In Conversation with: Wendy Euler

When we first stumbled upon Wendy Euler’s fashion blog and Instagram account Goodbye Crop Top we guffawed in unison, “Isn’t that the best name ever, and why didn’t we think of that?” because we are almost always thinking it.  Wendy Euler, who shares ITG’s sentiments about letting go but staying relevant, and more, is our nominee for badass of bloggers. Wendy answered some of our pressing questions, here.

Give us an overview of your career.

Reader’s Digest Version: I started out in radio advertising in San Francisco. A cubicle, yellow pages, no cell phone, no computer. It was not an easy road but I made my way to a successful advertising career and most recently I was Director of International Ad Sales for Allrecipes.com

 Tell us a little bit about what you are doing now.

I’ve always loved to write. I’ve always loved fashion. About a year ago I was writing a lot but with no real precision and I was planning to launch a private label. Neither were really getting legs so I woke up one morning and told my husband, “I’m going to write a blog for women their middle years…about style about what that means…from the inside out.” I saw a real void in the marketplace when it came social media et al, for a 40, 50 and beyond woman to go get style tips… a place where women could go to just be. Just be their age but do it well and wear it proudly. Goodbye Crop Top is a metaphor. How to keep (or find) your mojo. To live with intention and question the why in everything.

Describe your personal style for us. Would you use the same words to describe your home, your fashion and entertaining?

My style is a bit all over the map, but still personal. I buy what I like, colors and textures I’m drawn to and I know instantly. Sometimes Boho, sometimes preppie, sometimes a bit hippy, and I like a lot of the western vibes here in Montana. The common theme is, I buy timeless pieces in all of the above-mentioned genres, but most importantly, I must feel confident and good in every piece. I also like to know where and how things are made. And yes, this all plays over into my home and entertaining. We LOVE to entertain and I would say it’s always a bit eclectic.

You recently moved from Seattle to Bozeman, Montana with your husband and three children. Can you tell us a little bit about the thought process behind that?

I wrote an essay which is published on my blog that really sums this up. But we moved here for a better life. The rain got to all of us. The traffic was getting worse by the day. I did not want to spend 3-5 soul- crushing hours a day in my car any longer. We had a chance to start anew so we jumped on it.

What are you excited about each day?

I’m very excited to be here in Montana. The day to day city grind and the rain in Seattle were really affecting me, my moods.  I’m also VERY excited to keep Goodbye Crop Top moving and keep spreading the word. I’m excited for what is ahead of me.

What’s Bozeman like? Is there anything you miss about Seattle?

I love every single thing about this town. And yes, I miss my friends.

What or who are some of your greatest style influences?

Sarah Jessica Parker. Gwyneth. Caroline de Maigret.
I really gather inspiration from so many… but these are three that always come to mind.

Social media can be great, but there’s a downside to it. How do you stay present and connected? Does your social media following affect your attitudes towards the phenomenon? What do you tell your kids about it?

I have a love-hate with social. It is the bane of my existence when it comes to my teenaged daughters and trying to manage their phones. It is so hard. I tell them it is poison and must be limited and managed. They hate us for it, but we don’t care .

What’s the fashion trend you can’t wait to try this season?

I don’t really follow the trends, but I am loving the animal print… and I really love that most anything goes these days. It seems every decade has been wrangled into this one and I LOVE that. It’s good for all because it means everyone can be comfortable.

How has your relationship with fashion changed as you’ve gotten older?

It hasn’t really changed. I’ve always kind of done my own thing and I’ve always stayed true to what works for me….for my body.

Where are some of your favorite places to shop online?

Oh goodness….too many to name. Nordstrom has most everything but I love Farfetch, love Nili Lotan,Goop, love R13, but really I’m all over the map.

What’s next for Goodbye Crop Top?

Your guess is as good as mine, although mine might be a bit more educated. I’m working with a lot of different people and ideas now and things seem to be going in a direction that I like and feels authentic. I’m a little superstitious, so I can’t give too much detail. More to come!

The world looks at aging, and women in particular, in a way that doesn’t necessarily reflect the way we might see ourselves. How do we change the conversation around aging? How do we own it?

For starters there is no such thing as “anti-aging”….it’s happening people. We wake up every day and we’ve aged. Not to say one shouldn’t rest, take care of themselves, eat well, move, use good products on the skin….all important…but aging is inevitable. 50 is not the new 30. 50 is 50. I want to be an AWESOME 50 but I’ll never be or look 30 again. The marketing and imagery machine tells us we have to look younger, better, tighter…it’s bullshit. I think the best way to own and change the conversation is to consider the company one keeps. Who are you hanging out with? Why? The company we keep is everything and I choose to hang around people who don’t care if my forehead moves. I am all for whatever genuinely makes a person feel good, look more rested…. do things if you so choose but maybe do them well where it’s more like, “wow, you’re looking good and well slept these days” rather than “what the hell has she done”.

If you had a warning label, what would it say?

Don’t fuck with my kids.

And that, my friends, is how we’ll end this fantastic convo with:

@GoodbyeCropTop

Check Out Some of Wendy’s Favorite Things Here: