Financial manager goes for upbeat style that fits well
WHO: Doranna Clemment, 46, of Wilmington, who works in revenue management at PHI Exelon
WHY: She was nominated by her daughter, Kiyondra Clemment, who says: “My stepfather and I think my mother is the most stylish woman around. He never misses Style Files and every week he says mom should be in it! She always looks fabulous. She loves fashion — which may be why her nickname at work is ‘diva.’”
HER STYLE: “Upbeat, nice colors, clothes that fit me a certain way. I go with what works with my body.”
WEARING, in and around Brandywine Park:
FIRST OUTFIT – Green-yellow-and-black-striped palazzo pants; white ribbed pullover quarter-length sweater with crew neck; 7th Ave green blazer; black leather platform wedges by Kork-Ease, all from New York & Co. Studded earrings, a gift from her daughter; key heart necklace with matching bracelet from Jared Jewelers, a gift from her husband.
SECOND OUTFIT – Black faux leather mini skirt with black faux leather zip-vest trimmed in fur, both from Marshalls; over-the-knee leather patch boots by Aldo.
THIRD OUTFIT – Little black dress, ribbed and form fitting, from Ann Taylor; leather boots trimmed in fur by Michael Kors; red Michael Kors shoulder bag.
WHERE SHE SHOPS: Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft, New York & Co., T.J. Maxx and Marshalls.
HOW SHE SHOPS: “I shop by myself. I know exactly what I want. I don’t need other people to tell me what looks good on me. I know it when I see it.”
FASHION ICON: Trend expert Mimi G., editor-in-chief of the fashion, lifestyle and DYI blog mimigstyle.com.
MOST RECENT PURCHASE: Two sweaters at Ann Taylor Loft. “So adorable, very comfortable. Crew-neck pullovers, one salmon, one gray. They will be great with leggings this fall and winter.”
OLDEST ITEM IN HER CLOSET: Reebok classics from 1992.
MANE, MANICURE AND MAKEUP: “My friend Tanika Young comes over to the house and does my hair. I leave my nails plain, clean. I wear lip gloss — Bobbi Brown, Mac or Mary Kay — and Maybelline mascara, the Colossal.”
Lane Bryant, Talbots, Chili's and others coming to Christiana
DTC's 'excellent' 'City of Conversation:' politics and life
BEST FOOT FORWARD: “Shoes and clothes have to go together. That’s one of my rules. I have about 100 pairs of shoes. I keep them in my closet, my husband’s closet, under the bed, in the attic, anywhere I can find a place for them.”
FAVORITE COLOR: Red.
FAVORITE FRAGRANCE: Happy by Clinique, “a clean floral scent. People ask me all day long what I am wearing.”
ORGANIZATION TIPS: “My work clothes are always on hangers, including my pants. I pick clothes out for the week and make sure they are ironed. I already know what I want to look like and I plan ahead.”
BEST CELEBRITY HAIR: Halle Berry, “when she had her hair short.”
WORTH THE SPLURGE: “Clothes!”
NOT WORTH THE SPLURGE: “Getting my nails done.”
WISH I HADN’T BOUGHT IT: She has no retail regrets. “I like everything I buy.”
THE GREAT PANTYHOSE DEBATE: “I love opaque stockings in the winter, but not the sheer, flesh-colored hose.”
INDISPENSABLE WARDROBE ITEM: “A nice handbag.”
ACE ACCESSORY: “A necklace my husband bought me 20 years ago, a little silver heart. I wear it and the matching bracelet every single day.”
STYLE EVOLUTION: “I used to watch my sister getting dressed and it was fascinating. She was so feminine and I was a tomboy. I didn’t start getting into style until I started working and making money.”
GO-TO OUTFIT ON SATURDAY NIGHT: “A pair of tight jeans; a form-fitting, sexy top; a cute leather jacket with fur around the collar; and leather ankle booties.”
PANTS OR SKIRTS? Skirts.
HEELS OR FLATS? Heels, definitely.
DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? Diamonds.
WHY FASHION IS IMPORTANT: “Your own personal fashion is very important. At work, you should dress for the job you want. People who don’t know you judge you by what you wear. On the weekends, I wear workout gear, and even that has to be stylish and sexy. Dressing well is inspiring. It boosts our confidence.”
Style Files runs weekly in Sunday Life. 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