ATLANTA -- Meredith Placko's closet isn't about clothes. Instead, it's about an identity. The racks contain many of the essential ingredients for a life she lives proudly as a nerd.

"The whole world is kind of embracing the geek chic concept," said Placko, a blogger and freelance TV producer.

It starts with Dragon*Con, the annual downtown Atlanta sci-fi nerdfest that cinched Placko's decision to move here from south Florida three years ago. Dragon*Con helped vault Atlanta to the top of a list of America's nerdiest cities, according to a real estate site.

PHOTOS | Dragon*Con 2012