Fashion Blogs

Tracey Bradnan, 50, Bay Village

Director of marketing and communications at the Jack, Joseph & Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University and a board member of the May Dugan Center.

Your job title is a mouthful, how long have you been at Case?

I've been there three years and I love it. Being on campus is awesome and I love that it's a social work school. There are people who are changing the world. Our social workers, graduates and alumni tackle society's most pressing problems like poverty, violence, sexual assault, aging and the lead crisis. So much of that research is happening at our school.

Describe your style.

I don't take myself too seriously. I have fun with fashion. I like industrial, shiny, classic and punk all kind of mixed up. I like that sort of nerd-chic look that I see at J. Crew, I'm a huge nerd. I like pairing classic pieces with something unexpected. It's all about the contrast and balance of things. If I were wearing something super shiny or a giant statement necklace, the rest of the look would be a little more casual. I studied "The Preppy Handbook" when I was in high school. There was a lot to learn and some lessons I still use, like put everything on and then take something off. If I'm wearing a big ring, then I'm not wearing big earrings. In the '90s, I added punk to my preppy and I still like my creeper shoes.

Do you stand out in a business attire crowd?

I probably do. I think that's probably why my boss nominated me to Fashion Flash. I do pair things differently than others do. Like the feathery, fringe skirt I wore to this photo shoot with a gray sweater and creepers. It's from Banana Republic and was presented as a more formal piece. I wear a lot of sparkle to work.

Where does that 'take chances' attitude come from?

I've gotten braver as I've gotten older. I have a great family. My grandma on my dad's side was incredibly fashionable. She was impeccable and made her own clothes and was a single mother and a businesswoman. She taught me the importance of ironing and I still iron everything. Fashion mattered. It matters to my mother whose look is different than mine, but she's really fashionable, too. I come from a long line of fashion-conscious women.

Who else inspires your style?

I also follow a blog called Le Catch by Marlien Rentmeester, a former Conde Nast fashion editor. She puts together whole outfits. She might take an H&M sweater and pair it with a high-end item, like a Tom Ford skirt and Prada shoes. She does it all including the jewelry, lipstick and bag. Looking at what she was doing gives me the confidence to follow my own instincts to put things together that I feel could work together but I didn't have the guts to try it.

If celebrities wear Spanx, then so should we."Anything else provide inspiration?

Being on campus is inspiring, the students, especially the international students, have the best style. You never know what you'll see. I saw a student wearing a piece from Tom Ford's runway collection and another wearing something from the high-end Adidas collection that you only see in magazines. My fellow staff members also inspire me. Case Western Reserve University President Barbara Snyder has a love of fashion and has wonderful style. I love to see what she's wearing.

Do you have any fashion obsessions?

I'm obsessed with J. Crew. I like to see how they put things together. I also can't...won't ....mix metals. For example, if my shoes have gold grommets, I wear gold jewelry.

Do you have any fashion icons?

Besides my grandmother, I also like Jenna Lyons the creative director for J. Crew, she does that nerdy-chic thing that I love so much. I love celebrity fashion from women like Emma Stone, Tilda Swinton and Kristen Stewart, the way they put things together is incredible.

Tell us something that people might not know about you.

My closet is a tornado shelter! We live in a mid-50s ranch with no basement. We decided to add a master bath, which turned into adding a master suite. We decided on doing a nice walk-in closet. In the midst of doing the designs a big storm came through late one night, we got texts from the city warning that a tornado was spotted. We had nowhere to go, no interior room without a window. Our neighbors had always invited us to come to their house in an emergency. They have a basement. I didn't want to drag my kid out of bed so late at night in the pouring rain. Thankfully it subsided. The next day, I called the design firm and had them change the design to fortify the walk-in closet so it can be used as a shelter. My family and my clothes will be safe!

Do you like to shop?

I'm a complete sale hound. I haunt the sale sections of many stores. I go to J. Crew, H&M, Target, Nordstrom Rack and TJ Maxx. Locally, I go to Lakewood Luxury Consignment shop. The store has great things. I just found a J. Crew prom dress uk there and the owner, Emily, helped me style it.

How has your style changed?

I went to Miami University and when I got there I started seeing preppy done differently. My friends kept telling me to stop starring at everyone. I saw preppy from Chicago and California. I saw things put together that I had never seen before. I also watched Elsa Klensch with my mother. She did a weekly fashion show on CNN straight from the runways. I learned to see the influences and trends from high fashion and know that we would see them in stores. Today, I'm more bold, I'm more confident and I know who I am. Now, I dress for myself, not anyone else.

What do you love about fashion?

The thing I love about fashion is the attention to detail; it shows you care. I love that it's so fun. My grandmother always told me to get dressed. She said you'll look better, feel better and be way more productive. Even when I worked out of my home as a marketing consultant, I always dressed nicely. Friends called me June Cleaver because I was always in a skirt or a dress even if I was just taking my son to swim lessons.

What does style mean to you?

I think your style and fashion sense is a muscle that you have to exercise. Once you do you'll see those opportunities, those things on the sale racks that you can turn into great looks. If you lose interest, don't care about your outfits and putting in the time, you'll lose your fashion sense.

Do you have a favorite season for fashion?

I don't and I think that's one of the reasons I live in Cleveland because I love all of the seasons. Summer is fun for being on campus because I can see everyone's outfits. Winter is tough because of the coats and boots I can't see what anyone's wearing.

Are you good at cleaning out your closet?

There are times when I try something, wear it a few times and know it's not working so I'll donate it to the May Dugan Center. I cut things out quickly. The center is in Ohio City and they take donations of clothing and household goods. People can find out more at maydugancenter.org. I'm on their board and I love being part of it.

Do you stick to any rules?

Shirts and pants are ironed. Black tights are opaque and very black. If celebrities wear Spanx, then so should we. Everything looks better smooth. Don't save your special clothes for special occasions. Wear them! And, wear sunscreen.

What is your best fashion advice?

First, have fun and express yourself. Also, if you know you're going to have a tough day, wear your favorite look, something that makes you happy. It will make you feel great and make the day a good day. If I have meetings, stress and deadlines, I start the day right and I'll feel like a million bucks. It's my armor and I feel invincible and powerful.

What does your wardrobe say about you?

I hope it says that I have a love for life and that I'm energetic, creative and passionate because that's who I am. Style is an expression of you. It's how you brand yourself and it shows that I care about making everyday a really great day...not a sweatpants day.

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