Delaware interpreter picks colorful, classic styles she plans to wear for years

Eileen Smith Dallabrida

Special to The News Journal

WHO: Felina Garcia Findley, 46, of Wilmington, medical interpreter and director of bilingual services at Prime Products.

WHY: She was nominated by Pam George, who says: “I met Felina at a mutual friend’s beach party, and she immediately stood out in a crowd. She wears eye-catching colors with an appealing air of femininity.”

HER STYLE: Classic and colorful. “I choose things that I know I will be wearing years from now.”

WEARING, at the Delaware Center for Horticulture in Wilmington:

FIRST OUTFIT — Full-length sleeveless black gown with lace bodice and front slit discovered at Boscov’s for $100 (“I was looking for something really quick with my daughter and I found it”); black beaded bracelet from Premier Design; black suede platform sandals with ankle tie from Shoe Dazzle.

SECOND OUTFIT: Black pantsuit from White House Black Market; red button-up collared blouse from Express; black pumps from WHBM; gold animal print bracelet, earrings and necklace from WHBM.

Felina Garcia wears a formal-length black gown with lace bodice she found at Boscov’s for $100 with black suede platform sandals with ankle tie from Shoe Dazzle.

THIRD OUTFIT: Blue one-shouldered jumpsuit from Venus; gold platform high-heel sandals from Shoe Dazzle; gold cuff bracelet from Bebe, gold bangle bracelet from White House Black Market; and gold tassel earrings from WHBW.

WHERE SHE SHOPS: Bebe, Express and White House Black Market. She also is fond of shopping online. “I can tell what will fit me. I never have to send anything back.”

HOW SHE SHOPS: “I really don’t like to shop. If I need something, I go online or I go to the store. And when I go to the store, I go alone.”

Milton child advocate looks for great cut, tailoring in her clothes

FASHION ICON: Designer Carolina Herrera.

FAVORITE DESIGNER: Oscar de la Renta. “He is from the Dominican Republic, like me.”

MOST RECENT PURCHASE: A pantsuit from WHBM.

OLDEST ITEM IN HER CLOSET: “I still have my wedding dress in the attic. I just found a dress I wore on my honeymoon 25 years ago.”

Felina Garcia wears a black pantsuit from White House Black Market and red button-up collared blouse from Express with black pumps from WHBM.

MANE, MANICURE AND MAKEUP: Her sister does her hair. She gets a manicure at Hot Nails in North Wilmington. “I also like the nail salon at the Concord Mall.” She takes it easy on makeup, except for special occasions.

BEST FOOT FORWARD: She has more than 100 pairs of shoes. “I keep them in their shoe boxes. I am thinking about taking a picture of each shoe and gluing it to the front of the box.”

FAVORITE COLOR: Red.

FAVORITE FRAGRANCE: Chanel No. 5.

WORTH THE SPLURGE: “A great pair of jeans that fits right. You can dress them up or dress them down.”

NOT WORTH THE SPLURGE: “Boots that are not comfortable.”

FAVORITE FASHION RESOURCE: Pinterest.

WISH I HADN’T BOUGHT IT: A Roberto Cavalli yellow pantsuit. “Yellow, that was my first mistake. I think I wore it once.”

She doesn't want to show up at a party and see you in dress she's wearing

THE GREAT PANTYHOSE DEBATE: “I don’t like pantyhose. But if I have to wear them, I wear mesh.”

ORGANIZATION TIPS: She organizes her wardrobe by color.

THOUGHTS ON AGING: “I always hydrate. I drink lots of water, get facials and keep my skin moisturized.”

FASHION NO-NO: Sweat suits. “I would not go out in sweat pants, not on my life.”

BEST CELEBRITY HAIR: Jennifer Lopez. “JLo’s hair always looks fantastic.”

GO-TO OUTFIT ON SATURDAY NIGHT: A black dress “with shoes and accessories that make the outfit.”

FASHION EVOLUTION: “In my country, people are always fashion oriented. It’s natural.”

INDISPENSABLE WARDROBE ITEM: A little black dress. “Or, in my case, a lot of them.”

ACE ACCESSORY: “A bracelet with a Scottie dog on it that came from Barcelona, a gift from a close friend.”

PANTS OR SKIRTS? “I love skirts. I love dresses.”

HEELS OR FLATS? Heels, “absolutely.”

DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? Diamonds.

WHY FASHION IS IMPORTANT: “It’s a form of self expression. Fashion lets us show ourselves as people. When someone says you look great, it lifts you up. That’s why it’s important to compliment people when they make an effort to dress well.”