Suzanne Carillo

The Dress That Stalks Me

December 2, 2019 by suzanne carillo

I shop secondhand frequently, about once a week, to stock my Etsy store.

The Dress That Stalks Me

Over the past couple of years I’ve discovered that I often run into repeat pieces in the hoards of clothes I scan while looking for treasures. It’s interesting to note that some designs really missed the mark when they were manufactured. They were alluring enough to purchase but then slipped almost immediately into the donate pile. Sometimes there are design flaws or fit issues. Other times it is one of those pieces you were forced to buy for a special occasion like the dreaded bridesmaid dress.

Do you remember this little video that we made in Talize last year?

Remember that floral dress Patti and Mel were wearing?

sue a colourful canvas patti not dead yet style bridesmaids Talize — Sue and Patti

That’s my stalker dress!

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen this dress in thrift stores.

These photos are just the tip of the iceberg. I’ve seen it in different stores, cities and provinces.

Oh hello you!

You will never be free of me.

Seriously…this dress is the most purchased and least worn item I’ve come across.

If only we knew the history behind each of these dresses. It would make for a gripping documentary, always the bridesmaid, never the bride.

I’m sure more than one of these dresses got up to some mischief, maybe even broke a few laws on the single day it was worn. Then it was tossed unceremoniously aside like all those other pieces people fell out of love with that wind up at the thrift store.

Why is no one willing to hold onto this dress and wear it again?

It’s not ugly.

In our society obsessed with optics this dress works very well as a single use item.

Manufacturers don’t care anymore that the fabric feels like sandpaper against the skin and doesn’t breathe. As long as it looks attractive they can sell it to the next unsuspecting bride. Single use disposable fashion is killing our planet.

When did esthetics take over common sense?

What started out as a running joke with me and my girlfriends has become a stark example of our ignorance and apathy. The materials and work that went into creating these dresses has value. Those are resources consumed. There is a limit to what our earth can provide and we’ve surpassed it.

This dress isn’t just stalking me, it’s stalking all of us.

If you shop secondhand have you come across single use clothing items? How do they make you feel?

Learn more about fast fashion fast tracking to the landfill here.

Three things you can do to help save the planet.

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

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High Waisted Wide Leg Pants

November 25, 2019 by suzanne carillo

how to wear wide leg pants when you're petite

Have you succumb to the allure of high waisted wide leg pants yet?

They’re everywhere and my menopausal body is loving them.

I tried this look years ago with ~~limited~~ no success.

While I don’t hate the looks above I don’t love them either. Those jeans didn’t have a high waist and visually truncated my body. When I dress my goal isn’t “meh” so those jeans made their way back to the thrift store.

What’s changed since then?

My legs didn’t get longer or thinner. Quite the opposite actually.

When the Menopause Fairy stopped by and left presents of thicker thighs and a belly with some night sweats and hot flashes under my pillow last year I wasn’t exactly thrilled.

Why couldn’t she just leave a quarter like the tooth fairy?

It all seems so unfair.

Since she dropped off those unwanted gifts, high waisted wide leg pants are my best friend.

Tip: The high waist balances the cropped pants and wide leg.

All pieces thrifted except boots, glasses and hat which are all shopped from my closet.

The pant waist is almost as high as the belt on this insanely cool patchwork leather jacket I thrifted a few months back.

That was one of those, “EEEK! Give-me-that!” secondhand shopping moments.

This jacket is every reason I love shopping vintage and thrift.

Do not look for this jacket in my Etsy store anytime soon. It’s found a home in my coat closet. Yeah I said it. I have a coat closet. Don’t judge.

how to wear high waisted wide leg pants over 40 suzanne carillo

I wasn’t sure about these corduroy pants when I came across them thrifting. It seems that the previous owner took it upon themselves to make them shorter, almost like culottes. Although they look like 70’s vintage they are in fact contemporary by Simons, a Canadian clothing store from Quebec.

The shape, comfort and colour of these high waisted wide leg pants won me over. The added bonus that they work with everything else in my closet isn’t lost on me.

Remember this outfit?