You see these women around town, looking effortlessly chic for every occasion. Get ready to meet four of them.
Local fashion mavens April Clark, Meghan Grant, Angela Jones and Molly Stillman each run popular style blogs, chronicling their daily outfits and fashion favorites for thousands of fans and followers online.
With spring upon us, Cary Magazine called on these inspiring fashionistas to craft Kentucky Derby-themed ensembles fit for the grandstand at the iconic horse race. From simple sundresses to couture cocktail attire — all par for the course at the swanky Kentucky Derby — stay tuned for the season’s most spectacular fashion event … extravagant HATS strongly recommended!
Meghan Grant started her blog four years ago as an outlet to express her love of writing and shopping. Grant chronicles her life, style and travels across all of North Carolina.
Followers: 10,000 over all social media channels
Full-time work: Public education in Wake County
Most rewarding: The people I’ve met and the brands I’ve gotten to work with.
Most challenging: Finding time to do everything!
Favorite place to shoot blog posts: Historic buildings
Most popular post: When I launched my current rebrand at the historic Mims House (in Holly Springs) and wore a gold sequined dress.
Signature style: Fashion is an extension of my personality. I wear whatever I feel like that day, could be jeans or a cocktail dress.
Favorite places to shop: Anthropologie, J. Crew, Stylish Living in Apex and Vestique in Cary.
Go-to outfit: Flannel shirt and a vest in winter. Sundress and Jack Rogers sandals in summer.
Can’t wait to wear: White denim with anything and off-the-shoulder shirts.
Inspired by: Local bloggers in TriFabb (the Triangle Area Bloggers group of which she is a member), Cathy Anderson of Poor Little It Girl, Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Company.
Biggest fashion splurge: Christian Louboutin slingback metallic pumps.
Favorite items in your closet: I always reach for dresses and Toms booties.
A 10-year blogging veteran, Molly Stillman reaches more than 100,000 readers a month, sharing her life, faith and passion for ethical and fair trade business. Stillman also produces the podcast “Business with a Purpose,” in which she interviews CEOs and small business owners focused on running their businesses to make a positive difference in the world.
Traffic: 100,000 unique monthly readers
Full-time work: The blog! Stillbeingmolly.com has been my full-time work for five years.
Blogs because: I want women to be inspired to walk joyfully with a purpose. That could mean sharing an outfit idea to encourage moms to get dressed in the morning, or shedding light on small businesses trying to make a difference with ethical and fair trade fashion.
Most rewarding: The community between readers and other bloggers. I started a blogging group in the Triangle called TriFabb, and it has grown to over 190 members.
Most challenging: Staying relevant and not falling into the comparison trap. There is only one you. Readers will come to love and respect you as a person when you come at blogging through your own lens. There are a lot of people who don’t understand blogging as an industry. I love what I do and am so thankful for it, but educating readers and the community is a constant challenge.
Most popular post: Things To Say & Not to Say to a Late/Overdue/Past-her-Due-Date Pregnant Woman
On fashion: Fashion has a reputation for being frivolous. It can be, but you can really express who you are and tell a lot about someone’s personality.
Signature style: I try to mix style and practicality. I’m a mother of two, so I’m not often going to be wearing heels.
Favorite places to shop: The Flourish Market in Raleigh, Refinements in Durham and Elegantees. (Molly collaborated on her own line with Elegantees debuting this month. Check it out at elegantees.com).
Can’t wait to wear: I am so excited for bold colors! I love flowy peplums and ruffles. Give me flowy. I need flowy.
Inspired by: All of life. I may find a color combination out and about, for example a mural in downtown Durham, and I try that out in my wardrobe.
Biggest fashion splurge: A well-made handbag or a great pair of designer denim that is made to last is well worth the cost!
Favorite item in your closet: My ankle “Espe” booties from the Root Collective
Go-to Outfit: My favorite pair of Paige denim skinny jeans, my Root Collective booties, and a top from Elegantees.
Sharing her outfit ideas and helping others refine their style is the goal of Angela Jones’s 5-year-old blog. Jones’ bold and eclectic look marries vintage items, statement pieces and of-the-moment fashion finds.
Followers: 6,257 across all channels
Full-time work: Project manager for IBM
Most rewarding: Being able to display my creativity and style through blogging, while also providing inspiration to my followers.
Most challenging: Building and engaging a high following on all social media platforms.
On fashion: My favorite thing about fashion is knowing the possibilities are endless with regard to being able to portray who you are without having to speak.
Most popular post: A vintage cape I featured from my recent cape series titled, “Queen of Style.”
Signature style: Eclectic and timeless. I enjoy mixing high and low pieces with vintage pieces to create out-of-the-box outfits. This unorthodox method of mixing styles from various fashion eras creates a bit of a surprise.
Favorite places to shop: Everywhere! From high-end boutiques to department stores, to consignment and thrift stores.
Can’t wait to wear: Bathrobes and various shades of yellow. I plan to wear feminine, light colored bathrobes over shorts, skirts and sun dresses.
Inspired by: Style magazines and classic movies. Soraya De Carvalho of Style Is My Thing and Judith of Style Crone.
Biggest fashion splurge: A vintage Don Loper evening gown I purchased for my birthday. I’ve always admired Lucille Ball’s style; purchasing a piece made by her fashion designer was definitely a treat to myself.
Favorite item in your closet: My leopard vintage cape.
Friends often asked April Clark how to wear a dress or how to accessorize a graphic T-shirt and thus, the concept for her 4-year-old blog was born. Clark combines affordable fashion with vintage finds in a daring mix all her own.
Followers: 8,000 over all social media channels
Full-time work: Freelance fashion stylist and editor
Blogs because: I love giving practical tips and how-to’s relating to style and fashion.
Most rewarding: The creativity I get to express coming up with outfit ideas, fun titles and curating a place for my style.
Most challenging: Being a part of the fashion conversation in a unique way.
Most popular post: “Western Wild.” I would never have thought this would be so popular! I was trying out a trend and wore a cowboy hat!
Loves fashion for: The art of it. Putting the pieces together in a certain way truly makes art.
Signature style: Edgy Glam — quirky accessories, bold colors and daytime sequins!
Favorite places to shop: New York & Company, H&M, ASOS
Go-to outfit: Moto jacket, graphic T-shirt, distressed jeans and boots or heels.
Can’t wait to wear: The ’80s! Acid wash jeans, neon colors, bold patterns, big hair, fuchsia lipstick and graphic eyeliner!
Inspired by: Angela Jones of The Ultimate Fashionista, Tiffany Battle of The Werk Place, Marche Robinson of Robinson Style and Çoul Crenshaw of ÇoulStyle.
Biggest Fashion Splurge: Louis Vuitton handbag
Favorite item in your closet: Patch moto jacket
Where to Shop:
212 S. Main St., Fuquay-Varina, inside of Shoppes on Main
2039 Cameron St., Raleigh
1323 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary
250 Grande Heights Drive, Cary
The Shoppes on Main
212 S. Main St., Fuquay-Varina
Special thanks to Whispering Hope Stables for the beautiful shoot venue and equine models.
5237 Theys Road, Raleigh