If you bumped into me in the hallways of my high school in 1981 you might have seen me wearing a very similar outfit to the one below, along with my “way cool” naturally blond Farrah Fawcett hair.
I was in Grade 10 and yes, I was a fashionista before the word even existed. This outfit got quite a bit of attention around the school. Most of my brother’s friends wanted to go out with me. They were in Grade 12 and had cars.
{sigh}
Sweet memories…
I so regret getting rid of those amazing fringe booties. Mine were a baby blue suede with just one set of fringe around the ankle. They were the coolest boots ever and the most expensive pair of shoes/boots I’d bought in my life. The obsession started early folks.
The 1980’s is not an era of fashion that I am normally attracted to.
When I was at the recent Toronto Vintage show I tried on this 1980’s leopard jumpsuit on a lark but ended up really liking it. (That happens often! I should know better.)
Normally I wouldn’t wear a jumpsuit with a bunch of extra fabric and draping that accentuates and adds inches to my hips and thighs. I think the cinched waist and deep V neckline make this work though.
It feels like I’m wearing PJs in public. I could wear this to Yoga.
Without the heels.
Every time I see this jumpsuit I think of this…
I don’t know why. But I do know that the next time I take a bubble bath I need to wear my sunglasses just like the woman in the video. One must always be prepared for paparazzi. Just ask Justin Beiber.
I did have that nagging thought in the back of my head when I bought this,
“You’re too old to wear this! You lived through the 1980’s, you can’t go back and wear it again.”
Then I thought I can do whatever I damn well please. I did it then and I’m still doing it.
I am a woman over 40 wearing a baggy leopard jumpsuit, hear me roar!
Linking up with 40+ Style, Passion 4 Fashion, Fun Fashion Fridays I Will Wear What I Like
Look at us…both reliving the eighties today with our awesome jumpsuits! Of course, you were cool in high school. And you’re cooler now!
I had a pair of blue suede cowboy booties from Le Chateau that I wore to their death. I loved them so much!
I wasn’t really cool in high school, but this outfit helped : )
Mieow! That is one hell of an outfit. I hate how some people are so sniffy about 1980s clothes, it really was the last decade when fashion was ground breaking, fun and well made – no sweatshop labour or fast fashion.
The catsuit fits you perfectly, I love it.
My Mum had some white leather fringed ankle boots – she wore them with a pink PVC catsuit and more gold chains than Mr T. the girls at school thought she was the coolest mother in the world! xxx
Your Mum sounds freaking fabulous!
When I saw the photo of the jumpsuit without you in it, I thought, oh, I wonder what THAT will look like. You described it as having batwing hips I think. Haha!
Wow! This is amazing on you – in the best way! Kitteh for sure. Your leather jacket, tassel necklace and killer heels are purrrfect (gaa) with it. I have a long white vest like the one in your thingy.
Sunglasses in the bath – great idea so I don’t have see details of what’s going on with that whole aging thing. This may be a revived trend thanks to your suggestion. If you sell a new line make sure they fog-up extra fast. Heh.
This will forever be dubbed as my bat wing jumpsuit. : )
Roar indeed, that’s a loud outfit, but as usual you can pull off most things with your uber-confidence. I’m not usually one for the ’80s either.
I tried the wearing-sunglasses-in-the-bath thing on hols in Spain, because I thought it would be like Natalie Portman in the Dior advert. Unfortunately it didn’t look at all sexy and I remain disappointed to this day.
xx
I’m purring just looking at you in that jumpsuit. And when you look that fabulous, you damn well can do as you please. Keep on doing it! I agree with Vix about the 80s. Very true. Things lasted better then and we hadn’t got sucked into disposable fashion the way it is now.
I too had the Farrah Fawcett hair going on…lol You look fab in that leopard jumpsuit! You go girl!
Darlene
http://whosaprettygirl.com
I can so see you with Farrah Fawcett hair : )
You were so right in buying this? I love it on you. Now see, if I could find a jumpsuit with stuff going on at the sides (and preferably some pleats at the back too) I might pull this off too. And I wouldn’t think twice about my age haha.
You are right: you just do wht you want.
Every time I am wearing some animal print I start singing eye of the tiger.. “And you can here me ROARrrrrr”
Your shoes are perfect with this suit. Jacket too, but not necessary. Unless you are cold.
Greetje
Man, I wish I’d spotted this in your size as well. It would look amazing on you.
Alexis Carrington wouldn’t worry what people think, and you shouldn’t either. You know how to style that jumpsuit to get the best out of it – it looks amazing!
Ha! Alexis : ) Memories…
Woweeee you rock in that jumpsuit Suzanne!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
You are such an entertainer Suzanne! Every post is so amusing and makes me smile! Besides being a gorgeous fashionista, you are an excellent writer!!
Oh yeah! Let’s see you in the tub with sunglasses!! Woo hoo!!
Happy weekend!
♥ carmen
Ha ha! It’ll be a pain in the butt to set up my tripod in the bathroom. Plus I have to get the bubbles just right… This is a SFW blog after all. ; )
First the leather dresses, now this jumpsuit. So beautiful on you. I had a pair of red suede fringe booties in the 80’s – they were low heeled though. I loved those things – wonder what happened to them? My mom probably thrifted them as soon as I left for college :)!
Red, fringe and suede? Man… the perfect trifecta!
I was looking forward to seeing you in this jumpsuit and it looks fab!! I still struggle with printed pants so I don’t think I would be ready for leopard jumpsuit. I love it paired with the red heels.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
You’ve always looked great in your patterned pants.
Hear you roar is right! So glam! So 80s! You look amazing!
Thanks so much for linking up with Fun Fashion Friday!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
Oh, you know I agree that you can do whatever the hell you please! Such an insanely cool jumpsuit…I would so wear that! It is absolutely fierce with the leather jacket and heels. The fact that it’s drapey makes the extra volume a total non-issue. And doesn’t everyone wear sunglasses while bathing?
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
Oh hell yeah! You look fabulous, that jumpsuit is made for you, and let’s live the 80’s one more time – I had a wonderful time. Bring your meow-fab look to Vis Mon later, if you have a moment. You are Visible in the best way xox
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Fabulous! love to see you rocking an 80’s style once more!, and it’s even better to know that your jumpsuit is comfy like pyjamas!
Thanks for this fresh 80’s inspiration!, love it! particularly all that ’80’s doin’ the 20’s’ decoration!
besos
You can, and you did, rock that jumpsuit! It definitely cries out to be worn with red heels. Oddly enough, I like the styles from the 80’s now more than I did then, expecially the exaggerated architectural shapes. I have about 10 years on you, so I was a punk girl in the 80’s with skinny black jeans, army boots and oversized men’s jackets.
I think you’ve held onto that punk girl a bit.
See, this is why I love your blog. Not only fashion but humor and personality! I love picturing high school you, a fashionista before it was a word 😀 ( I was definitely NOT a fashionista in high school…. sigh.)
Yep, we would have been BBF’s in high school, no doubt about it! The two girls who wore what ever they felt like, starting the new trend way before anyone else caught on, and having a blast doing so. Guess what I wore to my pre-wedding (rehearsal dinner)? You better believe it, a gold jumpsuit! One that was way over my budget, but dang, I was going to make a statement. I kept it for years and finally gave it up about 5 years ago, huge sigh, actually huge scream to myself right now.
I can’t believe the treasures you found that day vintage shopping. This jumpsuit looks amazing as well as comfy. I’ve played the song now 4 times, it brings back great memories, both of teaching aerobics and disco dancing, haha.
OMG! Do you have photos? I would DIE to see you in that gold jumpsuit! Too bad you got rid of it.
Why does it not surprise me one bit that you were an aerobics instructor?
Ok, now you’ve got me searching for old photo’s. Shame on you.
Hi, dear Suzanne, well done – I think there’s nothing like “I am too old for that”. Just wear what pleases you! I think that the feeling of wearing such a nice jumpsuit – that you said you feel like PJs – are great! I love comfortable outfits and also chic – this one looks great, the shoes are also amazing! I loved the outfit you were at school – the boots are lovely, and ah, yes, so many things we donate and we should keep. Such a coincidence, I am looking for a whole outfit that I wore when I was 15 and another at 17. One that I wore when I was 18 I bought, a similar one 🙂 So you see, nostalgic feelings, why not! Bisous!
DenisesPlanet.com
Isn’t it funny how certain outfits of our past have stayed vivid in our memories?
Suzanne, that outfit is a triumph is cool 80s style, and I just love it! Of course you can wear it, and you should – often! I always wanted a jumpsuit in the 80s and never had one, but I do now, so it’s never too late! I did have suede ankle boots though, to go with my pleated trousers and frilly blouse, I blame Simon le Bon… xxxx
Ha! Simon : ) {sigh}
This is what I call a very cool look!
If I think of my high school style … I was so shy!!
The jumpsuit really suits you … you have a great ( and sexy ) silhouette, my dear!!
I think you still come across as a bit shy on your blog to this day. Do you feel you’ve outgrown your shyness?
I love your personality and style of writing. I wouldn’t have the confidence to wear this jumpsuit but I admire you for doing it. It really does look fab on you!
Suzy x
http://www.suzyturner.com
Thanks for stopping by Suzy : )
Great blog!
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Et Omnia Vanitas