La Roque Original Fashions: Modern Southern Elegance

Elizabeth McKay fans beware; there's a new boss in town!

I stumbled upon La Roque the other day when I was browsing through one of my favorite online stores, and I instantly fell in love!

The woman behind the fashion genius is AnnaBelle LaRoque, and it all started when she quit her corporate gig in pharmaseutical sales to focus full-time on making and designing cute skirts using an antique sewing machine.  She was an overnight success, and soon rented a space in upscale downtown Columbia, SC: LaRoque Studio Boutique was born!

Her concept was to create elegant and classic designs with a modern twist, and she definitely succeeded in creating a niche in the market.  All of her designs have a decidely "Southern" and "Charlestonian" flair to them.... one of my favorite details being the oversize silk sashes that she accents most of her outfits with.  And just like everything else Southern, you're never too far from a monogram--- the sashes and bows can be monogrammed to order!

Customers visiting her boutique will find her 12 classic silhouettes available in a variety of prints and fabrics, all of which she can custom-fit and make for you in 2 weeks.  AnnaBelle spent the first 2 years sewing EVERYTHING herself (incredible, right!), but now she has a small staff and warehouse to help fill the custom orders.



Custom southern elegance doesn't come cheap:  Annabelle's La Roque line ranges from $125 - $400, and that doesn't include her bridal line.  Add in custom fabrics, special orders, and fittings, and you're looking at the $300 - $500 range.

The styles featured here are from her website wholesale featured collection for Summer.  Her fabrics change every season, and I've already seen a preview of some of what's coming for Fall....super cute!

She has since expanded from her original custom-concept, and now some of her wholesale collection is available at select boutique retailers across the south. 

If you're not close to her home base in Columbia, SC, don't worry.  Some of her closest locations (if you live the NC area) are:

Preppy Poodle
113 N Wall St
Clinton, NC 28328

M Christopher's Clothier
111 Reynolda Village #B
Winston Salem, NC 27106

The Julia
7220 Wrightsville Ave
Wilmington, NC 28403

Finley House Couture
1121 Main St
Blowing Rock, NC 28605













I had a hard time finding ready-made pieces to buy online, but there are several online-retailers that carry the La Roque line now too.  If you are having a hard time finding Annabelle's designs, visit the official website here:

Shop La Roque Original

La Roque Carly Dress, on sale for $148

La Roque Clover Skirt, $128

But P.S., I was able to find a few pieces at a really cute boutique/website called SC Sugar.  They had a few things from La Roque that were actually on SALE!!  

Here's the link:  SC Sugar La Roque Sale

Soccer Mom Chic

Soccer Mom Chic is my definition of what comfortable, sophisticated, stylish and REAL LIFE fashion should be.

If you aren't in your early twenties, or don't weigh 100lbs anymore, you know what i'm talking about when I say functional and figure-flattering is key!  You want to look cute, but you want to be comfortable too.  And you want to look your age, not like you walked off the page of InStyle.....because, let's be real: that stuff is out of place in everyday life.

Putting Yellow & bright Turquoise together is one of my favorite Summer looks.   If you're feeling bold, magenta is a nice complement as an accent color.  Love this yellow t maxi dress!

I love the idea of pairing an updated comfy tee with a flowy maxi skirt, trendy jewelry, and sandals.  I adore the Coral-y hot Pink color of this maxi skirt mixed with the bracelet set--- somehow the whole look just works.

This Navy and White floral top (from asos.com, less than $60!!) and pale Yellow cotton capris have such a fresh look when mixed with a few pretty accessories--- Emerald teardrop earrings, a straw clutch, and a floral enamel bracelet.   I think a basic neutral catch-all bucket bag is a Summer must-have too!

How cute are these little embellished "mouse" flats?   It's eclectic accessories like this that can really make the outfit:)   This lightweight silk bird print top is perfect paired with some comfy skinny jeans.

Shorts are a basic summer essential, but it can be SO hard to find ones that fit well without being super short!  These little polka dot shorts from JCrew are my favorite-- the right length with a fun pattern to keep them from being too preppy.   The melon cross-body bag and white sleeveless shirt give it an artsy-bohemian feel that I really dig.

The perfect blazer is such a classic wardrobe staple --- and this bright coral blazer with the rolled cuffs is a youthful, updated version.   It is so cute mixed with black skinny capris and turquoise and gold accents.   And every girl needs a black "birkin" bag!

Maxi dresses are super comfortable, and they can be very figure-friendly too.   A simple belt can add structure and shape to a dress, and a great tote really balance out the proportions of the long skirt.

I am obsessed with this bright Pink bow top!!   I love the babydoll look, and the fact that it's preggers-friendly makes it even cuter ;-)   White skinny jeans make it a little more modern, and the gold gladiator style sandals ground the whole look.

I don't have kids yet (hopefully we will be blessed to grow our family sometime in the near future!), but I've adopted the Soccer Mom Chic as my own personal uniform.   I figure, why not get some advance practice? lol

Fashion magazines should be inspiration for your every-day style---- not copycat material.  Form + Function = Soccer Mom Fashion :-)