Lewes teacher feels classy in chic, professional styles
WHO:
Virginia Griffith, 63, of Lewes, para-educator for Cape Henlopen School District.
WHY: She was nominated by Kathleen Law, who says: “I have worked with Virginia for 14 years and I am consistently charmed by her clothing. She is so stylish and wears exceedingly modern and very tasteful clothing. She accessorizes each outfit perfectly and always looks as though she just stepped out of the finest dress shops.
HER STYLE: Chic and professional.
WEARING, atConley's Chapelin Lewes:
FIRST OUTFIT – Black maxi dress with gold buckle trim from Marshalls; jean jacket from QVC; black and gold infinity scarf from Dress Barn; black booties with gold zipper from QVC; gold Alex and Ani bracelets.
SECOND OUTFIT – Dennis Basso navy and white long jacket; navy pants; white blouse; and navy boots, all from QVC; pearl necklace from Avon.
THIRD OUTFIT – Turquoise and gold mod tunic and black ponte' pants from Dress Barn; turquoise long sweater by Susan Graver and brown boots from QVC; House of Harlow turquoise necklace; gold and turquoise earrings, bracelet from South Moon Under.
WHERE SHE SHOPS: QVC is a favorite, “ sadly, their Rehoboth outlet store closed.” She also shops at Marshalls and Dress Barn.
HOW SHE SHOPS: “I don't have a way of shopping nor do I ever shop for something specific. I just stop by a store to see if I find something that looks great on me. If it's on sale, I will probably get it.”
FASHION ICONS: Her parents. “My 90-year-old mother, Marie Collins, to this day looks lovely when she goes out. My 89-year-old father, Paul Collins, goes to church each Sunday in a suit, Brooks Brothers shirt and a matching tie and pocket square. He loves clothes and I truly believe I get my love of clothes and dressing nicely from him.”
STORY: A study in contrasts.
STORY: Our Oscar predictions.
FAVORITE DESIGNER LABELS: What labels? “I have to laugh a little because I never look at labels.”
MOST RECENT PURCHASE: A turquoise and gold tunic from Dress Barn.
OLDEST ITEM IN HER CLOSET: A long Army green leather coat her husband gave her 18 years ago for her birthday. “I wear it probably twice a week. I love it and I still get compliments on it.”
MANE, MANICURE, AND MAKEUP: For her hair, she relies on Moe Berlinger from Artistic Designs Day Spa and Salon in Lewes. “My nails are done by my sister, Ann Hurley, who does an awesome gel manicure. My makeup is by Signature Club A from HSN.”
BEST FOOT FORWARD: “I love boots in the winter and wedges and sandals in the summer.”
FAVORITE COLOR: Green.
FAVORITE FRAGRANCE: Pleasures by Estee Lauder.
GUILTY PLEASURE: “I look at the fashion in People magazine.”
FASHION NO-NO: “Believing that just because it is a new trend you should wear it. It's OK to not go with the flow. I just got my first pair of skinny jeans six months ago.”
BEST CELEBRITY HAIR: Julia Roberts and Marie Osmond.
WORTH THE SPLURGE: Her black patent leather Michael Kors purse.
WISH I HADN’T BOUGHT IT: Another pair of black pants. “I have so many and end up wearing only a few of them.”
GO-TO OUTFIT ON SATURDAY NIGHT: “Jeans and a nice tunic with jewelry to accent.”
ORGANIZATION TIPS: “I dress for work six days a week and church on Sunday. Every Sunday after church I take the time to go through my closet and pick out my outfits for the week. I try to make sure I have an idea what jewelry I will wear, as well. It makes it so much easier for me to have that already decided.”
THE GREAT PANTYHOSE DEBATE: “I am definitely for them because I would be so cold without them.”
INDISPENSABLE WARDROBE ITEM: “All my jewelry.”
FASHION EVOLUTION: “I have always loved dressing nicely whether it was when I was a student in school or college or as an employee. I'm retiring at the end of the school year. It will be interesting for me to see how I will dress as a retiree.”
ACE ACCESSORY: “I can't pick one thing. I love all my accessories.”
PANTS OR SKIRTS? Pants.
HEELS OR FLATS? Heels.
DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? Pearls.
WHY FASHION IS IMPORTANT: “For me, it can be defining. I feel better when I know I am dressed nicely. I have always wanted the children I see daily to know that they are worth it to me to get up and dress for them.”
Style Files runs weekly in Sundaylife. To suggest someone stylish to feature—your coworker, teacher, friend, relative or even yourself—please send information to stylefiles@delawareonline.com and include contact information. Pictures are super, too. Reach Eileen Smith Dallabrida at esmith@smithreports.com