You look like your edgier sister

I had to go to a friend's book launch last night. At 7:02 I noticed that the invitation read 7 pm, not 7:30, as I had erroneously supposed. And I wasn't dressed. Oops! 

Had to whip something together really fast and this was the result. I needed a bag big enough to carry a sweater for a post-launch patio outing. 

The launch was packed (yay for my friend!) and I saw a lot of people I haven't seen in the 5 weeks since my haircut. Got a ton of compliments of the "You look great," "Something's different..." "You look amazing," variety. One person told me I had that "Annie Lennox thing going on."

But the best?  "You look like your edgier sister!" 

Wearing an old Ann Taylor silk camp shirt (pre-YLF days!) and items below. 

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65 Comments

  • replied 7 years ago

    Ooh. That is a nice compliment. You look great. I love those jeans on you.

  • viva replied 7 years ago

    What a way to make an entrance!  I love this entire outfit, and the darkness makes your beautiful cut absolutely glow. Perfect bookending. Gorgeous gamine!!!

  • Angie replied 7 years ago

    Killer GORGEOUS. 

    Your hair is growing beautifully, Suz. I like the extra length A LOT. The colour could not be more sublime

    I'm thrilled that you were showered with compliments. VERY WELL DESERVED, and much love to you, sweet lady. 

  • replied 7 years ago

    What a great easy outfit - love it!  I also like those sandals, admittedly not "getting" them when I first saw them.  And I love the new Suz - although we will always remember her sister fondly ;)  

  • AviaMariah replied 7 years ago

    Great description of your new look and I agree.  Silver accessories are just beautiful on you.

  • Aquamarine replied 7 years ago

    Wow Suz! You look fabulous and what an ego-boosting compliment, well-deserved.

  • Summer replied 7 years ago

    The compliments were well deserved, Suz.  Your outfit is lovely, and I agree that your hair is growing beautifully into its new style and colour.  The Annie Lennox reference was spot on.

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    Yes, Lisa, the sandals are a bit on the delicate side yet they have a chunky heel that sort of seems weird. I'm not in complete love with the proportions of them either, and wasn't from the start. But at the same time, I hadn't found anything better (or for a better price) and I knew they'd be workhorses for me, which they've turned out to be. Comfortable for walking (you knew I'd say that, right?) and stable, but easy to dress up or down. I basically need a pair of silver or pewter sandals in my summers from now on and I will be looking for better versions of these every chance I get. 

    Thank you, Angie. At five weeks, I really need a trim (for the proportion) but I'm waiting it out for a week or two to increase the length a bit before I go back. The colour is going to be even better as it grows further. There's still a bit of blonde dye in there but in a cut or two it should be gone. 

    Vivian, I think I am going to be veering more towards darker and brighter tones now. The lighter colours always washed me out a bit, but much more so now. 

    Delurked, thank you! I am happy I got the jeans even though the rise is a bit short for me. Luckily, there is stretch. 

  • Diana replied 7 years ago

    Hooray for well deserved compliments! This is a great look. Reminds me that i have an AT camp shirt too that I haven't worn for a while. May need to try it with kick flares.

  • Beth replied 7 years ago

    Definitely well-deserved. The look is so sleek from your hair and makeup right down to your shoes. I like your new sister!

  • Karin L H replied 7 years ago

    Yay, great compliments and great outfit!

  • Inge replied 7 years ago

    All compliments are well-deserved, Suz!! You look fantastic, would never have thought you had to throw this look together in a hurry.
    Hope you had a fun evening!

  • Chris987 replied 7 years ago

    Your hair is to die for and you should get dresse in a hurry from now on....clearly your closet is your friend!

  • replied 7 years ago

    Life on the edge becomes you!  Great job rocking this fab look.  All compliments were well-deserved.

  • Mochi replied 7 years ago

    You threw that together? It looks awesome. So glad you got so much outfit respect from clearly discerning people. And yay for book launches! :) Hope your friend's was a great success.

  • replied 7 years ago

    *very un-PC wolf whistle* The compliments were soooo well deserved!You look awesome. The little extra hair length is fab and the colour even fabber. Gorgeous make up too. Loving the fray hem  jeans and sandals

  • rabbit replied 7 years ago

    stunning!!  The silver accents and dark blue/black work so well with your hair and coloring.

  • Meredith replied 7 years ago

    Great compliment, great outfit!

  • UmmLila (Lisa) replied 7 years ago

    Excellent last minute work. It's unusual to see you in black but i like it, especially with the silver shoes.

  • replied 7 years ago

    See, I LIKE the chunky heel and the delicate straps.  That works for me - and looks great with your outfit.  I am thinking I should pop back into the Bay today and see if they are around.  I've been there twice this week though and the whole store is now a big summer sale throw-up that makes me want to cry. I am looking for a few new things and cannot find anything anywhere!!!!  Sorry - venting. Haven't slept in 3 nights which is not helping ;)

  • Ginger replied 7 years ago

    This really is great! The silver shoes in particular just sing. What wonderful comments to get - how encouraging!

  • RobinF replied 7 years ago

    This looks great! I love those sandals. I like the way they bookend your hair and the delicacy seems good for summer.

  • Sara L. replied 7 years ago

    I love those sandals!  I just got rid of my silver sandals (totally worn out) and was thinking those would be a good replacement.  I like the strapiness and the shiny silver.  Lovely outfit with the sandals bookending your hair, which I agree is growing out beautifully.

  • MaryA replied 7 years ago

    You look amazing and you "just whipped it together." I love the silver accents, they really highlight your pixie.

  • jill58 replied 7 years ago

    The silver with your hair--so great! I love the sandals. I've been looking for silver sandals and would be quite happy with those. Like Lisap I like the delicate straps and chunky heel. Your whole outfit looks great. If I just whipped something together I can guarantee that it would look nothing like this! 

  • catgirl replied 7 years ago

    Of course you got compliments, and you should!  How did you feel in this look?  It's a little "tougher" than your usual, but with the feminine details and bookending, it's a good balance.

  • Ledonna N. replied 7 years ago

    For a quick whip that fit is fire.

  • shedev replied 7 years ago

    Nice look. I like the way your hair is growing out.

  • chouette22 replied 7 years ago

    Love the best compliment - well deserved!

  • Janet replied 7 years ago

    An apt description! You do look marvelous with the new hair, and I love the outfit and sandals too.

  • approprio replied 7 years ago

    I'd missed the new 'do - it's brilliant! Does this mean we'll be seeing an edgier shadow-Suz? You could totally pull it off if you were so inclined. 

  • JAileen replied 7 years ago

    You look great, and I love how all of your silver accessories tie in with your hair.

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    Thank you all so much. 

    JAileen, I really do like silver accessories now. I always did, but I want to add a few bolder pieces. 

    Liz, thanks, and yes -- maybe not "edgier" (try as I may, I never really do look edgy) but a bit more dramatic, I hope, and on the edge of edge. Edging closer to edge? 

    Janet, thanks for the sandal love. Now, if I could get silver ones like your Tuttles, I'd be in heaven. 

  • rachylou replied 7 years ago

    Edgier Shadow Suz, I LOVE it. Kapow!

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    AV, Summer, Aquamarine, Diana, Beth, Karin, Chris, Xtbay, Mochi, Diane, Rabbit, Meredith, Robin, Sara, Mary, Jill, Chouette, Ledonna, Shedev, Ginger -- Thank you! 

    Inge, thanks — had a fun time. After I got myself psyched up for going, that is. I skulked in a corner for the first half hour…

    Mochi -- my friend sold about 60 books!!! She was glowing. 

    Lisa (Ummlila) - it was ink/ dark navy, not black. I do like myself in black better now with the silver hair, though. Navy’s still better, but black works okay.

    Rachy -- :) 

    Lisa P, don’t even get me started on the Bay. Ours is a complete disaster area!!! I went there after my dental appt. this morning and ran out practically sobbing.

    Ledonna, can I clone you? I love that phrase — “for a quick fit that is fire.” POETRY.

    Una,  I felt great in it -- it's easy because it's my ordinary uniform of jeans, a button down (I like the silky ones best), good footwear. And a column of colour feels "dressier" (esp. dark colour). So it really was more like a FFB outfit than anything new. The difference was the hair and the cropped jeans, I think. 

  • texstyle replied 7 years ago

    Looks GREAT Suz - all around but especially the new hair!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 7 years ago

    Super cool look! Glad you got lots of nice (well-deserved) compliments!

  • Sal replied 7 years ago

    Lovely pic and I am pleased you went along, it sounds like a fun night.

    I can see where the comment came from - I loved your short blonde hair too and felt that was a totally modern current style.  But I think a great cut, grey hair and gorgeous skin does have more "edge" to it.  

  • replied 7 years ago

    That's it exactly. Truly beautiful. And special admiration for the person who took the picture.

  • Vicki replied 7 years ago

    Love the compliments you received, because you wear it well and how the heck can you jump into something so perfect in minutes!  You look amazing.  I'm sure it was lots of fun and how clever of you to have a sweater to go in the cute backpack.  I always need to take a "wrap" wherever I go.

    Separately, and a question I wanted to ask on your other thread is that I wonder if there is any way to discover the pattern of grey on each of our heads (for those of us who have them), and is making this discovery only possible by the s-l-o-w grow-out method?  Or, can one have their dyed color removed?  I don't think the latter is possible and I was simply curious in case anyone has greater knowledge on this.

    I smile every time I see your photo these days, because of your pure, natural beauty.

  • JAileen replied 7 years ago

    Vicki, it helps if you have brothers.

    ETA: ...who haven't lost their hair, that is!

  • carter replied 7 years ago

    I love the edge on you! A lot! Great look. Super necklace.

  • Bonnie replied 7 years ago

    You do look great - hair, outfit, and those shoes are perfect!!

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    Thanks for the kind words, everyone. I'm in a rotten mood today (for other, unrelated reasons) and this is helping me beat it! :) 

    Carter, the necklace was a 25th anniversary present from Mr. Suz. 

    Vicki, JAileen pretty much hit it on the head. I have a brother. His hair  turned grey over a period of a few months in the past year. He's a few years younger than me. It looked good on him. True, his colouring is not identical to mine and his hair colour was always a bit different, but people would often say we looked like twins, so...not that different. :)

    Then I remembered our parents. I looked up photos of them. It's hard to tell with old photos, they fade or yellow over time...but photos and memory combined persuaded me that while their hair was different and their greys grew in differently, both had looked great with grey hair.

    My dad was a childhood towhead whose adult hair was an indefinable colour that I used to think of as almost black...it was actually a kind of charcoal or ultra-ash brown. He greyed at the temples first, then front, then all over and finally turned pure white. 

    My mum was a honey blonde, then mousy brown (she never coloured), then steel grey, then pure white. At my age she was completely grey and it suited her. 

    And I knew I was very cool in complexion already, and the blonde was beginning to feel "off" especially as it faded. It seemed to clash with my skin somehow. I felt inauthentic and disharmonious. (Not saying that all hair colour is those things; I firmly support a woman's right to choose! Just that this is how I was beginning to feel.) 

    If you wait for about 2 months with no colour you can see the base colour very clearly.  My strategy was 6 weeks no colour; one set of very ashy highlights with no base colour added, 8 weeks of that, then cut it off. 

    I think if your parents were/ are grey that gives you a good idea. Ditto a sibling. If everyone in the family dyes, that's trickier. In the end I think the "pattern" matters less than the "proportion." My hairdresser used to say I wasn't "ready" (I think they say 50% is ready) but in the last year I went a lot greyer and knew it was time. 

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    ETA: I think my own colouring is closer to my dad's, and my brother is closer to my mum. His hair was always lighter blonde than mine and had less variegation. Some of mine came from highlights, of course, but it was always there even before highlighting. 

  • Lyn D. replied 7 years ago

    What a Fab outfit Suz, with spot-on compliments!
    So nice to read the positive ones to lift our spirits.
    I too have found that black is better (though never as good as navy) with greyer hair.

  • replied 7 years ago

    The shoes were such a good choice with your hair. The silver necklace also adds a bit of sparkle. The high contrast (dark) short looks fabulous.
    This is how I want to look.
    I think I might need to get myself a pixie too.

  • Windchime replied 7 years ago

    That was a fab compliment! And a fab outfit!

    I remember--was it about a year ago--you were struggling with how to put some edge into your look. It seems like your "new" hair has kind of been key to your adding edge in a way which fits with who you are.

  • Elizabeth P replied 7 years ago

    Holy crap Suz-sis, you look A-Mazing.  The dark dramatic colours really really suit you. 

    Just thinking about those shoes... they didn't work for me, way too loose all over.  Just like the Steve maddens that you and Shannon love.  Note to file...

    Vicki, from all the reading etc I did before and while I was growing out, I think the only way to really tell unfortunately, is to go for it.  Not only the pattern, but the colour.  Silver hair tends to reflect back the dyed hair,

    so even traces of dye can throw off the overall look.  It's very hard to judge how it will even look on you until its totally all gone. 

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    Yup. Still some dye in mine so this stage is a bit frustrating. But not as bad as if I'd left it longer. For me I mean. Everyone finds a different path.

    Elizabeth it sounds as if you have a low volume foot. My foot is not large for my height and has characteristics of low and high volume so overall medium. The straps on these are loose on the top but not too loose and a bit snug on the very first one but only when it's humid and my feet swell. I have high arches also.

  • Aziraphale replied 7 years ago

    Super late to this thread, but I agree with all your friends! Your new hair only adds to your fabness :-)

  • Style Fan replied 7 years ago

    You look fantastic.  The silver accessories really look amazing on you with your new do. 

  • merwoman replied 7 years ago

    STUNNING Suz!!! Love you in black and silver!

  • Joy replied 7 years ago

    That compliment had to come from a writer.  You look amazing and I love the hair!

  • Maneera replied 7 years ago

    That's a fab outfit! And you put it together in a few minutes??!!! The black & silver are just gorgeous together....and you deserved all those compliments and then some more!

  • Staysfit replied 7 years ago

    You absolutely deserve the complements! Edgy indeed! YLEF! (You Look Edgy & Fab). :-)

  • Sveta replied 7 years ago

    This is a statement to your style when "whipping" something quickly results in such success! I think this outfit perfect with your new hair (and yes, now when it is longer I like it even better).

  • Cococat replied 7 years ago

    This is an amazing look on you Suz, very Annie Lennox.

  • Sally replied 7 years ago

    You do look edgy. You make me want to go out and cut my hair.

  • skylurker replied 7 years ago

    Wow, great outfit, you do look incredibly good in dark colours and metallics. And haircut looks terrific.
    I say "incredibly" because, like Angie, you seemed to favour a lighter palette until now ?

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    Skylurker, it really varies. I always wear a lot of navy, ink, and charcoal grey (with sprinklings of black) in winter. In summer I used to wear a lot of medium blues and white. That may or may not change. We'll see. 

  • citygirldc replied 7 years ago

    You look amazing!

  • Vicki replied 7 years ago

    What a great strategy, Suz, and your family hair history, too, was insightful. I'm actually going to talk to my colorist about your process of using the ashy highlights. I've mentioned this over and over to two people who did my highlights saying I "wanted my greeting roots to play nicely with the highlights used." Alas, they ignored me and made me a bright California blonde creating a strong line of demarcation when my hair grows out.

    I had to laugh at JAileen's and your comments on siblings. Yes, I have a brother and both he and my father are bald and have been for many years. My mother is very dark-haired and still colors her brunette hair.

    Thanks for the time you took on this to reply to my question, Suz.

  • Eliza replied 7 years ago

    How did I miss this? You look amazing and the hair is stunning. Gorgeous shape and color. Edgy indeed, but Suz's way for the win. 

  • TraceyLiz65 replied 7 years ago

    Fabulous, a well deserved confidence boost! 

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