Southern Belle

Southern Belle
Scarlett O'Hara, the most famous Southern Belle
Decade of origin	1850s
Creator/s	19th century society
Key values	Femininity, Tradition, Family, Politeness
Related aesthetics	Old Money Preppy
Related media	Gone with the Wind

Southern Belle is a subculture common in the American South which is associated with upper class women.

History

The Southern Belle came about in the mid-19th century among the Southern planation class. These women were the daughters of wealthy landowners who lived lives of leisure due to the fact that their families owned slaves. When they grew up, they married other wealthy landowners, forming a network of families with shared values who controlled society and politics.

The American Civil War put an end to the Southern Belle - without slaves, the lifestyle could not continue. The cost of rebuilding plantations destroyed during the war was immense, due to economic inflation. Many families relocated to England, marrying into the British aristocracy and European nobility. Those that remained in the South struggled but clung to their roots - their family names.

The modern Southern Belle might have her own career, but domestic skills like cooking and hosting parties are considered valuable ones. After marriage, she might quit her job to become a stay-at-home mother. She might distance herself from negative stereotypes by embracing Americana style Southern Pride rather than Confederacy style Southern Pride. There is some crossover with the Tradwife movement, evidenced in the desire to please her husband and reflect well on him.

Visuals

• Big, poofy dresses
• Large hats
• Parasols
• Large plantation houses
• Immense lawns
• Brightly colored flowers
• Peaches
• Cotton fields
• Spanish moss

Fashion

The 19th century Southern Belle wore huge poofy dresses stretched out over hoopskirts or crinolines. Nowadays this is worn only as a costume for a Founder's Day parade or history related special event.

• pearl stud earrings
• pearl necklaces
• gold lockets
• large straw hats
• floral print dress (Lilly Pulitzer is a popular brand)
• tea length dresses in pastel colors
• eyelet lace dress

Stores

• Draper James

Media

Literature

• "Désirée's Baby" by Kate Chopin
• Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Movies

• Gone with the Wind (1939)
• The Beguiled (2017)
• The Fox Hunter (2020)
• The Princess and the Frog (2009)

TV Shows

• Hart of Dixie (2011-2015)
• Mercy Street (2016-2017)
• Southern Charm (2013-)

Gallery

The Belles from Hart of Dixie

Charlotte la Bouff from The Princess and the Frog

Southern plantation house

Resources

• Southern Belle on Wikipedia
• Southern Belle on TV Tropes
• Southern Living magazine

Books

• A Southern Belle Primer by Maryln Schwartz