Fashion Forward Five

June 12, 2015

Fashion is subjective, it’s true, but there are always those who manage to fashionably stand out. We found five fashionistas from northern Michigan and asked them about their unique and striking style, right down to what they think of current trends and what they’d buy if they had unlimited funds to shop.

Blake Elliott

HOMETOWN: Traverse City

PROFESSION: Musician/singer-songwriter

DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE: Vintage/retro

FAVORITE FASHION ITEM: "Red lipstick, no question!"

CURRENT TREND YOU LOVE: "Dresses – I love that they’ve come back into style as part of daily fashion. Also, since they’re one piece of clothing, they’re the easiest option when I want something quick, but that will still look "˜put together.’"

TREND YOU WISH YOU’D SKIPPED: "The excessively large pant legs of skater jeans. I look back now and realize how ridiculous they were."

FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP FOR FASHION: "I love to search the racks at resale shops because there are always some hidden gems you can get for practically nothing. Although, there are also a few online stores that have really fantastic new vintage-style clothing, too, such as Trashy Diva and reVamp Vintage."

IF MONEY WAS NO OBJECT: "I would definitely buy an original gown by film designer Gilbert Adrian. He designed clothing for over 250 Hollywood films. His work was stunning and I’d love to own a piece of movie fashion history!"

Mariah Guernsey

HOMETOWN: Buckley

PROFESSION: Soon-to-be spa concierge at Spa Anjali at the Westin Resort in Beaver Creek, Colorado

DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE: "Well, I never wear jeans, so I’d say more a mix of young professional and preppy, but I love resale shopping, too."

FAVORITE FASHION ITEM: Stiletto highheeled shoes

CURRENT TREND YOU LOVE: "The new infinity scarves because there is so much you can do with them! And I’m so happy that long earrings are coming back."

TREND YOU WISH YOU’D SKIPPED: "Ugh – definitely graphic T-shirts. They were always so baggy and not attractive at all."

FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP FOR FASHION: Forever 21 in Grand Rapids

Salvador Cisneros

HOMETOWN: Traverse City

PROFESSION: Store manager and fashion consultant at Ella’s

DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE: "I don’t have a particular style. I like to be creative and experiment." FAVORITE FASHION ITEM: "A really good pair of premium denim that you can dress up or dress down."

CURRENT TREND YOU LOVE: "Sneakers. You can be comfortable and look in style at the same time!"

TREND YOU WISH YOU’D SKIPPED: "Relaxed fit denim. They are just ugly – ha!"

FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP FOR FASHION: "Ella’s! We’re right in downtown Traverse City."

IF MONEY WAS NO OBJECT: "More watches. I’m a watch lover."

IF MONEY WAS NO OBJECT: "I’d buy a pair of shoes I saw once at Robert Frost in downtown Traverse City. They were gold-plated high heels with lots of jewels and spikes coming off the back. I loved them!"

Tricia Denton

HOMETOWN: Maple City

PROFESSION: Director of Samaritans’ Closet nonprofit thrift shop in Lake Leelanau

DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE: "That’s complicated! I like natural materials, so my look is kind of earth, but I also love Japanese style, asymmetrical cuts and a very clean look."

FAVORITE FASHION ITEM: "Tights, all the time. I wear sheer opaque ones this time of year and fleece-lined ones in the winter."

CURRENT TREND YOU LOVE: Scarves. "I love wearing them, even in the summer. One of my favorites is a flowy, batik scarf that looks like watercolors."

TREND YOU WISH YOU’D SKIPPED: "All that neon in the "˜80s! And my parachute pants."

FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP FOR FASHION: Samaritans’ Closet

IF MONEY WAS NO OBJECT: "I would buy some really good shoes, the kind that are healthy for your feet, but also very stylish – probably a pair of Dansko shoes from Plamondon in Traverse City."

Pete Boyles

HOMETOWN: Traverse City

PROFESSION: Lawyer at Smith-Haughey Rice and Roegge in Traverse City

DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE: Conservative classic

FAVORITE FASHION ITEM: "I’ll always wear a sport coat, even if I’m being casual, and I also love Italian cashmere V-neck sweaters."

CURRENT TREND YOU LOVE: "I really like how men’s clothing is much more fitted – not just suits, but shirts, T-shirts, everything. And I like that it’s okay now to have spandex in fabrics like traditional denim or wool."

TREND YOU WISH YOU’D SKIPPED: "Oh, boy. The big-framed tortoiseshell glasses I wore in the "˜90s."

FAVORITE PLACE TO SHOP FOR FASHION: "I almost always shop online for shirts at a place called Charles Tyrwhitt and for shoes at Zappos. I like Jos. A. Bank for suits and sport coats."

IF MONEY WAS NO OBJECT: "I’d buy a really nice watch. Not gaudy, though – something understated, like one from Rolex or Raymond Weil."