As long as I can remember, Christmas smelled like sugar cookies and Chanel No. 5. It looked like twinkling lights and bright red lipstick—specifically, the Revlon tube that resided full-time in my grandmother’s purse.
She was the most fashionable person I’d ever met. The opposite of subtle and demure, she dazzled with layers of jewelry and a loud personality, especially during the holidays. It wouldn’t have mattered if we went out on Christmas Eve to our favorite Chinese restaurant; she’d still have showed up with bells on and donning sparkly shoes. Peking Duck and Chanel No. 5 do make quite the Yuletide scent.
## Dressing To The Nines
Like many Southern women, my grandmother learned from her mother to always show up with her most confident foot forward. “Dress like your arch nemesis is going to be by the cocktail meatballs,” she once told me. I have a feeling that one came from personal experience.
I grew up wanting to be just like her, wearing the same shade of red lipstick (a dream I had to retire, as it looked terrible on me) and walking in the same cloud of perfume. And within that cloud, I knew that I should be wearing my best. Her message to me was clear: taking pride in one’s appearance is the mark of a true Southern woman.
## How Much Is Too Much?
Southern women often get thrown into a trope of being over-the-top to the point of ridiculousness, but if being bold enough to wear lipstick to lunch and keeping a miniature can of hairspray in your purse at all times gets you called “extra,” sign me up. Any Negative Nancies won’t be singing that tune when static cling has their dress suctioned to their behinds during church. (For the record, hairspray is great for solving that.)
One need only look as far as the film *Steel Magnolias* to witness this special brand of “extra” that exists among Southern women. From the quintessential salon that anchors the story to the wardrobe choices, it’s all about making a statement. If given a chance to consider it, would your statement include enough hairspray?
## Dress To Create Memories
Dressing up for Christmas dinner like you’re heading to a wedding—despite the fact that those in attendance are just your crazy family members and the Labrador retriever—isn’t silly. It’s just being prepared for all scenarios. It’s getting gussied up not because of who is going to be there, but because it makes the whole night feel more special. And if my grandmother taught me anything, it’s to make every holiday memorable.
When the images of your wardrobe choices are shared, feeling good comes with the territory. What was so special about the dress you wore on Easter? And don’t forget about the possibilities surrounding accessories. It’s a Southern woman’s right to choose what accentuates her beauty best.
## Embracing Well-Dressed Tradition
Having gone through these reasons why Southern women will always overdress during the holidays, I feel inspired to start cataloguing what I have worn as an ode to my grandmother’s philosophy. My closet is a joy of memories and inspiration thanks to her influence.
https://www.southernliving.com/southerners-overdress-for-the-holidays-11859823
