Two Week Roundup of Shop Your Closet Outfits

Hello my friends! It has been way too long. I finally carved out some time to get back to writing my blog. I’ve been super busy with work, family and planning a super exciting series of events that are happening next week. I’ll fill in on those later 😉

Last week was my first full week of the Beyond the Suit Shop Your Closet challenge. I’ve been so good. Despite all the temptation around me (I work in a major shopping area) I stayed focused and didn’t shop. And, most importantly, I spent time in my closet getting reacquainted to all the clothes I own. I dug deep and found some treasures! Clothes I haven’t worn in well over a year and, I’m ashamed to admit this, but clothes with tags still on them. But this challenge is breathing new life into my closet. I now realized sometimes we can all get in a rut with our work attire. Working in a corporate environment can stifle creativity so we wear the same clothes, the same way, all the time. This is why I am really pushing myself to look at my clothes through a new lens and come up with new ways to wear them. Here’s a tip: When you just feel like you have no other way to wear a certain article of clothing, open up your Pinterest app and do a search for that piece along with the word “work”. Instant inspiration!

So here some of my my looks for the past two week. If you are doing this style challenge with me, don’t forget to tag your photos on social media with #BTSShopYourCloset. I’m keeping an eye out for your creations.

And check back in a few days for major news!

Dress: Bloomingdales, Jacket: Saks Fifth Avenue, Shoes: French Connection, Necklace: Kenneth Jay Lane

Top: Target, Skirt: Escada, Shoes: Isaac Mizrahi, Necklace: I can’t remember but i bought it on RueLaLa.

Dress: H&M, Jacket & Necklace: Ann Taylor, Shoes: Enzo

This skirt has been hanging in my closet, unworn, for over a year. A travesty! Sweater: Gap, Denim Shirt: Lauren Conrad, Skirt: Escada, Shoes: Isaac Mizrahi, Necklace: Kenneth Jay Lane

Throwback to a Ted Talk I watched a few months ago where the speaker shared that before any big meeting or presentation, once should stand in a power pose to build their self confidence and pump themselves up. Dress: J. Crew, Jacket: Theory, Shoes: French Connection, Necklace: Van Cleef & Arpels

White Shirt: H&M, Striped Shirt: Express, Pants: Banana Republic, Shoes: French Connection, Necklace: Forever21

Shirt: Banana Republic, Skirt: Ann Taylor, Shoes: Isaac Mizrahi, Necklace H&M

Midi Skirt Image 1

So a couple of things happened last weekend – the weather dipped below 50 degrees in New York City, November officially started and we set our clocks back an hour. This is when I lose all hope of mild weather and accept the fact that I will soon be wearing 10 layers of clothes under my coat through April, if I’m lucky. I am a New Yorker, born and raised, but the cold winters never seem to get easier. And with this realization comes the mourning period. I am no longer in the mood for bright colors and I start to gravitate towards dark colors.

This week I wore several dark outfits but I wanted to share my favorite look of the week with you. I decided to try the midi skirt trend that is all the rage right now. I have always loved how these skirts look on models in magazines but when I would try them on, I always felt so matronly, almost like a nun from my elementary school days. But then I found this one at H&M and thought, “Hell, why not!” I paired it with another find from the same shopping trip to H&M – white tuxedo blouse. And the shoes are from French Connection. I personally like adding this particular shoe because it has some edge to it, contradictory to a very feminine and classic look with the long, flowy skirt. That’s what style is all about – making great outfits out of things you wouldn’t necessarily think work well together. I love this outfit because it’s office appropriate but also “after work drinks” ready. Super versatile.

I often wear clothes from H&M and that’s because I love the store! H&M has come a long way from selling the basics. Their clothes are now always on trend, they have teamed up with great designers in the past and currently (Alexander Wang collection came out on November 6^th) and it’s affordable. I believe in spending money on the things that will last. Love brands like Theory and Elie Tahari for suits and other staples that I will keep for years, but for clothes that are representative of the current trends, I make my money stretch and shop more affordable brands. You can be 25 or 55 and find great clothes at H&M.

I hope you stay warm this upcoming winter. If you are in a cold location like me, join me for a little morning prayer to mother nature, asking her for mercy. If you are in a location with milder weather, I’m jealous!

Midi skirt image 2

French Connection Shoe 1

French connection shoe 2

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