Wilmington marketing pro will wear anything, except boring
WHO: Charles Ebbie Alfree III, 43, of Wilmington, marketing and development professional at The Hickman.
WHY: He was nominated by Pam George, who says: “Whether he’s at a backyard barbecue or a museum fundraiser, Ebbie is always impeccably styled from head to toe. His outfits are fashionable and tasteful.”
HIS STYLE: Fun, unique and eclectic. “The number one thing I hate is to be is bored.”
WEARING out and about around Brandywine Park in Wilmington:
FIRST OUTFIT – Solid blue, button-down shirt by Eagle; pastel plaid tie by Ralph Lauren "I bought this tie to wear to the Delaware Humane Association's 60th Anniversary Gala;” black jacket is by John Varvatos, “a gift from my dear friend and it was bought at the John Varvatos store on Mercer Street in New York. I love the longer length and material;” gray jean-cut pants by Dockers; shoes by Calvin Klein; gray wool page boy hat by Goorin Bros. “I came across this gem that I wear often as I was exiting Nordstrom a couple years ago.”
SECOND OUTFIT – Purple plaid, button-down, rolled-up sleeves shirt by INC International Concepts “I've really become a fan of this Macy's line. I love the look and feel of their clothes;” dark blue straight jeans by Levi’s; funky gray shoes by KEEN.
THIRD OUTFIT – Blue-and white gingham shirt by Polo; knee-length, dark blue shorts from Old Navy; shoes by Polo; cuff bracelet by Olga Ganoudis Designs; straw hat with striped band by Outdoor Research. “I've been friends with Olga for some years and have always admired her work. In addition, her mother is my neighbor! I stopped by her studio to visit and saw this bracelet. I immediately fell in love with the unique design.”.
WHERE HE SHOPS: “I traveled a lot in my last job and picked up some fun things on the road. I also like Goodwill, Macy’s, Nordstrom and Banana Republic.” Other favorite places are Rock Creek in Rehoboth and Phineas Gage, a boutique in West Chester. “I found shorts with flamingos on them that I wore to Point to Point, even though it was cold. Sometimes you have to suffer to be fashionable.”
HOW HE SHOPS: “I like to shop by myself, always with a purpose, and I tend to buy multiple pieces at one time.”
FAVORITE DESIGNERS: “I like Inc at Macy’s. And I love John Varvatos, although I can’t afford many of his clothes. I’m inspired by his clothing, even if I don’t actually buy it.”
BEST CELEBRITY HAIR: “Patrick Stewart, the guy who was on Star Trek. I have to go with a bald person because I am bald.”
MOST RECENT PURCHASE: Three sport coats by Polo at Macy’s.
OLDEST ITEM IN HIS CLOSET: A John Varvatos jacket, “long, like what a conductor would wear. It’s around 15 years old.”
GROOMING TIPS: “I trim my beard weekly and shave my head every day.”
BEST FOOT FORWARD: “I do like shoes and boots. I like KEEN sneakers that I bought in their store in their headquarters at Portland, Ore. They look more like shoes. I’ve worn them to the gym, then out to an event.”
FAVORITE COLOR: Blue, “any shade of blue.”
FAVORITE FRAGRANCE: Jo Malone’s Cucumber and Earl Grey.
WORTH THE SPLURGE: “Nice shoes.”
NOT WORTH THE SPLURGE: Belts. “They are just there. They don’t interest me.”
WISH I HADN’T BOUGHT IT: “I bought this wrap sort of thing in Japan. It would look cool on a 20-year-old but not on someone who is over 40. It just was not appropriate for my age.”
GO-TO OUTFIT ON SATURDAY NIGHT: “Jean with my Inc shirt, with rolled up sleeves, with a black V-neck T-shirt under it, in case I want to take off my shirt on the dance floor, with my grey KEENS. If we are going out to a nicer place for dinner, I will throw on a sports coat.”
ORGANIZATION TIPS: “I dry clean my clothes on a regular basis. I usually keep them in the plastic bags until I wear them. I hang my clothes, keeping various types together. I also do that with the clothes I keep on my shelves.”
FASHION EVOLUTION: “I have always enjoyed fashion. I was conscious of labels when I was younger, more so than I am now. Even as a boy I enjoyed picking out my own clothes.”
FASHION NO-NO: “Running around town in jogging attire.”
INDISPENSABLE WARDROBE ITEM: “I live in jeans, especially ones I have had for years.”
ACE ACCESSORY: “I love my hats but my favorite accessory is a cuff that my friend Olga Ganoudis designed.”
BOW TIE OR STRAIGHT TIE? “I just wore my first bow tie that I tied myself. But I usually wear straight ties. So I have to say both.”
BELT OR SUSPENDERS? Belts. “But I don’t like them.”
DENIM, LEATHER OR TWEED? Denim.
WHY FASHION IS IMPORTANT: “Fashion allows you to express yourself visually. Clothes help to complete the person and who they are. When you pick something to wear it’s because you want your wardrobe to say something about you.”
Style Files runs weekly in Sundaylife. To suggest someone stylish to feature—your coworker, teacher, friend, relative or even yourself—please send information tostylefiles@delawareonline.com and include contact information. Pictures are super, too. Reach Eileen Smith Dallabrida at esmith@smithreports.com