Week 2 Minimalist Work Wardrobe Challenge Roundup

I'm a little behind in getting this up, but two weeks are down with two more to go in this month long challenge!

This week I started to feel the limitations of only have a handful of items at my disposal.  This challenge is showing me I really like having more options and the minimalist lifestyle probably wouldn't be a great fit for me long term.  However, I also had the thought that if you made it into a 15 piece collection you'd get more options, but could also easily include weekend/casual looks with it.

One item I have really been enjoying is my duster.  I never had one in my closet, so having this pieces adds some drama to an otherwise 'boring' outfit.

Here are a few duster options (including the one I have) - Amazon, Nordstrom, ASOS, H&M

Scroll down to see all my looks from last week!

Week 1 Minimalist Work Wardrobe Challenge Roundup

 Here's a photo round up of my first week using only 10 pre-selected pieces from my wardrobe to wear to work.  I've already found some pitfalls and will continue to make these pieces work, but overall I like the fact that I'm not overwhelmed in the morning with too many options to pick from.

Tuesday - Lightweight sweater, black crop pants, heels
Wednesday - White t-shirt, midi skirt, heels
Thursday - White blouse, black crop pants, heels
Friday - Lightweight sweater, skinny jeans, white blazer, heels

I would recommend finding a pair of shoes that really works for you.  There are days I wish I was in flats, but overall these heels are comfy because they have a more blocky style heel (instead of a traditional pointy stiletto heel).  My current favorite option is the Friday look, it WILL be going into a regular rotation.

First thing I've learned is if you're not a fan of wearing the same item twice in a week, but multiples of it.  As you can see I wore the sweater twice this week, and more than likely one top will need to be worn twice each week.  If you're a particular germaphobe or can't get on board with wearing something twice before washing, then pick up two basic t-shirt (probably your least expensive option).

Second tip is to work with layering.  You'll see eventually that mostly this capsule is 7 looks, but then you can expand them  easily with layering the blazer or duster on almost any look.  Make sure you under layer pops out from the sleeves to add dimension and that casual 'styled but not trying' look.

I'll keep you in the loop next week, but always follow my IG page for daily looks, plus my makeup looks!

This Week in Outfits

Hope everyone had a great week doing whatever you do!  My boss was out of vacation, it the pressure was really low at work and it was nice to just to able to catch up on little things that normally get put aside for high profile projects.

Here's the roundup of what I wore(check the links because I referenced some new stuff!):

Monday - It was particularly beautiful to start the week (see all the direct sunlight pouring in?) so I channeled it with my floral tank and bright red blazer combo!

Blazer - similar

Tank - similar, similar

Pants - similar (ASIDE - I linked a LOT of NY&Co pants this week, they are having a great sale and have a great size selection!)

Heels - exact

Jewelry- Necklace

Tuesday - One thing I really like about my job is it does allow for some short mobility.  I can easily work from home if I have things going on that demand I be all over.  I still recommend you put yourself together every day, even if you work from home or are a Stay at Home parent....trust me, it'll make you feel more productive even if it's just the fact you managed to get real clothes on!

Top - similar
Jeans - similar
Shoes - similar (Want to sign up for JustFab?? Use this link!)

Wednesday - I woke up really sluggish and not even remotely prepared to 'adult' at all, so this is a bare minimum outfit.  Jumping off of the last post, shake up your style by wearing your normal button up shirts open with a layer underneath, it'll give you so many more options!

Shirt - similar
Tank - similar
Pants - similar
Shoes - similar

Thursday - How much difference a day can make!  I'd really bounced back on Thursday and I had a great workout to start the morning!  I really wanted to pull these Just Fab heels into the rotation, so I planned my outfit around them!

Top - similar
Pants - similar
Heels - similar
Jewelry - Necklace, Bracelet, Bracelet

Friday - No real rhyme or reason to this outfit, just needed to get out the door so threw these two pieces together!  I think I spent more time picking out my jewelry than deciding on an outfit!

Top - similar
Pants - similar
Heels - exact
Jewelry- Necklace (only the short strand), Bracelet, Bracelet, Watch (extra strap)

Well, that's a wrap on this week!  Enjoy the weekend, go be active and knock stuff off your to-do list!  You'll feel better coming into Monday knowing you got so much done over the weekend!

I'll see you all later, back here in my closet!!

This Week in Outifts

Another week down, another week putting together outfits!  You'll start to soon realize I have a more 'capsule' style wardrobe and rotate and mix and match pieces a LOT.  Which isn't a bad thing! Most of us don't have the disposable income to be able to buy a new outfit every weekend.  I'm going to forego the normal links this week since I'm short on time, but if you ever have questions about an item I wore, leave a comment on catch me on Facebook!  So let's get into what I wore this week:

Monday - 

I actually had this blouse on last Thursday, St. Patrick's Day, and couldn't bring myself to not wear green on such a storied holiday for me.  I purchased this top at TJ Maxx a few summers back and I wore it all the time while pregnant with a white maternity tank underneath.  Paired with my trusty H&M crops and Target heels and it was a great mood boosting outfit for a Monday.

Tuesday -

When your schedule calls for you to be in the office before sunrise, it's going to be a long day.  I wanted to feel put together but comfy, so I paired my trusty joggers and Target v-neck t-shirt with this blazer I got from Nordstrom and a statement necklace to feel a little more put together.  Never underestimate how put together a shirt and blazer came make you feel.

Wednesday -

My fitness routine has been very consistent recently, and I've been pleased with the results I'm seeing. Today was no exception as I was feeling really long and lean.  To enhance that I did reach for black, which is naturally slimming, but make sure if you're still wearing something that has great fit!  Just because a shirt is black doesn't mean that the cut will flatter and enhance the slimming effect.

Thursday -

Last workday this week!  Kept it pretty simple with my crop pants and this layered shirt from Talbots.  I always through on at least one necklace to help me feel like I've finished a look.  Accessories do help create diversity in your wardrobe and I recommend investing strategically.  Once of the main reason I joined Stella & Dot is the opportunity it gave me to purchase modern, fashionable pieces cheap!!

Friday -

Good Friday!  I was in St. Louis at my parent's house, but was still wanting to look put together.  I was going to see my girlfriend and work with her on getting the most out of her wardrobe (see next week's blog post for more on that).  I couldn't travel with much, so I brought tops and bottoms that could be mixed and matched based on my mood for that day.  I picked this blouse up from my Talbots adventure and kept it neutral with my olive chinos from H&M.

Well, that's this week!  I've enjoyed summarizing these outfits and I hope you've all been getting some inspiration from them!

Have an amazing Easter weekend, whether you spending time with family or friends...and I'll see you later, back here in my closet.

This Week in Outfits

Another week down!  I find myself saying to co-workers 'It's been one of those days' a LOT recently.  So I was intent on not letting another week wear me down....however, by Thursday I was struggling.  What do you do to keep energy when your work load really starts to weigh heavy on you??

Monday - By now you'll start to see a lot of repeats in my work wardrobe....and that's totally normal!  I'm not someone that buys or receives new clothing every week.  Hopefully you'll find some inspiration in my combinations!

Cardigan - similar, similar

Blouse - similar, similar

Pants - exact, similar, curvy fit

Shoes - similar, similar

Jewelry - Stella & Dot

Tuesday - I couldn't wait to wear my new HM crop pants!  I wanted to wait until my tried and true heels were back from the shoe doctor (getting re-heeled).  

Top - similar, similar

Pants - similar (couldn't find the exact style online, in store only)

Heels - exact

Jewelry - Stella & Dot, Stella & Dot

Wednesday - I always feel particularly feminine in this conservative sheath dress.  It's from Banana Republic Factory a few years back...and to think when I bought it I couldn't even zip it up all the way!  Set non-scale goals for yourself!

Dress - similar, similar
Heels - similar (LOVE), similar
Jewelry - Stella & Dot

Thursday - I was actually wearing blue until 10 minutes before I left for work until I realized I couldn't let St. Pat's go by without wearing green....so this outfit came together pretty last minute.

Top - similar
Vest - similar, similar
Joggers - exact, similar
Heels - exact

Friday - We had a designated casual day at work to do annual record retention (aka throwing LOTS of paper away).  It's tricky being casual at work..I always reach for dark wash denim to still feeling put together if you're thrown into a meeting last minute!

Shirt - similar, similar
Tank - similar, similar
Jeans - curvy, similar
Shoes - exact, similar, similar
Jewelry - Stella & Dot

I'm also moving all my daily pictures to a new Instagram account (@MeanwhileBackInMyCloset) so go follow me there and remember to like my facebook page for your chance to win $20 in Stella & Dot cash!

Short work week for most people next week, and I've got some Easter inspiration outfits coming mid-week!  So I'll see you here, back in my closet!

This Week in Outfits

Another week in outfits down!  I missed Wednesday, but luckily I had a photo of it on my phone from a previous day!

Let's get down to business!

This week I interacted with government officials from Brazil for some emissions testing.  Which meant I needed to put my most professional foot forward.  Staples like blazers and little black dresses take the guess work out of 'do I look professional??'

Monday:  This shift dress from Old Navy is made of a soft cotton, so it's so comfy to wear all day.  Throw on my soft blazer from a Stitch Fix, belt it to give you a waist and some nude shoes and you're business casual but ready to impress.

Dress - exact, similar, similar

Blazer - similar, similar

Belt - similar, similar

Shoes - similar, similar

After work on Monday I went quickly through H&M here in town and saw this top (below) and had to have it...at only $9.99!!  With my go to black work pants and a complimenting cardigan, another easy go-to look for work. 

Top - exact (in store has different colors)

Cardigan - similar, similar

Necklace - Stella & Dot

Pants - exact, similar, curvy fit

Shoes - similar, similar

Wednesday I have a weekly early morning meeting, so I normally can't get a photo when it's so dark (thank goodness for the time change tomorrow!).  So here's what I wore, BUT I went with no tights and my nude heels from above.  I've loved the combo of button down under my LBD, speaks to my ultra preppy side!

Dress - petite, plus, similar

Shirt - similar, similar

By Thursday the week was really wearing down on me, so I reached for bright prints to help lift my spirit!

Top - similar, similar (couldn't find my exact Old Navy tank)

Blazer - similar, similar

Necklace - Stella & Dot

Pants - similar, similar

Pumps - exact (again, recommend these above anything...have in black and brown)

By Friday the officials were gone so I could fully enjoy a casual look at work.  This top was another Stitch Fix top...I loved the service when I started, but my expectations weren't being met.  I love shopping for myself too much!

Top - similar, similar
Necklace - Stella & Dot
Jeans - exact, similar
Shoes - exact, similar, similar

I'm excited for the posts I have coming up next week!  Enjoy the weekend!

See you later, back here in my closet!

This Week in Outfits

I figured I'd start a little weekly roundup of what I wore to work (I can also throw in workouts if you'd like to see those) and where you might be able to pick some of these pieces up (or similar).  I have REALLY reduced my closet (hopefully a mini tour soon) so you'll probably see a lot on repeat/remix!

Monday:

I threw this Banana Republic shirt with some New York and Company trousers.  I will note that I should be wearing some kind of heel with this due to the pant length and where it breaks....but I was lazy and just put on some basic black loafer flats.  Tip from this outfit is that the shirt is one of those high-low hems and really blousy, so I kind of wraps the excess in the back and made a faux tuck so it was a little more fitted!  Jewels by Stella (obviously)

Top - similar, similar
Pants - exact, similar, curvy fit
Shoes - exact, similar, similar

I picked up this pencil skirt at Clothes Mentor when I was bringing in my huge winter purge...I hadn't yet worn it, but it's got a fun back detail (will have to remember to get a picture of that next time).  I paired it with a black cross back tank and a coral cardigan for the office (it's back is also really cool).  Most of these pieces are cosigned or old, so I'll link some similar styles!  My shoes are an old purchase from DSW and necklace is Stella.

Tank - similar, similar
Skirt - similar, similar
Cardigan - similar, similar
Shoes - similar, similar

By Wednesday sometimes comfort is calling me, so I wanted to wear my joggers and a t-shirt, but that won't fly alone in the office.  But throw a blazer on it and some chic flats and you're more business casual (which is allowed in my office). Necklace link here, bracelets here and here

Blazer - similar, similar

T-shirt - exact (I recommend these in all neutral colors)

Joggers - exact, similar

Flats - similar, similar

I had a burst of stylish inspiration on Thursday and wanted to wear my navy 'skinny' trousers....they'd be a little risque for the office, but the shirt I bought with them (at Target) is longer in the back so it makes everything a little more decent.

Blouse - similar

Pants - similar, similar

Pumps - exact (again, recommend these above anything...have in black and brown)

Some weeks Friday rolls around and I feel like making it special and others I feel like just being comfy to get through the day....can you guess which type of Friday this week was???  Necklace here

Top - similar, similar

Vest - similar, similar

Pants - exact, similar

Flats - exact, similar

I hope you like this week in review, I'll try to start posting these on Saturdays!

Have a great evening, and follow me tomorrow on social media (mainly snapchat: laura.jones2585) for Oscar commentary.  I'll have a Best/Worst list out on Monday!!