Katie Pritchard's got Real Style. (Joseph Fuqua II photo) | ZOOM |

        Katie Pritchard, 30, of Maineville, hated her sisters' hand-me-downs as a child. Now, she gives them clothes.

        When the education consultant/software trainer for Siebel Systems cleans her closet, her four sisters are there.

        “They're always asking me when "Katie's Closet' is having a sale,” Ms. Pritchard says. “Nobody can see any of it until everybody is there,” says the folk guitarist, who can be found playing at the Blind Lemon, Milton's or the Dilly Deli in her spare time.

        Signature style: Brightly colored shirts — red or French blue — with black slacks or skirt. I'm not a pastel person.

        If you had big bucks you'd buy: A dressing room. Sometimes things just spill out of my closet into my room.

        You can be found shopping at: Lane Bryant.

        Earliest fashion memory: I remember not liking my sisters' hand-me-downs. I had them so long, I decided “no more” when I got to the point that I could buy my own clothes when I was 17 or 18.

        Fashion philosophy: My mom always says “accentuate the positive.” I try to find things that look good on me rather than going with a trend, like cropped pants. I can't wear them. Just because they have them in my size doesn't mean I should wear them.

        Your fashion pet peeve: People who buy things that are fashionable that don't necessarily look good on them — hip hugger capris drive me nuts right now.

        Best bargain: A Liz Claiborne outfit that was $150 marked down to $25, and my senior year prom dress was marked from $200 to $50 because the bow was ripped off. My mom sewed it right back on.

        I wouldn't be caught dead in: A mermaid-style dress that's straight and tight to the knee then flares out. I couldn't subject people to that. I'm curvy.

        Favorite designers: Liz Claiborne and Dana Buchman.

        You splurge on: Shoes, because when I train, I stand all day. If it's something I'm going to wear for work, I don't bat an eye at paying $80, maybe for Birkenstocks, Aerosoles, Easy Spirit.

        Finishing touch: I always wear rings. I have lots of Celtic jewelry. My sister lives in Scotland, and I've been over there a lot.

       Send nominations to Joy Kraft by mail: c/o Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati 45202; fax; 768-8330; jkraft@enquirer.com. Include their name, age, daytime phone and why they should be featured.

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