Today I am joining Elizabeth from the Vintage Contessa for our favorite time of the month, our monthly Ageless Style feature. You can find the archives for other women I have featured here. This month I am so happy to be featuring Sue Burpee, retired English teacher, and author of the delightful blog High Heels in the Wilderness. Elizabeth and I have been doing this series for almost four years and we both work very hard at finding stylish, interesting women to feature. Every month I think how am I going to find someone vibrant, fashionable, witty, and fun? Then along comes Sue. Welcome to Ageless Style-Sue Burpee.
In Sue’s words, she was “mourning, a little, the loss of my life in the classroom. Who would I be when I was no longer Ms Burpee? ” She imagined “how wonderful it would be to find a whole community of intelligent women, who wanted to sip their morning tea (or coffee) and chat about books, and clothes, and travel, and … well… life”. High Heels in the Wilderness was born.
How long have you been blogging?
I started my blog in 2014, about this time of year, in fact.
Has your blog evolved over time or has your concept remained the same from the start?
I’d say my blog has evolved over time. Although the subject matter is the same. Right from the start I wanted to write about fashion. But also about books and travel and just about life.
For a few months after I retired from teaching, I played around with ideas, and titles, researched how to write a blog, then ignored most of the advice, and just jumped in. For the first few years, I did everything myself and learned a ton about all the technical aspects. Then I grew weary of trying to solve tech problems and began to use a small tech company to help me. They helped me redesign my template the way I wanted. And they migrated all my posts from Blogger to Word Press. Now they host my blog and are only an e-mail away when things go wrong. What a relief that is!
When I moved to Word Press I also monetized my blog. Although I do this only through affiliate links at the moment.
I think my writing has improved since I started. I always used to tell my students that our writing improves only when we write regularly. Good to know that I was right about that.
How would you describe your style?
Ah. Now that is a tough question. I’m much more comfortable having someone else describe my style. But if I must, I would say that I like a minimalist look. Maybe a little bit preppy, although not as much as in years past. I love good quality, classic pieces. In the past I spent far more than I should have done on clothes. But I guess that’s why I still have so many of those pieces from years and years ago. I’ve loved sweaters and jeans with blazers and boots since I was in university. Only now I often change up the boots for sneakers. Since I have let my hair go white, I find I’m less tied to a classic look and moving more into edgy. But I’ll never be really edgy, I know that.
I know I learn from my readers every day what have you learned from your readers?
The fact that a community of wonderful women has grown up around my blog is the biggest surprise of my life. (Well, other than the fact that I stopped colouring my hair.)
When I worked as a teacher and department head in a large suburban school here in Ottawa, I always felt I had to hide my passion for fashion. Oh, everyone knew I loved clothes, but I never talked about them. I mean really talked about them, about trends, and fashion philosophy, and why something looks good with something else. I never did that because it always felt superficial.
So when I discovered that the women who read my blog are smart, and love fashion and books in equal measure I was gobsmacked. There really were women out there like me. Who knew? That’s the biggest thing I learned, I think.
But also that the bad press that the internet and social media get is sometimes all wrong. We can be interested in each other, and kind, and learn from each other, and value each others’ opinions. Even in today’s sometimes snarky world.
Who Inspires You and Why?
Other bloggers inspire me. Alyson Walsh of That’s Not My Age was one of the first blogs I read which inspired me to try my hand at writing. My friend Frances Sprout of the blog Materfamilias Writes inspires me. She has a PhD, raised four children, taught at university, and still loves to talk about clothes. Whenever I have felt a little silly confessing to friends that I write a blog, and I am met with a slightly superior and indulgent smile, I think of these women. If they aren’t embarrassed why should I be?
As far as fashion inspiration. Hmmm. Ines de la Fressange, Alexa Chung, the English vlogger and influencer Emma Hill, lots of younger vloggers who probably have no idea they’re being “followed” by someone as old as me. (ha.) Emma Thompson and Gillian Anderson for their hair. Those two ladies gave me the courage to abandon the hair dye.
I know you recently embraced your gray hair, has that changed your personal style in any way?
It has in ways that maybe only I can see. I am more comfortable with big and baggy. I embraced the big shirt and the half tuck. I am less worried about everything being “perfect.” Not that I ever thought I looked perfect, but I was always worried about being messy, or having a bad hair day. I’m more into looks that are a bit louche and edgy and not so much about being polished. But I don’t know if anyone can notice the change or if it’s more on the inside.
What is your favorite accessory?
A bracelet. Preferably vintage. Or something not too feminine, like Anne Marie Chagnon’s work. She’s a Canadian jewellry maker. . And my hoop earrings.
What are your favorite color combination?
I have no idea. I’m still playing around with that now that my own colouring has changed so much. I am loving grey and soft white at the moment.
Do you have a signature piece that defines your style?
A jacket. That’s about it. Jeans and a jacket.
What are your favorite beauty products and why can’t you live without them?
Skincare. Moisturiser. I have dry and sensitive skin. A sunscreen. And lately, since my hair is white, a bronzer. I never leave the house even to go skiing without doing something to my eyebrows. Now that my hair is so light that’s more important than ever.
Do you have any style rules that you live by, or do you choose to break the rules?
I don’t think I have any specific style rules.
What are your favorite online and or boutique sources?
Nothing that I can think of at the moment. I’m trying to find more sustainable brands and the stores which carry them. So my choices are all over the map at the moment.
Do you have a particular diet and or exercise regime that you follow?
No specific diet. Since my husband’s heart surgery we are careful about what we eat. Good fats, lots of fish, tons and tons of vegetables. He loves to cook. Thank goodness!
We are quite active. My husband is a former Phys. Ed. teacher and he’s always been very active. So I try to keep up. Ha. We canoe and cycle in the summer. I walk a lot with friends and without. I ride my exercise bike when it’s too rainy or snowy to walk. And we both cross-country ski. I try for 300 minutes of cardio exercise a week, and at least one weight work-out. I am a numbers person. That’s how I set my fitness goals.
Do you have any anti-aging foods and or supplements that are your go to’s
Nope
What advice do you have for women over 50
Oh gosh. This isn’t just for women over 50. I used to tell my students this. Learn new things. Never stop learning. Try new things. Travel, travel, travel. And not only on cruises and arranged group tours. Make your own plans, do research, and do your own thing. Read. Play. Find small pleasures. Sometimes it’s all about the small things.
GET SUE’S LOOK
I love Sue’s classic with a twist look. I featured her combat boot look here. You can read more about Sue’s fashion adventures here on her blog. Thank you so much Sue for allowing us a peek into your Ageless Style-Sue Burpee. Now pop over and visit Elizabeth to see who she is interviewing this month. We never discuss who we are featuring, so it is always a fun surprise for us as well.
THE VINTAGE CONTESSA
Thank you for another fabulous Ageless Style feature! I’ve enjoyed Sues blog in the past, which I believe I found on your blog roll, and it was a wonderful surprise to see her featured and learn more about her. Love all of your readers rich and insightful comments as well!
I may a longtime reader of your blog Cindy. Thank you for introducing me to Sue and her blog. I started reading it and discovered I have a lot of reading to do! I love it. It’s real and personal and I find it both supportive for what is and inspiring for what it can be.
Wow! What a hit this post was. I loved the interview and all of the comments. I read Sue faithfully for all the reasons everyone does. I love her book talk so much.
Hi Kim
So true the comments about blogging. I am really getting them now that I am nearing retirement. Everyone asks what will you do? They have no idea how hard we work at our “part time job” do they?
Wow lovely to hear more about Sue. I always enjoy following her and love her style- and the new silver hair. It suits her and looks very chic. I know what she means about blogging. People outside of this community rarely comment on it to me and actually are condescending about it even ,but as Sue said I’ve never met more smart women – the bloggers and the readers! I love all her comments here and especially the bit about keeping in shape and trying new things always- so true! Loved this post Cindy! xo Kim P.S. Sue your black outfit is amazing.
When I taught school in the late ’80’s, my “style” was out of necessity, monitoring outdoor recess and carpool duty during New England winters: LL Bean duck boots, woolen tights, long skirts, turtlenecks and sweaters…oh, the layers!!! Am so happy to add all these blogs to my morning reads! Thanks for the inspiration!!
Outdoor recess is one of the reasons I was so glad to be teaching high school, Téa. In my first year of teaching I did supply work at a K-8 school. I stopped wearing mascara after the first recess experience. Ha.
Hi Tea
I happen to like LL Bean Duck boots, woolen tights, long skirts and turtlenecks to this day! Sounds perfectly stylish to me.
How lovely to meet you and I love your style and have just subscribed to your blog. I too am a retired English teacher from Ireland and everything you said resonated with me from your advice to students to your attitude to life. I started my blog http://www.overthehilda.ie when I retired too. And I was honoured to be featured on La Contessas a few weeks ago.
HERE IS HILDA’s AGELESS STYLE!
https://thevintagecontessa.net/2020/10/29/ageless-style-with-hilda-smith/
Thank you so much Hilda. Ireland is one of my favourite places in the whole world. Sigh. I am off now to check out your blog. 🙂
Hi Hilda
We love hearing from you, and we all so enjoyed your feature with the Contessa. Thanks so much for weighing in!
So excited to see Sue in Ageless Style! I’m a huge fan of her … and her style. She has such a clean, crisp look … so fun to learn more about her! xo
Thanks, Juliet. I was excited to be asked to take part in the Ageless Style series.
Hi Juliet
I love Sue’s look. She is an inspiration to us all!
I love Sue’s classic look. It’s always fun to read how women over 50 face fashion. Sue’s an inspiration to me.
Great interview, Cindy.
xo,
Karen
Thank-you so much, Karen.
Thank you so much Karen. I am so glad you enjoyed it. I work really hard to find women that I think you ladies will enjoy. I spoke to Sue awhile back about doing this. All of a sudden we were almost at the end of the month. Sue graciously came through. It pleases me that you all have enjoyed her so much.
My (also Canadian !) English teacher in the late 1970’s had great style — she was pretty and petite , wore classic clothing in beautiful colours and fabrics , favoured artistic jewellery , and had great shoes. I remember noticing how she used texture and detailing in her garments to make them special. She was beautifully groomed. I especially loved her squarish shaped nails painted in a browny mauve colour. A colour I still favour today. She was a terrific teacher, universally admired by students and staff as I recall. A fact that everybody knew at the time , but in a very Canadian way no one mentioned, her sister , Margaret Trudeau, was the wife of our then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau (and mother of our current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau).
What a great story, Caroline. So Justin was NOT the first teacher in his family. 🙂
Caroline your story is fascinating. Thank you so much for sharing!
Cindy, I love “meeting” kindred spirits thru you and the Contessa. Sue looks like a stylish, intelligent and well read lady that I am off t follow. Thank you for sharing!
Thank-you so much for the kind words, Elizabeth. 🙂
Hi Elizabeth
I love your blog and am constantly inspired by you as well!
I just love Sue’s style! I especially love the gray dress with the black hose and black boots. I believe I already subscribe to her, but I better double check. Just accidentally deleted ALL my emails so trying to backtrack to find out what I am missing. Love The Contessa too! You are all so inspirational!
Thanks, Mary. I am just discovering Cindy’s blog myself. What a treasure trove of style ideas.
Hi Mary
I totally agree. I would wear everyone of those outfits. In fact if we were not in quarantine I would own that pleather skirt and a version of the sweater dress!
Hi Cindy- I discovered Sue through a link in your blog at the end of last year and you two are my favorite fashion muses/bloggers. Seriously, y’all have made COVID isolation bearable and inspirational- can’t thank you enough!! Sue is a great choice to feature today for her signature style and intellect. You both helped my “Embrace The Grey Transition” during COVIDISOLATION2020-2021!
My high school English teacher circa 1970 in Kansas was my first fashion influencer. Mrs. Smith was the epitome` of French style and identical to Amal Clooney in every aspect. She was gorgeous, graceful, intellectual, with impeccable taste in literature and fashion. She was the primary person, aside from my elegant grandmother, that showed me beauty and brains were powerful and valuable. Thank you for jogging memories of a major influence in my life today!
What a lovely story, Nan.
Hi Nan
I love this story. See my comment above about my Spanish teacher who was my style muse. Your comments are always so thoughtful and relevent. We love you!
Oh how could I forget my Spanish teacher! She was a tall, willowy woman who resembled the actress Joanne Woodward and also had her clothing custom-made, out of necessity. She always looked New York chic and moved like a prima ballerina. These 2 teachers were utterly uncommon for a Kansas farming community. I was a self-taught seamstress and loved creating or remaking clothes. They inspected everything I made and wore, amazed a teenage girl cared about fine tailoring and style.
A couple years ago, I came across the Spanish teacher’s daughter on social media and messaged her. She was a little girl when I was in high school, certain she would have no idea who I was. She made my day when she responded, saying she absolutely remembered me because her mother talked about what I was wearing all the time and introduced us- hoping she would become inspired to learn to sew (regretfully, she didn’t).
Funny topic for me as my high school teachers were nuns!😜 and I am a retired teacher! Loved teaching! Also love your ideas, style and suggestions! Thank you for such a great blog🌞🌴
That puts a whole new spin on the topic of teachers and style, doesn’t it? 🙂
Hi Jannie
I have been meaning to mention to Sue that I had a high school Spanish teacher with amazing style. She also happened to be the mother of a good friend of mine. She had all of her clothes custom made. I was constantly in awe of her style. I think she probably influenced my personal style more than any other. I couldn’t wait to get to school to see her outfits. She was also a wonderful teacher. Thanks to her, I was able to test out of Spanish in college.
Good one, for sure! 🤗. I love Sue’s blog.
Thanks, Judie. 🙂
Hi Judie
I am so glad you enjoyed Sue’s feature. I didn’t realize how many readers we have in comman. So nice for all of you ladies to connect!
I have followed Sue (and you and Mary Ann) for several years. I, too, am a retired teacher, am close to Sue’s age, and have let my hair go white during COVID. Needless to say, I have a few things in common with Sue. What I don’t have in common is her eloquent writing ability or her miles-long legs! I look forward to and enjoy each of her blog posts!
Gosh Barb… my face is red. Thanks so much.
Hi Barb
I do not share Sue’s wonderful writing skills either. I felt like I was back in high school when I sent her the questions. I was hoping I didn’t make too many grammatical errors!
So nice to meet and get to know Sue here on your blog Cindy! Fun post!
xx
Suzanne
http://www.AskSuzanneBell.com
Thank-you, Suzanne.
Hi Suzanne
I just read your blog and signed up. Love it! I just tried to email you through your contact page and it did not work. Would you mind sending me an email! So glad you enjoyed Sue’s interview.
I’ve followed Sue for a few years now. What do I love about her blog? First of all, that she puts her true emotions into her blog writings. If she is excited or bored or down in the dumps , for example – over COVID confinement, she gives her readers the unvarnished truth. It often confirms my own feelings and those of many of her other readers. We don’t feel we are alone in our emotional life. Second, she is a great reader and shares the authors and books she has read. I’ve found some new authors through her recommendations. And,lastly, is her fashion sense and love if clothes .Not because it is less important, but it isn’t the only emphasis of her blog. Sue is the genuine article!
Hi Bonnie,
Wow… thanks so much for that description. So lovely of you to say that. 🙂
Hi Bonnie
So interesting your comments about Sue. I rarely talk about anything personal to a fault. In my readers survey, many asked that I do just that. I am inclined to think my life isn’t all that interesting, so I am reluctant to do so!
Do it! Please. Sharing more about yourself supports all of us.
Wow, I loved this post! Very interesting that she was a teacher and has had a blog. Love her style, and really love the last outfit. Those legs are to die for!
I’ll check out her blog now!
Hi Karen,
Loved your post over at L:a Contessa’s site. I am coveting your berets. 🙂
Hi Karen
Aren’t we all jealous of those long legs! I am cursed with a long torso and short legs. And that beautiful head of hair also to die for!!
Thanks for featuring Sue. She is one of my favorite bloggers, such a great mix of fashion, books and travel. The women who comment on her blog are great too, I’ve gotten such good book recommendations from them. Sue writes thoughtfully about fashion and I’ve been inspired by the way she puts outfits together. I now review my travel wardrobe the way she does: unpack, lay clothes out on the bed and see what you wore and DIDN’T wear, record for future reference. But my favorite blogs are about books, I love her recommendations. When she mentioned Barbara Pym I knew I had found the right blog.
Hi Cindylou,
Nice to meet you over here! Thank-you so much for the kind words.
Long live Barbara Pym lovers!
Hi Cindy Lou
I am so glad you enjoyed the interview with Sue. I used to be an avid reader and when I began my irratic sleeping habits (thanks menopause) I have nearly stopped reading books altogether. I am committed to getting back on board with my IPAD . Sue has inspired me in many ways.
Ah, another former now retired English teacher who wears combat boots and lets her hair go white! My kind of girl. I taught English and journalism for three years before I turned to public relations. I have said of the teaching part of my life, it was the hardest, most challenging job I ever had. I salute you for making it a career and wish you great adventures. Which I know, of course, will be quite stylish.
Teaching was a wonderful career… but I was well ready to retire when I did. When I was in high school I couldn’t imagine wearing combat boots when my hair was white… good thing we’re all breaking those barriers, eh?
Hi Patricia
I love Sue’s look with the faux leather skirt and combat boots. If I had anywhere to go I would buy that skirt! You and I are on team combat boots.
Hi Sue, How smart was Cindy featuring you. Perfect. I’ve always enjoyed your blog. I do think my favorite part is the wonderful books you have suggested. If you’ve become a bit louche, you coulda fooled me. But I love the idea that you’re becoming a bit more wild. I’m always impressed with your exercising. Wish you could get me to do more of it. I was so happy when you changed the look of your blog. It used to be so hard to read. I love the idea you have a firm to help you. I could use that also. But great seeing you here. Oh, by the way, which bronzer do you use?
Thanks, Sandra. I always remember that we share a love for those “gentle reads.” And that you said you’d read all of the Dorothy Whipple books… love her work.
P.S. When my hair went white I resurrected an old “shimmer brick” from Bobbi Brown that I’ve had for a few years. After the lockdown when I can visit my fav cosmetician to find something else.
Sandra I think you were the one that reintroduced me to Sue! I agree with Sue we can push the envelope wearing things that are a little more gutsy with gray hair. If one’s hair is dyed we might look like we are trying too hard, with gray hair who cares!!
WELL HELLO SUE !!
I had YOU in mind too but CINDY GOT YOU FIRST!
I understand EXACTLY what your are referring to when YOU TELL PEOPLE YOU WRITE A BLOG!
It’s the last thing to come out of my mouth.If I am asked “WHAT DO YOU DO!?”YOU have a wonderful attitude and you’re right!”
IT’s all about finding others who share your interests.And what a grand way to share books and ideas and ask for opinions!I adore writing MY BLOG and get a lot of enjoyment from those who read it.
Sounds like you live a pretty active life!
I am a new SUBSCRIBER to your BLOG but I will be there reading along and commenting!
THANK YOU for doing AGELESS STYLE!
XX
Wow, I am indeed honoured, Contessa. I’m always a little shy to say I write a blog. Ladies like you and Cindy make me proud to be part of the over-50 blogging community. xo
So true Elizabeth!