Power Dressing Pros

In the wake of the dot-com crash and a recession,

professionals nationwide are changing out of their khakis and donning suits and

ties again. In Southwest Florida, where casual is a way of life, this does not

mean a return to all button-down all the time.

Area professionals choose tropical-weight fabrics and

Caribbean colors to match their environment. But they also realize the

importance of presenting a professional image—even with the sun baking

down and the beach nearby. “The

wardrobe for business is still a dark suit, light shirt and power tie,” says

Ron Brodeur, owner of Brodeur Custom Clothiers. “It’s about the image you’re

trying to create.”

We asked four local power dressers how they mix a sense of

fashion with a professional look.

Clark Russell , 33, is vice president of Kepp’s Men Shops of

Florida, which has a store on Fifth Avenue in Naples, and a Naples councilman

elected in fall 2001.

How do you dress for business?

You have to determine what statement you want to deliver.

The statement I want to deliver is that I am a professional. But I am young, so

I want to be fashion-forward and at the same time classy. So I wear

high-quality custom suits.

In my line of work you can sometimes dress in what I call

the third wardrobe—not casual, not dressy—linen trousers and silk T-shirts. It

makes a good statement and puts people at ease. It’s important to look comfortable

in what you wear because it shows. I have never supported casual Fridays. You

shouldn’t look like you are in your living room or have just come in from

painting your house. Life is too short. You need to look good.

Do you dress differently for council meetings than you do

for your job?

No. But I did when I was campaigning. I dressed a little

more conservatively. I wore darker suits, more white shirts. I have two white

shirts—one for weddings and one for campaigning.

What’s your favorite business attire?

I wear lighter colors. The whole color palette should be

lighter here. It’s not like New York. Darker colors don’t fit the mindset or

the weather. I like fashionable ties in iridescent colors.

Any accessories that you particularly like?

Cuff links are great. They’re good conversation pieces.

Any items that you always carry?

A linen handkerchief. Money—that’s always good. And a Mont

Blanc pen.

Any fashion advice for businessmen in Southwest Florida?

Short-sleeve dress shirts are always bad. And your shoes

should always be polished. You see guys in $2,000 suits and ties, but their

shoes are just trash. In business, it pays to buy quality. That will show in

how you behave and how customers perceive you.

Nancy Lascheid, 70, is executive director and co-founder of

The Neighborhood Health Clinic, which provides low-cost medical care for

low-income, working, uninsured

residents of Collier County.

What do you typically wear on the job?

As a nurse, I’m usually in my whites, or I wear a lab coat

over a suit when at the clinic. But I do public speaking three to five times a

week, so I try to be in a suit or dress. What I wear has to look professional.

Nothing too dramatic. I want to convey the image that I take my responsibility

very seriously.

What factors do you consider when putting together an

outfit?

I’m older and I have to respect that. I am comfortable with

my age. I feel no need to make it less than that—I wear nothing trendy. I am

more comfortable in colors such as navy and black. But when I’m speaking before

a large group where it’s important to be noticed, I need to wear something more

attention-getting. I may wear red and add a scarf and big earrings, which I

keep in the car.

I am at the clinic from early morning until evening. What I

wear has to be comfortable and look fresh. I can’t do linens. I have to admit I

am most comfortable in my whites. Give me my whites and a pair of nursing shoes

and I’m happy.

What is the single most important element of your style?

I like classic lines, simple styles. I don’t want the

clothes to get the attention as much as the whole image. I want to have a

professional appearance. My jewelry is pretty basic—silver, gold, pearls. I add

scarves a lot.

Does the climate affect what you wear?

It affects the fabrics I choose. I like good silks and some

of the synthetics that hold their shape well.

Who has most influenced your sense of style?

My husband [William Lascheid]. I like the clothes he buys

for me. He has a better eye for what looks good on me than I do.

Michael Geml, 58, is president of Busey Bank Florida, and

has been a banker in Lee County since 1973.

Bankers traditionally dress conservatively. Is that still

true today?

Generally, overall, that’s true. But there are mavericks.

Are you a maverick?

Yes. Many years ago I took it upon myself that between

Memorial Day and Labor Day every day would be casual Friday. Very few of our

customers come into the bank in a suit and tie. Casual dress just blends in

with the atmosphere of the community and the weather. In September, it’s back

to the traditional style of dress, though.

What is your typical dress during the summer months?

Business slacks and a corporate long-sleeve shirt. I don’t

care for golf shirts, and I prefer dress slacks over khakis.

How important is it for a banker to look like a banker?

It’s very important. It adds credibility. Bankers have a

certain image to project. When I have a real estate closing or a business

meeting, I am back to traditional banking attire, no matter what day or season

it is.

Shoes are another important detail. If you come to work with

your shoes scuffed and dirty, you are sending a bad message. I wear traditional

plain-toed shoes, one pair in black, one in burgundy.

How do you show your individuality in your attire?

I wear different styles and colors of ties. When red was the

power color, my wife bought me a lot of red ties. If Tom Brokaw is wearing it,

my wife runs out the next day and buys it.

What is your favorite power attire?

A dark charcoal gray suit and Stafford executive shirts from

JC Penney. They fit like a glove. I prefer button-down collars.

Julie Brezina, 29, is an interior designer with Holland

Salley in Naples.

What’s your typical work attire?

It’s very different from most people. I like to wear colorful

dresses. I wear a lot of ruffle. I like to wear three- to four-inch heels. I

usually carry a big bag and wear a nice belt. I’m from the old school where

your bag, belt and shoes need to blend—not necessarily match, but blend.

Does how you dress define you?

In some ways, yes. If you wear something you really like,

you feel more

confident.

Do clients react to you differently depending on what you

are wearing that day?

My clients tend to dress very conservatively—polo shirts and

Bermuda shorts. I don’t think they are shocked, but they definitely notice what

I’m wearing. Also, because of my profession I can be more creative. My clients

almost expect me to dress a little funky.

How do you decide what to wear to work?

I do it the night before. I could sit in front of my closet

for a good hour deciding what to wear and end up late for work. Because it’s

Florida and so hot, I first decide if I will wear pants or a skirt. If I’m

going to be in and out of the car, I’ll wear a skirt or dress. If I’m going to be

in the office most of the day, I wear pants. I do a lot of carrying books and

bending and picking up samples. I’m short, so I’m always jumping up on a chair

to reach something. Pants are more comfortable.

How do you stay current with fashion?

I lived in Manhattan, and many of my friends were in the

fashion industry, so I was exposed to it there. New York is at least a year

ahead of most other parts of the country. I also read magazines, like W.

Fashion dictates a lot of what’s going on in interior design, so it’s important

for me to stay up on what colors, fabrics and patterns are in because they come

into textiles and furniture a year or so later.