I’ve been hearing about life and job changes lately. I wanted to show some ways to dress down those typical work clothes. I thought this post would be appropriate as many of you will be looking at your closet for the Nordstrom Anniversary sale.
Earlier this spring, I suggested to log what you wear for 2-3 weeks. Do it now. This will serve as a helpful guide next year when you are purchasing. Go through the process again when the seasons change. Take quick selfies if you don’t want to write it all down. It also serves as a way to record your outfits so you can reference for ideas later.
Why do we struggle with transitions and how does it affect what is in our closets?
- Job change (different dress codes, new role–more walking vs sitting etc)
- Retirement
- When your workplace is the home vs an office
Recently several clients wrote about struggling with a change in dress codes. Everyone seems to be dressing more casual. When you are one who has a closet full of business causal clothes, it is common to feel over dressed in comparison to co-workers. You feel out of place. One client wrote, “I don’t know what my style is anymore! I need help!”
She was influenced by others, she lost her way and what her style was. What she was drawn to didn’t seem to make sense in comparison to others.
I really do understand. Years ago when I quit my teaching job, I recall it took a while to transition. I remember going to the Nordstrom sale like I did every summer to buy my “teaching clothes”, and purchasing like I always had before. One thing that stands out in my memory was that I kept adding dress pants in more colors and even a casual suit. Maybe even a dress or two. It was ridiculous. There was no need for these clothes.
In my defense, my mind set had not changed. I was buying as I always had. I loved putting my school clothes together and it was a hard habit to break! It was long before my styling days. I would have benefited from making a log of what I wore, or having some personal advice. I’m glad people still dressed up for church back then because I wore those clothes on Sundays and occasionally for a meeting.
Moving from teaching to a home business, I was often told by my peers. “You are so coordinated and put together. You always look so dressed up!” Sound familiar anyone?
This is REALLY hard for some of us to hear. We FEEL good being all put together. We ENJOY it. Jeans, a nice top and jewelry isn’t “dressed up” to us. We like casual dresses and skirts. This is touching on what I call the “Psychology of Fashion” and I dig into this when I create a client’s Personal Profile. We talk about their Style Persona It’s fascinating really and enough info for another post or video down the road.
When I started retail 8 years ago at a boutique, I had fun dressing up every day. It was great to put outfit combinations together again. I could mix it up and wore denim, dresses, and everything in between. But then came even more transitions:
2011: Nordstrom Point of View Department (no denim)
2012: Same Department: New manager, occasional denim was Ok.
2013: Downtown Portland Nordstrom–Studio Department (NO denim!)
2015: Store manager approves denim for Stylists if it is styled with a 3rd piece
2017: Boutique (NO denim!)
2018: Working from home with occasional appointments. CASUAL!
I recall 2013 so vividly. I was in an elevated department and I didn’t have the right clothes. I invested in more pants, skirts & dresses. Couple that with my feet problems, weight gain, and there were many days I felt extremely frumpy. It was honestly a horrible little spurt.
And let’s face it, this back and forth stuff is expensive! I know how to shop smart. I had a discount. I consign my clothes regularly. But still!
As I was getting ready a week or two ago I thought. “Oh, no, I’ve done it again!”
I have too many dressy clothes. I had carefully chosen this spring, trying to practice what I preached. Yet, I was definitely overstocked on dressier tops! I got a little motivated to do some different pairings with the Cabi jacket.
For this post I headed to my closet working at creating new, more causal outfits. I also tried to show causal shoes as promised after some discussion on my Facebook group.
#1 I combined a black tank, skirt but you could take a LBD and dress it down with a utility vest or jacket. One pose I have a leopard slide, I also showed the orange sandals or casual mules as a possibility. I chose rose gold with this outfit, but gold accessories would brighten it as well rather than silver.
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black tank // similar skirt// leopard mules// orange sandals
#2. I haven’t worn this skirt all season. The Boden striped tee I have in two colors. It would also look great with a black/white tee or a graphic tee. Those orange sandals are getting a lot of use. Orange appears to be my new neutral shoe, but they also are available in black or tan.
white jacket//striped tee// Skirt is last year’s Cabi and could be available at the outlet store.
#3 Next I took a navy skirt I used to really dress up, paired it with a top from Stella & Dot and my Earth sneakers. These shoes are all over in various colors and styles. I like to refer to them as a “sleeker sneaker.”
The navy dress I’ve had for a number of years and always wore the shoe on the left. Although it was just a two-inch heel and actually a pretty comfortable shoe, this time I’m going to go even more casual. Oh, and I could wear the orange sandal with this too.
White sneakers//similar skirt//striped top//metallic mules//
#4 Ok, I’m not sure what I think of this combo, but I wanted to figure another way to wear this jacket. First off, denim skirts are back. I bought this instead of getting another pair of white denim and instead of a pair of shorts. I like the unfinished hem. While I couldn’t find a similar blazer, I figured you probably had one to dress down.
white skirt//similar tee//slip-on sneakers
Contact me if you need more help. I hope this gives you some ideas.
