Wild Cards

Last week, I did the closet switchover from fall/winter to spring/ summer, and in the process edited out a number of items that had worn out or that I wasn't wearing. 

I also visited a recently bereaved friend for several days to offer comfort and support, and together we visited a well curated boutique. And -- ooops!  Somehow I managed to come home with a couple of wild cards! 

#1 A skirt from Allison Wonderland, a local (Vancouver) slow fashion sustainable company. Yes, I just bought another skirt. And...in the "never say never" line of the ledger -- this one has a ruffle, which I almost never like or wear!

But I put it on and didn't want to take it off. Sustainably made, local company, 60% off, and so "me." It was a no-brainer.

Note, I would much more likely be wearing this with boots or booties in fall/ winter -- but I'd put those away as part of the seasonal switch out. And I think it works ok with the oxfords, too. 

#2 Rails silver top. Not on sale, alas, and pricey, but I could not resist it.

I did not splurge on the matching pants, which were also pretty special. Maybe if they go on super discount later, I'll consider that. :) For now, I'm pretty sure I'll get a lot of wear from the top, based on the length of time and amount of wear I have got from a silver foil decal tee from Zara that I have owned for a decade. 

This was definitely a case of emotional shopping. I had no intention of buying anything when we walked into the store. 

What's your last wild card purchase? Did it work out for you well? 

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32 Comments

  • Star replied 5 months ago

    Ooh I love the colours of the plaid.  Fab wild cards.  Happy wearing!

  • cat2 replied 5 months ago

    Congrats on finding skirts you like.

  • avicennia replied 5 months ago

    You described this as emotional shopping because you didn’t intend to buy anything when you went into the store. The skirt has a moderate ruffle, which while not normal choice, perfectly reflects your style. The silver top looks like a potential workhorse as it mirrors your silver locks. Sounds more like intuitive shopping to me.

  • Bonnie replied 5 months ago

    That is a beautiful skirt and perfect for your style. I think my last emotional purchase was my Everlane Curve Pants and I love them.

  • Kate replied 5 months ago

    Love the plaid of the skirt. The top is gorgeous. So pretty with your hair.

  • LaPed replied 5 months ago

    Wow, silver is so good on you.

    And that skirt is sooo cool! Looking at Allison Wonderland’s site, they have a *lot* of really neat designs that walk the casual/dressy line in a way that I really like. Very tempting!

    I’m such a slow shopper, I’m not sure I have a lot of true wildcards. My chartreuse/black gingham set has a wildcard vibe, but I obsessed over this color for a full year and only bought when the company announced they were discontinuing it!

  • Roberta replied 5 months ago

    I love a black watch plaid more than anything and that skirt is beautifully cut. The silver top is pretty great too. I saw one fairly similar, if not in that color, at Uniqlo a couple days ago, and I keep thinking about it. The mini pleats are so pretty!

  • JAileen replied 5 months ago

    Wow you look sensational in the silver top!

  • ChristelJ replied 5 months ago

    Your wild cards are fantastic on you. Unique, flattering, versatile. I love all the jackets with the skirt, and you look like a goddess in the silver top. That top is great with both the skirt and the plaid pants, and you have just the shoes for it!
    My last wild card was a hot pink long summer cardigan. That color always turns my head but I usually don't wear pink in large amounts. This time it's working because it's perfect with a couple print dresses I thrifted recently.

  • Jaime replied 5 months ago

    What perfect picks! Both look just right for you. The outfits are all fab.
    I recently thrifted an Alo bomber jacket. The texture is perforated, which is sort of annoying, but I have found that an alternative to a more formal blazer is sometimes just what I want.

  • Sal replied 5 months ago

    Great wildcards - I think they will get plenty of wear in your closet...  The skirt is a fun modern piece with a very subtle retro edge.

    I have made three wildcard purchases recently - two second hand (online consignment) and one new.

    1) The snakeskin boots were a brand I like, and I had been thinking of some more elevated boots for night occasions.  Great with black pants and denim, and maybe one or two dresses I own and a skirt.  Only worn once so far.  Second hand and a good price.

    2) Second hand as well - these wide leg pants were an impulse buy.  I love a wide leg palazzo style pant - and the colour and pattern appealed to me.  Yet to wear but I am confident they will get plenty of wear over summer.

    3) This one was a bit more risky as it was a new Karen Walker blouse- loved the colours and pattern - but it is an oversized shape which can be hit and miss with me.  One wear so far - but planning to wear for transitional and summer weather.  

  • Bijou replied 5 months ago

    I really want you to get the Rails pants too - the silver is stunning on you and comfy pull-on pants that look dressy and elegant is rare find.

    As for the skirt - well that is simply perfect! Black watch tartan in a stunning style screams Suz. Not all frills are equal, the frill on your skirt is structural and adds movement, Comme des Garcons is the master of frills without fuss.

    It is always a joy to see what you buy and how you get practical, versatile pieces that have a certain edge to them.

    My latest purchases that take me away from my usual style have been vests - a denim vest (that I like worn with skirts and dresses as well as the matching jeans) and a reversable puffer vest with a black and white print on the reverse. Both vests have been worn as they work for in-between weather and cooler evenings.

  • Joy replied 5 months ago

    My latest wildcard purchase was hot pink slacks with a print top with the same pink in it, it will be good for a summer change. I was seduced by the idea of colorful pants for summer. Was I bad? I have not worn it yet, but the length of the pants may need to be shortened for summer.

  • Suz replied 5 months ago

    Ooh, Bijou, I love the denim vest (and "suit" -- what a great idea, in light of your work from home lifestyle now -- you get to have your cake and eat it too!). And a reversible puffer vest sounds like. fantastic idea for your climate -- winters quite mild, but still cool enough that you need a little something and variety is nice. 

    I'm tempted by the pants but the price tag is just so high...I am pretty sure to get a decent CPW on the top over a ten year period (the style is classic enough to last) but I am unsure about the pants. However, I will keep my eye on the sales, for sure! 

    Sal, those palazzo pants just yodel your name! The boots are beautiful. And I am really looking forward to seeing the top in some outfits very soon. 

    Jaime, much as I adore blazers, I'm kind of off them lately myself as well, and feel more like wearing different kinds of toppers. Interesting....hope to see your new Alo jacket soon! 

    Christel, I love the sounds of a hot pink cardigan! 

    Thanks, JAIleen. It was pretty hard to resist, I admit! 

    Roberta, isn't Black Watch the best? You and me and Bijou are all huge fans...

    LaPed, yes the sale prices are great and the styles could work for you, I think. My skirt is TTS if you are considering anything... also, I am SO glad you bought the chartreuse and black set -- they are so cool. 

    Kate, Bonnie, thank you. And Bonnie, I am loving those Curve jeans, too! 

    Avicenna -- that's a good way of looking at it. Intuitive shopping for the win!

    Star, cat2 -- thank you both! 

  • Angie replied 5 months ago

    KILLER skirt and top! Love them both. And love it when wildcard items find us :)

    5, 7, 11, 12, and 14 are my FAVES! Soooo stinking cute!

  • Angie replied 5 months ago

    And welcome to Team Ruffle!

  • Staysfit replied 5 months ago

    Much love for the silver top. I think the skirt is also nice and hope you get much enjoyment wearing them.  


    My most recent splurge….I ordered some custom fit zero drop shoes.  I hope they work out!  

  • lyn67 replied 5 months ago

    I unfortunately cannot make out the plaid of the skirt except in nr 4---but wow-this is some fab skirt! I can only imagine how gorgeous  a plaid skirt looks with that ruffle down hem! Love the silver top, too-oh and it has a matching pants, too???-that would worth hunting down, too- as silver is fab on You, Suz!!

  • Cee replied 5 months ago

    Everything deserves one of these !

  • Dee replied 5 months ago

    Adore this new skirt. Its always a great sign when you try something on and its a "yes" immediately. Then you know its a winner for sure. Its slim through the hips/ thighs and ruffles only at the bottom portion which gives you ease of movement and its a cute plaid too. Silver top looks wonderful as well and I can see it as a total workhorse for you. All your renditions look incredible.

    As for my wild cards, I'd say it was my new balloon jeans which were a yes at first try-on, I also bought a grey knotted hem- line top that seems to work well with my straight leg jeans and trousers. And a cute short- sleeve black linen top from Uniqlo which will be great over the summer months. These item's silhouettes are just a little bit different from what I usually wear but seem rather style adjacent.

  • Laurie replied 5 months ago

    Suz, I so love that top with your hair!!

    For some reason I'm liking the skirt the most with white, white+jacket tops. 

    You look fab!

  • MsMary replied 5 months ago

    Fabulous finds! I think you should snap up the silver pants! My most successful recent wild card was an olive tulle midi skirt. Sounds crazy but I have worn the heck out of it and love it.

  • Suz replied 5 months ago

    Mary, the right fancy skirt can be a hugely successful purchase because it is easy to dress up or down. You are really into olive lately, aren't you? Interesting! It's a bit of a switch from your clear brights....

    Laurie, I like it with white, too, especially for early spring. The weight of the fabric makes it quite versatile. 

    Dee, I love your curve jeans on you -- they are fantastic! The grey top looks interesting, too. I love a top that is plain yet has some interesting style detail that elevates it or adds interest. 

    Cee, thanks!

    Thanks, Lyn! I think you would like this skirt a lot. 

    Staysfit, I hope those shoes work out for you! And thank you!

    Angie, thank you, as ever! 

  • Je Ne Sais Pas replied 5 months ago

    Both pieces are great and look great on you! Beautiful to look at!

  • Jonesy replied 5 months ago

    Love the black watch plaid skirt and the silver top looks so lovely! They both seem like they will be special yet versatile. Is there such a thing as a wild card workhorse :)?

    I think about 1/3 of my wardrobe is made up of wild cards, so it's hard to pick just one, lol. Maybe these pleated, wide-legged jeans I got maybe two years ago? At the time, they seemed so crazy and "out there," but I wear them a lot and find them strangely versatile.

  • Suz replied 5 months ago

    Jonesy, I can see how those jeans would be super versatile! They are light enough in the wash to look casual...but the pleats also make them more trouser-like. Depending what else you are wearing they can skew either way. 

    Thanks, Je Ne Said Pas! 

  • Tina replied 5 months ago

    Pants are on sale now for $118. Is that low enough? LOVE LOVE LOVE that skirt.

  • Runcarla replied 5 months ago

    Oooh!  Love a good wildcard for enlivening the closet and inspiring outfits.  The skirt is pretty fab, but the silver top (to quote Angie) launches me into orbit!  Such a perfect Suz piece, and metallics are so ‘on trend’!  


    My last wildcard was an orphaned Wolford (!) bikini top for $8.  It fits like the most comfortable bra in the world, but is such a weird colour - not blue/not violet.  (Wolford calls it ‘Egyptian Blue’.). Structured, but with no padding.  My plan was to wear it under a black mesh top (which I’ve done), but I’m thinking up other ways to wear it - like maybe under a shirt worn open?

  • Murph11 replied 5 months ago

    Love that skirt and I would wear it in a heartbeat! That's the plaid of my grades 1-8 uniform -- which I loved at the time and still do! 

    A recent wildcard are the deep red Sofft booties I "accidentally" purchased. The brand works for my feet and the nod to western style looks great with bootcut jeans. 

  • Mary replied 5 months ago

    As a local I am dying to know which boutique you went to. I have guess.
    Tulipe Noire?

  • Suz replied 5 months ago

    I was visiting a friend on Bowen Island, Mary.  The boutique is called Wren. 

  • Mary replied 5 months ago

    What a lovely name! I grew up in Vancouver and yet have never been to Bowen!

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