The 10 best and worst dressed personalities of 2013

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

Dears, it was indeed a trying year economically for some. There was no skimping on the parties however, as when times get tough, the fab go partying! And naturally, when the fab go partying, they do so in regal style and nothing else.

And so, 2013 was indeed a year for the fashionable and many a fashionable moments as fab society turned on the chic like it was going out of style, and fabulously so! Dears, from Port Antonio to Negril, the glamour pusses and glamourzons opted for couture; while the dapper gents opted for situational chic, by thinking and dressing outside of the conventional box, and it made for a fabulous year of fashion!

Fabulous though it was, it was also a year of losers as well, as many, seemed to have taken leave not only of their fashion sense, but of what was age-appropriate and/or fashion forward as against following trends that were at times distress signals.

Luvs, when the year was all over, however, there was no denying that in the year 2013, fashion was one of the brightest sparks on the social calendar, in what otherwise could be reasonably termed a droll year.

And our winners are:

• The 10 Best-dressed Ladies of 2013
  

1. Socialite extraordinaire Michelle Bovell: The unequalled queen of high fashion. The Best Dressed Lady of 2013, with an impervious wardrobe and immaculate sense of occasion.

2. Minister Lisa Hanna: No hiccups when it comes to her sense of style and fashion. A fashionable sense of grace under pressure and flawless sense of decorum.

3. Mrs Sheila Benjamin-McNeill: Imperial and unapologetic style. Regal to a fault and flawless originality!

4. Jamaica-born British-based international socialite and philanthropist Theresa Roberts: Tryall habitué and patron of the arts, is the embodiment of high glam and haute pizzazz. She is a fashion muse and inspiration.

5. Novia McDonald-Whyte: The in-your-face overexposed Lifestyle editor of the Jamaica Observer, is one of 2013's most fashionable women. Sometimes bookish as in marmish, at other times simply grand; but never dull!

6. Businesswoman and former model Romae Gordon: The elegance and rare sophistication of the fashion gazelle with the crowning touch of the cosmopolitan sense of élan that sets her heads and shoulders above fashion contenders.

7. Novlet Green-Deans: Business executive with an overarching sense of style. A fashion trendsetter and grandee.

8. Businesswoman Maureen Shaw: La grande dame of haute fashion. Style arbiter and innovator. A fashion sense that says unmatched sophistication and elegance.

9. Jackie 'Amber' Cohen: The natural earthiness and chic of Mother Africa and Caribbean mystique all in one. Iconoclastically styled, her fashion statement says your approval is not sought, desired or required.

10. Budding legal eaglet and political power-player Ashley-Ann Foster: A fashionable breath of fresh air. Classy, poised and confident with a fabulously relaxed air.

• The 10 Worst-dressed Ladies of 2013

1. Renée Anne Shirley: Seemed to have exchanged her dated frocks for what seems to be the more fashionable straight jackets.

2. Queen Ifrika: Talk about retrogade! This self-styled queen makes the
'Dark Ages' looks quite bright!

3. Socialite
Jeannie Watson: The Miss Goody-two-shoes wardrobe went out
decades ago.

4. Susan Goffe: Her wardrobe is
crying out for justice.

5. The Grand Duchess
Francesca von Habsburg: A little too
casual.

6. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce:
Valiant effort but the Olympian needs to find a winning wardrobe and
hairstylist to go with her winning ways on the
track.

7. Entertainer Macka Diamond:
A little bit too sexy and not
age-appropriate.

8. Entertainer D'
Angel: Nothing angel-like about or from this lady of
burlesque.

9. Radio Personality Miss Kitty:
'The Wanna-be Blond Bombshell'

10.
DPP Paula Llewellyn: Should plead guilty to crimes of
fashion!

• The 10 Best-dressed Male Personalities of
  2013

1. Environment Minister Bobby
Pickersgill: the godfather of Saville Row bespoke
style.

2. Brazilian Ambassador Dr Antonio
DaCosta e Silvo Neto: A Diplomatic sense of style with a
splash of Brazilian verve.

3. Sprinter Asafa
Powell: The fashion embodiment of the Alpha-male. Is a
head-turner in cut-offs or a Tux.

4. Business
executive Earl Jarrett: No stuffiness or sense of the
fuddy-duddy here. One of precious few business executives who look at
sartorial ease in a 'suit'.

5. The prolific
Mutabaruka: A sense of style and fashion that transcends time
and trends - simply majestic!

6. Entertainer
Beenie Man: One of the music industry's most fashionably
dressed performers, on and off stage. The entertainment industry fashion
ambassador.

7. Greg Christie: GQ
perfection. Winning wardrobe and wears it all
well.

8. The iconic Chris
Blackwell: The king of casual, dresses down so much, it's
chic!

9. Designer Bill Edwards: Is a
walking advertorial for his own fabulous line of clothing! Would make
crocus look like haute fashion, if he were to wear
it!

10. Businessman Garth Walker:
Style appropriate and dressing for success!

• The 10
  Worst-dressed Male Personalities

1.
Contractor General Dirk Harrison: Did not get the fashion memo
from his predecessor. Doesn't dress to suit the
occasion.

2. PSOJ President Chris
Zacca: A president in need of sartorial
guidance!

3. Sprinter Yohan Blake:
Seriously, his handlers need to hire a stylist for a much-needed
makeover!

4. Renowned track and field coach
Stephen Francis: Seem to use his wardrobe as a scare tactic to
get the best out his charges!

5. Minister
Roger Clarke: Less would be way more.

6.
Man-about-town Don Creary: Just a tad too old for the
Mohawk.

7. MP Richard Azan: Needs a
little help from his fashion-conscious colleagues.

8.
JTA President-elect Doran Dixon: A blast from the
past. Could use a bit of a modern touch.

9.
Bobby Montague: Seemed at his best in his rabble-rousing
fatigues. Now needs to dress to impress.

10.
Entertainer Vybz Kartel: Exchanged his Clarks for
prison stripes and a vat of bleaching
créme.