Miss Delaware fills out her business casual attire with a bit of boho
WHO: Chelsea Bruce, 22, of Newark, Miss Delaware 2017, and 2018 graduate of University of Delaware.
WHY: She was nominated by Shawna Saints Wainright, former Miss Delaware USA, who says, “This past year as Miss Delaware, Chelsea has made appearances throughout the state and always looked great. She is a multi-faceted fashionista and everything she wears looks sensational on her petite silhouette. Whether she wears denim or diamonds, she is certainly a gem and leaves a lasting impression.”
HER STYLE: Boho, fused with business casual. “It’s a little different.”
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WEARING, out and about on the UD campus:
FIRST OUTFIT — Red pencil skirt from Banana Republic with eight-inch slit up the left leg, belt and pockets with stitched detail; flowing ivory Free People top with eyelet detailing, high neck and open back from Nordstrom; black bandeau with lace back by Sis from Rare Cargo boutique in New Jersey; black Jessica Simpson 4-inch-heel pumps with short, pointed toe from DSW; Sugarfix white earrings with two-tier white tassels, gold hardware with white circular details; Apple watch; and class ring from Red Bank New Jersey, Catholic High School. “Our school colors are green and gold, so my high school ring is rose gold with an emerald stone. It is 14k rose gold and in the princess style, which is more suitable for everyday wear, in my opinion. My initials are inscribed on the inside. On the outside, one side has a volleyball and track shoes, the other side has the cross and an open book with the school motto written in it, Pro Deo et Patria.”
SECOND OUTFIT — Straight-leg cropped pants with navy blue vertical stripes interspersed with clusters of smaller white stripes by Abbeline from South Moon Under, “so soft and comfortable;” white V-neck body suit with crochet details and low back by Free People; block cork heels with two-tone denim straps by Steve Madden purchased at South Moon Under; Sugarfix white beaded hoops with gold hardware with white details, and black rope ball with white stripes; and layered gold necklaces with small rhinestone plate and downward cone.
THIRD OUTFIT — Ivory see-through lace dress with black flowers by Free People from Nordstrom Rack (“The sleeves gather at the wrist and ruffle; they’re so dainty”); white shorts from Dancewear Solutions; off-white, halter-style bandeau from an unmarked brand purchased at Marshalls; black block suede 5-inch heels with ballet-inspired lace-up straps and toe-stop bustles by Steve Madden, purchased from Nordstrom Rack; and Baublebar three-tier tassel earrings with gold hardware.
WHERE SHE SHOPS: Free People, Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack.
HOW SHE SHOPS: “I like shopping by myself and in person. I’m not a fan of online shopping. You can never be sure about colors, fabrics and the quality of the construction.”
FASHION ICON: Olivia Culpo, model and former Miss Universe.
MOST RECENT PURCHASE: “My graduation dress, a Bardot white lace midi dress with a halter neckline” she bought at Lord & Taylor in King of Prussia.
OLDEST ITEM IN HER CLOSET: “I have clothing from when I was a baby. I still have the red velvet jumper I wore in the picture when I was one year old.”
MANE, MANICURE AND MAKEUP: “I get my hair and nails done whenever I visit my relatives in North Jersey. I can’t leave the house without at least my eyebrows done. I like Benefit Goof Proof pencil and KaBrow gel, Make Up Forever Ultra HD foundation, a full coverage foundation that doesn’t make me look fake, and Flower Pot blush by Flower, the company owned by Drew Barrymore. For my lashes, I use Maybelline Big Shot mascara from the drug store on top, L’Oreal Telescopic mascara on my lower lashes. The brush is much thinner. For my lips, on an everyday basis, I use ChapStick.”
BEST FOOT FORWARD: “I am obsessed with shoes. I have well over 100 pairs of shoes. I change shoes a couple times a day. Lately, I’ve been wearing these Steve Madden cork heel sandals with denim, really cute for the season.”
FAVORITE COLORS: Blue and green. “But I like to wear black.”
FAVORITE FRAGRANCE: Paco Rabanne Olympea.
WORTH THE SPLURGE: “A good bag. Shoes you can ruin, but a bag you can keep.”
NOT WORTH THE SPLURGE: “I am the wrong person to ask that. Maybe workout clothes? I spend money on workout clothes but you really don’t have to.”
FAVORITE FASHION RESOURCE: “Ashley Brooke and Tess Christine, two Youtubers.”
WISH I HADN’T BOUGHT IT: A Tory Burch button-down shirt. “I thought it was going to be really great but the fit wasn’t good. So I returned it.”
THE GREAT PANTYHOSE DEBATE: “I don’t like wearing pantyhose. If you have good legs, show them off.”
ORGANIZATION TIPS: “I keep formalwear in garment bags. I keep everything else organized by type and color, long-sleeved blouses with long-sleeved blouses and so on. My jewelry is sectioned off in my jewelry box.”
FASHION NO-NO: “There are no fashion no-nos. I think you can wear white after Labor Day.”
BEST CELEBRITY HAIR: “Jennifer Lopez has beautiful hair.”
GO-TO OUTFIT ON SATURDAY NIGHT: “A black tube top with high-waisted black culottes and heels. I’ll add at least three gold necklaces, bracelets, and three rings.”
FASHION EVOLUTION: “When I was in sixth grade, my mom let me pick out my own outfits. We would go into boutique stores owned by my mom’s friends and I got first pick, as well as a great discount. I still wear some of the things that I purchased back then. I recently wore a black dress I purchased for my eight-grade graduation to my sorority formal.”
ASPIRATIONAL DRESSING: “I used to wear workout clothes to class. But it was too casual and relaxed. I found that when I put thought into my outfit, I thought differently overall.”
INDISPENSABLE WARDROBE ITEM: “A nice white or black camisole. I have both.”
ACE ACCESSORY: “I feel naked without a watch.”
THOUGHTS ON AGING: “It’s important to embrace your age. As long as you take care of your skin, you’ll look great. Carry the products down to your neck and décolletage. People are always surprised when my mom tells them she is 50. I also am trying to not look down at my phone because it can make an impact on your neck.”
PANTS OR SKIRTS? Pants.
HEELS OR FLATS? Heels.
DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? Diamonds.
WHY FASHION IS IMPORTANT: “It’s an expression of who you are. It makes a statement to other people. At a wedding, we are expected to dress up and look beautiful. At a funeral, we wear black because we are in mourning. You don’t wear pajamas to work.”
IF YOU GO
The Miss Delaware and Miss Delaware’s Outstanding Teen pageants take place June 15-16 at Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes. To learn more, go to www.missde.org
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Style Files runs weekly in Sundaylife. To suggest someone stylish to feature—your coworker, teacher, friend, relative or even yourself—please send information to stylefiles@delawareonline.com and include contact information. Pictures are super, too. Reach Eileen Smith Dallabrida at esmith@smithreports.com