2016 Best Dressed List

This year’s picks come from all over the metro Detroit map — from the entertainment industry and sports world to boardrooms and courtrooms
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Each year, society writer and fashion maven Chuck Bennett gets together with some of the Hour Detroit staff to compare notes — and name names. The topic: Who wears it well. This year’s picks come from all over the metro Detroit map — from the entertainment industry and sports world to boardrooms and courtrooms.

Purchase tickets for the Best Dressed Fashion Show presented by Somerset Collection HERE.


Greg Mathis

Television Judicial Arbitrator (aka Judge Mathis show)


Fashion style

Conservative chic

Why dressing well is important

Impresses your boss, women, and “mean judges”

Favorite shop

Paul Stuart

Favorite designers

Ralph Lauren and Giorgio Armani

Craziest outfit of all time

“I once wore a giant black Borsalino hat, black zoot suit, and large white frame glasses without any lenses.”

Sharpest outfit

“I’m very sharp in my beige, raw silk suit with a mandarin collar.”

Style icons

“I love Humphrey Bogart’s style and Judge Craig Strong’s bravado.”

When did dressing well become important?

“When the girls in third grade told me I was cute.”

Fashion advice?

“Simple. Don’t wear tight clothes if you have a large stomach.”


Jennifer Vinklarek

Owner, Robert Kidd Gallery in Birmingham


Fashion style

“Anything goes. One day I’m punk, the next I’m contemporary, then I’ll be bohemian. I suck at painting, so maybe this is my art.”

Why dressing well is important

“What we decide to put on our bodies is one of the few things only we have 100 percent control of.”

Favorite shops

“I usually stay away from large stores because I have a tendency to love everything, lose focus, and get overwhelmed … I mainly shop at boutiques with unique items.”

Favorite designers

“I absolutely adore the timeless elegance of Coco Chanel. At the same time, I cannot stay away from the edginess of Alexander McQueen and Giuseppe Zanotti.”

Craziest outfit of all time

“In college, I decided to embrace the grunge Seattle look. I went through my dad’s closet and helped myself to plaid flannel shirts. My mom told me I looked like a homeless deranged hunter.”

Sharpest outfit

“I’ve always had leather pants as well as lace pants. For me it’s as basic as a pair of jeans.”

Style icons

“Audrey Hepburn, Halle Berry, but mostly my mom. She taught me early on that less is more.”

When did dressing well become important?

“I went to private school; we had to wear a plaid uniform. On Friday, we could wear what we wanted. I remember counting the days and putting together outfits.”

Fashion advice

“Labels don’t matter. Wear the clothes, not the other way around. Make sure your hair is neat and your shoes are clean (I think I hear Mom talking again).”


Reginald J. Eadie

Chief Operations Officer, Detroit Medical Center


Fashion style

“Smooth. Streetwise. Unique. Sharp. Mack and Bewick-ish. Graceful. Virile. Majestic.”

Why dressing well is important

“The way you dress is indicative of the way you think, the way you feel, the way you act, and the way others react to you. It’s a way to say who you are and what you want without having to say a word.”

Favorite shops

“I like to shop anywhere most men don’t.”

Favorite designers

“Williwear Willi Smith (aka Willi Donnell Smith) of course. Not only was he one of the world’s greatest designers, he became so while making no issue or complaint of the social disadvantages and barriers of him being an African-American designer.”

Craziest outfit of all time

“My senior year at Cass Tech I wore a tartan plaid suit with super straight-legged pant, a canary-colored turtleneck, no socks, and a pair of cognac-colored Roots shoes. I meant well.”

Sharpest outfit

“I wore a tailored all-white linen suit with an off-white almost hidden Glen Urquhart (plaid) background to a cousin’s wedding. It was pretty cool.”

Style icons

Ellen DeGeneres and Pharrell Williams

When did dressing well become important?

“As a teenager, I realized that I wanted to do well, live well, eat well, and dress really well.”

Fashion advice

“Always dress for the success you want, not for successes you have.”


R. Christopher Prater

Managing Partner, Thrift on the Ave


Fashion style

“I am very European in my style leanings. I am particularly partial to traditional British fashion, although you’d think I was Scottish by the sheer number of wools and plaids.”

Why dressing well is important

“It’s your voice. Being dressed well suggests that you are serious, well organized, and attentive to detail.”

Favorite shops

“If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me.”

Favorite designers

“I really appreciate Tom Ford’s expression as a designer on a larger scale. Locally, I think 1701 Bespoke does incredible work.”

Favorite outfit

“I just love outfits that make me feel sharp.”

Craziest outfit of all time

“I am a part of a fashion collective called The Seen Detroit, and for our first photo shoot, I went a little extra. I wore a pair of slim-fit red tartan plaid slacks with a denim jacket …
and finished with my vintage YSL cashmere overcoat with the beaver collar.”

Sharpest outfit

“My look for my first Hour Detroit Best Dressed Party in 2014. I wore a vintage blue velvet jacket with a pair of blue tartan plaid slacks. I told you I’m partial to plaid.”

Style icon

“I really admire David Beckham’s style. It’s very traditional, but always impeccably tailored. It helps to have the physique of a Greek god and a smoking hot wife.”

When did dressing well become important?

“I grew up in a very small family of 14 — seven girls and seven boys to the same mother and father. My mother would say that by looking at our home you would never know 16 people lived in it. It was immaculate. She was equally as adamant about us dressing well, and when you combine that with an Army veteran, you didn’t leave the house without your clothes pressed, and your shoes shined. When we were young my mother would make our clothes. Fashion and dressing well is a part of my DNA.”

Fashion advice

“I own an upscale resale boutique, and I always tell customers that unless you’re shaped like one of our mannequins, no garment off the rack was designed especially for you, so enlisting the services of a good tailor can make the difference.”


Kelle Ilitch

Mother, Wife of President and CEO of Ilitch Holdings Christopher Ilitch, Philanthropist, Children’s Activist


Fashion style

“Classic, chic, and elegant. On the other hand, I love sneakers (favorites are the Eminem/Carhartt/Nike collaboration). If not in sneakers, I’ll be wearing sassy heels. (And) I love old English D baseball caps.”

Why dressing well is important

“Our bodies are beautiful. We should adorn them in beautiful designs. I believe (it has) a positive impact on the human emotion. I find myself inspired by the fashion, taste, and elegance of those around me and hope to provide the same inspiration and experience for others through my choices.”

Favorite shops

“Some of the local gems we have, right in our backyard — whether it’s in the city or the suburbs. Politics, business, entrepreneurs, and style have all contributed to the positive change in our city.”

Favorite designers

“Stella McCartney, Elie Saab, knit wear by the Orley brothers (originally from Michigan), Carhartt knit caps, and classic designs (from) Ralph Lauren.”

Craziest outfit of all time

“This is where I would call my sister and some of the dear friends that I grew up with. I’m sure they would be able to come up with quite the list!”

Sharpest outfit

“I wore a Stella McCartney dress to an event I co-chaired for Forgotten Harvest. I’m not sure it was my sharpest, but it was one of my favorites.”

Style icon

“I was at the National Museum of American History looking at former first ladies’ dresses. I always admire … Jackie O.”

Fashion advice

“Wear it with confidence and be you.”


Keely Ferguson

Entertainer/Singer/Songwriter/Actress


Fashion style

“Classic and bold. Because of the field I work in, I am often an open book, judged by my cover.”

Favorite shops

“Zara, BCBG, Topshop, American Apparel, H&M, BeBe, and Urban Outfitters are favorite go-to shops. I’m always online looking for quick easy buys. gojane.com and nastygal.com are at the top of my list for that.”

Favorite designers

“Michael Costello is winning my heart over with his designs. He somehow manages to serve up flamboyancy and edge with classic Hollywood fashion.”

Craziest outfit of all time

“There was a photo shoot … I wore LeBron James’ McDonald’s special edition red, white, and yellow jersey … as a dress with my hair in double buns, paired with matching Swedish wooden clogs topped with red fur across the toe. I made it work.”

Sharpest outfit

“My favorite was for a performance at MOCAD. I thought it would be pretty tough to run against the fashion show and the unique art exhibit … but I was sure to cut the room with my baby blue leather bell skirt and matching bralette with fire orange Steve Madden chained platforms.”

Style icons

“I admired Audrey Hepburn growing up. As of lately I fall pretty hard for Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Ciara, Kendall Jenner, and Rihanna.”

When did dressing well become important?

“I feel like I was born into fashion just as sure as I was born into entertainment. In grade school I began sketching, and in high school I designed my prom dress. I started my own custom designs on my 21st birthday.”

Fashion advice

“Stay healthy, young, and daring. Don’t dress your age but dress to your comfort.”


David Moncur

Owner of Moncur, a branding and digital agency with offices in Detroit, Miami, and Austin, Texas


Fashion style

“Business-adjacent. I make an effort to show my personality but still keep it appropriate for the business world.”

Why dressing well is important

“It’s really a reflection of their personal brand.”

Favorite shops

“I’m more focused on finding things that are unique and cool. Maybe it’s a designer boutique or maybe a T-shirt store on the beach.”

Favorite designers

Morgenthal Frederics, Ferragamo, King Baby, David Yurman, 7 For All Mankind, Zegna, “and almost everything Varvatos! And of course, Shinola.”

Craziest outfit of all time

“My Kentucky Derby outfit. I wore a plaid linen suit with wild colors and a really crazy tie. I was not even close to standing out; everyone looked crazy!”

Sharpest outfit

“Usually my most recent purchases.”

Style icon

Justin Timberlake

When did dressing well become important?

“I remember being focused on dressing well in high school, and I thought I dressed really well in college — I would laugh at that now.“

Fashion advice

“Mix it up. There are so many opportunities to take dressy and casual and really worn and mix them all together. The counterpoint is not overdoing it.”


Joumana Kayrouz

Personal Injury Attorney


Fashion style

Structured for business events. When not work related, completely girly.

Why dressing well is important

“Dressing well is an expression of what I want to project. I view clothes as a walking advertisement — a billboard so to speak — of my skills and confidence. Outside the business world, dressing girly allows me to feed the inner child in me.”

Favorite shops

“I do not like to physically shop except if I am out of town. When at home, I like to look online. It works for my busy schedule and allows me some privacy.”

Favorite designers

Pieces from the Oscar de la Renta, Dolce & Gabbana, and Carolina Herrera collections. “Victoria Beckham is my go-to to achieve an instant, polished look. For relaxed, fashionable and trendy, there are so many great designers … Rosie Assoulin, Ashish, Comme des Garcons, Prabal Gurung, Marni, Delpozo, Dsquared2, and MSGM.”

Craziest outfit of all time

“Palazzo pants. I once bought a pair from a Halloween store to wear.”

Style icons

Victoria Beckham, Queen Rania of Jordan, Sheikha Moza of Qatar. “I was delighted to watch Melania (Trump) at the Republican National Convention in a Roksanda white cotton dress. I have the same dress; I haven’t worn it yet.”

When did dressing well become important?

“Always. I am Lebanese. It’s embedded in my culture.”

Fashion advice

“Let dressing be an expression of who you are and who you want to be; do not be a victim to the fashion mores of the moment. Let’s also not forget the power of sunglasses. The right pair can make a huge difference.”


Dan Mullen

Executive Vice President, Bedrock Real Estate Services


Fashion style

Aggressive and comfortable

Why dressing well is important

“It just feels right.”

Favorite shops

John Varvatos, Kit + Ace, Detroit is the New Black

Favorite designer

John Varvatos

Craziest outfit of all time

“Cutoff overalls with a cowboy hat.”

Sharpest outfit

“Obviously, the picture here (taken for the Hour Detroit Best Dressed).”

Style icon

Nate Forbes

When did dressing well become important?

“When I was younger and saw people who dressed nice, it made me want to look nice. Looking sharp makes you stand out.”

Fashion advice

“Having a great tailor is the key.”


Justin Abdelkader

Professional Hockey Player (Detroit Red Wings Forward)


Fashion style

“Versatile and relatively simplistic, but always evolving. I like to add more adventurous pieces to my wardrobe, but then pair them with something simple. I’m not too ‘out of
the box.’ You won’t see me sporting crazy colored print shoes.”

Why dressing well is important

“It’s a way to express yourself and your individuality. You always want to make the impression you care about what you are doing, and you took the time to express that through your clothing. First impressions are everything — the first thing your bosses, colleagues, friends, and fans will likely notice is what you’re wearing. Dressing well… sets the tone. Putting on a nice suit for game day always gets me in ‘serious mode.’ ”

Favorite shops

Neiman Marcus, John Varvatos, Dolce Moda, Saks, Hugo Boss, Darakjian Jewelers

Favorite designers

Helmut Lang, rag & bone, Theory, AG, Boss, Hugo Boss, John Varvatos

Craziest outfit of all time

“My pair of Theory tapered sweat pants along with a cut-off sweatshirt and some fun New Balance sneakers.”

Sharpest outfit

“I have this sport coat Joe Mapes supplied me with that is blue, gray, and black plaid. … I love to pair a funky tie with it and a light blue dress shirt. Unfortunately, I can’t rock
that exact outfit for some time now because it’s probably pretty memorable to anyone who saw me in it.”

Style icons

David Beckham, Bradley Cooper, Jon Hamm

When did dressing well become important?

“I came to the Red Wings as a college athlete, so let’s just say my style was a little behind a lot of the guys. I began to realize the importance of dressing well and started to enjoy it.”

Fashion advice

“Embrace your personal style. Being fashionable isn’t defined by one parameter — there are so many different ways to dress well. Stick to what you like on basic level, and have fun with it.”


Jo Coleman

Entrepreneur/Investor


Fashion style

Classic, minimal, with an “edge”

Why dressing well is important

“When you look good, you feel good. Self-confidence correlates to success and resonance as much as any other factor.”

Favorite shops

“Tender in Birmingham with Andi, Neiman Marcus with Pam, and all over the world with my daughter.”

Favorite designers

Max Mara, Lanvin, Helmut Lang, Jimmy Choo, and Alexis Bittar

Craziest outfit of all time

“An Italian-made black and water color palazzo legged pant suit with exposed shoulder and tight in the waist jacket. LOL! I actually love this outfit and would wear it currently to the appropriate event.”

Sharpest outfit

“A Peter Soronen strapless cocktail dress … silver and black, cinched waist, above the knee adorned with fine mesh chains draping from the neckline.”

Style icons

“Michelle Obama, Jennifer Lopez, Blake Lively, and my daughter, Kelli Coleman.”

When did dressing well become important?

“I’ve always had a love for fashion. I refined my look when I entered the business world.”

Fashion advice

“Invest in quality pieces that can be mixed and matched. Avoid too many trends. Use accessories to enhance your look.”


Elizabeth Belkin

Luxury Sales Manager for Luxury Consignment Website TheRealReal.com


Fashion style

Flirty, whimsical, and sexy

Why dressing well is important

“It’s all I have ever known. I love to use my creativity to express who I am through fashion. I can play in my closet for hours and make different looks.”

Favorite shops

“Tender in Birmingham, Barneys and Saint Laurent in NYC, and of course, TheRealReal.com.”

Favorite designers

Saint Laurent, Isabel Marant, Acne Studios, and Simone Rocha

Craziest outfit of all time

“When I was 10, Aldo Pinto who owned Krizia had an outfit made just for me. It literally looked like a clown suit. It was a polka dot jumpsuit with a huge bow that covered half of my body. Not my best look.”

Sharpest outfit

“A Chanel white lace and black satin gown I wore to my father’s 50th birthday party. I wish I still had it. It was a princess moment.”

Style icon

“Hattie, forever and always.” (Note: Elizabeth’s mother, Hattie Belkin Whitehead, opened a boutique called “Hattie” in the 1970s with Linda Dresner.)

When did dressing well become important?

“Probably in the womb. I started going to fashion shows and buying trips with Hattie when I was in grade school.”

Fashion advice

“Don’t give in to trends. Show off your assets. If you have great legs, wear short skirts, etc.  Buy good pieces every season. … It isn’t about quantity, it’s about quality.”