Give up not being the style diva you are for Lent! My Personal March Style Challenge

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Do you practice Lent? I am not Catholic, but I often practice Lent as an exercise in self-awareness, recognition of my privileges, consciousness of those less fortunate, and away to improve my life and the world. I do not tend to do a subtractive Lent, but additive. I will add things to my life for 40 days. A personal style challenge and Lent work perfectly together! It’s a great opportunity to remove a bad habit—like always wearing black or add a new challenge, like wearing more skirts.

Image "Les iris nains de la garrigue by Isabelle Blanchemain https://flic.kr/p/FbpofL

Image "Les iris nains de la garrigue by Isabelle Blanchemain https://flic.kr/p/FbpofL

Would you like to join me on this adventure? Would you like to win some money towards Luci Bags? Whether you are practicing Lent or not, use March to work on some personal style challenge. Think about how you want to grow and evolve your style. Choose an area or two for the month of March or for Lent and Work It! Post here, in the comments each day you work it or to Instagram with the tag #WorkingMyPersonalStylechallenge.

My challenges:

Isn't this cardi great? I don't wear it enough. Time to give it some love! Outfit: LaJu Armanda Ribbed Cardigan fromStitch Fix. Dark Destructed Skinny jeans and an older top from cabi clothing. Aerosole boots. Moonstruck Half Moon Necklace from eSBe

Isn't this cardi great? I don't wear it enough. Time to give it some love! Outfit: LaJu Armanda Ribbed Cardigan fromStitch Fix. Dark Destructed Skinny jeans and an older top from cabi clothing. Aerosole boots. Moonstruck Half Moon Necklace from eSBe

For March and Lent I have two Personal Style Challenges:

  • Give up: I will not buy any new clothes in the month of March  
  • Add to: I have a few that are not style related, but for Lent I am going to try to wear at least one garment that is not getting the love it deserves. I managed my closet clean out in February, although I am still finishing that up. I have a lot of clothes I love. But if I don’t wear them, I shouldn’t keep them.

 

 

 

 

My plan:

I've worn this great top once. Time to Work it! Outfit:  Le Lis Taley Split Neck Knit Top from Stitch Fix. Dark Destructed Skinny jeans and an older top from . JustFab boots (USE MY REFERRAL CODE TO SAVE $).

I've worn this great top once. Time to Work it! Outfit:  Le Lis Taley Split Neck Knit Top from Stitch Fix. Dark Destructed Skinny jeans and an older top from . JustFab boots (USE MY REFERRAL CODE TO SAVE $).

My plan is easy on the giving up—I just won’t buy clothes. I’ll need to stop going to sites and checking stuff out. That is a problem. And sales. Sales are a problem. With my newly arranged, cleaned out, and organized closet, I should be able to reach for those pieces I forget more easily.  I’ll certainly be talking about this on Instagram, so follow me there for more!

 

 

 

 

The Prize:

Luci Bags!

Luci Bags!

Want some help with your style challenge? Work your person style challenge, as discussed above, and you could win a $25 Luci Bags gift certificate!  I am working with the fabulous Luci stylist, Leigh Cheatwood-Harris, to bring you this opportunity. To enter, use the tag #WorkingMyPersonalStyleChallenge on Instagram to show us how you are doing. Or, leave a note for me in the comments here. Each post on Instagram will be entered to win. These are great display bags, where you can show off your business. There are also totes and pouches. I have my eye on a bow tote.  Work your style challenge and win money towards one of these bags! This is a great way to work your style challenge and show off your business or fashionably hold all your stuff!

More Luci Bags!

More Luci Bags!

Beyond POW: Black, White, and Comfy Manic Monday

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Outfit Mission Statement: Take knit pieces in white and black for a strong, chic, and comfortable Manic Monday look

Manic Monday outfits are easy career clothes to throw on for manic Mondays. This Monday we focus on creating a fun, high-contrast, but still comfortable work outfit. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the Beyond Tee from cabi Fall 2016. In this look, I take advantage of the long panels to create modern, open jacket look. The outfit is also very comfortable, with a knit pencil skirt and tee shirt—it may be more comfortable than your pjs! Together with the mixed prints, this is a chic, yet comfortable look to rock some manic Mondays. The high contrast of white and black gives it a dressier and more sophisticated air, meaning you could be both more comfortable and dressier than your coworkers—always a great combo. I am wearing the Beyond Tee backwards here, for a higher neckline that looks more professional with the sleeveless style. If you add a layer, you could wear it either way.

If your autumn has been as warm as mine, you are looking for new ways to style cool work outfits, so you do not overheat. But, if you are having crisp fall days, consider adding a cardigan, cropped jacket, long sleeved top, or turtleneck with this outfit to keep your arms warm.

 

Beyond Tee Styling Technique: Long Vest

To rock the “Long Vest” technique:

  1. Put it on backwards with the tag in front for a higher and more professional neckline 
  2. Tuck the bottom of the tunic part of the tee shirt (not the panels) into your skirt
  3. Wear the panels down each side as they naturally fall
  4. Add a thin print belt at your natural waist for curves

 

Tips:

  • When going sleeveless in the office, go with a higher neckline to add coverage and a more professional air
  • Don’t forget to follow the rules of mixing prints--in this case the prints works because the prints are different sizes and the same colors, plus animal prints can often be considered a neutral (when in their natural colors)
  • To add curves, wear a bold skinny belt at your natural waist
  • When wearing something that could be seen as casual, stick to black or black and white for a more professional feel
  • A low soft ponytail is an easy, yet professional, manic Monday hairstyle
  • Remember, when mixing white, they do not have to be the same shades of white
  • Play up the pattern mixing by wearing shoes with some type of a pattern, even straps

 

Outfit Breakdown:

If you would like the Beyond Tee, contact your cabi stylist. If you do not have one, please contact me in the comments or via email, reach out to my (Joni Allen via email or phone: 770 502-5243 [call or text]), or find a cabi stylist near you.

 

Related Posts:

  1. Bardot POW: Ponte and Knotted Manic Monday Posted June 06, 2016: For a comfortable, professional Monday outfit, dress up your denim shirt with a navy ponte pencil skirt
  2. Plaid POW: Manic Flannel Monday Posted February 22, 2016: For a cozy yet professional look, take one casual flannel and add lots of professional pieces
  3. Michelle POW: Manic Peasant in Ponte Monday Posted March 07, 2016: For a casual, yet professional, office look, consider ponte and a peasant blouse with your cardigan

Pleated Star POW: Working It Printed, Pleated & Classy Wednesday

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Outfit Mission Statement:  When you start with a dressy skirt, you don’t need to add a jacket to be profession, just a crisp blouse and sophisticated accessories

Working it Wednesday outfits are professional career clothes, often a step or two above Manic Monday outfits. The POW (Piece of the Week) is the Pleated Star Skirt from Canvas by Lands’ End. A pleated skirt can be a great formal office look with a jacket. But you do not need a jacket for a dressier office look. Instead, add classic and classy pieces, such as a white blouse, statement pearl necklace, sophisticated leopard print belt, and a nude suede pump for a professional take on the pleated skirt with panache.  

You’ll notice I added some extra flair with the on-trend wrapping of the button down top. Unlike what I had previously, this shirt, the cabi Fall 2106 It’s a Wrap Shirt, is designed so you can wrap it. There are some buttons that help and the shirt has a trapeze shape to accommodate his. You can also wear the top without wrapping it, for a looser trapeze style. It’s a fun, yet professional top that can easily be worn two very different, on-trend ways.

This star pleated skirt has a lot of office possibilities and can provide a fun career look that still remains professional. It also could be a fun wardrobe staple for a woman in politics.  She could rock the vote by wearing the skirt with a cardigan in more casual settings, a nice white shirt (like this), is more formal settings, a navy jacket in a debate, and a campaign tee shirt for fun. I’d vote for her (at last her wardrobe)!

 

Tips:

  • When starting with a dressy skirt, consider adding a crisp white blouse, and sophisticated accessories for a polished, profession look without a jacket
  • Look for versatile pieces that literally transform for an easier budget and time packing, such as this workhorse white blouse that can be a flowing trapeze style or chic wrapped blouse
  • With a standout print skirt and bold print belt, consider a nude pump to not distract
  • Add a bold belt to draw attention to and narrow the waist, especially when combining a white shirt and a white backed print
  • A crisp white wrap blouse will extenuate curves, giving you a more hourglass shape, while still looking professional
  • Remember what I said about leopard print (go for fine quality, not trashy)

 

Outfit Breakdown:

Interested in purchasing? If my post inspired you to buy the lovely Pleated Star Skirt from Canvas by Lands’ End or other items from Lands’ End, please consider using my referral link. I’ll get 25% off my next order and be very grateful! Let me know you used my referral link, and give you a shout out including links to your social media.

 

Related Posts:

  1. Bardot POW: Working It Wrapped, Classy Linen & Denim Wednesday posted June 08, 2016: Make your denim shirt work for work by pairing it with a classic neutral linen trouser and sophisticated accessories.
  2. Plume POW: Working It Classic & Modern Coco Wednesday posted April 06, 2016: Create a career outfit with the same put-together professionalism as a suit with a few modern interpretations of classic pieces.
  3. Go-To POW: Working It Classic Nautical Wednesday posted March 23, 2016: Combine the perfect black work trousers with a classic nautical jacket for chic, preppy, and professional look that implies success.

 

Or, learn how to work It in the other Working It Wednesday posts!

 

 

What is holding back your style? My Personal October Style Challenge

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We all have our style challenges. Perhaps we lack confidence to try a style we love. Maybe we only wear blue. Perhaps we have never tried red lipstick. Maybe we tend to only wear our hair in a ponytail. Maybe we love over-the-knee boots, but just have not tried them. Whatever your challenge, and whatever your reason, here in as opportunity to grow.

Outfit: cords are classic cabi (similar), blouse is from Stitch Fix, Gray Owl Infinity Scarf from ITB Design, boots are Navy Veradley Ankle by Bucco and sold from Zulily, and , Feather ring by Solid Treasures

Outfit: cords are classic cabi (similar), blouse is from Stitch Fix, Gray Owl Infinity Scarf from ITB Design, boots are Navy Veradley Ankle by Bucco and sold from Zulily, and , Feather ring by Solid Treasures

Take part in my Personal Style Challenge for October. Think about how you want to grow and evolve your style. Think about what is holding you back and Work It! Choose to work on that one area for the month of October. They say it takes 21 days to make a habit. So, you can change this style challenge into a style strength, in just one month.

I tried this idea before, in February, and plan to make it a monthly thing. I have many personal style challenges to work on. This way I can master one or two a month!

 

 

 

 

My challenges:

For October I have two Personal Style Challenges:

  • Rings: I have rings, but besides my wedding and engagement rings, I tend to not wear them. So, I am challenging myself wear rings more in October!
  • Scarves: I adore scarves. They are fun. They are a great way to add a pop of color or print to an outfit. They keep my neck warm. I have a ton of scarves. I do not wear scarves very often thought. So, I challenge myself to wear more scarves in October—which really is a great month to do so!

 

 

My plan:

My plan for both is simple: wear more of them. I have been working for months to add more rings to my collection, and I have several wonderful ones from Solid Treasures and a fun one from Shine Chaser Jewelry. I also recently joined Le Tote (more of this later), and will rent me some rings and scarves to help out.

I may report back and post pictures. I’ll certainly be talking about this on Instagram, so follow me there for more!

 

 

 

 

 

So, what about you? Do you have any personal style challenges you want to conquer? If so, join me! Choose a challenge, develop a plan, and let’s kick those style challenges to the curb! Use the tag #WorkingMyPersonalStylechallenge to show us how you are doing on Instagram. Or, leave a note for me in the comments here. I may even have a prize for one of you who worked their personal style challenge! Don't worry about meeting the challenge every day, unless you want to. Just do what you can. Even meeting it once is an improvement!

Work it!