Wilmington retiree prefers attire that fits, shows off legs
WHO: Terry Hendricks, 56, of Wilmington, recently retired.
WHY: She was nominated by Sandra Bihary-Waltz, who says, “Terry is amazing, with a wonderful sense of style. She knows how to take an outfit from drab to fab.”
HER STYLE: Classic with a twist.
WEARING, at her home in Cool Spring:
FIRST OUTFIT — Black crepe sleeveless wrap-style jumpsuit by Eileen Fisher; brushed gold triple-hoop earrings by Stella and Dot; Jack Rogers gold cork-wedge shoes; Cartier Tank watch with Bordeaux alligator strap; Italian art Deco 18k gold aquamarine ring; gold link bracelet; diamond tennis bracelet; Frank Olive blush pink hat decorated with black satin ribbon, black plumes of feathers and black French netting birdcage veil with velvet swiss dots.
SECOND OUTFIT — Lilly Pulitzer off-white laser-cut silk dress with metallic gold threading throughout “and amazing sheer bat sleeves that I call my Beyonce dress"; gold metallic strappy Gucci sandals; gold and diamond gypsy ring; large drop pearl and gold Julie Vos earrings; gold link bracelet; and diamond tennis bracelet.
THIRD OUTFIT — Black Halo dress in melon with bracelet-length fall away sleeves and front and back darting for exceptional fit; gold metallic strappy Gucci sandals; Frank Olive multi-hued hat decorated with large plumes of feathers in multi shades of melon and orange with grosgrain ribbons in melon and light peach (“Since we will be going back to my hometown next spring, this will be my Derby outfit for the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby").
Milton town manager likes simple, professional clothing
FOURTH OUTFIT — Lewitt sleeveless houndstooth plaid dress with diagonal ruching detail and a slit hemline; Frye cream leather booties with woven cutouts (“I have had these boots for many years and I still enjoy all the compliments they elicit”); gold link necklace; gold Cartier hoop earrings; gold link bracelet; diamond tennis bracelet; and Cartier tank watch.
WHERE SHE SHOPS: “I go from boutiques to department stores to online. In summer, it’s classic Lilly Pulitzer all the way.”
HOW SHE SHOPS: “I like to shop alone and I like to mix things. I’m not someone who ‘mannequin shops,’ buying an entire outfit off the mannequin.”
FASHION ICON(S): Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy.
MOST RECENT PURCHASE: A suede shift dress from Nordstrom and Frye booties for fall 2018.
OLDEST ITEM IN HER CLOSET: Vintage mink fur wrap.
MANE, MANICURE AND MAKEUP: “Since moving to Delaware two years ago, I’ve only gone to Laron Thomas, owner of Cielo Salon downtown. Manicure I do myself, pedicure, Cielo Salon. I tend to wear makeup daily and my go-to shop is Houppette in Greenville. Lizzy Johnson, the co-owner, is the best at determining what moisturizer and makeup is right for any skin type. I love that she doesn’t push one line; she really mixes it up based on individual needs. I simply love the products she has put me in: Natura Bisse Diamond Extreme moisturizer and eye creams, along with SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier. And two makeup products by Kevyn Aucoin: The Neo-Highlighter in Sahara and the Celestial Bronzing Veil in Tropical Nights Cool Bronze.”
THE CHERRY ON TOP: She loves hats and often puts together her own millinery. “I just joined the Friends of Wilmington Parks and I won first place in their first hat contest during this year’s Jasper Crane Rose Garden Party fundraiser.” She’s an original member of The Bourbon Women Association, (www.bourbonwomen.org). “I’m from Kentucky. Horses, bourbon and Derby fashion. I get some of my best ideas from Garden and Gun magazine.”
Pastors play his dapper style off her feminine one
BEST FOOT FORWARD: “I am a huge fan of Frye boots. I have boots that I have worn for 15 years. I bought my first Dior shoes this summer. So I’m going a bit more upscale.”
FAVORITE COLOR: Burgundy, “all different shades.”
FAVORITE FRAGRANCE: Creed Love in Black is her new fave.
WORTH THE SPLURGE: “Really good shoes.”
NOT WORTH THE SPLURGE: Trends, such as the cold-shoulder look. When she bought a gown for her daughter’s wedding, she had it altered to remove the shoulder cutouts. “Next year we will look back at cold-shoulder outfits and they will look completely dated.”
FAVORITE FASHION RESOURCE(S): Vogue and InStyle magazines.
BEST CELEBRITY HAIR: Actresses Ellen Burstyn and Connie Britton.
WISH I HADN’T BOUGHT IT: A pair of drawstring, vertical-striped pants. “They are still in my closet. Maybe one day I will throw them over a swimsuit.”
THE GREAT PANTYHOSE DEBATE: Against.
ORGANIZATION TIPS: “Lower rack in the closet: pants folded over hangers, skirts, then blazers. Upper rack: all tops, from sleeveless to long sleeves. Jeans and sweaters are folded on a shelf. If you buy a suit, split the pieces up and hang them as separates in your closet. This will inspire you to wear them with other pieces and not be matchy-matchy.
THOUGHTS ON AGING: “Embrace it. I love it. And I am definitely using more eye moisturizer.”
FASHION NO-NO: “Women who don’t wear hats properly. When you put on a hat you, as the wearer, should be able to see the brim. I went up to a woman in the airport and said, ‘Excuse me, can I show you how to wear your hat?’ Another pet peeve is leggings and yoga pants worn by ladies with no regard to fit.”
GO-TO OUTFIT ON SATURDAY NIGHT: “Anything with a bit of sparkle. I love to dress up and my husband does, too. I bought a kimono top at Elle in Greenville that is my new favorite, a wide fitted waistband and full, beautiful sleeves. It’s such a wonderful silhouette that I bought it in three different jewel tone shades.”
FASHION EVOLUTION: “As a little girl, I had a horse and I wanted to look like I owned a horse when I went to muck out stalls, so I wore a western shirt and cowgirl hat. I have four daughters who send me pictures of their outfits and say, ‘What do you think?’”
INDISPENSABLE WARDROBE ITEM: “Great undergarments. I call them underpinnings. A camisole, a strapless bra and panties that don’t dig in and make little muffin tops. As far as outerwear, a shift dress.”
THE RIGHT FIT: “No matter when you look at old photos of Jackie Kennedy, her dress or skirt hit right at the knee, pure perfection. If your sleeves are too long, your clothes look too big. Tailoring makes an incredible difference.”
ACE ACCESSORY: “Besides my wedding and engagement rings, the Cartier watch my husband gave me. I have always wanted one and he surprised me with it on my birthday.”
PANTS OR SKIRTS? “I love dresses. At my age, my legs are my best assets.”
HEELS OR FLATS? Heels.
DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? Pearls.
WHY FASHION IS IMPORTANT: “My grandmother always instilled in me the importance of a first impression. If you are dressed appropriately, it’s a confidence booster. As a 20-year-old, I decided to dress for the job I wanted, not the job I had, and it’s always worked well for me.”
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Style Files runs weekly in Sundaylife. To suggest someone stylish to feature — your co-worker, 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.