Best-Dressed in Workplace Fashion

Stuart Z. Grossman
Trial attorney, co-founder/Grossman Roth
Coral Gables

Stuart Z. Grossman [Photo: Rodrigo Varela]

Stuart Grossman is one of the state’s leading trial attorneys. He’s won some of the largest awards in Florida, and his name tops many lists from “Trial Lawyer of the Year” to “Best Lawyers in America.” He’s also been named the “Best Dressed Lawyer in Miami.” “I like clothing,” says Grossman, “but I’m pretty picky.”

» Suits: Custom Oxxford suits from Maus & Hoffman in Fort Lauderdale and Canali from Bertini on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables. “I’m a huge fan of fabrics. Super 150s, a very lightweight wool, is very good 320 days of the year in south Florida.”

» Shoes: British-made Edward Green label. “They’re not really flashy, but the structure of the shoe is very impressive. You just can’t wear them out.”

» Ties: Duchamp from Barneys, New York. “Very understated patterns, but the colors are bright. They just bounce off a white shirt; they’re the only tie I will buy now.”

» Dressing the Part: “When you do the kind of work I do, there are no hourly clients. Everything I do I have to win it. How you look is part of keeping your edge.”

Avoid the Slippery Slope

Yasko-Mangum and her books.

You’d be surprised how many people at the executive level are not sure how to dress for certain business occasions, says Jamie Yasko-Mangum, who owns an image-consulting company near Orlando.

Yasko-Mangum counsels executives as well as recent college grads on creating the right workplace image, from attire to presentation skills. Her books “Look, Speak & Behave,” one for men and one for women, were published last spring.

The main concern in Florida, she says, is the heat. But that’s no excuse for unlimited business casual wear, the “slippery slope” of Florida professional dress. Suits, she claims, are still the staple of executive dress.

For Men: A staid-collared shirt with a suit is a must, no button-down collars, please. Light wool blends such as wool crepe are perfect for Florida climate.

For Women: Show some color. While black evokes authority, consider colors like red or coral. If the suit is well-tailored, color will work. Consider a dress. Couture sweater dresses and accessories are just as polished as a suit and offer some variety. Professional women should shake off the “in a man’s world” attitude.

Fred E. Karlinsky
Insurance regulatory lawyer, lobbyist/
Colodny Fass Talenfeld Karlinsky & Abate
Fort Lauderdale/Tallahassee

Fred E. Karlinsky [Photo: Rodrigo Varela]

Fred Karlinsky typically spends one day a week in his firm’s Tallahassee office. He’s there full time when the Legislature is in session. His style tends toward the conservative with an avant-garde flair.

» Favorite Ensemble: Oxxford custom suit, blues and grays, light-blue shirt and a light-gray or reddish tie

» Shoes: John Lobb, a British line

» Ties: Another British line, Turnbull & Asser

» Favorite Stores: “I like to shop where people know me.” When in New York City, he goes to see George at Oxxford Clothes on 56th between Fifth and Madison avenues. In Palm Beach, it’s Rick at Ralph Lauren. And at home in Fort Lauderdale, it’s Andrea or Allison, owners of Hamilton Douglas Clothiers, located in the Tower Club building, which also houses his office.

» Accessories: Karlinsky loves anything crocodile: Shoes, belts, wallets and briefcases — even his office furniture in Fort Lauderdale. “We’ve just moved into new offices in Tallahassee, and we’ll be bringing some of my crocodile furniture up here.”

In the Bag

Tammy Trenta. Below, the Bianca bag from the Bella collection.

She was dumped from “The Apprentice,” but that hasn’t stopped . She recently launched a company called Theresa Kathryn. It sells a line of women’s luxury career and laptop bags that are quickly becoming fashionable for professional women looking for a stylish alternative to the ubiquitous black nylon laptop carry-all.

The latest “Bella” collection features six styles of bags available in four colors of leather with patent accents. The bags have a padded compartment for a laptop, magazines or files and pockets for cell phones, PDAs and other items. They fit easily underneath an airplane seat and have a detachable shoulder strap. “The details through and through are what make the bags,” says Nikki Trammell, owner of Shi Shi Gallery, a lifestyle boutique and the first store in Florida to carry the line. “The inside of the bag, lined with satin brocade, is as exciting as the outside.”

Trenta — a finalist from “The Apprentice’s” 2006 season — is based in California, but her bags will soon be found elsewhere in Florida. The company plans to have a Southeast sales rep soon and is in talks with other vendors here. The bags retail from $350 to $499.