits that will grow legs in his or her wardrobe! Email Whitley at Whitley@thequeencitystyle.com for more deets!

Designer Crush: Cult Gaia

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Just when you think it couldn’t get any edgier, funky fun, that’s what you get for thinking! Cult Gaia just keeps on bringing the heat, and so I’m sharing with you here some of my favorite top picks by the designer, complete with equally chic home accessories. The Gateway Arch looking top gives me ALL the photo shoot dreams! Yes, I have ordered it for myself. Talk about All Dressed Up And Nowhere To Go at its most rad. Click on the item to Shop The Post + Get The Look! Yes, I want it all!

Closet Covet

Well, this client is living her most stylish life during quarantine, and it is simply all too good NOT to have it’s very own Closet Covet collage! When I got a text image earlier this week from my client of her wearing her new MSGM acid neon tie neck floral dress from the over the counter aisle at a Dollar General somewhere in rural South Carolina, I about fell completely over and OUT. This is the way you do it people. Put your best foot forward, get up and GO! It is safe to say I would enter a back bin contest to have every one of these items in my own wardrobe, but in the meantime, since this client lives within running distance of my house, and I’ve been clocking some pretty decent speed work here lately at the track, she’s best off just locking the door and throwing away the key!!

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Tootie Fruity!

Recently, I snagged my first Cara Cara dress from Charlotte local shop, Poole Shop. I loved it so much, I had to use it in this month’s School Rules feature in SouthPark Magazine. It’s usually the other way around.. I style it on some gorgeous model then want it for myself, but don’t let the fact that she is 5’10” and flawless bring me down. In this case, I needed one more outfit to complete the look for an adorable friends ice cream date, so I ran to my wardrobe and snagged my Sasha Floral Apron dress. My dress is sold out, but the same dress is available in other patterns along with about 10 other sweetest ever summer frocks I love. What could be more appropos for summer than delicious fruit and florals to boot?! Shop the widest selection here.

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Introducing What Whitley Wants

If you keep up with me on Instagram, there’s a chance you’ve seen my newest series called What Whitley Wants. As I said, we all may be shopping a little less, and thatss okay. In fact, I agree it's not a terrible idea to reasses your means and, as a result, your values, BUT we all still want to feel fresh, new, exciting and alive! While shopping for clients, I always stumble upon things that excite me in terms of my own wardrobe wants or day dreams. So, I thought I would start to share some of those craves with you here. The best summer platform sandal of all time, the ultimate party bag, escargot fun in the form of a placemat, and the most wearable dress all summer long inspired by the Queen City’s own, Angie Harmon.. be sure to grab this month’s SouthPark Magazine to see why! Shop all my looks and finds by following me on the LIKEtoKNOW.it shpping app HERE.

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Disco Ball Bag

Edie Dress

Escargot Placemats

Bird Candleholder

Linen Crop Top

Linen Midi Skirt

Sully Top

Platform Sandal

Straw Hat

Hands Vase