Mati Bonetti Buccini Dishes on Her Statement Style in Delaware

Mati Bonetti Buccini. Photo by Joe Del Tufo

As partner and director of fine-art storage facility Atelier Delaware in greater Wilmington, mom of three Mati Bonetti Buccini must always dress the part—comfortably.

Your style in a phrase:

Subtle with a twist.

Work to play—and occasionally back to work:

Because [Atelier] is a concrete warehouse and we keep it at 68 degrees, I always dress in layers for warmth and wear comfortable shoes—which also helps if I am going to a lacrosse game or football game after work. I wear a lot of jeans. …In today’s world, I think those are perfectly acceptable in a work environment. Sometimes I have extra shoes in the car if I have a client lunch or I’m going to dinner. Tonight, for instance, I have heels I’ll wear with these pants.

Who, what, wear:

I like to dress for the client. If it’s a first-time meeting, but I know the [art] collection they have, I’ll start creating an idea in my head of what they’re like—more contemporary for newer collections, classic for older collections. Sometimes I’m spot on, and others I’m totally off.

Best hue:

My favorite colors are cobalt and lapis, but I’m happy in any shade of blue.

Risky business attire:

I’m practical in how I dress and don’t take many risks, but I do like layering jewelry. It’s something that is a little different that sets me apart. I also love getting energy from crystals and stones. I do like to have fun with color and mix and match patterns, and to find a pop somewhere.

Mati Bonetti Buccini. Photo by Joe Del Tufo

Signature accessory:

This ring from my husband. It’s by Cora Sheibani, a designer I met years back at one of the satellite fairs of Art Basel and loved her work. Since his favorite color is orange, and mine is blue, it’s half silex jasper and half lapis lazuli—which I love not only because of the color but also because of what it represents: strength, courage, truth. I’m a Capricorn, so they fit nicely with my sign.

Starting at the bottom:

I think it’s so liberating that we can wear sneakers all the time. I’ll wear them with skirts, or high-tops with cropped pants. It’s fun to dress them up and down, and sometimes I’ll start with those and dress from the bottom up.

Some rules are meant to be broken:

I love wearing white all times of the year. Winter whites are my favorite and I love mixing different shades of white.

We won’t catch you in:

I don’t do athleisure wear at the office.

Style icons:

A combination of Audrey Hepburn and Rene Russo’s character in The Thomas Crown Affair…and maybe Gwyneth Paltrow. They’re all conservative and subtle but with a little bit of an edge. …They’re true to themselves but have a universal feel to them that everyone can relate or aspire to. My inner spirit has a little Sophia Loren in there—her va-va-va-voom—but I just can’t pull it off. Maybe that’s my spirit animal that will one day come out?

Beauty rituals:

I enjoy playing around with different lotions and potions for skin care. And I’m slightly obsessed with Gucci Westman’s [cosmetics]—I spend more money and time to look like I’m wearing less makeup!

Best fashion era:

I grew up in the ’70s, so I’m always happy when I see a wide-leg pant and blouse with a balloon sleeve that reminds me of my mom during that time.

Biggest fashion regret:

When I was having my wedding dress made, the designer, who is an old family friend, said, “Let’s do ostrich feathers at the bottom.” But I felt like that was too daring. Now I think it would have been stunning.

New York state of style:

Living and working in New York City for so many years before we moved to Delaware taught me versatility of dressing, and how to mix and match for work and play. And the importance of comfortable shoes.

Favorite local shop:

Houppette.

Style, defined:

It’s how we carry ourselves and how we combine elements of our day and lifestyle into one outfit to also stand out from the crowd. It’s fun to see the outcome when I have time to be more creative in my closet.

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