WIW: Striped & sporty duplications galore, with sneaks

Last week's outfits. Suitcase living once again. First, I was away in the city for work for four days; then four days at my mother's. Gone from Sunday until Monday. With plenty of duplication. I took photos while away but had to "re-enact" at home because the lighting was so poor. Apologies for mussed up hair and wrinkles. 

1. "Husbanding the BF." (Saturday night at home)  J. Crew linen boatneck tee in white. 

2. For travel on Sunday.  J. Crew linen tee in neon pink. (Duplication in a different colour). 

3. For meetings Monday. Sporty luxe with sneakers and a skirt. VC tube skirt in stripe. 

4-5: Dinner with colleagues. 

6. All day meetings. J. Crew linen boatneck tee in navy (another duplication). Also duplicating Rag and Bone jeans (same pair) and Tahari jacket. Plus VC sandals. 

7. Dinner with colleagues. VC navy tube skirt (duplication in a different colour). Apologies for the suitcase wrinkles in the top, which were not there IRL wearing! 

8. Sporty sporty for more meetings. Believe me when I say I was dressed up compared to some colleagues. Totally cool. This is a fitness company, after all.

9. Casual Japanese supper with colleagues.  

10-11. For walking around in the city and to attend a friend's opera. Setting was not an opera hall but a relatively casual theatre. Loved wearing these Zara sarong shorts. Here again is the J. Crew linen boatneck tee in navy. These VC sandals, by the way, are 12 hour, 8 mile shoes for me. Amazing at this height!! 

12. Hanging with my mum on Saturday. Another appearance of the J. Crew linen boatneck tee. 

13/ 14. More weekend outfits. 

15/16: To travel home. Note the new tote bag. This is the Danier Rachel tote that ABC is looking at. I realize it rather dwarfs me, but I need a tote like this for all the travelling with computer I do. 

Thanks for looking, and apologies for all these repetitions! :) This is what suitcase living will do to a girl. 

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

49 Comments

  • merwoman replied 10 years ago

    Mind blowing fabness!! Each look so stellar!
    How have you found washing the linen tee? And what size worked best for you? Can you tell I'm itching to order after seeing how wonderful you look?

  • Day Vies replied 10 years ago

    This actually mimics the limitations I have on my wardrobe now. I do not mind the repetition at all! You give me hope because you use your jeans a lot and for me (presently) 2 pairs of jeans are about 50% of the bottoms that I have to wear for the next 6 weeks. Also the outfits use a lot of white and perhaps I could use this post as inspiration as I consider my own limited wardrobe. Thanks for the post Suz!

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Thanks, merwoman! I have the xs in that tee. It fits very generously. And washes well. I wash in cold on delicate and then air dry laying flat, shaping it a bit as I would with wool. I have also dried on a hanger with similar results. 

    The sleeves stretch out a bit in wearing at the bottoms, but not annoyingly so to me. Still "scrunchable." I do need a cami with these in the lighter colours, but have worn the navy without. 

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    DV, I have found the injection of white or ivory to be the most "summerizing" trick available! It just plain works. Assuming you look okay in the colour, which I am sure you do. I especially like casual clothes in white. They are washable, so worry free. My jeans and shorts get cleaned regularly. Otherwise they would not work with my polished style (or yours). 

  • Neel replied 10 years ago

    If this is what suitcase living does to a girl then I want to live out of a suitcase too :) ... You are one gorgeous lady with amazing remixing skills!

    The zara sarong shorts outfit are my absolute favorite because I love the column of black with the denim jacket and I almost wore a version of this today! Love how the sandals book end your hair too. And that tote is TDF. Chic and cool all around!

  • Janet replied 10 years ago

    Well, I certainly don't do so well with suitcase living! You look smashing in every single one of these. Aren't the sarong shorts fun? 

  • replied 10 years ago

    Love all of these and don't mind the duplication at all!

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    I love the shorts, Janet! They are super comfortable, and also wash up well, as I discovered too quickly for my liking after spilling a bit of coffee on them, LOL. 

  • Ledonna N. replied 10 years ago

    Wow, you did a great job with 2 weeks of living out of a suitcase.  What a way to mix and remix your clothing.  And thank you for the details.  They are very much appreciated.  I will have to refer to this when I take my next trip.

  • Sveta replied 10 years ago

    Suz, you are travel extraordinare and we all can learn from you! I cnanot even pick favorites here becuase they all fab and totally you! I have been shying from wearing white bottoms on the weekend and keeping them for work but now I am going to  - you inspired me!
    merwoman, JCrew has a 30% off  on everything AND free shipping for today only if you want to spring on those linen tees...I caved in this morning and ordered azalea color as well...

  • pil replied 10 years ago

    The duplicates don't read as the same to me because of the different colors. It's fun to see your Tahari jacket in action! So pretty paired with the pink tee.

  • Angie replied 10 years ago

    Suz, you live out of a suitcase quite a lot. I didn't know that about you. I'm extra impressed with how killer fab you look away from home. And I can't pick a favourite outfit so I'm going with: you gorgeous creature

    Your style has REALLY come together this year, darling Suz. You have never looked better. Over 50 and more fabulous than ever. That makes me do a triple happy dance. Thanks for being a brilliant inspiration on this forum. xo

  • texstyle replied 10 years ago

    Marking as a favorite so I can come back and look often because these are all so FANTASTIC I want to dress more like you. :-) I really love how you are using that taupe blazer with such great effect in so many outfits. Great new tote bag too!

  • Ornella replied 10 years ago

    Fabness overdose! Seriously Suz, you make it really hard for me to enjoy your posts because every single outfit is beyond perfection. I can't focus. I get dizzy. I keep flicking through them endlessly. I am blown away. 

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    Suz - you have rendered me completely speechless (and my husband would confirm just how rare that is - lol!).

    Your style is so well honed and you look so comfortable in every single outfit. Not just physically comfortable. But comfortable in your own skin. I'm soooooo incredibly impressed.

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Wow, thank you so much, everybody! You are all too kind. I am scratching my head a bit because I thought this was a pretty ordinary week for me, limited as I was by packing. 

    I do think I've hit on some formulas that work pretty well for me, however. And also our relatively mild weather has helped me out. When it's 40 below or over 40 C. it gets a lot more difficult. Temps around 25 C make for the easiest dressing. 

    For those who are reading this and who are new -- I just want to add that it has taken me three full years on YLF to get my wardrobe to this state of coherence. So it's a slow and gradual process of buying, weeding out, analyzing, wearing and discovering what works and doesn't. I do feel I've finally reached a point where what I am wearing is pretty much always "me." It might not work for some other reason (doesn't turn out to be as comfortable as I expect, weather doesn't cooperate, etc.) but at least it fits my style persona. 

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    ETA: Angie, I do a tremendous amount of travelling. First, I travel at least once a month for several days to spend time with my mother. We also take my daughter to city appointments every couple of weeks -- these are often overnight trips and I try to combine them with my trips to my mother, but it's not always possible. 

    Three or four times a year I travel to the city for paid work. 

    Then there is the travel I do for my own creative work -- this is usually part of my holiday time. I go away at least once a year for that -- frequently for a month at a time. I also read or present at conferences on an occasional basis. 

    Then there's travel for pleasure. Let me count a few taken over the past six months.  

    Visit to my stepson in Montreal. 
    Trip to Waterloo for a conference. 
    Trip to NYC with family. 
    Trip to Boston to see YLF friends! :) 
    Trips to Calgary in midst of my Banff retreat. 

    Upcoming soon, a trip to Stratford for theatre, and maybe a trip for the NAS. Also a week long trip with my mother, daughter, and brother to the east coast. 

    And that's not counting next year's big trip to England and Israel. 

    So, yes...I live out of a suitcase a lot. :) To the point where I think I deserve a new and better suitcase. The ones we have are old, heavy, unweildy, and less than fab. 

  • Phatgranny replied 10 years ago

    Your style is chic and seemingly effortless.  Really lovely.

  • merwoman replied 10 years ago

    Thanks Suz for the response - and Sveta for the enabling!

  • citygirldc replied 10 years ago

    Okay, you look incredible and I LOVE every single outfit and will borrow every look with the exception of shorts (since I'm not fond of my legs).

  • amiable replied 10 years ago

    I agree- you look completely stellar - better than ever!  I'm inspired!  (And the mushroom color is amazing on you!  I would have never thought it before seeing it)

  • deb replied 10 years ago

    This is a great travel capsule, Suz.

  • Gracie replied 10 years ago

    I think your suitcase is a Treasure Chest!  Fab outfits formulas, the do not look repetitive at all. Can't pick favorites, sorry – they are all fab.

  • rachylou replied 10 years ago

    I'm so in love with your outfits, Suz! Girl, you cut like a knife every day - sharp and polished :) The Tahari jacket and shots of pink are just fantastic.

  • Inge replied 10 years ago

    I am just completely speechless, Suz. Every outfit is just absolutely perfect, wow! I am taking copious notes, you stylish creature ;-)

  • abc replied 10 years ago

    I have not taken time to read all of the replies, but I did see your response, Suz, saying that you travel a lot.  Wow, we really do live very similar lives as I travel once a month (for work), take a few big trips every year, etc etc etc.

    Thank you for showing the tote!  Fab bag!  I'm really restraining myself but I might crack and order the tote and blazer/moto, I will keep you posted and thanks again.

    You are an inspiration for a traveling girl.  I have a 6 week (!!!) trip coming up so I am definitely going to be looking at this post and your recent packing post for your longer trip as inspiration.

  • Elizabeth P replied 10 years ago

    Suz, thanks for taking the time to post.  Seeing a whole bunch of your outfits in one place really is a treat.  You say it's only an average week, however I think many of us strive to have "average casual" look so cohesive.  They are just all FAB!

    Now... where on the east coast are you going?  Let me know if you can squeeze in a coffee in Halifax!  Or something stronger at our cottage on the north shore, depending on timing :)

  • columbine(erin) replied 10 years ago

    I always love your color palette, Suz, and take a lot of inspiration from your posts. You look fantastic in every outfit. 

  • LACeleste replied 10 years ago

    So incredibly inspiring!  You look terrific Suz!  I cannot pick a favorite!

  • Joy replied 10 years ago

    Suz, you have put together a dream wardrobe that works for your life and looks amazing on you. *applause *

  • Gigi replied 10 years ago

    Suz, you look gorgeous! I especially love outfit 1. Simple and casual yet polished and stylish. I love the Okalas!

    Seeing you in the linen tee in outfit 1 makes me think I would try ordering it. My main concern is that I know the tee runs large, and since I already wear an XXS petite, I can't size down. They do have XXS misses' on the website, so I might try. Would you be willing to measure your XS in the bust area and also be able to tell me how far down from the tops of the shoulders the armholes hit? So often when I try misses' tops the armholes are way too low, even if the size is tiny. And if you don't have time to measure, that is OK. :)

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 10 years ago

    This is how to pack strategically. You look gorgeous and different every day. I love all the outfits. All. of. them. When you get tired of #11, you can send it my way, because I think it has my name somewhere on it. (But probably not my size--ahem! ah, well!)

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Gigi, I am on it. I will PM you. 

    And thank you, everyone! 

  • MsLuna replied 10 years ago

    Wow, Suz! You look absolutely stunning in all the outfits! I especially love #1 for it's simplicity. When I first saw it, it really made me go WOW!

    Amazing what you can do with suitcase living! Love how versatile those pieces are! I also love how you look so put together and polished!

  • Runcarla replied 10 years ago

    Of course I love it! All of it, but the floral T (from last year?) is a sweet piece.

  • fuzzylogic replied 10 years ago

    Outstanding! I wish I looked as stellar as you when I travel!!!

    I particularly love the loose white tee with ankle strap pumps, the over-sized tee with striped tube skirt, and the black printed dress with kimono jacket (oh be still, my heart!!).

  • Eliza replied 10 years ago

    Like others, Suz, I appreciate all of these looks. I also travel regularly and it can be a challenge as well as a focused opportunity to pull it all together.

    Since your wardrobe is so well sorted, I will put in a plug for an up-to-date lighter weight suitcase. It will make a huge difference. I always get to know the empty weight of the suitcase to be replaced and have been stunned at how much can be shaved off by a careful purchase. Worth checking out.

    Thanks for sharing!

  • Jaime replied 10 years ago

    Style stratosphere - you are breaking out! I love them all but will mention the first one with the white top and okalas, the Zara sarong shorts for being different but just as fabulous, and everything else for being flawless. To be studied more later!

  • Karie replied 10 years ago

    You look amazing in every outfit! I wish I could do half as well when staying at home, let alone living out of a suitcase! I wish you could come pack for me - I'm only going away for 3 days and it's taken me all night to figure out what to wear!

  • Beth Ann replied 10 years ago

    When a wardrobe really works in harmony, every outfit is consistently practical and beautiful.  Brava!  The Linen tops really elevate your knitwear!

  • Nicola replied 10 years ago

    I just love seeing your outfits, Suz. They just *belong* on you :-) I've noticed how you often repeat a colour in an outfit, which I think is really clever and appeals to me a lot.

  • Lucy replied 10 years ago

    You look absolutely gorgeous each and every time! Fantastic. 
    And very inspiring as I am coming up to a two week break, one week for work and one week for play. And I'm not sure that a lot of the outfits will overlap! At least it is a warm climate, so things are light to pack. 
    What I am most impressed with here is that you managed with so few shoes! They are always my worst problem....

  • Angela K replied 10 years ago

    Really awesome outfits and inspired remixing.  I will mark this thread for future inspiration--now I'm off to get shoes in that wonderful neutral that you have proven is so versatile.  I wasn't sure but now I am!

  • Vicki replied 10 years ago

    Suz, I'm late here, but you looked divine every travel step of the way!  Your linen duplications are splendid in every color.  What is that amazing taupe jacket you have that wasn't identified?  The fit on you is perfect.  ETA:  Oh, you did mention the name; it was Tahari.  Thank you, and I enjoyed the Boston buying story just as much.

    We are VC striped skirt twins and I love how you've styled yours here.  It's stylish and playful at the same time.  Your striped tee reminds me very much of my Zara cream and navy striped boatneck tee, which I adore.  I wear it all the time and wish I had duplicated that one in either the same color or any variation!  You did a magnificent job of packing and I'm making this thread a favorite.  Hope you had fun with your colleagues along with accomplishing some work.

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Awww, Vicki, you are beyond sweet. 

    The taupe jacket is in the Finds -- it's the Kristina by Elie Tahari. SO MUCH NICER in real life than on the model. Better yet, I bought it on my Boston shopping trip with Angie! And Sveta led me to it...and Isabel, Karie, Janet, Pil, Jen,  and I can't even remember how many more YLF sisters helped me choose it!! 

  • ladell replied 10 years ago

    Perfection.  In awe.

  • replied 10 years ago

    Suz - I'm new to YLF and looking forward to having a similar experience: learning, weeding out, shopping smarter and with more efficiency and creating a smaller wardrobe of things I actually wear! I noticed you as we are both Canadians (I'm in MB), of a similar age and with similar occupations :) I like what you have posted and enjoy your commentary.

  • Jeanie replied 10 years ago

    You have really hit a style stride. All these looks are gorgeous!  I'm amazed you can do this on the rode.  There is something I like about #7 & #10.  I think it's that they are simple and modern and I like that look on you.  And 15 is so chic.  

  • Golden replied 10 years ago

    Love all of them!

You need to be logged in to comment