Principal favors traditional style with modern twist
WHO: Shanta Reynolds, 39, of Middletown, principal at St. Georges Technical High School.
WHY: He was nominated by Jermaine Williams, who says: “Mr. Reynolds exemplifies how a professional should act and dress, which truly makes him a role model for the students at St. Georges. Even on School Spirit Fridays, when the staff is able to wear jeans, Mr. Reynolds is proudly wearing his blue and green from top to bottom. His style shows students that dressing up does not have to be boring.”
HIS STYLE: Traditional yet contemporary. “My wife inspired me to mix stripes with dots and to experiment with color.”
WEARING at St. Georges Tech:
FIRST OUTFIT – Navy blue three-piece wool suit from Macy’s; Charles Tyrwhitt slim-fit non-iron poplin white shirt; Charles Tyrwhitt magenta silk classic abstract texture tie, Happy Socks with magenta dots and blue stripes from Nordstrom; Magnanni Blue alante ocean shoes from Nordstrom; Martin Dingman brown “Smith” leather belt from Nordstrom; Blue Ray-Ban glasses from Simon Eyes; brown Gucci watch from Macy’s; blue and magenta flower pocket square from Nordstrom.
SECOND OUTFIT – Gray with gold pinstripes three-piece wool suit from Macy’s; slim-fit non-iron poplin white Charles Tyrwhitt shirt with French cuffs; Charles Tyrwhitt gold and blue paisley tie; Happy Socks in gold and gray pattern from Nordstrom; Magnanni Brown Marco Cuero shoes from Nordstrom; Boss Brown Wooden Stem glasses from Simon Eyes; The Two Guys Bowtie Company brown and gold wooden lapel flower; grey Kenneth Cole Watch from Macy’s; Charles Tyrwhitt one-cent coin cuff links.
THIRD OUTFIT – Charles Tyrwhitt magenta small boxed slim-fit shirt; Kenneth Cole Reaction magenta jacket from Kenneth Cole Outlet; Charles Tyrwhitt blue, khaki, white and red linen English luxury spot tie; Lucky brand jeans; Apple Series 1 watch; Prada blue and brown glasses from Simon Eyes; Coach dark brown reversible belt from Men’s Coach Outlet.
WHERE HE SHOPS: Nordstrom, Macy’s, Banana Republic, J. Crew and Men’s Warehouse. “I order my shirts and ties online from Charles Tyrwitt in London.”
HOW HE SHOPS: “I enjoy browsing, usually by myself. I’m in my department, my wife’s in her department, and we meet at the cash register. I like to wait for something to go on sale before I purchase it. I never miss Nordstrom’s annual menswear sale.”
FASHION ICON: His father, Elbert Reynolds of Newark. “My dad taught my sister and me that being part of being a responsible adult was dressing for success.” He’s also a fan of Idris Elba and David Beckham.
FAVORITE DESIGNER LABELS: Joseph Abboud, Polo Ralph Lauren and Tom Ford.
MOST RECENT PURCHASE: Maroon boots from Clark’s.
OLDEST ITEMS IN HIS CLOSET: “A tweed suit with a vest that I bought 10 years ago at J. Crew. Also, a denim jacket from the 1990s.”
GROOMING TIPS: “I get my hair cut every weekend. It’s important to have a nice, fresh cut and a good shave.” He has been going to barber Ali Batts, proprietor of Suite 302 and Suite 410, since high school.
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BEST FOOT FORWARD: “I have close to 100 pairs of shoes, boots and sneakers. I start the year off with three or four new pairs of shoes and rotate them. If you take good care of your shoes you will quickly get quite a collection.”
FAVORITE COLORS: “Blue and green, our school colors.”
FAVORITE FRAGRANCE: Bleu de Chanel.
WORTH THE SPLURGE: Boot New York shoes. “A good pair of shoes won’t thin out on you.”
NOT WORTH THE SPLURGE: Buy one, get-one-free tuxedos at Men’s Warehouse. “The only time I wear them is to the prom.”
WISH I HADN’T BOUGHT IT: Bright green Nike Air Max sneakers with blue trim. “I rarely wear them because they don’t really go with anything else.”
GO-TO OUTFIT ON SATURDAY NIGHT: A blue zip-up sweater, blazer, jeans and boots.
FAVORITE FASHION BLOG: GQ.“I breeze over the see what’s current. I also go to J. Crew and Banana Republic websites to see what they are putting together.”
ORGANIZATION TIPS: “I organize my suits by color, then shirts, pants and shoes. On Sunday, I look at the weather and what is on my calendar so I can select outfits for the week based on those events.”
FASHION EVOLUTION: “I was always someone who plans ahead. In college, I wanted to stand out. While everyone else was wearing T-shirts and jeans, I would wear a polo and khakis. And on Thursdays I would wear a suit.”
FASHION NO-NO: “White socks with black shoes. Also wrinkled clothes.”
INDISPENSABLE WARDROBE ITEM: “My glasses.”
ACE ACCESSORY: “My ties. I must have 200 ties. I like that pop of color, especially with a plain suit.”
BOW TIE OR STRAIGHT TIE? “I wear both, but I would have to go with a straight tie.”
BELT OR SUSPENDERS? Belt.
DENIM, LEATHER OR TWEED? Tweed.
WHY FASHION IS IMPORTANT: “It’s my responsibility to show our students what you should dress like when you go to work. You don’t have to have your pants hanging low. It’s cool to wear a belt. Wear clothes that will set the tone for you to be successful in your career. Fashion also is something I enjoy, a hobby. I definitely have fun with my wardrobe.”
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