This New Castle County official wants to always 'look like money'
WHO: Tamarra Morris, 41, of Wilmington, director of economic development for New Castle County.
WHY: She was nominated by Kyle Grantham, who says: “Tamarra has an incredible style that is all her own. People can’t wait to see what she is wearing.”
HER STYLE: Creative and chic. “I tend to not match on purpose. And I always want to look like money.”
WEARING, out and about on the Riverfront in Wilmington with Max, a two-year-old Lab mix:
FIRST OUTFIT — Blue and white three-quarter sleeve blazer and striped button-down, boyfriend-fit collared shirt, both from H&M; distressed Gap jeans; vegan leather Steve Madden heels; diamond studs and pearl bracelets from Macy’s; two-tone Invicta watch; Infinity symbol pinky ring from Tiffany; aviator sunglasses from Randolph; and Louis Vuitton handbag.
From jeans to gala, Wilmington marketer likes comfy clothing
SECOND OUTFIT — Black tweed jacket from J. Crew; H&M blouse and pencil skirt; vegan leather handbag from H&M; leopard print heels from BCBG; pearls from Macy’s.
THIRD OUTFIT — Print dress from H&M; rose gold watch from Invicta; necklace from Banana Republic; faux leather handbag from Saks Off Fifth; nude Steve Madden heels; Nordstrom sunglasses.
WHERE SHE SHOPS: H&M and Macy’s. “It’s not necessary to spend that much money on trendy, cool clothes.”
HOW SHE SHOPS: “I get a ton of stuff all in one trip because I’m not a recreational shopper. I buy when I need things and walk out with a lot of bags.”
MOST RECENT PURCHASE: A dress and jacket from H&M.
OLDEST ITEM IN HER CLOSET: “A Gucci clutch that my grandmother gave me when I was a freshman in college in the early 1990s. She had it forever.”
MANE, MANICURE AND MAKEUP: “I have been doing my own hair, super short and natural, wash and go. I get a mani-pedi every two weeks at Angel Nails on Philadelphia Pike.” She always applies a bit of makeup before she leaves her home. “I am prideful of my eyebrows and apply Anastasia wax. I also swear by NYX. Love their lip butter and lip glosses.”
BEST FOOT FORWARD: “I believe heels are a staple, just like a little black dress. But I don’t have as many shoes as I used to. As I’ve gotten older, I have grown more as a person spiritually, so I give things away to a woman’s shelter and the Salvation Army. As a result, I am not overridden by shoes.”
FAVORITE COLOR: Pink.
FAVORITE FRAGRANCE: Coco Chanel.
WORTH THE SPLURGE: Shoes. “Don’t skimp on shoes. Buy shoes that are comfortable and fashionable.”
NOT WORTH THE SPLURGE: Jeans. “It doesn’t matter if they cost $300 or $15 because we layer jeans with so many other things.”
FAVORITE FASHION RESOURCE(S): Reality TV. “The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Orange County are great dressers.”
BEST CELEBRITY HAIR: Lisa Bonet. “She played Denise Huxtable on the Cosby Show. Now she’s grown up and wears her hair natural and locked. A free spirit.”
Stylist likes clothes that's fun, form-fitting
WISH I HADN’T BOUGHT IT: “Boyfriend jeans are not attractive on me.”
THE GREAT PANTYHOSE DEBATE: “I do not wear pantyhose. In the winter, I wear tights.”
ORGANIZATION TIPS: “My closet is color coordinated. Blacks are all together, reds are all together, grays are all together. I also keep all my shoe boxes so I can stack my shoes.”
THOUGHTS ON AGING: “I’m vegan, I don’t smoke and I work out four to five times a week. I’m not consciously combating aging but I am aware that being healthy helps us to look our best. It really works. I get mistaken for my baby sister all the time.”
FASHION NO-NO: Scraped heels on pumps. “Your heels have to be in good condition.”
GO-TO OUTFIT ON SATURDAY NIGHT: “A tailored jacket, a tank top, jeans with holes at the knee and heels, with diamond stud earrings and a watch.”
FASHION EVOLUTION: “I didn’t become a girlie-girl kind of woman until I went to college. I learned so much from friends from other places and began to grow into who I am. When I lived in Atlanta, I became a high-heel woman.”
INDISPENSABLE WARDROBE ITEM: Quality undergarments. “It changed my life when I was fitted for a bra.”
ACE ACCESSORY: “My Tiffany infinity symbol pinky ring.”
PANTS OR SKIRTS? Skirts.
HEELS OR FLATS? Heels.
DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? Pearls.
WHY FASHION IS IMPORTANT: “When I attend meetings, I am often the only woman and person of color. My image, how I am perceived, is important. I always advise young women to dress for the next stage of their life. You want to dress the part. Wear a suit even if you are not going to an occasion that requires a suit.”
FASHION IN DELAWARE
Wilmington marketer likes comfy striking clothes, from jeans to gala
Style Files: Graphic designs mix with bold materials
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