STYLE FILE: Sherry Gautreau

• By KAREN MARTIN
• Advocate assistant People editor
• Published: Jan 6, 2009 - Page: 1E - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Make sure you read our Style File subject’s fashion faux pas (last question) and see how she’s learned to get it right.

NAME: Sherry Gautreau, Baton Rouge
AGE: 47
OCCUPATION: Artist

Tell us about what you’re wearing.
"I’m wearing a little black dress with ruffled collar that I picked up at Frock Candy over black tights. The sweater is by JM Collection and came from Macy’s. The shoes are by Gianni Bini. I put the rest of the outfit together to go with the shoes. I love these shoes."

Who most influences your style?
"I’m not influenced by anyone in particular. I’ve always had my own, off-beat sort of style. I have just tamed it down a little since I’ve gotten older."

Your house is on fire and you can grab only one thing out of your closet. What would it be?
"I’d have to say my tennis gear. If I’m going to be homeless, I figure I’ll need to burn off some stress."

What’s the best fashion advice you’ve ever gotten?
"Wear your clothes, don’t let your clothes wear you."

What’s your favorite trend?
"Dresses or long tops over tights with boots. This was in style when I was younger, so I’m used to it and comfortable in it."

What trend do you wish was already over?
"I hate seeing women wearing these super high heels that they cannot walk in, so they sort of clunk around."

Finish this sentence. I splurge on...
"I splurge on black. Almost everything I wear is black or has black in it."

Are you a shoe or handbag kind of woman?
"Definitely a shoe person. A unique pair of shoes can make any outfit interesting."

Name a celebrity whose closet you’d like to raid.
"Angelina Jolie. I just love her style, and she wears a lot of black."

What’s the one beauty product you can’t live without?
"I couldn’t live without black eyeliner and red lipstick."

Make us laugh — what was your biggest fashion mistake?
"When I was much younger, I wore a bright red dress to a funeral. I had this huge Madonna-style red lace bow around my head. I looked like I was there to party. I still cringe thinking about that."