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Is There Such a Thing as a Coral Gables Style? Do the Residents of the Gables Dress with Greater Refinement Than Those who Live Outside the City?

Photography by Jon Braeley

December 2018

We would like to think so. We are not cowed by the uber-trendiness of Brickell, or the glitter of South Beach, or the ostentation of Little Havana. Our style is one of understated elegance, of taste and refinement, a sense of chic that is sophisticated rather than showy. 

Each month we will bring you a different selection of the latest and finest from the shops of Coral Gables, with the styles worn by a citizen of the city rather than a model. 

We start this month with the Carolina Herrera store in the Shops at Merrick Park, showcasing a preview of their Spring/Summer 2019 collection. The new garments, says CH spokesman Derek Cabrera, “breathe the influence of urban art in different details,” such as color, the juxtaposition of black and ivory, and a reinterpretation of polka dots. 

Our model this month is Tamarind Effio, a Gables resident who works as a residential mortgage advisor in the Gables office of TIAA Bank, formerly Everbank. Born to British and Panamanian parents, she was raised in both England and Panama and attended FSU. After working in Jacksonville for Everbank, she was transferred to Coral Gables eight years ago thanks to her fluent Spanish. Her two children attend St. Philips Episcopal School on Andalusia. 

Column silhouette gown in black and ivory ($1,120) with red Metropolitan handbag 
($620). The classic colors are part of the House of Herrera. This beautiful silk crepe gown 
has an exquisite drape and fall to it. The shoes are black & white striped flower pumps ($560). 
 
Taffeta wrap dress in peony color with an iconic CH bow detail ($920). The crystal dandelion brooch ($285) transitions the dress from cocktail to evening. Cobalt blue stiletto high heels ($620) and Insignia sequoia-leather handbag with gold-plated handle ($1,150) complete the look. 
Polka dot shirt of fresh and breathable poplin cotton ($410) paired with Culotte pants made from tricotine twill-weave worsted fabric, with double-ribbed front and gold buttons ($635). Accessorized with a mimosa leather “shopper” bag ($400), Insignia bracelet with pearls ($435), and two-toned rope wedge shoes ($470). 
Pearl and gold button tulip-shaped cocktail dress, in the iconic red of the House of Herrera ($635, reduced to $317). An asymmetrical neckline adds a touch of modernity allowing for easy pairing with a cheetah-print Baret Bag ($3,500) and black, high-heeled sandals ($530).