The designer Bill Blass once said: “Style is primarily a matter of instinct” and when we think style icons, be it J-Lo or Jackie O, we realize it isn’t defined by age, race or even how much you spend at the cash register.
For the lucky few, style is an innate quality. Fortunately for the rest of us, it can be acquired over time. To inspire us, we have spotlighted five New Orleanians who, no matter whether they’re dressed up for dinner or down for coffee, always exude a certain “coolness.”
Best of all, we persuaded each one of them to share some insider secrets on how their sense of style comes to them.
Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews
Age: 26
Occupation: Musician and entertainer
Which nonprofit do you honor with your photo? Trombone Shorty’s Horns for Schools
What is the dress code for this event? We haven’t reached the stage of having an event yet, but we’re working on it!
Favorite dress code: Funky
Personal style: Casual, laid-back but hip at the same time.
Where do you shop? I tend to buy things when I’m traveling and on tour; something will catch my eye and I’ll pick it up. I just know instantly that I like something when I see it.
Whose style do you admire? Lenny Kravitz and Steven Tyler
What are you wearing in this photo? Guess waxed black T-shirt with Guess waxed black jeans, black John Varvatos brogues, black Gucci sunglasses and a silver necklace from Guess with a dog tag, lion’s tooth and a pendant that reminds me of the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board covers, all in silver.
Beth Lambert
Age: Last of the fifties!
Occupation: Artist, painter and volunteer
What nonprofit do you honor with your photo? So many to honor! Presently working on a YAYA (Young Aspirations/Young Artists) fundraiser in November 2012 with seven co-chairs – how fun is that! A celebration and a showcasing of student’s artwork, the new partnered glassworks studio on Conti Street and a commissioned surprise for the 2013 Superbowl. Also, I’m working on Prospect III – the Olympics of the contemporary art world in New Orleans 2014.
What is the dress code of this event? Studio Chic: cool but comfortable and ready for creating or celebrating
Favorite dress code: In New Orleans or while traveling I like to be casual day and night – beach attire is a whole other thing.
Personal style: Understated, simplistic, androgynous and modern. I like a subtle edginess, an effortlessness and a versatility to my clothes. I say “Never Overdress” – a great white shirt, an edgy jacket and overalls is enough.
Where do you shop? Weinsteins
Whose style do you admire? Dries van Noten, Yohji Yamamoto, Rick Owens, Tilda and M.J.
What are you wearing in this photo? Reyn Studios tank, Rick Owens jacket and Pamela Henson pants.
Daphne Berger
Age: 29
Occupation: Commercial Real Estate Agent
What nonprofit do you honor with your photo? Dress for Success New Orleans
What is the dress code of this event? Luncheon attire with a professional edge.
Favorite dress code: Black-tie; with men in their tuxes and women in their finest, I often feel transported to past eras where people always looked so elegant and put together.
Personal style: My style is all over the place. I love hippie chic and classic cocktail, but my absolute favorite outfits are those that I’ve found at flea markets and vintage shops. I adore clothes from the 1950s and early ’60s.
Where do you shop? Retro Active and CeCe Shoe on Magazine Street, Saks Fifth Avenue New Orleans and Barneys New York.
Whose style do you admire? Grace Kelly, Carolyn Bessette and pretty much all women from the 1950s … those women really knew how to dress!
What are you wearing in this photo? Ralph Lauren shirt and vest; Barneys CO-OP slacks; and Christian Louboutin shoes.
Sheila Collins
Age: Old enough to be retired
Occupation: Former Chair of the Mathematics Department at Isidore Newman School for 27 years, I taught at the school for a total
of 36 years.
Which non-profit do you honor with your photo? New Orleans Museum of Art. I am a member of the New Orleans Museum of Art Volunteer Committee (NVC) where I will serve on the Home and Art Tour Committee in 2013. I will also be the NVC Historian for 2013.
What is the dress code for this event? As a guide for the Home and Art Tour, I will wear either a skirt suit or pant suit, but visitors are usually in casual attire.
Favorite dress code: My go-to now is just easy-going casual, but in art class I make sure I’m in dark colors and I can also be spotted in my yoga gear. For an event, I enjoy a well-tailored suit.
Personal style: Classic and timeless
Where do you like to shop? As a retired teacher, the words “travel” and “sale” come to mind. When I travel, I love to buy something that will remind me of the trip, and if it’s on sale even better. In fact, my husband and I just returned from New York where I purchased an Armani evening jacket for 13 percent off the original price at Limited Editions for Her. My fabulous seamstress Leslie Walters is making a long skirt for it with material I purchased from Mood – the fabric store seen on “Project Runway.”
Whose style do you most admire? I know she has been used in previous articles, but I have always loved the clothes Audrey Hepburn wore in her movies.
What are you wearing in this photo? A pale yellow Tahari suit and Tahari nude kitten heels with a gold ornate fleur-de-lis brooch (from The Mystic Club).
Nicette Goodier
Age: 63
Occupation: Homemaker, wife, mom, grandmother and Carlisle Consultant
What nonprofit do you honor with your photo? The Colin Goodier Annual Golf Tournament in honor of our son who was killed four years ago while riding his bicycle in training for his first triathlon. Colin was a gifted surgeon, and Louisiana State University Medical School has set up a scholarship to honor his memory. The tournament is held in September at the Audubon Golf Course and raises scholarship money for a fourth-year resident. Raffle items include a Drew Brees autographed football; to learn more please contact me at nggoodier@aol.com or look us up on Facebook!
What is the dress code of this event? Colin loved seersucker and had a favorite pair of yellow pants with martini glasses on them, so we use seersucker and the martini logo. Most people wear his tournament golf shirt with seersucker pants.
Favorite dress code: It depends on my day; even if I’m running errands or babysitting I always like to feel pulled together in comfortable pants or jeans with a great blouse and possibly a scarf. If it’s a meeting or lunch, I like to feel dressed in chic clothes. For evening, I love to dress elegantly in feminine clothes with fabulous shoes.
Personal style: Classically feminine with a chic edge.
Where do you shop? Locally at Carlisle trunk shows, Saks Fifth Avenue and boutiques on Magazine Street. When traveling to visit children, I love shopping in Dallas, Charleston and New York.
Whose style do you admire? Grace Kelly
What are you wearing in this photo? An apple-green silk cropped jacket and shell with white cotton pants, all Carlisle, with green lizard heeled sandals by Stuart Weitzman.
