Each month, Coast Monthly peeks into the closets of some of the most fashionable people on the upper Texas Coast.

What Corlie is wearing: A white felt hat trimmed in black, and her black and white coat is constructed of a traditional African fabric known as “mud cloth.” She has paired this with a belted black knit top, stretch pants and over-the-knee black boots by Bamboo. Her black and white jewelry, also from Africa, is made from petrified wood. “Hats are definitely the single most important part of my style signature. I own several dozen in different styles, fabrics and colors so I always have one that’s right for the season and the occasion.” Photo by Irene Amiet

Occupation: Marketing consultant, Galveston County Mutual Assistance Partnership

Home town: “I lived in Los Angeles — on the West Coast — until I was 12, then in Washington, D.C. — on the East Coast — during my teens and early adulthood. Galveston — on the Gulf Coast — is my true home now.”

Favorite designer: “I like Dana Buchman’s very wearable classic designs and quality fabrics. I also have found the Talbots line to be a good source for much of that same look. I also admire Elie Tahari’s fashions, but they don’t fit me.”

Favorite place to shop: “Locally, I love Le Chat Noir, where there is always something interesting and exciting. Off the island, I like Nordstrom stores, but my dream city in which to shop would be Milan.”

Fashion bargain: “My tall black boots from Burlington Coat Factory. They were a surprising end-of-the-season find, just after I lost most of my clothes to Hurricane Ike.”

Dream fashion purchase: “Anything from Donna Karan. I love the way her designs ‘flow’ and how adaptable they are for different occasions.”

Place to get a good snap bargain: “Resale and consignment stores — it’s always fun to find a great vintage item for which someone else has paid the initial ‘big ticket’ price.”

Celebrity closet to raid: “Oprah Winfrey’s — I like her style and how she presents herself.”

Fashion crime: “I wish someone would pass the word that excess flesh hanging out over the top of a pair of jeans is not attractive. I also wonder about people who wear shorts and flip-flops when it is cold. You could sum both these up as ‘inappropriate attire.’”

Essential accessory: Earrings — they are like Jell-O — there is always room for more. I wouldn’t leave for the grocery store without my earrings.

Found on a pilgrimage Corlie made to Jerusalem, this Pashmina shawl features jewel tones on black.

A treasured Donna Karan watch was a Christmas gift from her husband, Michael Jackson, retired executive director of St. Vincent’s House in Galveston.

Ralph Lauren boots combine tooled and smooth leathers in shades of toast and tan.

This limited-edition Louis Vuitton pearlized patent handbag was a gift from a friend who collects purses and was concerned Corlie did not own one bearing the famous label.

In the style of Murano, a cross of tiger’s-eye glass is suspended on multiple strands of small glass beads to create this necklace, a gift from her sister-in-law just after Hurricane Ike.

A brown felt hat trimmed with sequins is perfect for dressier cool weather occasions.

Bangle bracelets provide a novel interpretation of basic black and white fiber art.

Abalone shell earrings combine silvery shimmer with a rainbow of subtle color. “They take my breath away.”

Featuring a zebra pattern on the outside with leopard touches inside, these dressy heels are a fall favorite.