October’s calendar is chock full of celebrations featuring the glorious fall weather. With the first wintry chill, hints of holiday spirit begin to permeate Birmingham’s social scene, and we have the perfect celebratory looks for your October outings. Whether you are supporting the worthy education and outreach initiatives of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens at the Gala in the Gardens black-tie event, soaking in Enra‘s cutting-edge performance art at the Alys Stephens Center or enjoying a brew and live music at the Cask & Drum festival, our local fashion boutiques have the look for you! To match our featured events, the talented stylists at local boutiques Lilla, Elle and Shoefly offer up some drool-worthy What to Wear solutions.
Event: Gala in the Gardens Sponsored by Stifel
- Thursday, October 1, 2015
- 7:00 to 11:00 p.m.
- Tickets: $175/ per person
- For more information, or to buy tickets, click here
The black-tie Gala in the Gardens sponsored by Stifel is the opening event to the Antiques at the Gardens weekend, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ largest annual fundraising event benefitting the impressive educational programming the gardens provide to a wide range of Birminghamians. Enjoy a first look at the wares in the antiques booths, mingle with friends all dressed to the nines, taste delicious cuisine and dance to a live band.
What to wear? We’re not holding back on the fashion front. There are so few opportunities to embrace your inner red-carpet fashionista, and this is one of them! Ladies (and gents for that matter), it’s your time to look marvelous! And, to show you can look fabulous no matter your budget, we paired this event with Lilla, a consignment store known for high dollar labels at reasonable prices.
Look #1:

From Lilla: BCBG black one-sleeved dress, $54 and Trina Turk clutch, $250

Trina Turk clutch with gold chain strap at Lilla for $250
Look #2:

From Lilla: Calvin Klein rose satin dress, $54 and chunky necklace, $28

Pair your red dress with these nude Stuart Weitzman heels for $64 at Lilla.

And finish it off with this Louis Vuitton Alma BB bag for $400 at Lilla.
Look #3:

This multi-colored dress by Milly, at Lilla for $98, is perfect for a celebration!

Anchor your colorful Milly dress with these fashion-forward Prada wedges, $124 at Lilla.

Modern and sleek, this Proenza Schouler clutch, $400 at Lilla, completes this artsy yet formal look!
Event: Cask & Drum
- Saturday, October 17, 2015
- 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Tickets are $30, 60 and $125/per person
- For differences in ticket packages and more information, click here
Presented by Mountain High Outfitters and benefitting Magic Moments, Cask & Drum is a live music festival featuring such bands as Warren Haynes, Perpetual Groove, Green River Ordinance, Striking Matches, The Suffers, Logan Brill and more. This family-friendly event—kids under 10 enjoy free admission!—also celebrates local craft beer and fine wines with a Tasting Experience for Cask Pass holders and a sit-down dinner, special seating, and a sunset cocktail hour for VIPs. Bring a blanket to the Avondale Brewing Company’s Pepsi stage and enjoy the day with friends in casual cool style.
What to wear? For this event, we’re embracing the boho chic festival look in casual comfort with looks from Shoefly.
Look #1:

From Shoefly: Sea of Pearl ombre sweater, $115; necklace set, $79; HUE leatherette leggings, $58; 2 Chic floppy wool hat, $53; Dolce Vita shoes, $180. And, yes … um, it was kinda cold when we took photos …

This floppy wool hat and sweater shawl accented with metallic necklace achieves the bohemian cool of the festival vibe with elegance.
Look #2:

From Shoefly: Bishop Youn faux suede vest, $110; zuma tunic in blue by Velvet, $82; gold chain necklace with feathers, $56; Mia Moss sabine indigo jeggings, $98; Pelle Moda shoes, $209

Check out this sleek gold necklace with feather detail! Find it at Shoefly for $56.

Pelle Moda shoes at Shoefly for $209
Look #3:

From Shoefly: Veronica M black romper, $94; Dolce Vita shoes, $200; gunmetal necklace, $53; leather necklace with horn detail, $69

This layered gunmetal necklace juxtaposed with this gold-dipped horn necklace lends an air of rock-and-roll confidence to any wardrobe.

These Dolce Vita booties with leather and metal fringe are perfect for rocking out! Find them at Shoefly for $200.
Event: Enra at Alys Stephens Center
- Sunday, October 18, 2015
- The curtain rises at 7 p.m.
- Tickets are $29/ per person
- For tickets or more information, click here
The Alys Stephens Center is pleased to host the Tokyo-based performance troupe in one of only 10 U.S. performances on its 2015 world tour. Helmed by prestigious Japanese artistic director Nobuyuki Hanabusa, Enra seeks to merge large screen graphics with live movement and dance. This troupe gained international notoriety when it performed at Japan’s successful 2020 Olympic bid hosted by Japan’s prime minister. Its YouTube video “Pleiades” has been viewed 6 million times.
What to wear? For this evening of contemporary-art-meets-modern-dance, we’re merging the formality of the theatre with the casual tones of modern art for a fresh, modern look that will carry you seamlessly from dinner to the theatre to an evening nightcap. And, we’re doing it all with the help of elle.
Look #1:

From elle: Waverly Grey Dress, $215; Brave designs necklace, $199; Ceri Hoover purse, $245; Klub Nico bootie, $229

Here’s a closer look at this chic purse by Nashville-based handbag designer, Ceri Hoover. Find it at elle for $245.
Look #2:

From elle: Marie Oliver top, $212; Jocelyn vest, $402; AS by DF pant $274; Joie shoe, $305; E. Newton necklace, $169

Here’s a closer look at our selection from elle in Crestline Village!

And for the shoe lovers, a close-up of this Joie heel with fringed ankle, $305, at elle
Look #3:

From elle: Tibi top, $414; Level 99 pant, $139; Old Clutch bag, $322; Diba True boot, $182

This Diba True boot, $182 at elle, has a casual-chic, worn-in charm that looks effortlessly cool.

This cross-body purse is designed by Birmingham-based Old Clutch. Find it at elle for $322.
Enjoy October and shop local!
For an added treat, here is that YouTube video we just mentioned. Yep, we think the Enra performance will be well worth the $29 ticket!