Wardrobe Stylist Erica Hanks’ Mini-Guide to Charlotte, North Carolina

Our Summit alums live in some pretty fantastic places across the South (and beyond!), from small towns to large cities. This week, we asked Erica Hanks, Wardrobe Stylist in Charlotte, North Carolina, to share some of her go-to hometown favorites with us. From her favorite boutiques to where she grabs a bite and a coffee, join us as she shares some of her Queen City favorites in this mini-guide to Charlotte.

Favorite restaurant?

Whenever I’m out in Plaza Midwood, I always try to make a lunch stop at the Diamond Restaurant. It’s been in the same location since 1945 and when you walk in, it’s like walking back into old Charlotte. The grilled cheeseburgers are the best in town and I’m a sucker for their crinkle cut french fries!

Favorite shop(s)?

We have about 30 locally owned boutiques in Charlotte, so for every client we are always in and out of stores all over the city, looking for unique, personal and individual pieces that truly reflect our clients’ styles. Two great shops out of our local stores that I love to check out are Boris & Natasha in Plaza Midwood and Sloan in Southpark. Boris & Natasha is my go-to for funky, edgy and completely out of the box pieces. You’ll find local jewelry designers featured there as well as really cool punk pieces that I love to mix with classic items for a fun look. Sloan in Southpark keeps their jewelry color coded which is so easy to peruse, and they do a really great mix of editing low and high pieces like Suncoo, Alexis, Derek Lam, and Loeffler Randall, and you can put together a great look on an affordable budget there.(photo by Andrew Cebulka)

Favorite outdoor activity?

We live in an old neighborhood in south Charlotte with a lot of outdoor space. Spending time at home on the back porch is my favorite place to be! I love hanging out and spending time with my family out there, and in the fall we love building a fire on in the outdoor fireplace and just relaxing together.

Favorite cultural activity?

I don’t have one! I literally am the biggest hermit when I’m not working! 🙂

Favorite Coffee Shop?

I’m in Southend quite a bit lately for editorial and client work, which gives me an excuse to pop into Not Just Coffee in Atherton Mills. I only drink iced coffee and to me, theirs is the best in town.

Do you have a Charlotte favorite? Share it with us in the comments below!