Shop Draper James Lexington for Easter Dresses!
The Lexington Draper James store has the perfect spring dress for you!
Draper James has the absolute spring dress collection, y'all. I'm in love with all the navy and fun floral patterns, and have found so many cute pieces for date nights and spring horse races and the holidays!
Speaking of holidays, if you haven't been able to find the Draper James dress you want online, or if you're still looking for an Easter dress for this weekend, you should stop by the Draper James store in Lexington at The Summit at Fritz Farm. They always have a great variety of dresses, and the sales staff is so wonderful and hospitable and sweet! A trip to the Lexington Draper James store is always so much more than just a shopping trip!
Here are some of my favorite spring dresses from Draper James! The Love Circle Dress is an adorable fit and flare dress that is so adorable for any of your spring events. I especially love the Seersucker! These will be so perfect for every spring event, from Easter services to races at Keeneland or Churchill Downs to date nights! (Fun Fact: The Love Circle Dress is named for the road that runs around Love Park near Vanderbilt's campus, near Draper James Founder Reese Witherspoon's hometown, Nashville!)
Click to shop Draper James Love Circle Dresses: 1. Seersucker | 2. Hyacinth Floral | 3. Magnolia 4. Solid Navy 5. Elliston Floral 6. Dot
I love that this year's Draper James spring line includes some inclusive sizing -- running from XS to XXL to flatter as many ladies as possible. I also love that the price point has been lowered to make the dresses more accessible to more women. All of the dresses in the picture below are under $150, and a few are under $90!
Shop my favorite Draper James Spring Dresses: 1. Magnolia Persley Pointe Dress | 2. Hyacinth Floral Ruffle Sleeve Knit Dress | 3. Belted Daisy Vine Shirtdress | 4. Daisy Vine Roslyn Dress | 5. Belted Magnolia Shirtdress | 6. Ottoman Stripe Knit Dress
If you're still looking for that perfect spring dress, stop by Draper James in Lexington, enjoy a sweet tea, and try on one of these gorgeous pieces. I bet you'll find something you love!
Ways to Help Dress for Success!
Help other women while shopping Talbots new collection!
{This post contains affiliate links; I may receive a small per-click commission for
When was your last job interview? Remember how stressful it was?
Imagine if you didn't have the tools to prepare. I don't mean that you can't splurge for a manicure and highlights or to have an SEO professional shine up your LinkedIn profile. I mean "imagine if you desperately needed employment and you had neither the clothing nor the interview skills to undertake the interview."
I'm sure you've heard of Dress for Success. But did you know that Dress for Success does more than just provide economically disadvantaged women with interview-appropriate clothing? They also help women work on job search skills, interview prep, and the confidence necessary to transform their lives.
One of my goals for 2018 is to get involved with more charities that help people help themselves. I plan to start volunteering at the Louisville Dress for Success affiliate. I was so excited to learn that there are so many ways to help Dress for Success. You can help with resume skills, public speaking, interview prep, or even act as a personal shopper for the applicants! Here in Kentucky, we have affiliates in Lexington and Louisville where you can volunteer, donate funds, or donate work clothing!
Another great and fun way to help Dress for Success is to shop the Talbots and O, The Oprah Magazine collection that benefits Dress for Success -- with each purchase from this collection, Talbots will donate 30% of your purchase price to Dress for Success! I love that the theme of this year's collection is the ladybug, which is a traditional symbol of luck and good fortune. What a perfect reminder that you're helping other women change their fortune and achieve economic empowerment!
I adore the gingham popover and the ladybug scarf! I feel like these will be in heavy rotation for my spring wardrobe!
Our local Talbots stores are also hosting awesome in-store events this week to launch the Dress for Success Collection. Join the Louisville Forum Center store (194 North Hurstbourne Lane) for styling tips and light refreshments on Thursday March 1st, and the Lexington Fayette Mall (3625 Nicholasville Rd #532) location on Saturday, March 3rd for special shopping parties with light refreshments, clothing donation opportunities, and 25% off your purchase (please note that the Dress for Success collection is not included on this discount!)
The Louisville Talbots stores have partnered with the Louisville Dress for Success affiliate to request daily themes for your donations this week. Please consider the following donations to Dress for Success and keep in mind that all donations given locally to Talbots will be directly given to the local Dress for Success affiliates.
Donations needed at Louisville Talbots stores for Louisville Dress for Success:
- Thursday March 1st: White shirts, black dress pants
- Friday March 2nd: Accessories and handbags
- Saturday March 3rd: New cosmetics
Shop the Talbots Dress for Success Collection below:
What to Buy on the L.L. Bean Winter Sale!
Classic, preppy staples on the January 2018 LL Bean Winter Sale!
(This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small per-click commission on some product links at no additional cost to you! Thank you for supporting HerKentucky.com!)
I love L.L. Bean, especially in the winter. Their footwear, flannel, and pajamas really are the best I've found. And, through tomorrow (Thursday the 4th), L. L. Bean has an additional 25% off all sale prices! I love this sale because there are so many things that you can use right now! Here are my picks for stocking up!
Slippers and House Shoes
Bean's slippers are the absolute best. I got Bob a pair of the flannel-lined leather slippers for Christmas; they've been the perfect thing for this cold weather snap! I've had my Wicked Good Camp Moccasins for a couple of winters now -- it might be time to stock up on a new pair!
Tote Bags
I love the open-top Boat & Tote for carrying odd- or over-sized items, or for daily errands. Order one to keep in your car. Trust me, it will cut the time you spend toting groceries/ Target run purchases in half! The Large bag in Mulberry is under $30!
Tees and Tanks
I LOVE the Unshrinkable Layering Tank. I have this in white and grey, and I wear it under everything from sundresses to sweaters. You can always use a few more plain tees to wear under sweaters and sweatshirts!
This sale is great, and it's made even better by Bean's free shipping! Let me know if you find any good deals - but don't forget it ends soon!
The History of Kentucky Derby Hats
Why we wear hats to the Kentucky Derby.
Did you ever wonder why we wear elaborate hats to the Kentucky Derby? Well, the history of the Kentucky Derby goes back to the Derby Stakes in Britain, known here in the States as the Epsom Derby. The Epsom Derby was first run in 1780 and is the highest-purse horse race in Britain.
Derby Day, a 1952 film set at the Epsom Derby. It looks like the heroine needs a mint julep, no?
Voltigeur, winner of the 1850 Epsom Derby.
In 1873, Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. visited Europe, taking in the Epsom Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp. He returned home to Louisville and organized the race now known as the Kentucky Derby, looking toward these races for inspiration for track design, race length and other details. When the Kentucky Derby began in 1875, Kentucky ladies wore their finest to the races, just as their British counterparts did. Of course, in those days, finery included a chapeau, and the tradition stuck.
Kentucky Derby 1938. via The Huffington Post.
Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh at Epsom in 1948. via The Daily Mail.
If you think about it, we still kind of look to the Brits for millinery fashion. Around the time Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice and Duchess Kate began wearing fascinators and small, snug-fitting hats to weddings and races, we started to see those styles around the track in Louisville as well.
Prince William, Prince Harry, and Duchess Kate at the 2011 Epsom Derby. via Getty Images. I was really just looking for an excuse to post this photo of Harry, obvs.
Here's to Derby style and gorgeous chapeaux! Happy Derby week, y'all!
Blogger {View} Wednesday: Josh Johnson of The Kentucky Gent
Today's Blogger{view} Wednesday interview is with Josh Johnson, known to the blog world as The Kentucky Gent. I'd describe Josh's style as urban hipster with a dash of Southern charm; he's always the first on the scene to check out Louisville's latest hot spots. And, as I recently told my friend Emily, Josh's man-bun is just as awesome in person as it is on his blog! Thanks so much to Josh for answering a few questions for us!
Tell us about yourself.
I’m a 20 something creative living and working in Louisville who happened upon blogging kind of by accident, but it’s quickly turned into the hardest, yet best job that I’ve ever had. I’ve gone on to work with global brands like H&M as well as local companies like 21c.
How did The Kentucky Gent get started?
Originally the blog started as a way to show that guys from Kentucky have more style than people would normally assume. Since then it’s grown from just a personal style blog into a men’s fashion and lifestyle blog which encompasses all facets of my life including fashion, food, and booze.
What’s your favorite thing about Kentucky?
Hm. Hard to say one thing, but being from Louisville I’d have to say that my favorite thing is that I get to be part of the renaissance we’re going through currently. The city has definitely grown leaps and bounds over the last few years, and we’re showing no signs of stopping.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to start a blog?
Don’t stand in your own way. You’ll come up with 101 reasons why you shouldn’t start a blog, and just as many reasons as to why you can’t do it. Just do it. Also - invest in people that are 100% on your team.
Now the important questions:
1. Cats or Cards?
I always root for Louisville since I call it home, but I’m one Kentuckian who doesn’t go crazy over sports.
2. Louisville or Lexington?
Louisville
3. What’s your favorite bourbon?
4. What’s your favorite local restaurant?
5. What’s your favorite local shop?
Hard to pick just one, but it’s between Regalo, Revelry, and Scout on Market.
Fall Fashion 2014
It's officially fall y'all! Time for a round up of fall's hottest trends!
It's officially fall y'all! Pumpkin spice has taken over and college football is in full swing! It's time to bring out your chunky knits, chambray shirts, and riding boots and to update your wardrobe with some of fall's most fabulous trends! I am in love with ladylike leopard and can't wait to give my plaid shirt a glamorous makeover. Below is a round up of fall's hottest trends! Which ones will you be sporting this season?
1. Meow
Leopard in ladylike silhouettes is everywhere this season. I am loving bow tie blouses and pleated skirts in this catty print.
2. Wrap it up
Wrap/robe coats are all the rage this fall. I am loving their over-sized collars and cinched waists. Talk about slimming!
3. Shearling
Shearling makes an appearance in a big way. It will be accenting everything from moto jackets to booties.
4. Pretty Plaid
Everyone is mad for plaid. My favorite look is a plaid button down with a monogrammed vest and some killer riding boots. You can also dress it up with a pleated skirt and pearls.
5. Capes
Elegant capes have been translated into everyday wear. I am loving this trench inspired cape. It's a little more casual and a really fun way to enjoy this trend.
6. Fun Fall Colors
One of the easiest ways to update your fall wardrobe is by adding pieces in this season's signature colors. Bright orange, UK blue, grey and pastels like mint green, baby blue and pale pink will brighten and update your fall ensemble in a flash.
7. Key Accessories
Statement bags, menswear oxfords and cowboy hats will be your go to accessories this season. I am loving metallic shoes as neutrals as well.
