A new-to-me store
Ok, so I’ve already admitted to being easily influenced by other bloggers. Recently, an online boutique, Southern Soul Collectives, began following me on Instagram. After checking to make sure it was a legit business, I followed back. Last year on Black Friday, I bought my first tulle skirt. I knew it wouldn’t be my last. Here’s where that influencing comes in! There, in my Insta feed, was a pretty pink tulle skirt! I quickly placed my order and settled in to wait for its delivery.
A surprise for you!
Imagine my surprise when the owner of the company reached out to me to say my order had been delayed, and she wanted to make it right for me. This was just a few days after placing my order, and we’d had a pretty major snowstorm move through the area. My skirt showed up a day or so later so not really much of a delay. Well, here’s the really exciting part. I received not one package…I received two packages (I should have only received one…the other was an exact duplicate)! After contacting the company, we decided to do a giveaway! Yes, you read that right! You can be the winner of this lovely pink lace tulle skirt! Details will be on my Instagram a little later today as well as Southern Soul Collectives.
Introducing Meredeth
Southern Soul Collectives is a small, woman-owned business located in Sharpsburg, Georgia. Southern Soul Collectives opened in the summer of 2021. Meredeth is a self-described Georgia peach who spent several years in the corporate world. I love that she also describes herself as “a southern girl with an ever wandering gypsy spirit”! After some soul searching and a tear or two, Meredeth decided to listen to a voice telling her “YOU are ENOUGH and this is NOT where I want you to be.” And, a boutique was born! One of the things I appreciate about Southern Soul Collectives is the inclusion of photos of the item as worn by models in a small through 3 XL. The models are also rather diverse in age, race, and size.
There’s more…
After spending some time chatting with her, I can tell you Meredeth is a woman of faith who has decided to taker her passion for fashion and use it to empower women in many ways. Not only is Southern Soul Collectives size inclusive, each purchase is used to help a person/family in need. Meredeth puts it this way: “By purchasing our collectives, you are paying it forward in the most southern of ways – with subtlety and grace.” She also has a blog where she invites other women to share their stories and style.
My skirt
Some information about my skirt. It consists of three layers…the outer tulle layer, the middle lace skirt, and an underskirt of the same color. The waistband is a nice wide elastic band in the same color. There are numerous panels of tulle which are seamed and finished very well. I’m pretty impressed with the quality of this skirt! The skirt is also available in a pretty light grey. Currently, the pink skirt is only available in plus size. The grey skirt is available in both OS (one size) and Plus OS (plus one size). I really think that grey skirt would look pretty doggone fine in my closet! The skirt is very comfortable on my 5’1″ curvy figure though it does ride up as my natural waist is about a centimeter below my bosoms (not really, but it sure does look that way in some photos)!
My three completer pieces
I decided to wear the same white tee and change up the completer piece for three different looks. Sometimes, when purchasing something, I try to think of three ways to wear it before I buy. Since it’s still frigid here in central Indiana, I didn’t do anything very spring-like or summery! First, I put on this silvery grey velvet shirt. It looks a little oversized, is vintage J Jill, and has split cuffs. Do you ever see actors on tv who don’t button their cuffs and let them flop around on their arms? Does that annoy you? It does me, and looking at these photos, it bugs me how the sleeves seem to be just hanging there. I have always liked the combination of pink and grey. I think, if the shirt were a bit smaller, I’d like this more (might be time to visit a tailor).
Next is my old stand by. This denim jacket is from Target, is from the Mossimo line, and is a few years old. I do like the juxtaposition of distressed denim with the feminine tulle. Again, you just can’t lose with a denim jacket, right?
My last completer piece is a print Charming Cardigan from Talbots. This print is from last summer. Once upon a time, I added a couple of Charming cardis to my collection each season. I have several colors and need no others. Talbots does prints so well, and this cardigan is no exception. I believe it was called Glasshouse or something like that. If you look closely, you can see the outlines of a building in the print along with lots of foliage. Throughout the print are hints of pink which almost perfectly match the pink of my skirt.
The Lewk
I decided to pull out the pearls and silver chains for this outfit. I also wore the Stella & Dot necklace in this post when I styled the same look three ways! I also added two pearl necklaces (one long and one short) from Talbots as well as the matching earrings. Jodie frequently urges her readers to wear more than one necklace, and I’ve adopted that attitude on many occasions! I wore a favorite (ok, they are all favorites) pair of L’Artiste boots.
Not quite there yet, but…
I do not currently have any types of affiliate links…fellow bloggers, if you have any hints on how to accomplish this, I’d appreciate it. But, I thought I’d include the disclaimer information should this ever happen! Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. On this post as well as all past posts, italicized links are provided as a convenience to you. I did, in fact, pay for this skirt and am providing my review of it with no strings attached!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I’ll be honest…I don’t often shop small businesses because my town doesn’t have many. I know I could and should venture into Indianapolis or surrounding towns, but Covid has curbed the appeal of seeking those out. I’m glad Meredeth of Southern Soul Collectives and I connected. I hope you give her boutique a look! And, don’t forget to visit me on Instagram to participate in the give away! Is there a small business you’ve discovered on social media? Would you style this skirt differently? Please leave me a comment so we can talk! Thanks to my subscribers! You make my day!
Where I frequently link up:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag and Doused in Pink. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs!
Oh Marsha, it’s gorgeous!I love a tulle skirt! And you styled it so beautifully with the grey jacket. And what a lovely story too! This skirt looks fabulous on you!!
This is very cool! I love it and will check your post out on Instagram! Pretry in Pink!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks, Mireille! I do really like this skirt!
Somehow, Nancy, I knew you would love this skirt! It’s such a pretty color…now, do I need that grey one?
The skirt is so fabulous! I love both ways you styled it. This store sounds amazing and love that they give back. Good luck with your giveaway!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
I was really impressed when Meredeth contacted me because my order was going to be a couple of days late! And, yes, the skirt is fabulous!
Thanks so much!
Marsha,
Thank you so much for such a wonderful story. I am very grateful for your kind words.
You are so fabulous in this is kills!
For anyone wanting to shop from Marsha’s blog, follow me at @southernsoulcollectives and DM for an exclusive discount code which may find a link soon on Marsha’s Insta.
I will be announcing how to enter the giveaway Monday morning and tagging Marsha at 7:45a EST so keep a eye out!
In the meantime, here is a like to the fab gray tulle skirt we have. https://southernsoulcollectives.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/layered-in-lace-skirt-in-gray
Thank you, Meredeth, for the chance to share this beautiful skirt! I hope this is the first of many wonderful experiences!
Accessories can make or break an outfit and your necklace is definitely the former! Beautiful styling xx
https://www.elegantduchess.com/
Thank you so much! I’m actually wearing three different necklaces, but they give the appearance of one, don’t they?
Thank you so much for coming by!
I always think it’s so important to support the small businesses, and when you get to know them, the heart behind the store. What a fabulous boutique and fabulous skirt. I’ll definitely enter the giveaway and keep my fingers crossed.
I just LOVE that any age women can wear tulle skirts. It’s like you’re reading my mind, and you’ll see why next week on my blog.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
A psychic connection, eh? I guess I always thought of small businesses as only brick and mortar. As such an online shopper, you’d think I’d know better! The giveaway details will be on Meredeth’s Instagram, but I think she’s tagging me. I love that I finally found a couple of tulle skirts! Now, I’m on the lookout for ones with a little more poof! I think I may take a look at YouTube and see how difficult it would be to make one!
I love this outfit, Marsha! Pinning! And thanks for the heads up about Southern Soul Collectives. I’m no longer on Instagram, but I will see if I can find her blog.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
I was so impressed when Meredeth contacted me to say my purchase was delayed and she wanted to make it right. That’s commitment to your product and business! If you go to Southern Soul Collectives, there is a tab at the top, I think, for the blog.
Great looks and what a wonderful story.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
Thanks, Rena! I have always wanted a tulle skirt, and now I’ve got two! And, it is really cool what Meredeth has decided to do with her life. That takes bravery, I do believe!
Southern Soul sounds wonderful! The skirt looks pretty on you, and I love how you styled it!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Thank you so much, Lovely! Compliments from you always brighten my day!
Oh, Marsha, what a divine skirt. I am so glad you took the time to explain the different layers. It is absolutely perfection in tulle. I have a rather ho-hum (relatively speaking) pink tulle skirt that pales in comparison to this one. Gosh, what a find.
Love the ways you styled it, too. On Instagram, I really liked the blouse with it. And here, on your blog and under closer inspection on my laptop, I like the denim jacket with it a LOT. I have my tulle skirt out to wear for a Valentine’s date but that doesn’t seem to be in the cards for me. Boo. Had hoped to go Friday night…didn’t. Then to church and brunch on Sunday…nope. And no hope of going out tonight on a work night. Oh, well. Next year?
Thanks, Leslie! It will be a low key Valentine’s here, too. Nigel has cataract surgery on Thursday so we’ve been staying home. We haven’t really celebrated it much anyway…just the occasional roses (I’d rather have a rose bush) and chocolates.
This skirt is so good! I didn’t even realize how many layers there were going to be. I did have a slip on because my tights and the weather created static cling. I haven’t worn a slip in years!
You look fabulous. A wonderful story.
Annie
Annies Food Diary
Annie
Annies Food Diary
Oh, thank you so much! They are a wonderful company!
You are one brave woman, Marsha. I would never think of buying a tulle skirt and here you are looking gorgeous in it. It was a great idea to do a giveaway which will benefit both parties. Love your boots and a bunch of different necklaces
https://lookingfabulousat50.blogspot.com/
I have wanted a tulle skirt for so long. And, I probably would have never ordered one online until I found one in a J Crew Factory store. Once I saw how I could wear one and style it differently, I was sold! I can’t take the credit for the giveaway! That was all Meredeth. She has a big heart for other women! The boots are one of my favorite pairs!
Thanks so much for coming by, Anna!
Pretty skirt! My favorite outfit is the one where you paired the skirt with the denim jacket.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
I think that is my favorite, too! But, I do tend to wear denim jackets with just about everything so I was challenging myself to try something different!
So pretty, feminine, and trendy!
I simply love your look today❣️
Rosemary
http://www.Distinctlysouthernstyle.com
Thank you so much, Rosemary! You are too kind!