Most Stylish 2020 - Jessica Wilson

August 2020
Written By: 
Grand Strand Magazine Staff
Photographs by: 
Scott Smallin

For 2020, we are throwing it back and featuring some former Most Stylish favorites. With the beautiful Marina Inn as a backdrop, get ready to be wowed by these all-star looks!

Hermès bracelet, Yeezy shoes, French Connection dress, Gucci bag.

Occupation: Senior Vice President/Chief Development Officer, Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union

What words would you use to describe your style? Authoritative, bold and original.

What do you want your style to say about who you are? I would hope my style speaks for itself. I am in Brandwear and a blazer ninety percent of the time for work, so when not, I like to enjoy clothes and the art of dressing.

Who inspires you? My husband, Atty. Ralph Wilson Jr., inspires me daily to achieve excellence in business. My sister-in-law Atty. Kia Wilson—she is fierce. My dear friends and sisters in WIPL, Sharon Clayton, Kelly Moore and Hatton Gravely. They are the definition of female empowerment. Every woman I work with at Carolina Trust inspires me in more ways than I could simplify here.

Favorite stores to shop: Neiman Marcus, Saks, Dillards, Belk.

Who is someone fashionable you follow on social media and why? My best friend, Jenna Nicole IG (@jennanicoleoffical). She is a celebrity makeup artist. I will ask her, what do you think of this outfit? What do you think of these accessories? .

If you could raid anyone's closet, who would it be and why? Erika Girardi, aka Erika Jayne, because she is team #LAWYERWIFELIFE and a rock star at night. A real rock star. She also has a fantastic sense of style, and she puts together the most amazing outfits. They are more like events than outfits.

Best style advice you’ve ever gotten? Tailor everything. Something twenty dollars can look two thousand, and something two thousand can look twenty without the proper fit.

Are there any looks or pieces you once swore off that you now love? How about that you now swear off that you once loved? Style is so personal that all my pieces I still wear and anything I buy new I know I will repeat. I have items from over a decade ago that I wear and love. I’m not particularly eager to follow trends, but I like to set my own tone. I am consistent in my manicures color 408, and I am also consistent in that if someone questions, “Is that something that should be worn here?,” the answer is YES.

How has your style evolved since you first made the Most Stylish list? I still wear Valentino "flip flops" basically every day. I don't know what I would have done if they didn't make that shoe. They are pricey, but you can wash/wipe them, dress them up or down. Now when going on vacation, I only pack those and not a dressier shoe, so that is how my style has evolved. I am too tired to wear a dressy shoe :-p

What is your best memory from being Most Stylish? It was great fun. My daughter came with, and Bree and Molly, who styled are such girls' girls and so much fun. It is an honor to be part of an esteemed group.

A quote you live by: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” -Shirley Chisholm

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