The Chimes Gala

Getting into a country frame of mind — and style of dress — wasn’t a stretch for Sharon Akers, 63.

The Clarksville resident may go for a classic style when at work as the president of the Edward St. John Foundation, and St. John Properties executive director of special projects. Then, there are the dressier outfits she dons for many of the evening events she attends, also on behalf of her work.

But, as soon as Akers is on her own time, it’s blue jeans and boots, with a definite country-western flair, thanks to a couple of passions of hers.

“My parents made a mistake when I was about 3. They took me on a pony ride. From that point on, I asked for a horse every Christmas, birthday and even Halloween. I actually worked at a hack stable; I was probably around 10, 11, 12. Just to be around the horses. And I rode every horse I could get my hands on. I got my first horse at 18,” she said, explaining that she still rides almost every day.

“I’ve done western dancing since I was 16. That’s a form of exercise for me,” she said.

So, the theme of the Chimes Gala just meant grabbing some of the go-to’s from her closet, particularly the footwear.

“I call those boots my multipurpose boots because I use them to ride horses and to dance. I cleaned them up a bit for the party,” she said, with a laugh.

HER ENSEMBLE: Calvin Klein black glitter top and St. John black knit jacket with crystal covered heart buttons and crystal embellished collar and cuffs from Nordstrom. Black bootcut jeans with crystal embellished back pockets she’s had for a while. David Yurman black onyx pendant with matching ring and bangle. Silver and crystal studded Western style black belt from Brighton store. Justin black cowboy boots she’s had for years. Black eel skin textured clutch from Lord & Taylor.