A Modern Version of Southern Belle

Southern belles or debutantes were terms used to describe young ladies when they come of age in the Antebellum period, around the time before the American Civil War. When a lady is called a southern belle, it means she is now mature enough to become a part of the adult social circles.

The debutantes had dress codes and fashion items associated with them including straw hats, corsets, gloves, and hooped skirts. The debutantes are also supposed to be upper-class and not have a tan, something meant for the working class. However, the girls in this picture are breaking the stereotype, showing their maturity without any of the expected styles.