Facebook Group Member of the Month: Susan Spehar

Have you ever known someone distantly, who you never had any real direct interaction with but who you could tell by the way they interacted with others told you the type of person they were? So, by the time you did have an opportunity to meet them, you found yourself with familiar, friendly feelings?  This is how I feel about November’s Facebook Group Member of the Month, Susan Spehar.

The word that I immediately with her is kind.  Susan brings a kind energy to the group, is a supportive member, and trusts the members as a resource t get fashion feedback.  When I thought about who to tap to feature this month, I smiled when she came to mind and was thrilled that she agreed.  So let’s get to know Susan and her style better by checking out her answers to these questions.

Name: Susan Spehar

Location: Bountiful, Utah

Age: 65

Q: What do you like most about being a member of Bridgette’s Facebook Group? 

A: I love the camaraderie, varied ideas, and encouragement from other women.

Q: The biggest benefits you have received from being a Group member 

A:  I’ve received so many big benefits! Bridgette’s questions, “Where will I wear this and how do I want to feel?” refined my clothing acquisitions to items I love! Her introduction to Aquatalia from sites like Poshmark and The Real Real got me started on purchasing Aquatalia which fits like a fine leather glove and consignment shopping which I’d never done before! Stepping into the beautiful clothing that comes from a luxury price point has been a delightful experience for me at 65 years old! I appreciate the work that goes into the consistent posts by Kristol, Anneke, and Susan Thomas. I learn from their outfits and everyone’s comments on them. I also love all posts and questions because I get to see outfits and read comments to help me determine if the style and colors will work for me. I don’t always see new blog post notifications in my email but I see them in the FB group. Bridgette’s expertise has changed how I think about my life, along with how I dress and feel in my clothing.

Q: What would you tell women who haven’t joined the Group yet?  

A: This is an awesome and validating group of people who have given me more than a new fashion sense.

Q: How would you describe your style? 

A: I always bought classic, basic pieces on sale that I could easily mix and match when I worked for 40 years as an educator. Now I’m gravitating toward casual and choosing pieces because they are beautiful.

Q: How did you discover your style?  

A: I had to google fashion style to answer these questions. 🙂

Q: What advice do you have for others trying to find their style?  

A: I purged my closet after quitting work and binge-watching Marie Kondo on Netflix. It left me with pieces I love. I went to my closet when I googled fashion styles and all pieces fit under classic or casual.

Q: What fashion issues are you currently struggling with? 

A: I lost 20 pounds of stress weight mostly around my waist between November 2018 (when I quit work) and September 2020. My husband’s last day of work was in March 2020. We isolated for a full year doing home improvement projects and I wore clothing that was too big. My only fashion purchases were two pairs of knee-high boots at a deep discount: one Aquatalia and one Blondo. I’m trying to find clothing that fits a completely new lifestyle now that we’re out and about a bit more and have traveled a couple of times. I used to buy mix and match pieces for work, leggings for home, and easy to pack for our retirement goal to travel out of the country more. Now I’m not sure what the future will bring and the kind of clothing I will need.

Q: What are the most versatile items you have in your closet? 

A: A mixed media Nygaard faux leather jacket, black Aquatalia booties and taupe Blondo booties

Q: If you could go back and change the way you dressed in the past, what would you change?  

A:  Eliminate oversized clothing that drowned my small frame

Q: Is there a fashion purchase you made that you found more useful than you thought it would be?  

A:  The mixed media faux leather jacket referenced above

Q: What about a fashion purchase that you thought would solve all your problems, but didn’t?

A: A caramel-colored Bernardo and a black White House Black Market real leather jacket. Both are buttery soft and were expensive for my budget at the time. I don’t know if they are too structured, why they don’t go with more items in my closet, or why they never became go-to pieces.

Q: How do you envision yourself when you look your best?  

A: Smiling from the inside out after the ease of getting ready with flattering make-up and clothing.

Q: What are your biggest fashion goals for the year?  

A: Upgrade my wardrobe and have items to wear for different events.

Q: What is the best fashion advice you ever received? 

A: Bridgette’s! Ask two questions before you add something to your wardrobe, “Where will I wear this and how do I want to feel?”

Q: The first thing you take off when you get home? 

A: My bra.

Q: Favorite color(s) to wear 

A: Jewel tones.

Q: Favorite stores to shop? 

A: The Real Real, J Crew, Athleta.

Q: What makes you happiest? 

A: I am the happiest when I’m traveling with my husband and spending time with my son and daughter’s families.

Q: What inspires you? 

A: My son and daughter inspire me in the lives they’re choosing to live and the ocean inspires me.

Q: Use One Word to Describe Your Style

A: Curated.

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