I moved from Boston to Atlanta several years ago, and the culture shock continues. This time, it’s all about the outfit….

Its 6:30 a.m. and the alarm is going off. I drag myself out of bed, wash my face and throw on an old pair of sweats. It’s basically the same routine I have every morning during the school year. 

As I walk my daughter out to catch the 7:00 a.m. bus, I notice some of the other stay-at- home moms gathered around with their coffee in hand. One of them has just had her hair recently highlighted and has the “just done” look, and the other is dressed in her cute jeans and full makeup. It always makes me feel so frumpy.

This is what I deal with on a daily basis. For some reason, the girls in Atlanta love to dress up, no matter what time of day it is, or where they are going. School bus stop, grocery store, the mall, the park, etc. The grocery stores are my favorite place to people watch because I see all types there. Typically, a southern woman comes in decked out to the hilt-- some even wearing high heeled shoes. I have a friend who loves dressing up during the day. She told me it’s just so she can feel cute during the day. Don’t get me wrong, I love dressing cute when I’m going out with my husband, or a group of friends.  But for day-to-day mundane tasks, I prefer comfort.  

My neighbor who attended University of Georgia told me that her sorority would get all dressed up for college football games.  Most girls would go and get their hair done beforehand, and then put on a dress with pearls. Ok, I know the weather is different, but where I went to school (Northeastern University) we wore layers and layers of clothes.  Typically big sweaters that covered our butts.

When I first moved here, I had some friends from Boston come to visit and I made the mistake of bringing them to a party. One of the women we were talking to—who was born and raised in Atlanta—casually remarked, “You know what I love about Boston girls?  They really don’t care what they look like when they walk out the door.” 

Hmmm.

I really haven’t changed my style since I have been here. And there are plenty of Boston transplants that I can spot a mile away because we are wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt to the mall.

I don’t mind the comments thrown my way, but I draw the line when it comes to my girls and the peer pressure to turn them into a southern belle. Yes, the girls look absolutely adorable in their flowing dresses with the big bows, but that’s not my style.

Anyways, I need to go lay out my outfit for the next day: Blue sweat pants and my Northeastern University sweatshirt. I fit right in.

By Laura Bishop

A native of the Greater Boston area, Laura Bishop now lives in Atlanta with her husband and their three children. While she's adapted to her new environment, she's proof that you can take the girl out of the Hub, but you can't take the Hub attitude out of the girl!