Millsboro chef, guitarist prefers dressing like rock star
WHO: Paul Cullen, 56, of Millsboro, personal chef, sommelier, guitarist and former Bad Company bassist
WHY: He was nominated by Pam George, who says: “Paul has an urban sense of style that is sophisticated yet approachable. Whether he’s visiting a Tuscan vineyard or doing an in-home performance in Ocean City, he looks comfortable and polished at the same time.”
HIS STYLE: Rock star European. “I wear jeans and cowboy boots no matter what, with really flashy shirts.”
WEARING at the wine room in the clubhouse and the Echelon home of Jay and Rick Wagener at Peninsula resort golf community in Millsboro:
FIRST OUTFIT – Paul Cullen wears a Michael Kors gray zip jacket from Marshalls Rehoboth; Calvin Klein V-neck wine-colored sweater from outlet in Rehoboth; Lucky Brand Dark Blue 367 Vintage boot-cut jeans from the outlet in Rehoboth; black scarf by Calvin Klein from the outlet; Dan Post Sidewinder black embroidered cowboy boots bought online; Smith Serpico glasses bought online.
SECOND OUTFIT – Tommy Hilfiger Men's Dorsey two-button navy velvet blazer from Marshalls; 455 relaxed boot-cut Lucky Jeans from the outlet; English Laundry Christopher Wicks hand-sewn embroidered button-down shirt found on eBay; Dan Post Sidewinder black embroidered cowboy boots bought online; Smith Serpico glasses bought online.
THIRD OUTFIT – Luchiano Visconti gray with black design shirt from Carltons Rehoboth Beach; black distressed CK Jeans from Calvin Klein store in Bermuda; Dan Post Sidewinder black embroidered cowboy boots bought online; Smith Serpico glasses bought online; black Pendleton outback hat from Carltons; and carries a Yamaha NCX 1200 Classical guitar.
WHERE HE SHOPS: “Marshalls is my main place, but you have got to be patient; I buy my English Laundry shirts on eBay.” He also is partial to Carltons in Rehoboth Beach and Tanger Outlet stores.
HOW HE SHOPS: “I take my time, pour a glass of wine and go online.”
FASHION INSPIRATION: The Renaissance period.
FAVORITE DESIGNER LABELS: English Laundry; Lucky Brand jeans – “they fit the best,” and INC from Macy’s.
BEST CELEBRITY HAIR: The actor David Duchovny and Gas Monkey garage proprietor Richard Rawlings – “cool with great hair and a goatee to match.”
MOST RECENT PURCHASE: Basic, everyday shirts from Marshalls.
OLDEST ITEM IN HIS CLOSET: “Calvin Klein black corduroy button-fly pants that I have had for 15 years.”
GROOMING TIPS: “My wife Bonnie has been cutting hair for 40 years, and she cuts mine. I have been gray since I was in my 20s, and she talked me out of using Grecian formula 15 years ago. I have used every hair grooming product around, and the only thing that works for me is Silky Dirt. It’s a cream, in between a mousse and a paste. I buy four boxes at a time.”
BEST FOOT FORWARD: “I have a great collection of cowboy boots, including embroidered ones.”
FAVORITE COLOR: Black.
FAVORITE FRAGRANCE: Azzaro Chrome. “I always try to find a new fragrance whenever we go on vacation.”
WORTH THE SPLURGE: Cologne.
NOT WORTH THE SPLURGE: Watches.
WISH I HADN’T BOUGHT IT: Expensive Italian snakeskin zip-up boots. “They look good, but I couldn’t even walk in them.”
GO-TO OUTFIT ON SATURDAY NIGHT: “Cowboy boots, my favorite Lucky Jeans, light-colored and shredded in front, an English Laundry shirt and my blue velvet jacket.”
ORGANIZATION TIPS: “I have two closets full of shirts, and I organize them by color. Every spring I go through and get rid of things I haven’t worn in two years.”
FASHION EVOLUTION: “Being a musician, I was on the cutting edge in high school. I remember paisley shirts and bellbottom jeans with studs on them. During the big-hair band days, I wore spandex pants and leopard print shirts. And makeup, too. I was really good at putting on eyeliner. I bought Aqua Net super-hold hairspray in the pink can. My hair didn’t move for days. After I joined Bad Company, I went through three pairs of cowboy boots a year, just beating them up on stage. I cut my hair after I moved to Delaware 16 years ago. I had 13 inches cut off.”
FASHION NO-NO: Outfits that aren’t color-coordinated. “Also, when people don’t dress for the event. I don’t like sloppiness. You shouldn’t look like you were just plowing a field.”
INDISPENSABLE WARDROBE ITEM: A nice black suit jacket. “I have the pants, but I never wear them. The jacket is great for going out or playing an event.”
ACE ACCESSORY: “A silver chain that I have had for a very long time.”
BOW TIE OR STRAIGHT TIE? “I’m a no-tie guy.”
BELT OR SUSPENDERS? Belt.
DENIM, LEATHER OR TWEED? Denim.
WHY FASHION IS IMPORTANT: “It’s an extension of someone’s personality. I love great clothes and feeling special, taking that shower just before I get dressed. My wife and I recently went to Blue Moon in Rehoboth for dinner, and we had fun dressing up. We enjoyed looking nice and making it an occasion.”
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.