Wilmington pianist picks out timeless, comfy styles
WHO: Hiroko Yamazaki, 46, of Wilmington, pianist, Pyxis Piano Quartet, and faculty and associate head of the Piano Department of the Music School of Delaware.
WHY: She was nominated by David Schelat, president, Market Street Music, who says: “Hiroko is a passionate and vivid musician. She also is a lovely woman who always looks great and dresses with superb style.”
HER STYLE: Timeless comfort.
WEARING, at First & Central Presbyterian Church in Wilmington:
FIRST OUTFIT – Blue Calvin Klein cotton/linen pants, purchased 15 or so years ago; black INC top, a recent internet purchase; red Wilson leather jacket, which she received a few weeks ago as a late birthday present from her mom; leopard-print Aerosoles booties, “my faves;” triple ring gold earrings from the early 1990s; black leather vintage Coach bag.
SECOND OUTFIT – Brown Gap leather pants bought online in ’99; purple silk/cotton/cashmere DKNY tank top bought at the outlets in Reading, Pa.; metallic INC draped cardigan; black leather jacket by Avanti; bronze Franco Sarto platform shoes, which she bought in 2011 for a Pyxis concert at the Delaware Symphony Chamber Series at the Gold Ballroom at Hotel DuPont; leopard-print H&M scarf; dangly earrings with green stones made by her cousin.
THIRD OUTFIT: Purple strapless silk Ralph Lauren dress, an eBay purchase, silver Aerosoles sandals, “which I found irresistible because of the fun beaded tassels,” sparkly earrings and necklace from Claire’s Boutique; multi-colored rhinestone hair clip bought during her last trip to Japan in 2013.
WHERE SHE SHOPS: “I don’t go to stores often, but I like Marshalls and Macy’s.”
HOW SHE SHOPS: “I like shopping online because I don’t have to deal with crowds, but there are times that I want to see what they have in the stores. I’ve become the eBay queen of finding dresses for performances, usually under $30. But because I shop online, I tend to stay with the same designers and dress types. I own the same strapless Ralph Lauren dress in several different colors.”
STORY: Lewes teacher likes classy styles
STORY: Newark consultant goes for edgy
FASHION ICON: “When I was in my teens, I went to see a band. The bassist was this tall, skinny girl wearing black jeans, and she looked like the coolest chick. Since then I’ve always owned at least one pair of black jeans, although I haven’t and will never look as cool as her.”
FAVORITE DESIGNER LABELS: INC, plus Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren for gowns.
MOST RECENT PURCHASE: Levi’s black jeans “to replace one of the pairs that faded to a sad grey.”
OLDEST ITEM IN HER CLOSET: Concert T-shirts from the 1980s. “Since I’m a doggie mom of two canines who shed a lot, T-shirts are my staple at home.”
MANE, MANICURE AND MAKEUP: “I go to Miki Solot in Philadelphia for my hair, once or twice a year. I like Shiseido for foundation and concealer, but I don’t wear it every day. Usually, it’s Neutrogena tinted moisturizer or BB Cream, blush and tinted lip balm (Neutrogena or Burt’s Bees) and Laura Geller gel eyeliner, which I was bummed to find out recently that they discontinued.”
BEST FOOT FORWARD: “I love shoes, especially boots and sparkly dressy shoes.”
FAVORITE COLOR: Purple
BEST CELEBRITY HAIR: “Anyone who has great shiny head of hair!”
WORTH THE SPLURGE: A leather jacket.
NOT WORTH THE SPLURGE: “Almost anything else.”
WISH I HADN’T BOUGHT IT: “A few years ago, I bought a leather skirt on eBay and I think the size was mislabeled. Luckily, I didn’t spend a lot on it, and I donated it to Goodwill. Hopefully, it found a good home.”
GO-TO OUTFIT ON SATURDAY NIGHT: “Depends on the date! It’s either my black A-line Max Studio dress or Gap leather pants or black jeans with a dressy top.”
THE GREAT PANTYHOSE DEBATE: “Usually against them, but I’m not offended by them.”
INDISPENSABLE WARDROBE ITEM: Black jeans.
FASHION EVOLUTION: “My wardrobe as a kid consisted of flannel shirts and sweaters from the boys’ department, and my best friend’s mom used to call me frumpy. I’d like to think that I’ve evolved since then. I definitely like wearing dresses more.”
ACE ACCESSORY: “Dangly earrings and my Skagen watch.”
PANTS OR SKIRTS? Both.
HEELS OR FLATS? Heels, “especially platforms.”
DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? Both. “It depends on my mood.”
WHY FASHION IS IMPORTANT: “It’s a fun way to express yourself.”
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