Suzanne Carillo

Beige Doesn’t Have To Be Boring

January 3, 2019 by suzanne carillo

This me trying to convince myself that beige doesn’t have to be boring.

All items secondhand. Boots & sweater vintage.

This sweater is one I wear often and it works beautifully with the skirt.

These insane eggplant vintage boots?

Yeah those are in my shop right now. Size 7.5. If the heel was lower I’d be keeping these babies. It’s not often you find purple boots. I should know. I’m always searching for funky boots.

Recently I came across some Dries van Noten boots with snakeskin wrapped heels. I almost screamed out in joy but being the thrifting pro I am now, I quietly and nonchalantly placed them in the bottom of my cart. No need to alert those around me I scored big time. Keeping a low profile is key in making sure I manage to get out of the store with the prize in hand. Other shoppers have been known to raid my cart when I’m not looking as I wrote here.

I haven’t tried the Dries van Noten boots on yet but I’m sure they are too high and too small so they shall be showing up in my shop in the next while.

The stuff you’ll find when thrifting will shock you. Last month I also picked up a Missoni sweater (looks like it was never worn), a mint green Escada jacket, cool Fleuvog dress shoes for my husband and a Karl Largerfeld striped sweater all at the same store. In the last year I came across; a Pucci dress, a Gucci sweater set, a few Prada shoes, Gucci shoes, a Smythe vest (sold), Ferragamo shoes, Armani shoe s, Frye boots, Stella McCartney creepers (2 pairs sold) and Miu Miu boots. Some of these aren’t listed yet but will eventually be making their way to my store.

Let’s be totally honest, the only way I’ll be wearing most of those labels is when I find them thrifting. I’m holding my breath for when I fall upon an Hermès scarf. It could happen. I actually own a Hermès scarf from many years back. My husband brought it back from France as a gift probably over twenty-five years ago. Here it is…

I just need to wear it more often.

So what do you think about this outfit?

I’m kind of pumped about this version of wearing beige. It still feels like me, I think it’s the groovy boots.

I had a mini retail breakdown just before Christmas and bought some tall blue faux snakeskin boots with a manageable heel which I think will substitute nicely for the purple. My fibromyalgia ensures I’m well past the point of wearing any heel over 2.75″.

Come back to see my third version of this skirt.

I think it might be my favourite.

Who knew? Beige doesn't have to be boring.

Linking up with Visible Monday, Turning Heads Tuesday, Fancy Friday, and Spy Girl

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Wearing Beige & Neutrals

December 31, 2018 by suzanne carillo

Wearing Beige & Neutrals – Where Did Suzanne Go?

how to wear neutrals over 40 without being boring — Sweater untucked, a rarity for me. Sweater is oversized, another oddity for me.

You may be wondering where Suzanne went.

She has been kidnapped and replaced with a doppelgänger in beige and neutrals.

It all started when I spotted this beige/grey faux leather asymmetrical skirt NWT while thrifting a while back.

Asymmetrical and sickly greige are two clothing attributes that normally drain the colour from my face and give me acid reflux.

Colour is a rainbow of joy, neutrals have always been a boring yawn for me so why was I drawn to this skirt?

The Story Of The Greige Skirt

wearing neutrals over 50 suzanne carillo — Sweater tucked. I’ve found my waist again and elongated my legs.

I spotted the skirt, analyzed it and walked away convincing myself it was wrong in every way.

I stepped over an aisle pushing onwards with my task at hand all the while a nagging feeling was gnawing at my brain about the-one-that-got-away. Worried, I kept glancing up every few minutes and checking to see if the offending skirt was still there. I panicked when another thrifter moved within arms reach of the skirt. My instincts kicked in and I dashed over to snap it up. Too many times I’ve hesitated when thrifting and lost out on the prize, I didn’t want it to happen again. The skirt was tossed into my already loaded cart. Keeping my Etsy store stocked is a full time job. Understanding what will sell and what won’t is an ongoing challenge. If I didn’t like it I was sure one of my customers might.

When I got home I decided to try on the skirt to prove to myself that it really wasn’t for me.

I’ve been doing this long enough to know this strategy can backfire. I purchased a cream sweater the same day which I was sure would work well with it. Since I very rarely wear cream or beige I figured I’d put the two of them together and really look hideous.

wearing neutrals over 40 suzanne carillo

Except…except I didn’t look as terrible as I’d imagined. The vibe certainly wasn’t bright, bold and funky, my normal style statement, this was more chic and cozy.

I decided to try the skirt with a few other pieces from my closet to see how I could style it and if I should sacrifice two other pieces to make room for it.

I’ll be sharing another look with you soon.

For now, what do you think of this ensemble? Does it seem like I’ve been replaced by an alien?

Happy New Year to all my wonderful readers! Wishing you love, health and happiness in 2019!

Linking up with Visible Monday, Turning Heads Tuesday and Fancy Friday