Style, like class, is something that’s difficult to define and harder to grasp. These five fashionable New Orleanians know that and exhibit that style is as much about who you are as it is about what you wear.
Each of these locals show us how they interpret the myriad dress codes by dressing in a favorite outfit they would wear to one of their most beloved charity galas. Use their examples to find your own style – and wear it with class.
Celeste Eustis
Age: 38
Occupation: Full-time mother and part-time personal trainer
What event have you chosen to represent? Lighthouse Louisiana “Light Up The Night” on September 18.
What is appropriate attire for this event? It is casual chic – my favorite.
How would you describe your personal style? My every day clothes are workout or carpool clothes. Since I live in them all day, I love nothing more than to get dressed for a night out in jeans, a super cute top and a killer pair of heels or wedges.
Is your significant other well dressed? My husband is much better dressed than I am! He has a daily rotation of fine suits, and Erica Reiss has a done a great job of outfitting him on the weekends with J. Hilburn attire.
Where do you like to shop? My staples are Saks, Angelique and Lululemon. Lisa Conrad at Saks and Angelique Weiser at Angelique are kind enough to help me “quick shop,” and honest enough to tell me what looks good and what doesn’t. I also love Azby’s, Spring and Ballin’s Uptown, and Em’s and Mirabella in Metairie.
Whose style do you most admire? I love anyone who can turn super casual attire into a very “put together” look. My sister is good at that.
What are you wearing in the photo? Top and trousers by Malene Birger with Schutz shoes and Alexis Bittar necklace.
Loullen Berger
Age: Old enough to be happily married for 40 years and be the proud grandmother of seven and counting!
Occupation: Community activist
What event have you chosen to represent? The Ogden Museum of Art’s “O What a Night.”
Why did you choose this event? As a charter and ongoing member of the Ogden Board, I greatly admire what Roger Ogden and the Ogden Museum have done to advance the arts and culture of New Orleans and our talented Southern artists.
What is appropriate attire for this event? Black-tie
What’s your favorite dress code? My husband Darryl and I love black-tie whenever it’s appropriate.
Is your significant other well dressed? Darryl enjoys dressing well for both business and social events.
Where do you shop locally? I like all the shops at Canal Place.
What’s your favorite outfit? It would be classic with a whisper of trend, while still being age appropriate.
What are you wearing in this photo? Carolina Herrera from Saks.
Marion “Manny” Early Bright
Age: 84
Occupation: Retired
What nonprofits have you chosen to represent? NOCCA, The Bright Preschool for the Deaf and YEP (Youth Empowerment Program)
What do you prefer to wear to nonprofit events? I like to wear something comfortable, jazzy and fun.
What’s your favorite dress code? Casual
How would you describe your personal style? Audubon Park
Is your significant other well dressed? Pepper’s sense of fashion is effortless.
Where do you like to shop locally? Saks and Jean Therapy
Whose style do you most admire? Mary Lou Ochsner
What are you wearing in this photo? This stylish pink dress is made from a vintage lace tablecloth I bought 40 years ago.
Charles Divins
Age: 39
Occupation: Morning News Anchor, WDSU-TV, Channel 6
What event have you chosen to represent? The Ogden Museum’s “Sippin’ in Seersucker”
What is appropriate attire for this event? I will go from tux to seersucker and suit up in whatever the night calls for, but for this event the seersucker is, of course, mandatory.
What is your favorite dress code? Sometimes it’s fun when there is no dress code. It makes you think a little bit more about your fashion choices and about the event, as well as the people and the places you are going to be surrounded by.
How would you describe your personal style? I would say it’s classic and modern with an element of playfulness. I try and keep it simple and then add a hat or some other accessory to liven things up.
Is your significant other well dressed? Yes, my wife Fabiola is the better half when it comes to fashion. It helps that she studied fashion and has been working in the industry for years. She keeps me on point.
Where do you like to shop? Locally I’ll hit the Shops at Canal Place and UAL, but I also shop when traveling and online.
Whose style do you admire? I admire Tom Ford, Nick Wooster and the crew from Art Comes First.
What are you wearing in this photo? I’m in a brown suit from ASOS and a checked shirt and pocket square by Hugo Boss.
Melissa Coleman
Age: 36
Occupation: Owner of Clover Boutique
What event have you chosen to represent? My store picks a charity a year to get involved in. This year it’s Robert Fogarty’s Evacuteer.org. It’s an amazing organization and Robert has made great strides in ensuring everyone can get to a safe place during a hurricane.
What is appropriate attire for this event? It’s business casual or cocktail.
What is your favorite dress code? I love it all. I’m a minimalist, so I tend to like an elegant, monochromatic look.
Is your significant other well dressed? Yes! As a physician he spends his workdays in scrubs, but you’ll never find a man that looks better in a suit than my husband.
Who are your favorite designers? I love IRO Paris, Frame Denim, Anine Bing, Hermès, Smythe blazers and Isabel Marant and Tom Ford for shoes. I would pick Celine and Mansur Gavriel for bags.
Where do you shop locally? Besides my own store, I love Haute on Magazine Street.
Whose style do you admire? My two best friends Shelley and Nikki. They are both so beautifully dressed it inspires me.
What you are wearing? A Haney dress I bought for a wedding.
