This week, Mitch started a new job and was working from home one full day– he was ecstatic from the early morning, instantly changing out of his khaki pants into a pair of joggers, grabbing one of the hot cups of coffee I’d just made for us, and meandering over to sit at his desk. He was thrilled. Meanwhile, I’d worked from home for the greater part of the last four years, and often will take any excuse to work from a coffee shop or even different location of my house!
One of the things I loved the most about going into an office to work was the separation of work and home— getting dressed every morning made me feel like I was gearing up to get out and conquer the world, then I could come home, bundle up in a cozy knit set, and light my candles!
I’ve been trying to make everyday a little more like those mornings I would go into the office: wake up, pick out an outfit that made me feel like a million bucks, and pour a heaping cup of coffee! With the weather starting to turn (I’m eyeing a cold front that’s supposed to move into Virginia tomorrow), I can’t help but get even more excited to wear fun items again, since I have a much larger affinity for cold weather clothing than for summer knits. When I’m choosing pieces for workwear, I want them to work double– maybe triple— duty; they can’t be just for work. I’m biased in that regard, knowing I’ve always worked in casual/smart-casual environments, and never needed to wear suiting or polos to work; however, I think there are ways you could integrate both here as well.
Pieces that can pull such weight in my closet naturally need to be worth their salt for me to purchase. While I’m never opposed to buying from Zara or H&M if I think the item can be useful and get a ton of wear— like a favorite green midi dress of mine that I’ve worn countless times over the last few years— it’s getting harder for me to justify the cost of items from some faster-fashion retailers who don’t back up their work with quality to match. Maybe it’s age, maybe it’s social media, maybe it’s coffee-fueled over anxious spiral thinking that has made me consider more carefully if I truly want something or if it’s just a passing trend.
It can feel contrived to post something like this and say, “oh, these combinations will make you more chic, more stylish, more whatever,” because ultimately it’s not true (hello, personal style?)— it’s for inspiration! I love creating little boards of outfits because not only do I hope they bring a little sparkle to your inbox, but I like using them as I get dressed to stir that part of my brain that says, “let’s wear something cool today!”
If you read my latest post on curating a streamlined, fashion-forward fall wardrobe, then you’ll see similar shapes and silhouettes here, but adding a touch more color, some feminine twirl (I’m very into flowing dresses this season!), and other je nes sais quoi details that help make an outfit feel curated, thoughtful, and fun when going from work to errands to drinks with girlfriends!
- Classic Trench, Burberry (I always advocate for buying this secondhand, you’ll get a steal!) 2. 2025 Leather-bound diary, Graphic Image 3. Two-tone watch, Timex 4. Button-down striped shirt, J. Crew 5. Hand soap, Hotel Lobby 6. Comfortable straight-leg denim, Re/Done 7. Baseball cap, Vogue 8. Chic ballet-inspired Mary Jane flats, Gianvito Rossi 9. Lightweight knit sweater, Zara 10. Acetate glasses, Bonnie & Clyde
- Beige wool knit sweater, Allude 2. Denim beret with bow, MaraisBeret 3. Silk neck scarf, Strathberry 4. Straight-leg denim, Agolde 5. Medallion-print dress, Agua by Agua Bendita 6. Woven flats, Loeffler Randall 7. Green faux suede tote bag, JW Pei 8. Western-inspired lady jacket, EM on Holiday 9. Denim flats, Veronica Beard 10. Small-batch perfume, Kismet Olfactive
- Oxblood patent loafers, Stuart Weitzman 2. Striped knit sweater, Mango 3. Tiger playing card print scarf, SZ Blockprints 4. Mock-neck knit dress, Reformation 5. Wrap belt, Commense 6. Garnet woven cardigan, ba&sh 7. Petite lady bag, Gucci (secondhand) 8. Drape pants, La Ligne 9. Boar-bristle brush, Mason Pearson 10. Leather sock boots, & Other Stories
- Double-buckle wide belt, Haute Cuir 2. Initials heart sweater, Lingua Franca 3. Embroidered detail sweater dress, Hunter Bell 4. Plaid bucket hat, Ruslan Baginskiy 5. Slim dark wash jeans, Levi’s 6. Nylon circle skirt, Prada 7. Knitted color-block lady jacket, J. Crew 8. Signet ring, Mejuri 9. Plexiglass headband, Miu Miu 10. Leather square-toe boot, Essen
