Dressing for Gasparilla
Shirt || Jeans || Wedges || Handbag || Earrings || Bracelet || Watch
Next weekend in Tampa Bay is kind of a big deal for locals… Gasparilla! It’s essentially our version of Mardi Gras. We have the beads, krewes, and parades. The biggest difference is that our little event is hosted by pirates. It’s a day to get out, enjoy our Florida winter, and yes, celebrate a mythical pirate that probably didn’t actually exist. Each year, the event continues to grow and adds so much to our area’s culture.
About Gasparilla
I recently heard that New Years resolutions don’t start in Tampa Bay until after Gasparilla. As you can probably imagine, and similar to its Mardi Gras counterpart, the day gets kind of wild. Drinks are flowing and girls are wearing next next to nothing, trying to imitate their best skimpy pirate. Even though I grew up with the event, I knew that was never really my style.
The Theme
It’s very doable, and surprisingly easy to maintain modest, classic style for a crazy, pirate themed day. Don’t worry about wearing clothes that are too tight or skimpy. I have you covered, literally! Seeing as pirates everywhere will be wearing a combination of red, black, and white, the possibilities are endless.
The Perfect Blouse
If you’re a local and finding yourself at Gasparilla this year, then I can’t recommend this shirt from Tuckernuck enough! The bright, cherry red color is simply gorgeous. While is has the feel of your stand t-shirt, the peplum sleeves give it a whole elevated look and feel. It’s the kind of shirt you can wear running errands or dressing up for an evening out.
Making the Outfit
For the rest of the outfit, I decided to keep it simple and monochromatic. These white jeans from J. Crew are always my go-to, especially on a crisp Florida morning. To really embody that laidback, Florida style I added my favorite espadrille wedges from Castaner. These shoes are so comfortable and would be perfect for staying comfortable when you’re out all day. to keep your valuables close by, but still fashionable, I love this circle bag from The Daily Edited. It comes with a super convenient crossbody strap and can even be monogrammed. That way, there’s no doubt on who the fashionable handbag belongs to.
Overall, this blog post is a quick PSA. Even when it seem like everyone else is dressed with the bare minimum, never feel compelled to follow suit. Dress to your comfort level, to your own personal style, and I guarantee you’ll be more at ease than the majority of people out there.
Love from Florida,
Katie
Thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.