Six With Style

Our six stylemakers unanimously agree that social and civic purpose, family commitment, friends and health are far more important than clever dressing. They say clothes can never make the woman. But a smart woman can always maximize her assets-and her unique sense of style is surely one.

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ABC-TV news personality Jena Eschbach knows that her lifestyle is informed by her job as Naples' lead reporter for Channel 7, which basically puts her on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. She even lives across the street from the station. People know her from the tube and recognize her in the supermarket. She's comfortable with that. An early high school grad (16) in Pottstown, Pa., she took advantage of a Rotary International offer to study in Spain before going to the University of Maryland, majoring in political science and journalism. The 26-year-old pro has been a White House intern and broke into TV journalism in Western Maryland. She arrived in Naples in 1999.

What's your plan for putting together your wardrobe and keeping it fresh?

My clothes constantly get ruined from fire, water and things like trekking through the Everglades on a story assignment. I'm not going to be wearing Prada shoes on the job. My basic approach is a good pair of black or gray slacks, a crisp white blouse and a blazer. I must have 40 blazers in all colors, except brown. I get most of my clothes at Casual Corner, because their things are contemporary, comfortable and stylish in a way that's not intimidating. Naples is a pretty conservative place for fashion. I'm always aware of that when I travel to Miami. I love silk, but synthetics are usually the more practical choice for me.

How about accessories?

On the air I wear my grandmother's pearl necklace which dates from the 1920s and a mixed metal wristwatch that was a gift to me. The same with my rings. My favorite accessory is sunglasses. I must have at least 10 pairs at any time. One of my best is a cat's-eye pair that belonged to my mom.. I never leave the house without a pair of sunglasses. I'm also crazy about knee-high boots and leather, but those are northern things I seldom get to wear anymore.

Exercise and fitness routine?

I have an animal shelter beagle named Casey and I walk him. And I'll frequently get together with friends to exercise but I have no specific regime. I eat natural foods, never any fast food and not much bread. My job keeps me moving all day long, but I'm really strict about getting eight hours sleep a night. A lot of people would look and feel better if they slept more.

Hobbies?

I love to garden, to jog and to freshwater fish. I do all my hobbies alone. I spend so much time with so many people in stressful even tragic situations when I'm on the job, I need the solitude.

Any advice on style?

Posture is important. How you carry yourself makes all the difference in how you look in clothes. I make an impression because of who I am and what I do, not because I'm fashionable in any sense. But I know that because I carry myself with self-confidence, I convey an attitude of stylishness.

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Melinda Roy has led a fantasy life, albeit one of consuming passion and non-stop striving for artistic perfection. At age 12, she left her home in Lafayette, La., for New York where she was admitted into the New York School of Ballet, the official training ground for the New York City Ballet. For the next 18 years she toured the world as a principal dancer with the prestigious company. Six years ago, a knee injury and several subsequent operations forced her retirement. So she cut her waist-length hair and formed a successful country & western dance company that's rarely without a gig. Two years ago, Melinda accepted an Optimist Club offer to come to Southwest Florida to teach ballet. Lately, however, she's been traveling to Manhattan to finish up her co-choreography of "Urban Cowboy," a Broadway bound musical in which she has a dancing part. Recently, Melinda and her boyfriend bought a home on Sanibel Island and Florida is now where Melinda calls home. She is co-director of Gulfshore Ballet. At 41, this trim dancer is pirouetting into a new career and a radically different lifestyle in Southwest Florida.

How is your style evolving with your move to Sanibel?

I was a fashion wild-child when I was touring with the ballet. I'd shop in Paris in strange little boutiques and put together pretty interesting outfits. Now, I'm a much more conservative dresser. I want simple comfortable clothes that allow me to change several times a day since I'm in leotards for teaching and practicing. In New York, I never wore open toe shoes. Now, I crave sandals and I'm painting my toenails bright colors in spite of my bumpy ballet feet.

Anything in your wardrobe that you will never part with?

Absolutely, my cowboy boots. I have 15 pairs or more and I'll never get rid of them. I also collect vintage cowgirl shirts. I haunt places in SoHo when I'm in New York and have great luck at Rags A Go-Go and a place called Buffalo Chips. And my collection of rings made the move to Florida.

What are you adding to your Florida closet?

More white cotton draw-string pants and skimpy tops with spaghetti straps, tons of sandals and yummy pajamas. I'm trying to move away from black. I'll probably be buying neutrals and a few red things because I love that color. And I have a wonderful salmon-pink Escada outfit that's going to be great for Sanibel days.

What's the oddest thing in your closet?

That would have to be my 20 or so original hats. When I was recovering from my knee injury, I took a millenary course at the Fashion Institute of Technology. I made some truly wild hats, most of them with feathers. I wore them a lot when my hair was long, not so much any more. But I love to look at them and I had a ball creating every one of them.

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Dr. Lily DeBlieux's professional wardrobe is shaped by her job as Dean of Students at Seagate Elementary School in Naples. She wears a suit every day. Lily grew up in New York and at 15 moved to Puerto Rico (the home of her parents) where she completed one of her college degrees. She came to Naples from Biloxi, Miss. nearly three years ago after she and her husband picked the city by Internet research. The educator believes her cultural heritage is responsible for her love of clothes and her compulsion to always look smart. This 44-year-old mother of a grown son and daughter has a Ph.D. in education, this fashion-loving size-eight definitely a master's in shopping.

How do you shop?

I drive by Steinmart on my way home from work. At least twice a week I stop and go through the boutique department. Shopping is a delight for me and I'm constantly adding new and weeding out the old. When I choose a suit, I always buy all the accessories right down to handbag and earrings. I want the convenience of looking complete right away.

Favorite labels and colors?

I tend toward classic looks and collect a lot of Ralph Lauren and Donna Karen. My closet is full of black, navy blue, white, green, burgundy and shades of blue. You'll never see me in bright yellow or wild patterns, but I do dress seasonally. In December I wear a lot of red. Kids notice. For jewelry I'm a sterling silver and white gold woman.

How do you stay fit?

I exercise three times a week in the gym at the Vineyards where I live. I indulge in a monthly facial, massages and little luxuries like seaweed wraps. I'm high maintenance without apology. I intend to be an in-shape grandmother when the time comes and I need to keep my energy level high, as anyone in education does.

Is your closet organized?

As much as it can be since I fill my own walk-in, half my husband's and the two in the guest bedrooms. I hang dresses on one side and jackets above blouses and skirts. When I buy something new, I recycle an outfit I'm tired of so things are always coming and going. I don't horde.

Anything you cannot bear to retire?

Now that you mention it, yes. It's a 10-year-old black velvet jacket with ivory satin pockets and denim collar and cuffs. Just a fun thing I bought for a lark, yet I reach for it often. One of the children at school told me I'm always in a good mood when I have that jacket on. When you feel good in your clothes, you act like it. So, never buy anything that doesn't bring you joy.