Feature a Friend

Meet Sue of Fashionably Fifty

Fashion Trends and Friends is as much about friends as we are about fashion. This week we are happy to introduce you to a fellow Chicago Area Midlife Influencer. Sue is a self-described clothing connoisseur & accessory addict! We first met on social media via Instagram. Our first in person meet up was at an event at Chico’s Water Tower Place.

Sue, Lori and I at Chico’s Water Tower Place. Our first in person meeting!

Sue is an avid thrifter, which I find intriguing as she always looks so put together and on trend! Thrifting is very overwhelming for me but maybe Sue will take me some time and school me!

How Sue Got Started

My daughter opened my Instagram account for me on September 10, 2016. At that time, I had been taking quick photos of my outfit and posting them on my personal Instagram account so that I could keep track of what I was wearing.

The first picture Sue’s daughter posted for her in Instagram.

I work at two community colleges, and I felt like I was wearing the same thing every day. In fact, I was wearing the same thing if I did not go to both schools on that day. When my account was opened, I was training to run in the Chicago Marathon, so I posted my outfits of the day and stuff about running. It quickly became evident that I needed to focus on one genre so to speak. My outfits posts got the most attention, and my handle is @fashionablyfifty, so I decided to post outfits in my little squares.

Now, I cover running in my stories and outfits in my posts.
Most of my clothes, as well as many other things in my home, are acquired from thrift stores or consignment shops. In the beginning of my Instagram account, I was hesitant to mention this because many people are grossed out by that. Not me, I absolutely love the thrill of the hunt. I find so many unique things.

How Sue Got Started Thrifting

When I was a child, my family spent our summers in the sleepy beach town of Syracuse, Indiana, across the road from Lake Syracuse. That town was packed with cute little secondhand shops. My mother would take us into town for ice cream and shopping. She never said no to anything we wanted to buy from the secondhand stores. We would have a ball buying clothes and household items, but we mostly bought books to read on the beach. That was my favorite part. Anyway, I was hooked on thrifting at an
early age. In my tween, teen, and young adult years, my shopping habits shifted away from thrifting, and I shopped in malls where it was convenient. After I had my last child, I lost weight and got into shape. I ended up losing 32 pounds, but I was still wearing my bigger size clothes because I was afraid that I would gain the weight back and didn’t want to spend money on clothes.

My mother suggested that I shop in thrift stores to find clothes that would fit. A Goodwill had just opened in my area. I really did not want to go because of the stigma attached, but my mother insisted and even went
with me. It was so much fun!

Thrifting Tips from Sue

This maxi sweater dress by Henri Bendel is one of Sue’s favorite thrift finds.

Although this dress didn’t have any tags, Sue was attracted to the colors and patterns. It’s another favorite thrift find!

Go early and go often.
I wear leggings, a tank top under a sweatshirt, and slip on shoes.
Be patient.
Have a list [for example, a navy blazer].
Try everything on—people alter clothes.
Button every button and zip every zipper.
Look at the inside of the armpits [I know, gross] to check for stains.
Go to the shoe section first.
If you find a pair of shoes, put them on and wear them the entire time to ensure they fit and are comfy [it is rare that I find shoes].
Avoid pieces with loose threads or rips unless you can sew.
Don’t be afraid to shop in the men’s section or the children’s section.
Have realistic expectations, you will come home empty handed at times.