It’s no secret that Condé Nast has some serious love for Charleston. The Holy City has been featured yet again, but this time it’s in a fashion magazine and not topping another poll. Vogue managing editor Alexandra Macon returned to her hometown of Charleston for summer vacation and took a few fashion snapshots during her stay. She was featured on the magazine’s website for her wardrobe during the weeklong trip in a spread entitled “Five Days, Five Looks, One Girl.”

In the feature, Macon visits five Charleston locations and is wearing some high-end lines, which we hoped she might mix with more local designers. Unfortunately, she didn’t. The scenes she chose for the shoots are the typical Charleston locations, but we were craving some unique spots she might divulge to her readers. Of course, it was for Vogue, which has a particular image to maintain, and that image mirrors the highbrow spots Macon frequented.

Where exactly did Macon go? Macon’s first shot was at the Battery Carriage House at White Point Garden. She then headed to Middleton Place, the Gibbes Museum, and the Peninsula Grill also made the cut. And while these places all have sentimental meaning to Macon, it would have been nice if she had thrown in one off-the-radar spot.

The managing editor wasn’t very daring in her outfit selections either. Tory Burch, Gucci, L.L. Bean, and back in style Carven offered little surprises. Marni and J. Crew provided some accessories, but the clothes definitely made a statement on Charleston’s wealth of preppy attire. If horseback riding doesn’t scream prepster already, she accessorized with a monogrammed silver cuff, a gift from her husband and an undoubtedly Southern touch.

It was a little disappointing to realize every piece in her outfit was from another city. SoHo and New Orleans were featured, so why was Charleston left out in her fashion choices? She did have one ode to Charleston, a periwinkle Suno embroidered dress she bought at Hampden Clothing — even if Suno is a designer out of New York. “I picked it up at my friend Stacy Smallwood’s King Street store, Hampden Clothing. I often stop in when I’m in town to do a little vacation shopping,” says Macon.


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