The TEll// By Thrift & Tell
Welcome to THE TELL//BY THRIFT & TELL: a celebration of fashionable women who dress as smart as they shop.
This week’s guest on THE TELL// is Sue De Chiara, interior design guru, artist, and founder of The Zhush. For ten years, Sue has been sharing design inspiration through her own home renovations and curated interior design finds. (I have loved following her recent beach house renovation!). Her design aesthetic is clean and traditional, with touches of color and humor. In her closet, she mixes high end and affordable finds, because, as she says, “Target goes with almost anything!” Sue is also no stranger to the world of consignment, as a frequent shopper and consignor with The RealReal. I am thrilled to have Sue be part of this series and grateful for her support of T&T since day one! Enjoy!
//Your style in 3 words: Classic, comfortable, casual
//Staple Outfit: Jeans, cute blouse, some sort of heel - seasonal (boots, sandals).
//Style Icon(s): Emanuelle Alt , Carolyn Besset Kennedy
//Your First Big Purchase: A Gucci bag (in the 90s!).
//Do You Still Have It? YES!
//Best Fashion Advice You Ever Received: Know your own proportions, stay true to your own style.
//Types of clothing you invest in: Accessories!
//Types of clothing you save on: Staples and basics.
//Your greatest extravagance: Jewelry.
//Brands That Will Stand the Test of Time: Chanel, Hermes, Cartier, Goyard
//Favorite High Street Brands: Joie, Madewell, J.Crew, Equipment.
//Favorite Designer Brands: Prada, Fendi, Balenciaga, Missoni
//Favorite High-Low Brands to Mix: Target finds with almost anything!
//Favorite Places to Shop Consignment: eBay, The RealReal
//Favorite Places to Consign Your Own Closet: The RealReal
//Currently Collecting Dust in the Back of your Closet: My original Kate Spade black box nylon tote bag, from the early 90s.
//Your Closet Tried and Trues: White jeans, black v-neck tee, Missoni cardigan, Isabel Marant hidden wedge ankle boots.
//Best investment you ever made in your style: Professional tailoring.
//Style Choice From Your Past That Haunts You: I wore these awful white fringe cowboy boots with leggings in the 80s.
//“It seemed like a good idea at the time” a.k.a Purchase you most regret: A very over the top Gucci clutch (I later returned it!).
//Closet From Which You Would Like to Borrow: Rachel Zoe
//Last Time You Splurged? A new leather strap for my Hermes Cape Cod wrap watch.
//Currently Saving Your Pennies For: A velvet small Chanel boy bag.
//A Deal for the History Books/Your T&T Personal Best: Snagged the last pair of black leather Fendi boots in my size about a decade ago, still wear them ALL the time!
//Advice to someone looking to define their own style: See what you are always wearing on repeat in your own closet and ask yourself why?
//Trend you wish would go way? Fashion sneakers.
//You feel great. What are you wearing? Skinny jeans, v-neck black blouse, ankle boots, a few dainty necklaces, a watch, and earrings.
//Occasions when you splurge: Evening and cocktail dresses.
//Occasions when you save: Lounge wear , work out clothes, jeans, and tees.
//Most prized possession: My dad’s watch.
//Home Decor Style: Love a good mix of modern and traditional.
//Favorite place to hunt for home decor: One Kings Lane and Serena and Lily.
//Go-to for unique items, whether it be clothing, accessories, home or art: The RealReal has great home pieces.
//Your fashion motto: If it’s not flattering, forget it.
//Your life motto: Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Fill in the blank:
//A woman should invest in- great accessories (and real estate.) //You’re never too old to— to be young at heart. //A woman can never have too much— jewelry. //Bury me in- Nothing! Give it all to my daughters! // True or False: More is More- True. //Fashion is- fun. //Style is: eternal.
Currently Loving:
//Music: Queen (because of the movie!)
//Print: Reading Atomic Habits by James Clear
//Food: Chopped salads
//Drink: Diet Coke
//Film: Bohemian Rhapsody
//TV: The Real Housewives of NYC and BH (and OC, Potomac, all of them!)
//Podcast: Bitch Sesh
//Instagram Handle: @zhush
//Designer: Lili Nolan
ABOUT SUE
Sue de Chiara is an entrepreneur, artist and seasoned interior design blogger who loves to provide her readers with up-to-date home decor and fashion advice.
An “avid observer of all things stylish,” Sue has been blogging at The Zhush since 2009. What started out as a personal outlet for showcasing Sue’s style and home renovation projects, eventually grew into a large international following.
Originally hailing from New York City, Sue has been surrounded by creativity all her life. Growing up in New York with a graphic designer / fine artist as a father, it was no surprise that aesthetics and design would spark Sue’s interest early on.
During her free time, you can find Sue creating abstract paintings or spending quality time with her family and sweet havanese pup in Conneticut.
FIND SUE
Photos used courtesy of Sue De Chiara.
