It’s been awhile since I’ve written much about fashion, but having done my seasonal wardrobe switch in mid October, having been fairly ruthless about getting rid of things that should no longer be taking up closet space, having done some reorganizing of said closet and drawers, and having done a wee bit of shopping, I’ve discovered a renewed interest in fashion blogging! I don’t know how long it will last, but I do have a few new ideas to share with you.
Today, I’m going to show you my most recent purchase and tell you why I bought it.
I needed another sleeveless top like I needed a hole in my head, especially at this time of year with winter’s intense cold just around the corner, but when I saw this one in our local consignment store, I knew it was meant for me.
Why?
Because November is Neuroendocrine Cancer Awareness Month and the zebra is our symbol. Medical students are often taught “when hearing hoofbeats, think of horses, not zebras.” Neuroendocrine tumours (NETS) are very difficult to diagnose. The symptoms are usually vague and similar to more common health problems. Many primary care physicians have never encountered a NETS patient so when they’re presented with symptoms like stomach pain, wheezing, diarrhea, or facial flushing they naturally think of more common causes. They think of “horses”, but neuroendocrine cancer is a “zebra”.
There’s actually a great debate in neuroendocrine cancer circles over the use of the zebra as our symbol. Some, including the world’s best known and most highly revered patient advocate, think it’s an infantile gimmick that trivializes the grave nature of our disease and that it’s actually detrimental as an awareness tool. Others of us disagree feeling that we need to take advantage of every available opportunity to draw attention to our cause and if that includes zebra stripes, so be it.
I don’t actually wear zebra stripes very often because they’re usually black and white, colours that don’t flatter my complexion. Worn near my face, they leave me looking sickly which isn’t a good look for anyone and definitely not how I want to be seen. My new top works because the cream and brown offset the harshness of the black which also has a fine gold sparkle in it that doesn’t show in the photos.
Although a sleeveless top might not be the best choice for a Canadian winter, it makes a good layering piece under a jacket or a cardigan. Here I’m wearing it with my 10-year-old Shirttail Cardigan from cabi, a workhorse in my wardrobe that still looks as good as the day I bought it.
The seasonal closet switch that I mentioned 
Over the past year, while Covid has left most of us missing the opportunity to socialize safely, Sue Burpee, writer of the blog 
Plaid is really a returning trend from last fall and winter, but this year’s reinvention includes plaids in wild colours, head to toe plaid, and mixing plaids. Similarly, while animal prints are an enduring trend and are usually considered a neutral, this season you can also expect to see neon zebra and garishly coloured leopard prints. If you want either a plaid or an animal print to have enduring value though, opt for a more traditional look that you’ll be able to wear for years.
The geese are back, the gophers have come out of hibernation and tulip sprouts are peeking through the soil in my flower beds. It must be spring, right? Then why is there snow in the forecast? Because I live in Canada, of course!
