My closet feels a bit schizophrenic these days. I feel like I have three types of outfits:
-business casual, for work days sitting at my desk churning out reports and emails, and generally solving the problems of the universe. I want to be comfortable, but also a little trendy, on these days.
-business formal, for work days at meetings with executives, nuns (I am not kidding), and assorted people at higher levels than me. I need to be conservative, polished, and professional on those days.
-casual, for weekends and the rare vacation. I consider these my "play clothes", like what we would get changed into after school to go play. I'm not a grubby t-shirt gal, so this is usually jeans and a sweater and cute top, and either a scarf or necklace.
Angie at YLF calls these "capsules", which is a great way to think about it. Maybe that's what my problem is: I recently stocked up on business casual and casual -- those ribbed layering tops, a fabulous pair of Gap Long & Lean jeans, etc -- and as much as I have tried to get new tops for my business formal capsule, I am still struggling with dressing myself on meeting days.
Part of it is I am hesitant to invest in a real suit when I am at this weight. It seems dumb, since I have turned over my entire closet to buy enough pants, tops and sweaters, but there is something about buying a suit that seems so final, like I have officially stopped trying to lose weight. Even buying the ball gown (post and pictures coming soon!) didn't have the same impact, even though the cost of it was equal to a suit. I think because the gown will only be worn once, so I convinced myself it was a temporary, necessary purchase.
Anyway, in lieu of a suit, I have two tweed jackets that I am using with my Gap pants for business formal, and I rotate a couple of tops with them. But it doesn't seem like enough, and since I see the same people in these meetings I feel like I need to have more than two jackets. I long for a solid, dark jacket to wear with my patterned tops, but a solid jacket means it must match the fabric of the pants, and that means suit.
Damn you, Talbots. Why did you stop making suits? They had the best ones, with lots of non-black options, and skirts and pants to match.
Plus, nice tops to wear under jackets, that aren't just boring shells and/or cost a fortune and/or come in my size? Soooo hard to find!
Do any of you have the same struggle? I feel like I am caught between two work-clothing options, where it's not completely business casual or business formal, but a bit of both. It's tough to navigate!
Showing posts with label capsule wardrobe challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label capsule wardrobe challenge. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Monday, March 1, 2010
Weekend Wear and Weight Loss Check-In
Just one outfit to show from the weekend. Saturday was lounging at home, and no one needs to see that. :) But I thought Sunday's was pretty cute.
Brown grandpa sweater, Eddie Bauer Outlet
brown polka-dot blouse, Target
fuschia patent skinny belt, Ann Taylor Outlet
medium-rinse straight-leg jeans, LOFT
black Mary Jane Keens
scrolled pendant necklace, LOFT
I think the belt added that one little punch that brought it all together.
++++++
In weight-loss news, I am down another pound this week, which brings it to 8.8 total. Unfortunately I went wildly, WILDLY off-plan yesterday so my loss wasn't nearly as good as it could have been, and now I am going to have to go through the misery of getting back into ketosis. I knew what I was doing, and I did it anyway; I have only myself to blame. But it's back on track today, and I'll be doing some thinking about why I randomly selected Sunday to be the day I fell apart, especially after resisting multiple temptations the whole rest of the week.
Onward!
++++++
I've also decided to skip this season's Spring Capsule Wardrobe Challenge. I have to accept that between the new job, the diet, and getting my exercise back on track for my 5K in two weeks, I have enough challenges in my life right now. I just want to grab whatever the mood/day dictates I want to wear and not restrict my choices any further. But I will be following on and enjoying my fellow bloggers who are participating in it!
Brown grandpa sweater, Eddie Bauer Outlet
brown polka-dot blouse, Target
fuschia patent skinny belt, Ann Taylor Outlet
medium-rinse straight-leg jeans, LOFT
black Mary Jane Keens
scrolled pendant necklace, LOFT
I think the belt added that one little punch that brought it all together.
++++++
In weight-loss news, I am down another pound this week, which brings it to 8.8 total. Unfortunately I went wildly, WILDLY off-plan yesterday so my loss wasn't nearly as good as it could have been, and now I am going to have to go through the misery of getting back into ketosis. I knew what I was doing, and I did it anyway; I have only myself to blame. But it's back on track today, and I'll be doing some thinking about why I randomly selected Sunday to be the day I fell apart, especially after resisting multiple temptations the whole rest of the week.
Onward!
++++++
I've also decided to skip this season's Spring Capsule Wardrobe Challenge. I have to accept that between the new job, the diet, and getting my exercise back on track for my 5K in two weeks, I have enough challenges in my life right now. I just want to grab whatever the mood/day dictates I want to wear and not restrict my choices any further. But I will be following on and enjoying my fellow bloggers who are participating in it!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Capsule Wardrobe Challenge RECAP
Here are the outfits for the week all together:
10 Items worn:
1. brown Kohls corduroy blazer (worn Monday only)
2. black ATL knit pocket dress (worn Monday, Thursday)
3. black reversible neck Talbots top, both low and high neck style (worn Monday, Wednesday, Thursday)
4. aubergine AT sheath (worn Tuesday, Friday)
5. purple-brown-black patterned Connections dress (worn Wednesday)
6. purple silk-cotton AT boyfriend cardigan (worn Tuesday, Wednesday)
7. mustard yoked Halogen cardigan (worn Thursday, Friday)
8. brown Kenneth Cole leather jacket (worn Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)
9. brown Franco Sarto back-zip riding boots (worn Monday, Tuesday)
10. black Vince Camuto cowboy/wingtip boots (worn Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)
The 5 Accessories:
1. red-ivory cabbage rose J Crew scarf (worn Monday)
2. 3-in-1 multi-stone necklace, worn long and choker style (worn Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday)
3. muddy black-purple reversible skinny belt, only worn muddy black (worn Tuesday, Thursday)
4. maroon-mustard cotton paisley scarf (worn Thursday)
5. plum-brown Coach bag (worn every day)
Here is the jacket and bag, which were worn daily.
What Did I Learn:
-I need to prepare better for weather changes. I swapped out flats, a camisole, the cotton dress, and a grey sweater to fit in a jacket, more boots, the longer-sleeved knit dress and a long-sleeved top once the temperature dropped 20 degrees.
-Trying on accessories with pre-planned outfits is a must. I swapped out the light scarf and the mustard belt I thought I was going with when I realized they didn't work with the rest of the outfit.
-Multi-use or reversible items saved me. I loved the flexibility of them; knowing I could change the look of the outfit with a flip of the belt helped me feel less trapped by my choices.
-And I did feel *trapped* by the limitations! Every morning, I would look longingly at the rest of my closet, and I felt stifled creatively by only being able to wear from the challenge set. I did not expect that strong a reaction.
-I needed to better pre-plan the schedule of the tops and the bottoms. I scheduled the dress wearings so they worked out evenly through the week, but I ended up wearing two sweaters two days in a row. If I had worn Friday (aubergine sheath and mustard sweater) on Tuesday instead, it would have been more even.
-Doing an all-dress week was easier than I thought it would be. Because I had to lose one sweater for the leather jacket, I lost some of the versatility of the tops, but I think I managed to make the dresses look different with each wearing. Certainly no one at work noticed I was wearing the same ones twice in a week!
-I kind of feel like I cheated a bit by using so many different tights and hose each day, because they definitely changed the feel of the outfit. On the other hand, I deliberately stuck with the same glasses all week, instead of using the 4 pairs I have as accessories like I usually do.
All in all, I liked this challenge; it forced me to get creative with what I had in front of me, which got easier as the week progressed. I don't think I could do it every week, but I probably will participate again next season, just to keep myself challenged. I might even try some pants or skirts then!
Thank you so much to Jane at The Small Fabric of My Life for coming up with this challenge, and a great job to all the participants I was following, (many of whom I have now added to my blog roll, thanks to meeting them through the challenge): Fashion Junkie, Sheila, Bella, Shiny, Make Do Style, Dawn, Chewy Spaghetti, Lorena, Kasmira, Kari, Audi, B/C Changeover
Now I have to go check out the other links Jane had on her blog, to see who else I missed! :)
10 Items worn:
1. brown Kohls corduroy blazer (worn Monday only)
2. black ATL knit pocket dress (worn Monday, Thursday)
3. black reversible neck Talbots top, both low and high neck style (worn Monday, Wednesday, Thursday)
4. aubergine AT sheath (worn Tuesday, Friday)
5. purple-brown-black patterned Connections dress (worn Wednesday)
6. purple silk-cotton AT boyfriend cardigan (worn Tuesday, Wednesday)
7. mustard yoked Halogen cardigan (worn Thursday, Friday)
8. brown Kenneth Cole leather jacket (worn Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)
9. brown Franco Sarto back-zip riding boots (worn Monday, Tuesday)
10. black Vince Camuto cowboy/wingtip boots (worn Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)
The 5 Accessories:
1. red-ivory cabbage rose J Crew scarf (worn Monday)
2. 3-in-1 multi-stone necklace, worn long and choker style (worn Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday)
3. muddy black-purple reversible skinny belt, only worn muddy black (worn Tuesday, Thursday)
4. maroon-mustard cotton paisley scarf (worn Thursday)
5. plum-brown Coach bag (worn every day)
Here is the jacket and bag, which were worn daily.
What Did I Learn:
-I need to prepare better for weather changes. I swapped out flats, a camisole, the cotton dress, and a grey sweater to fit in a jacket, more boots, the longer-sleeved knit dress and a long-sleeved top once the temperature dropped 20 degrees.
-Trying on accessories with pre-planned outfits is a must. I swapped out the light scarf and the mustard belt I thought I was going with when I realized they didn't work with the rest of the outfit.
-Multi-use or reversible items saved me. I loved the flexibility of them; knowing I could change the look of the outfit with a flip of the belt helped me feel less trapped by my choices.
-And I did feel *trapped* by the limitations! Every morning, I would look longingly at the rest of my closet, and I felt stifled creatively by only being able to wear from the challenge set. I did not expect that strong a reaction.
-I needed to better pre-plan the schedule of the tops and the bottoms. I scheduled the dress wearings so they worked out evenly through the week, but I ended up wearing two sweaters two days in a row. If I had worn Friday (aubergine sheath and mustard sweater) on Tuesday instead, it would have been more even.
-Doing an all-dress week was easier than I thought it would be. Because I had to lose one sweater for the leather jacket, I lost some of the versatility of the tops, but I think I managed to make the dresses look different with each wearing. Certainly no one at work noticed I was wearing the same ones twice in a week!
-I kind of feel like I cheated a bit by using so many different tights and hose each day, because they definitely changed the feel of the outfit. On the other hand, I deliberately stuck with the same glasses all week, instead of using the 4 pairs I have as accessories like I usually do.
All in all, I liked this challenge; it forced me to get creative with what I had in front of me, which got easier as the week progressed. I don't think I could do it every week, but I probably will participate again next season, just to keep myself challenged. I might even try some pants or skirts then!
Thank you so much to Jane at The Small Fabric of My Life for coming up with this challenge, and a great job to all the participants I was following, (many of whom I have now added to my blog roll, thanks to meeting them through the challenge): Fashion Junkie, Sheila, Bella, Shiny, Make Do Style, Dawn, Chewy Spaghetti, Lorena, Kasmira, Kari, Audi, B/C Changeover
Now I have to go check out the other links Jane had on her blog, to see who else I missed! :)
Friday, October 2, 2009
Friday: Wardrobe Capsule Challenge
My husband was on the other side of the door. We tag-teamed to torture George today. Hee!
You, the imaginary pixel people on the internet, are the only ones who know I wore this sweater two days in a row. Don't tell anyone! :)
Today was all repeats: the aubergine sheath, mustard yoked sweater, multi-stone 3-in-1 necklace, black Vince Camuto boots. I added a pair of purple patterned Vera Wang tights; I try to stay away from colored tights, but this was a subtle color that matched my dress nicely. Unfortunately they were cheaply made and pilled up around the thigh the first day. Ah well.
I will do a thinky-thoughts post about the challenge tomorrow, along with a final photo of the real set of items I wore this week. This was a challenge that stretched me in ways I didn't expect, both good and bad. But I like it a lot!
You, the imaginary pixel people on the internet, are the only ones who know I wore this sweater two days in a row. Don't tell anyone! :)
Today was all repeats: the aubergine sheath, mustard yoked sweater, multi-stone 3-in-1 necklace, black Vince Camuto boots. I added a pair of purple patterned Vera Wang tights; I try to stay away from colored tights, but this was a subtle color that matched my dress nicely. Unfortunately they were cheaply made and pilled up around the thigh the first day. Ah well.
I will do a thinky-thoughts post about the challenge tomorrow, along with a final photo of the real set of items I wore this week. This was a challenge that stretched me in ways I didn't expect, both good and bad. But I like it a lot!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Thursday: Wardrobe Capsule Challenge
Yet another photo in which I am upstaged by my cat. Ha!
Oh my god, he is just too much. He hasn't quite figured out there's a camera across the room, but he knows I'm in here posing and he just HAS to be there to watch. He's hilarious.
Okay, back to the outfit. Not so sure the grey plaid-pattern tights worked in the photo, but they were less noticeable in real life. Otherwise, I loved the cowboy feel of this!
Black Talbots reversible top, low side in front (worn Monday, Wednesday)
black ATL pocket knit dress (worn Monday)
mustard yoked Halogen sweater
red-gold cotton paisley scarf
reversible ATF belt (worn Tuesday)
grey Vera Wang tights
black Vince Camuto boots
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday: Capsule Wardrobe Challenge
Hands down, this has been my favorite outfit this week. I was worried the skirt was too short with the boots (I work in a conservative environment) but I just love this look and I really wanted to try it myself. I forgot, the department I was meeting with today is made up of relatively young females. They practically squealed when they saw my outfit! Heh, now that's a nice vote of confidence.
Dress: brown-purple-black pattern dress, Marshalls
Top: reversible black long-sleeve top, Talbots (worn Monday)
Sweater: purple silk-cotton boyfriend cardigan, AT (worn Tuesday)
Boots: black Franco Sarto flat cowboy wingtips
My necklace was part of the 3-in-1 multi-stone I've been wearing all this week. It can be one long, or two shorts or bracelets. This is the first time I wore it as a choker; it's not my favorite style of necklace but I like it with this outfit.
I had to do another swap yesterday, after I had taken my photos. I walked out the door and it was FREEZING. So I finally got up the nerve to cut the tags off my NAS leather jacket from Kenneth Cole, and I wore that. This is how it looked.
Naturally, I wore it again today.
I'm not so sure the jacket goes with the black boots, but I had no other options. The brown boots lost a zipper pull on Monday, so I took them back to Von Maur tonight so they could be repaired (for free!) Which is excellent, except now they will be unavailable for possibly a couple of weeks. Yeesh. Anyway, I didn't want to wear the flats I had selected for the challenge, I wanted to keep wearing boots. So I swapped the flats for these new beauties, which are SO AWESOME. I love the detail on them, and they are ridiculousy comfortable. I think I could wear these or the brown ones every day this winter and I would die a happy woman.
Yes, this was definitely my favorite day so far. George's too!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tuesday: Capsule Wardrobe Challenge 2009
Have time for a quick post before I run out the door! Here was Day 1.
Sigh. I hate when my flash makes my headlights show up through the dress. ANYWAY.
aubergine AT sheath
purple AT silk-cotton bf cardigan
multi-stone 3-in-1 BR necklace
reversible skinny ATF belt, espresso/fuschia
reversible black/bittersweet Spanx tights (bittersweet showing)
brown Franco Sarto boots
Did another swap with belts. I am keeping aside all the things I am wearing separated from what I have left; I'm going to have to take a photo of what I ended up with versus where I started, because it's too funny! I'm so bad at pre-planning outfits, clearly. But I will finish this challenge with 10 items and 5 accessories, just you watch. Heck, I've swapped in so many reversible items I may be able to do with less!
Sigh. I hate when my flash makes my headlights show up through the dress. ANYWAY.
aubergine AT sheath
purple AT silk-cotton bf cardigan
multi-stone 3-in-1 BR necklace
reversible skinny ATF belt, espresso/fuschia
reversible black/bittersweet Spanx tights (bittersweet showing)
brown Franco Sarto boots
Did another swap with belts. I am keeping aside all the things I am wearing separated from what I have left; I'm going to have to take a photo of what I ended up with versus where I started, because it's too funny! I'm so bad at pre-planning outfits, clearly. But I will finish this challenge with 10 items and 5 accessories, just you watch. Heck, I've swapped in so many reversible items I may be able to do with less!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday: Capsule Wardrobe Challenge 2009
And so the weeklong challenge begins!
Plum Coach bag
brown corduroy blazer, Kohls
reversible-neck black long-sleeved top, Talbots
black knit dress, LOFT
reversible Spanx tights (black/bittersweet)
brown Franco Sarto boots
cream-and-red rose print scarf, J Crew Outlet
The temperature dropped by 20 degrees between yesterday and today, so I swapped in and out some different items. The white camisole was traded for the black long-sleeved top; I went with this one because it can be worn front or back; there are different collar heights on each side. Today I wore it high. The scarf was added in because I still had an open spot in my accessories list, now that I know hosiery isn't counted. (Yay!)
I have to confess, pairing black and brown together doesn't come naturally, and I had some doubts about this outfit. But I think it all worked, and the scarf was a good pop of color to break it all up. I doubt I will be this dark again this week!
Plum Coach bag
brown corduroy blazer, Kohls
reversible-neck black long-sleeved top, Talbots
black knit dress, LOFT
reversible Spanx tights (black/bittersweet)
brown Franco Sarto boots
cream-and-red rose print scarf, J Crew Outlet
The temperature dropped by 20 degrees between yesterday and today, so I swapped in and out some different items. The white camisole was traded for the black long-sleeved top; I went with this one because it can be worn front or back; there are different collar heights on each side. Today I wore it high. The scarf was added in because I still had an open spot in my accessories list, now that I know hosiery isn't counted. (Yay!)
I have to confess, pairing black and brown together doesn't come naturally, and I had some doubts about this outfit. But I think it all worked, and the scarf was a good pop of color to break it all up. I doubt I will be this dark again this week!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Capsule Wardrobe Challenge
Small Fabric of My Life has issued a Capsule Wardrobe Challenge, where we take 10 items of clothing and 5 accessories, and mix and match outfits for the week. It starts tomorrow and runs through Friday. I've been buying lots of dresses for the express purpose of being able to coordinate multiple outfits for them, so I am definitely in!
Here is what I will be wearing this week:
To start with, there are 3 dresses and 4 sweater/jackets:
MK Purple-mustard-brown dress
AT aubergine sheath
LOFT black pocketed dress
Kohls brown corduroy blazer (new!)
grey M+O boyfriend sweater
purple AT boyfriend sweater
mustard Halogen yoked cardigan
Also a white camisole, just in case.
The other two clothing items will be my shoes.
brown Franco Sarto riding boots (new!)
bronze Audrey Brooke jeweled flats
The accessories will include my beloved purple with brown trim Coach bag (which I have been using nonstop since I got it), and the stuff below.
mustard leather belt, Old Navy
multi-stone 3-in-1 necklace, BR
multi-colored floral scarf, owned for 15+ years
I HAD put aside for my last accessory either my Oriblu microfishnets or my reversible Spanx tights (black and bittersweet) depending on the weather, but then I just read that hosiery is NOT included! Whoohoo! I have a second scarf I debated using instead so I will add that back in.
Honestly, I think I could make many more than just 5 days of outfits out of this! I'm excited about it this week, and I lucked out in that I will be off-site at meetings several times this week, so I can repeat dresses and no one will know. LOL!
P.S. I am pretty impressed that there is only ONE black item in the whole set. My, how my closet has changed!
Here is what I will be wearing this week:
To start with, there are 3 dresses and 4 sweater/jackets:
MK Purple-mustard-brown dress
AT aubergine sheath
LOFT black pocketed dress
Kohls brown corduroy blazer (new!)
grey M+O boyfriend sweater
purple AT boyfriend sweater
mustard Halogen yoked cardigan
Also a white camisole, just in case.
The other two clothing items will be my shoes.
brown Franco Sarto riding boots (new!)
bronze Audrey Brooke jeweled flats
The accessories will include my beloved purple with brown trim Coach bag (which I have been using nonstop since I got it), and the stuff below.
mustard leather belt, Old Navy
multi-stone 3-in-1 necklace, BR
multi-colored floral scarf, owned for 15+ years
I HAD put aside for my last accessory either my Oriblu microfishnets or my reversible Spanx tights (black and bittersweet) depending on the weather, but then I just read that hosiery is NOT included! Whoohoo! I have a second scarf I debated using instead so I will add that back in.
Honestly, I think I could make many more than just 5 days of outfits out of this! I'm excited about it this week, and I lucked out in that I will be off-site at meetings several times this week, so I can repeat dresses and no one will know. LOL!
P.S. I am pretty impressed that there is only ONE black item in the whole set. My, how my closet has changed!
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