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Suzanne Carillo

40+ Adventurous style solutions for the uncommon woman

Chic Leather Style

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I have a bit of an obsession with thrifted leather.

One of the sections I head to first when I’m in a thrift store is the leather section.

Leather is timeless, classic and chic. It breathes, stretches and moves with you.

Leather lasts.

Leather jackets look even better with age.

 

This black leather pencil skirt with pockets was a no brainer. Especially when the thrift store had a manager’s special at 50% off all skirts.

how to thrift for clothing suzanne carillo

The top was thrifted on the same day. I don’t think it has been worn.  It is from Club Monaco and 100% cotton.

That cool eyeball brooch was a gift from the lovely Greetje.

how to wear stripes and leather over 40 suzanne carillo

how to thrift classic style with an edge for women over 40 suzanne carillo

Here are some more outfits showcasing leather style I’ve thrifted.

how to wear leather over 40 suzanne carillo
Both skirt and jacket thrifted.
how to wear grey and burgundy vintage leather jacket
Vintage leather jacket thrifted.
black leather trench coat over 40 style suzanne carillo
Leather trench coat thrifted.
how to wear a black midi leather skirt over 40
Midi leather skirt thrifted. Burgundy leather boots thrifted.
how to wear a long leather skirt suzanne carillo style for women over 40
Midi leather pencil skirt thrifted.

Red leather pencil skirt styled four ways.

The skirt was thrifted for $8 and is gorgeous.

how to style a red leather skirt over 40 suzanne carillo

how to mix animal patterns suzanne carillo style files
Skirt and top thrifted.

how to wear red leather over 40

how to wear a pencil skirt over 40 suzanne carillo
Skirt thrifted, red clutch estate sale.
how to wear a vintage suede skirt
Suede skirt thrifted. Boots thrifted.
how to wear suede for fall suzanne carillo
Suede skirt thrifted, blazer thrifted, clutch & Miu Miu boots estate sale.
how to wear leather and suede together over 40
Suede blazer thrifted, shoes thrifted, hat vintage, clutch vintage.
how to wear orange for fall suzanne carillo
Orange leather coat bought at vintage show.
how to wear a midi skirt when you are petite suzanne carillo
Leather blazer thrifted, hat estate sale, skirt vintage, handbag vintage, scarf thrifted, sunglasses vintage.

Many of the leather pieces I’ve thrifted are from Danier, a Canadian leather store that I LOVE. I am very sad that they are bankrupt and closing. That is truly the end of an era as I grew up with Danier.

Here are just a few of my favourite Danier leather jackets I’ve purchased over the years.

red danier leather coat

danier red leather coat vest

jeans boots and blue leather jacket

danier blue leather jacket silk scarf

Chic leather style for women over 40. Black leather jacket red cape

rust leather jacket patterned midi skirt

Chic leather style outfit ideas for women over 40 by Suzanne Carillo.

danier long leather jacket

I’m going to miss their great selection of uniquely coloured leathers and designs. They currently have most of their inventory on sale and also offer nice handbags.

As for me, I’ll keep my eyes peeled for more of their pieces while thrifting as they will now be considered collector’s items.

I purchased another one of their skirts a couple of weeks ago at the Toronto vintage clothing show which I haven’t shared here yet…it is a fringed midi skirt!

Oh yeah baby!

How do you feel about leather? For or against?

Linking up with Turning Heads Tuesday, What I Wore, Your Whims Wednesday, Throw Back Thursday

 

Breaking The Fashion Rules Over 40

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I didn’t realize I’m such a rebel. I’ve been breaking the fashion rules for nine years now and didn’t even realize it.

I recently read that woman over 40 are supposed to stop wearing leather, animal prints, peplums, Peter Pan collars, chubby fake fur jackets, “jazzy” hosiery, culottes, capes, clogs, fishnets and strapless dresses.

breaking the fashion rules after 40 wearing leather and animal prints
Leather & Animal Prints

 

Since clothing is a reflection of who we are why don’t we also stop being funny, interesting, creative, unique, exciting and eclectic?

wear a peter pan collar over 40 suzanne carillo copy
Faux fur and Peter Pan Collars

Why don’t we all wear the exact same thing?

how to wear peplum and patterned tights over 40 breaking the fashion rules suzanne carillo
Pepulm, fishnets, textured tights

Once one passes forty it is important to make the correct clothing choices, quietly blending in, as to not offend the younger generations or those with traditional tastes and delicate sensibilities.

how to wear leather over 40 breaking the fashion rules suzanne carillo
Fake fur, leather pants, leather dress

Let the younger ones be bold, vivacious and wild.

At our age we must limit our excitement. Elegance and maturity is where we’re heading. Older women dressing ostentatiously or in an unrefined manner is terribly unbecoming.  “Age appropriate dressing” is de rigueur if you want to be taken seriously.

how to wear fishnet stockings over 40 breaking the fashion rules Suzanne Carillo
Fishnet Stockings
breaking the fashion rules how to wear a cape over 40 suzanne carillo
Capes and leather

HOLD UP!

I’ve got some news for you.

breaking the fashion rules over 40 outfit suzanne carillo style files
Animal print all the way
how to wear animal print and culottes after 40 suzanne carillo breaking the rules
Culottes and animal print

I’m a grown woman and as such have earned the right to wear whatever I like.

The only person I need to please when I look in the mirror is myself.  If I want to wear leather pants with an animal print blouse and a fake fur jacket …well guess what? I’m going to! I’m not looking for anyone else’s approval. I don’t need it.

I’m not finished experimenting with clothing. My style journey didn’t end because I turned forty some nine years ago.

I’m not relegated to soothing colours and soft draped silhouettes.

I’m going to keep on being me.

I plan on squeezing in as much fun and joy into my life as possible, dressing however I please, I don’t care how old I am.

If I offend you, simply turn your head and look the other way.

I’m just an old person having the time of my life.

 

Proof: the classy video Melanie took of Sue and myself on a recent thrift shopping spree.

 

How do you feel about this newest set of rules for women over 40?

Just to be clear, I’m not suggesting that in order to be funny, interesting, creative, unique, exciting and eclectic one needs to dress wildly, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.

As Melanie says, “Nobody ever crossed the street to meet a personality.”

Linking up with Throw Back Thursday,  What I Wore,  My Girlish Whims

 

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