What I wore in Charleston on the 2nd Annual Tastemaker Travels trip

What I Wore: Charleston Edition

If you were following along with my friends and colleagues on our 2nd Annual Tastemaker Travels then you know there is a lot to unpack – literally and figuratively! While last year’s inaugural trip was to Nantucket, the Law Luxury Travel team changed it up and planned our 2026 rendezvous in Charleston, SC styaing at a newly opened waterfront resort, The Cooper.

I am aiming to cover things in a way that hopefully makes it easier to find information tailored to specifically what y’all might be looking for. This post is primarily focused on what I wore which I wanted to get out first since I can see things started to sell out, especially in the extended sizes. However I will be putting together a post on the what, where and why of Charleston for anyone interested in planning a trip – especially since it is one of our country’s cities chosen to participate in the 250th celebration this summer! I’ll also be sharing some recaps on my Instagram and organizing those into a highlight for future reference and as always, if anyone has any questions I am happy to be an open book!

MESTIZA NY: A Welcome Dinner at The Palmetto Cafe, The Charleston Place

I’ve shared before about the beautiful pieces I’ve found at Mestiza and continue to marvel at the styles they put out each season. It is an ideal destination for occasion dresses, in particular. Think wedding guest, bridal shower, milestone vacation looks, etc … but they’ve also ventured into more casual day dress offerings, swim, cover ups, pajamas and accessories. I wish I could say they offer extended sizes, but most of Mestiza is limited to sizes 0 – 14. The feedback I have received from my standard size followers is that it seems to be cut generously, so you might find that if you are a true 16 that many of even the more tailored silhouettes will work for you. As for my fellow extended size shoppers, I have had plenty of success with their more flexibly cut pieces and I am a true plus size woman. I am right at 5’ 9” and wear a 1X- often a 2X. Of course, their caftans are a lovely option, but each release I usually see a few looks that would work comfortably on fuller figures. A thoughtful fit related detail I learned about Mestiza is that they offer an up to $50 tailoring credit for eligible purchases that need to be taken to your local tailor to perfect the fit. I just got in this dress and it is SO close to being exactly right, the sleeves are just too tight for my preference, and I’m mulling over this option in hopes a tailor can get it just right!

The founders, Alessandra Perez – Rubio and Louisa Rechter, hosted a dinner reception our first night which felt like a full circle moment for me as I was featured on the brand’s Tastemaker series five years ago. I was very new as a content creator and remember feeling so honored to be considered for this highlight – matter of fact, I still feel that way! I wore the Nostalgia Midi Dress I was drawn to the off-the-shoulder neckline and the ease of the elastic waist. The blue and white print felt like me and I loved the tassel tie detail. I’m in the XL and it was generously cut. The other dress I was strongly considering was the Rafaella Maxi Cover Up and my friend and roomie for the trip, Sabrina Chazen, ended up wearing it. I love how it looked on her and that halfway through the cocktail hour she took the belt off and turned it into a headband! While the name says “cover up” all it needs is a nude slip underneath. However the ease of the gauzy cotton toile print means it is also a fantastic swim cover up! Which, p.s. their pareo wraps are plus size friendly. I feel like this one could easily be a skirt – just pair it with a crisp, white button down (this is my current fave) or tee, add some statement earrings or a bag, and voila!

I wore these some neutral textured flats and paired it with a baroque pearl and coral necklace that my MIL gave me a few years back. (Here is a similar one.) I brought a rattan purse with a chain because it is easy to manage in a cocktail party scenario and I wasn’t in the mood to mess with a clutch!

If you’re seeing this on or before June 7th, you can use my code GRACE10 to save 10% on your Mestiza order.

SUNSHINE TIENDA x SPRITZ SOCIETY: The Pool Party

I am fresh off of shooting a few looks down at The Gasparilla Inn for Sunshine Tienda’s Spring Launch and I am getting more and more familiar with their ready-to-wear line. It is quickly becoming a personal favorite (especially the Oasis maxi dress) and so far, their XXL’s are a great match for me. I feel comfortable recommending them as an extended size option. But on the second day of the trip we met up with Sunshine Tienda and Spritz Society at The Cooper’s 4th-floor rooftop. The view is dreamy with an expansive deck and oversized infinity edge pool looking out on Charleston Harbor. Within a few minutes of arriving and a Skinny Spritz in hand, I’d already seen at least 3 dolphins! The event was all about their hats and pareos – both of which I’ve been wearing to pools, beaches, lakes and anything that can qualify as a body of water – for at least 4 years now. Their hats are sized so for those of us in the big head club, we have the L/XL options. Their pareos can be tied a multitude of ways and my suitcase is never without this multicolored staple. Their new rainbow gingham one with the ruffle is an up and coming favorite of mine too. For the pool party, I chose this green palm print to go with the green and white gingham suit I wore. (My suit is old, but I found this Hillhouse green and white gingham one piece that goes up to an XXXXL) I wasn’t totally sure what our cover up situation would be so I started out with a neutral white eyelet button down I got last summer and wear all the time. I’m of the opinion every one needs something like this in their cover up wardrobe and right now I’m loving this option (it’s on super sale too) that comes in standard and plus sizes.

What could compete with dolphins, spritzes and sun hats by the pool? Meeting Chassity Evans, author of Pink Sand Summer and your newest book obsession! I never want to play favorites, but wow did I enjoy getting to know Chassity during our stay. She is beautiful inside and out and I came away from the time together admiring her balance of style, genuine warmth and talent! With some extra time on Friday before flying home, I started reading Pink Sand Summer and could barely put it down. I contemplate “missing my flight” and staying an extra day to post up at the pool with a margarita to tear through it!

A few other outfit details:

The Sunshine Tienda hat I chose (that has a monogrammable strap).

The $24 slides I hunted down, and you should too before they sell out again!

Earrings, light weight statements and under $50.

Hat Clip, add it to the side of your bag! (makes a unique gift too!)

Currently Reading: Pink Sand Summer

TUCKERNUCK: Back Porch Dinner Party

So many of us turn to Tuckernuck for our outfit searches. I know I sure do, especially because their private label brand offers sizes from XXS – XXXL. One of the most helpful tips I can share is that Tuckernuck usually provides garment specific size measurements vs. a general brand size chart. I find this particularly useful in ordering pieces that work for me since they are not consistent across the board. If I see that something is within my bust, waist and hip measurements (or at least pretty close) then I go for it. Usually it works in my favor. Then, once I find a silhouette I like, I know I can count on the brand to release new prints and colors in it. (You’ll still want to reference the garment size chart just in case!)

The dress I wore for dinner was a new- to-me cut and I love how it fit. The vibrant print feels summery and Mediterranean, but I also love this neutral, embroidered option. I’d say that the XXXL fits a true 20, 1X, up to a small plus size 2X. I paired it with a raffia clutch (with a fun bamboo buckle detail) that you could wear with just about any outfit this summer! (Use code GRACE20 to save 20%.) The cherry on top was this multi-strand raffia necklace I got last summer that sold out quickly but is finally back in stock! For a “neutral” it makes quite the statement and adds a pop of texture to any look.

WALK, TALK & SHOP HART

Even though the Charleston weather was unseasonably cool, I knew I needed to dress comfortably for a few hours of walking on tour with expert Tyler Page Wright Friedman of Walk and Talk Charleston. (Stay tuned for a discount code!) I went with a Scarlett Nap Dress (I’m in the XXXL here, but toggle between that and the XXL) and the Blue Bird Tonal Seersucker was perfect, but I also had my eye on the Lagoon Gingham and Sunburst Blossom. It has pockets and skims the ankles, but is still easy, breezy. The shoes are the standout here because they are so insanely comfortable (but cute too) that I am confident I could spend a day at Disney in them. No blisters (though I would recommend being prepared with MegaBabe’s new blister stick, just in case) and I would pick them again and again for a walking tour – especially when you’re dealing with cobblestones and uneven surfaces.

We were graciously invited to shop at Hart’s seasonal pop up location and as a sentimental charm lover, I am hooked on them for life. I selected the snail, a match stick, and this key – each one representing a special meaning. The snail (one of their newest charms) asks us to slow down, take our time and move with intention. The match is inscribed with In Magia Tua Exista which translates to “stay in your magic” – may we all remain true to our inner spark. And last but not least, this key – a sentimental emblem that reminds me of my sorority days as a Kappa Kappa Gamma at SMU. But it also subtly bears the writing of my favorite name – Mama.

SPA TIME x COZY MOVIE NIGHT

Who could ask for a better finale to a fabulous trip than mini-massages at The Cooper’s new spa, followed by a sound bath and movie night. We got to test out some burger and fried chicken sandwich bites from their soon-to-open eatery, Current Burger. If I lived in Charleston, I can tell you this would be a staple restaurant for our fam. The hot chicken sandwich was hands down the best I have ever had. They’re going to offer milkshakes (as every good diner should) and let me just say their chocolate is the real deal. We went to sleep relaxed, cups full from quality time and riding the kind of high that only comes from girlhood giggles.