She favors classic but low maintenance style
WHO: Kathy Cushing, 60, of North Wilmington, human resources manager at Aramark and volunteer at the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition's Great Stuff Savvy Resale Store in Talleyville.
WHY: She was nominated by store manager Dale Maahs, who says: "Whatever she puts on, Kathy looks magnificent from head to toe. She is so good at helping our customers that people come in and ask for her. She could easily be a professional shopper or stylist." Kathy also was nominated by the Bynum family of North Wilmington, who say: "Her classic coordination of color, textures and accessories set her out among the crowd no matter where she appears. The sophistication of her style lets one know immediately that she takes great pride in all that she wears. Kathy has that rare Audrey Hepburn class and style in her clothes."
HER STYLE: "Classic. I gravitate toward things that never go out of fashion. Jewelry and scarfs add style. People find it hard to believe, but I also am low maintenance."
WEARING, at Great Stuff Savvy Resale:
FIRST OUTFIT: Ralph Lauren animal print sheath (purchased at Great Stuff) paired with her "grab-and-go" black silk cardigan, a classic bought years ago at Strawbridge & Clothier. Gold love-knot earrings purchased in Pamplona, Spain, while on vacation with her husband; gold necklace and Seiko watch purchased in St. Maarten; San Marco bracelet from A. R. Morris, her first Valentine's Day gift from her husband. Shoes by Anne Klein and purse by Le Regale, both from Great Stuff.
SECOND OUTFIT: Navy blue pants and Ralph Lauren multi-colored striped blouse popped with a bright orange cardigan (purchased at the same time as her black cardigan from Strawbridge); Nine West navy heels; gold choker purchased by her husband in Spain; gold earrings found during a vacation in Gibraltar; sterling silver and 18-karat gold David Yurman lemon yellow citrine and smoky quartz ring from A.R. Morris; bracelet from Premier Jewelry.
THIRD OUTFIT: Most of this outfit comes from the racks at Great Stuff: jacket, pants, necklace and shoes. Red Josephine Chaus blazer and silky white pants, paired with her red top from Chico's; White House Black Market necklace, donated new with tags; worn with her silver earrings and faux silver ring found in a shop in New Jersey. Red kitten heel Liz Claiborne shoes.
BONUS OUTFIT: Green and white tie-dyed cotton dress, bought three years ago at the Wilmington Flower Market as a beach cover-up but became a favorite play dress; Naturalizer white strappy heels; pearl necklace from A.R. Morris that was a 40th birthday gift from her husband; Mabe Pearl earrings from A.R. Morris; crystal and bead Chico's bracelet from Great Stuff.
WHERE SHE SHOPS: "Great Stuff, of course. I have always been a bargain shopper, so TJ Maxx also is one of my favorites. I like Chico's, especially their little tops."
FASHION INSPIRATION: "Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn. Very simple and elegant, the 1950s and 1960s. When I was younger, I would look though Town & Country magazine at the fashions. I still get the magazine to this day."
THAT SPECIAL SOMETHING: "Formalwear has got to be something that you feel good in. There has got to be comfort. There's nothing worse than watching a woman in strapless dress, pulling up or down because it doesn't fit well."
ADVICE FROM AN EXPERT: "Try everything on. What looks good on the hanger might not look good on you – and vice versa."
FLEET FEET: "I like heels for work. I take the train to Philly every day and I have what I call my train shoes, flats that are comfortable that I can run in to catch the train. I will take a pair of heels with me, but I don't feel like I have to wear high-high heels because I am 5-7½ and I don't need a lot of extra height."
THE FINISHING TOUCH: "I always wear earrings, usually big, clunky earrings. I have found wonderful gold earrings in Italy and Spain. I like to wear them home from the trip. I got married six months before I turned 40 and my husband bought me pearls at A.R. Morris jewelers for my 40th birthday. I have added several lengths to them over the years and I can double them up. One of the lengths I can take off and wear as a bracelet. I have had them for 20 years and I still enjoy them each and every time I put them on."
HAIR AND MAKEUP: "I have a classic bob cut. I go to Salon 926 (in North Wilmington). I am a natural blond and I get highlights to brighten it up. I don't worry too much about makeup, as long as I have on mascara. I've used Almay mascara for years. It's five minutes in the morning, a little foundation, mascara and eye shadow."
FAVORITE COLOR: "I am a blue person and a green person, water colors from the Caribbean."
MUST-HAVE ACCESSORY: "For me, it's jewelry, earrings and a necklace. You take a plain top and add that necklace. Now, the outfit makes a statement."
WORTH THE SPLURGE: "Kiehl's moisturizer. And it's not that expensive so it's barely a splurge. I will treat myself to a pedicure, but I do my own nails, in a neutral color."
LUXE TIP: "I love to mix real and faux jewelry since it's hard to tell them apart."
THE BASICS: "I like to have items in my closet that are versatile so I can dress up or dress down for any occasion by changing the accessories and shoes. I also take into account what my activities will be. Do I have a meeting the next day? Will it be rainy or cold? I try to be prepared with a jacket, a blazer and a grab-and-go sweater, a lightweight black cardigan."
SAVVY BUYS: "We had a Burberry raincoat at the store that one of our regulars snapped up for $79. Chanel shoes, never worn, for $89. We had a young customer come in who was going to a wedding at 5 o'clock that night in Rehoboth. We got her into an adorable halter dress and a great pair of earrings, and a super bracelet. We had 30 percent off that Saturday, so for less than $50 she had a fabulous outfit. There's a man I know from the train and one time my husband and I gave him a ride to the station where his car was. It turns out I sold a navy gown to his mother. We have people who tease me about being their personal shopper. I like making people feel special."
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