By Kelly Kasulis, News Staff
US Trendy, a popular blog and online clothing store, released this year’s top 50 most fashionable Bostonians with big names from television hosts, print reporters and radio hosts.
Ranked in first place was Maria Menounos, the host of NBC’s “Extra TV” which covers lighthearted stories and celebrity gossip. A native of nearby Medford, Menounos hasn’t forgotten her roots as she reaches homes from the screen nationwide.
“Anything that puts my name next to Boston makes me smile,” she said. “I love and miss home so much. It’s amazing to be acknowledged at all by the world’s greatest people and greatest city, let alone to top the list. It’s really amazing.”
Also on the list was Kendra Petrone, the executive producer of “Matty in the Morning” on Kiss 108 who said that being ranked gave her a new sense of identity away from being a mother. At number 20, Petrone ranked higher than celebrity chef Todd English and “Aerosmith” band member Steven Tyler.
“I have never been able to feel ‘cool’ or ‘stylish’ – especially being that I am pregnant and due any day with my third child,” she said. “I toasted myself with an entire bottle of alcohol-free wine.”
Petrone called the ranking “an incredible surprise” that will help motivate her to continue to be stylish.
“Once I have the baby, I am making it a serious goal of mine to be in tip-top shape and really pay attention to the way I present myself in clothes and in real life,” she said.
Joe Breezy, an afternoon host on AMP Radio 103.3 who rose quickly up to number 28, moved to Boston only about a year ago. He agreed that it was a complete surprise.
“It feels great and it feels shocking. I did not expect it at all,” he said. “I don’t really consider myself a fashion guy at all … I always thought that I kind of stand out in terms of the way I dress. I’m a little more relaxed with fashion sense. I come from California, so I’m kind of a t-shirt, hoodie and converse kind of guy.”
According to Breezy, fashion is all about the “be yourself” cliche.
“I think fashion is totally subjective. I think that, just because it’s not necessarily cool or trendy to dress a certain way or whatever, but if it expresses who you are and then it’s just a way to represent yourself,” he said. “I don’t adapt when I, like move place to place. I’m still myself. People kind of realize like, ‘oh, okay – he is who he is, and maybe he’s not trying to dress like everyone else around here.’”
One of the few small business owners to be on the list, Emily Benson of The Fashion Truck ranked 34th. Benson, who said that she runs “Boston’s favorite mobile boutique” works to sell clothing pieces under $100 at open markets, parties and street stops in places like Charlestown and the Financial District.
“I am not one to celebrate too much, but I definitely had an extra drink that night,” she said. “I have been working really hard for people to recognize that mobile retailing is like, the new way of shopping. It’s obviously a trend and it’s nice to think that people think what I do is cool.”
When it comes to her style, Benson said that it’s all about a middle ground between price and the latest trends.
“I have very high taste, but I am able to translate that into pretty affordable prices for myself,” she said. “I’m 6-foot-1 and so I always stand out and try to wear something really bold, like a gold statement necklace. I still wear 3-inch or 4-inch heels when I go out.”
