i think it’s brave: corporate office outfit diary

week of september 16

Spoiler alert: it was a big week for pants! 0 off-site client meetings meant I could skew a little more casual, which is always nice. This weekend, we are trying to officially move and I get to put all of my clothes into their new home, a closet separate from my husband’s!!! A dream. I’m going to do a big purge and organize my shoes and it’s going to feel like a fresh start. Hopefully that will help as I transition into fall outfits, but for now, we have the below rather uninspired options for 5 full days in the office.

Monday:

• Sunday night game plan: I walk over to my closet and look at my blue striped button down hanging on the edge. To save brain power, I decide I’ll wear that with grey trousers and my sambas. Easy for a grey Monday ahead.

• Monday morning: Put on my planned button down and trousers, and realize I’m going to need a belt and a layer. I have gotten over my millennial aversion to pairing navy & black, so I grab a black leather belt and navy sweater! Growth!

Tuesday:

• Monday night game plan: it’s going to be even more grey tomorrow, so I think pants will once again be the move. I opt to reuse today’s formula, but with my black trousers instead. I pull my denim button down (gap wins in this category, hands down) and my cheetah print belt for a pop. Ready for the morning!

• Tuesday morning: wake up and get dressed. The one thing I neglected was a shoe option, so I rotate between a kitten heel, a ballet flat, and a loafer before I opt for black velvet mary janes. Looking back at the photo, I’m not sure these were the right choice. I feel like it needed a boot or loafer? Whelp - good to know for next time. Sometimes there is gonna be duds.

Wednesday:

• Tuesday night game plan: tomorrow is 0 client visits and chance of rain. After not loving my outfit today, I’m going to opt for a classic. No need to lay anything out, I know what to pull in the morning.

• Wednesday morning: I have worn this combo too many times to count. I grab my “work jeans” out of the closet and put on a white T under my black crew neck cashmere sweater. With my black loafers, this is an easy chic winner. However, I notice my mom’s Hermes scarf that I borrowed this weekend is still on my dresser. While it’s still in my possession, I tie it around my neck for a little pop of color. I think for my 30th birthday I’m going to gift myself a new scarf that goes with black, because currently my 2 beautiful gorgeous options are very summery and colorful. Something to look forward to… :)

Thursday:

• Wednesday night game plan: I saw a girl at work today in her fall boots and it made me want to bring out mine! So I set out a pair of bootcut pants, a white T and a plaid blazer for tomorrow’s boot debut.

• Thursday morning: well, this morning is quite a flop. First, I wake up with my hair looking awful because I fell asleep with it in a towel. Second, my pants don’t fit! And third, it’s actually going to be 80 degrees today. Because I choose to spend 1/3 of my getting ready time on making my hair look somewhat normal, I don’t have time to debate the next move. I grab an oversized blue button down and blue trousers with some stretch, all to hide the bloat. I spend 5 minutes steaming the shirt to hell and burn my finger. What a doozy, since my shirt wrinkles immediately on the train.

Friday:

• Thursday night game plan: I want to wear my new brown satin pants from the Madewell sale. That’s all I know.

• Friday morning: Look at my pants and assess my top options. It’s 66 outside, going up to 76 this afternoon. But it’s frigid in my office, so I want a sweater. While brushing my teeth I google “what color to wear with brown pants” 😂 I try a beige one, a white one, before landing on a brown sweater that matches my pants. With zebra print flats (snag em second hand if you’re a size 40), it’s tonal-ish and reminds me of something that Anna Newton would put together.

And that’s it for this week! I wish I could see your work outfits, I think that’s my favorite perk of going into the office. The inspiration is everywhere! So many women in my office have beautiful maxi dresses that they’ve worn with knee high boots and I love the vibe so much. I often opt for a dress in the summer but as it gets colder, I don’t have many options in my closet - so this is something to perhaps keep an eye on!?

Also my piece about bad photos is coming tomorrow, because I finally finished it! Hope everyone has a lovely weekend. BYE!!!