Sheela kindly asked me to participate in her Sister Act series featuring bloggers from their teens, 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and 50’s and their interpretation of wearing animal print.
Sister Act is a brilliant concept illustrating different variations of the same theme based on our personalities rather than our age.
Age shouldn’t define the way we choose to dress. Personal style and body type should be the only deciding factors when we choose our clothing.
Sheela persuaded me to do something online that I normally would never do in real life, agree to age before my actual birthday.
I am only just over a week shy of my 50th but I’m standing in for the 50’s here.
You just know that up until midnight the night before my birthday I will be yelling out,
“I’m only in my late forties!”
What?
I’m not lying!
I’m hoping that my 50th year will be the year for positive change in my life. I’m making a conscious effort to let go of past hurts and move forward with an open heart. It is much easier said than done but taking that additional baggage into the second half of my life is only weighing me down.
I own so much animal print in my wardrobe it was hard to choose one piece for this feature but my 1980’s leopard print kitty cat jumpsuit pretty much takes the cake as far as Bitch-Be-Crazy-But-I-Like-It style.
Doesn’t this remind you of something Pat Benatar might have worn?
It was still quite cool when I took these photos so I paired it with a new thrifted item, a tapestry bolero from Italy. This is the kind of amazing and weird stuff you can find if you thrift.
The brilliant thing about this jumpsuit is that it is like wearing PJs. I can kick box or do yoga without fear of ripping a seam.
I know most people will tell you that wearing leopard print from head to toe when you’re over 40 (okay almost 50) is cray-cray. I will say this, on the day I wore this out my neighbour’s son, a twenty something commented how great I looked, and no I didn’t have to pay him. So there.
Animal Print
Without further ado we start in the teens for showcasing Animal Instinct…
Eve from The World According To Eve
20’s
Chichi from The Style Tune
30’s
I think this is my favourite. Such wicked pattern mixing.
Brandy from Authentically B
40’s
Sheila from Sheela Goh
You can see how easy it is to add a bit of animal print your daily outfits. Personally I love animal print, I think it is sexy.
Are you a fan of letting your inner animal out via your clothing?
you look sexy in it
Well, you’re looking fabulous for almost-50! I’ve embraced my 30s positively and you know what, I thought I’d feel bad about it but I don’t. It’s just a number I happen to be now. It’s not so bad… You’re looking great in leopard print – I will definitely be rocking leopard the whole way through my life 😀
I know that the day will come and go and I’ll be the same. I just need to wrap my brain around it. Somehow in my head I’m still just 28. ; P
Hey, I still tell myself I’m in my late-forties… VERY late forties. 🙂
Ha ha! Okay…I’m following your lead.
You are really rocking the animal print Suzanne. You are my favorite among the bloggers/ages shown here. LOVE the booties with your hair. Darn good “eagle pose”, in heels yet!!!
Embrace your 50’s Suzanne! I’ll be embracing 65 in October and still learning something each day.
Are you beginning to feel better with the recent changes in your health care routine?
You’re my inspiration!
I will admit this past week was exceptionally poor for me. Today though is better and I get another B12 injection this afternoon so hopefully that’ll help.
I’m thinking you’ll improve gradually.
I’m assuming that you do Yoga with some degree of regularity and I do too. Subscribing to Yoga Journal has given me the opportunity to explore the philosophy beyond asana and I have to say I’m really reaping some rewards of that in my perspective on life. The online benefits of the subscription have been most wonderful.
You have a lot of “sparkle” Suzanne. I LOVE your comments on other blogs, especially the postings of Melanie K./bag & beret.
I’m sending good karma to you in your journey toward better health. You go girl!!:-)
I’m subscribed to YogaGlo but haven’t been managing as many days per week as I should.
I agree that the philosophy behind Yoga is part of the reason I like it so much. I think it is the ideal exercise to get involved with as we age.
I agree! All the strength, balance and flexibility movement is keeping me feeling really good at 64, dispite some pretty harrowing health scares of my own since I retired from teaching almost 5 years ago.
I only manage to do Yoga once or twice a week. It’s been difficult for me to do a regular “at home” practice just because I haven’t made it a habit. I take a class every Monday night so that’s been my primary practice for almost 4 years.
I hope you’re doing better, Suzanne!! I have B12 shots too and they don’t really seem to be helping with the fatigue, I have to confess. It’s the testosterone injections in tandem with a massive adjustment to my cortisol/DHEA/thryoid levels which have made a significant difference in whether I even have the urge to get out of bed let alone function.
Yikes. So much to think about!
I’m lucky since my thyroid levels seemed to be fine. I know you’ve had your issues with health and Doctors.
Happy birthday Suzanne!!
This jumpsuit screams sexy momma—but totally in a good way because everything is covered and it’s not tight (obviously, since you’re also working out in it!!)
Of course the reddish booties make it even hotter!
And as for 50—it’s a good number!! Join the old crowd now—I think you’ll like it!!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks for the birthday wishes and welcoming me to your 50+ club : ) You make it look easy Jodie!
Sister, you look amazing. I cannot wait to get to 50 (in six months time) with hotties like you to lead the way! That leopard catsuit is to die for and that bolero is exactly why I think people who write off 1980s fashion are total idiots.
Of course you didn’t have to bribe the teenage boy to compliment you, you are every red blooded young man’s dream woman.
xxx
I think I owe my love of all things 1970’s and 80’s to you Vix. You are always such an inspiration.
You look FANTASTIC!
Thanks JR : )
You look fabulous. And being 50 is really no different from being 49. I know: I’ll be 51 next weekend…
Suzanne this age thing is really nothing to get het up about. In 18 months time I’ll be 60 and can’t really take that seriously. I’ll still be stepping out in something bright and quirky and you will be too. You look totally outrageous in this jumpsuit and could be any age at all in it!
Health issues seem to be the topic of the day. I’ve been nursing my grown up son today who has a wierd virus which has him writhing in agony. It’s doing the rounds on the island otherwise I’d be scared silly as to what the heck is going on. Look after yourself honey x
Anna
http://www.annasislandstyle.com
Thanks for the encouragement lady : ) You inspire me to take more responsibility for aging well.
Fun post. I avoided animal print until it started growing on me from blogging. I love leopard but have not expanded beyond that. I am still not that confident wearing a lot of animal print and prefer it as part of an outfit.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Hope to see you for TBT Fashion link up.
You do your bits of leopard so well.
You look fabulous in head-to-toe animal print! You are so right, age shouldn’t have anything to do with the way we dress. What matter is what looks good on us!
It’s funny, I was reading Sheela’s post (which I think doesn’t mention age), but I thought she had women from each decade for Project Sister Act. And I thought to myself that you weren’t quite 50 yet. I didn’t realize that you are almost there!!! 🙂 Enjoy the last days in your 40s. I’m sure your 50s will be just as fabulous, if not more so.
Andrea
Andrea’s Wellness Notes f
Hahaha!! Yes, I don’t specify the age but see, where I’m from, we go by year of birth as versus actual birth date, which appears to be the norm in the States. In any event, I think Suzanne looks SPECTACULAR for any age group, and most younger women wouldn’t even be able to hold a candle beside her. She just looks gorgeous.
Thanks Sheela : )
Thanks Andrea : ) Just enjoying the last few days of my 40’s
Suzanne, I have been reading your blog for quite some time and this is the first time commenting. You look FABULOUS in your animal print and are a great example of how age is just a number. You have such a great sense of style and always look so comfortable in your skin.
Happy Birthday to you. I know you will love your fifties. it’s a great time, I got there six years ago and embrace every day with an appreciation on how life is a journey and to seek adventures every day!
So nice of you to take the time to comment Sarah!
I love what you wrote. Seeking adventures every is such a great idea that I need to start putting into practise.
You can definitely rock this head to toe animal print look! I love it! I actually started wearing animal prints as I got older, but I am still playing it safe by selecting to wear it in the form of a pair of shoes, clutch or a belt for a fun accent. I also how you featured different bloggers showcasing their own take on leopard. Great style inspiration!
-Katie
http://hellokatiegirl.blogspot.com/
I do love how you add your bits of animal print.
I know your neighbour’s son was all hot for the animal print but wait until he sees your birthday suit. Woohoo!! Roar.
This is styling at its best. The yoga pose thing, I’ll have to try to copy that but I’ll need something soft to cushion my fall, for sure, some hockey pants maybe and knee pads under my tights – too sexay!
All the women look fantastic in their animals.
Just step away from the numbers and you’ll be fine. Your attitude transcends any attempt to date you. Love and hugs.
Ha! Ummmm…nope! I don’t want to scare the poor kid! LOL
sooooooo sexy! xxx
stylentonic.com
You can never go wrong with animal print! I agree with you, the 30’s is my fave with her killer print mixing! I’m STILL on the hunt for a jumpsuit. Sigh…
All of you are gorgeous, and your look is amazing. I just know 50 is going to look beautiful on you!
This look is hella fierce! And I’m loving the exaggerated baggy hips. Between the pointed shoe and tapered waist, it gives you a sharp hourglass silhouette that’s somewhere between Kill Bill and Peg Bundy. I think the karate kick only helps the Kill Bill association. Hiya!!! This look kicks butt!
<3 Liz
http://www.withwonderandwhimsy.com
Ha ha! I love that description. I’m going to start describing myself like that ; P
I love ani al print too. A lot. And I love this jumpsuit. The guy at your neighbour’s son was right. You look very good in it.
Love this Sister Act project of sheela.
Greetje
Suzanne, you look fabulous, and you will rock your 50’s! My 50’s have been my BEST decade yet, and I can’t wait to see what my 60’s bring!
This is such a fabulous post Suzanne, I love Sheela’s idea of showing how different ages can wear the same thing and that age doesn’t matter. I have to say that I Love, love, love your leopard jumpsuit. You look amazing in it and paired with the pointy toe ankle boots, WOW!
Cherie
http://www.stylenudge.com
STYLE NUDGE