Next week, I’ll be launching a new link-up that I’m calling Last Week This Week and its hashtag will be #lastweekthisweeklinkup. In this new weekly feature, I will be showing the photos of the outfits I wore to work during the previous week (hence the name of the link-up). I had thought of calling it What I Wore To Work Last Week but I was concerned that those whose work setting isn’t in an office might be put off. Let me clarify … unless you’ve declared yourself to be retired, anything you do during daylight hours (and sometimes nighttime ones as well) whether or not you get paid for it, I consider that to be your “work” and you should/can be dressed accordingly.
I do work in an office setting and while there’s no specific dress code, at my level my manner of dressing is expected to be somewhat old school “professional”. Thankfully, however, it does not need to be the feminine version of a suit and tie with conservative shoes. I have long since believed that there is room for creativity in achieving a professional look and I embrace that philosophy with gusto.
One of the motivating factors for me in starting this blog was the increasing level of frustration I was having of finding clothing with a professional edge that was affordable and fit me. The department stores that I use to frequent have nearly all been merged into Macy’s and the specialty stores that carry more career-oriented clothing are now far and few in between. It was disheartening to pass shop after shop in a mall and see mostly jeans, flannels, and crop tops. I’d been used to having a lot more variety and choices but now the whole shopping experience had become quite exasperating.
As many women in my age bracket have voiced displeasure on, it felt like it wasn’t just the fashion designers and retailers that are ignoring me, I had a hard time finding styling examples in the fashion magazines that were relevant to my lifestyle and budget. Over time, I found a variety of stores that had bits and pieces that would work as I needed. I also learned to adapt to the trends and styles I saw in the magazines in ways that suited me.
Before I’d definitely decided to start this blog, I tried looking for others that shared fashion and styling tips for the “over” set but I didn’t find many at the time. That had me thinking that maybe I could share what little I know on the subject along with a host of other topics that I could focus on.
It was never my intention to churn out “outfit of the day” posts but with my limited time for creating content, I feel that I’m not meeting my original intention of sharing my version of a professional look. I’ve found that it’s easier to put together an outfit for leisure because there are far fewer rules for what is appropriate. In the posts I’ve published up until now, I’ve attempted to give at least equal time to outfits I would/do wear to work as I do to those for fun.
I’ve been wanting to start taking daily photos of my workday looks for a while now and perhaps use them for more frequent IG posts. More recently as I was planning out the next three or four months of content for this blog, I’d hope to be able to increase my postings to three a week. The biggest challenge in doing this would be having enough time so I needed to figure out a way that at least one of the posts could be done in just a couple of hours.
There you have it. Last Week This Week is a look back on what I actually wore the previous Monday thru Friday as long as it was a workday. I may include a brief description of an outfit if I’ve dressed for a specific event other than a typical workday. Without a specified dress-code in my workplace, casual Friday isn’t really an official thing but I usually adhere to it nonetheless. I hope that you will be adding your posts to the link-up that show what you’ve been wearing to your “work”. The link-up will accept links to Instagram posts as well as to blog posts so you have that option as well.
You may have noticed that there are photos of only four outfits in this post and there are no photos labeled for last Monday. I had the day off on Monday because it was Labor Day. This week is a full work week so there’ll be five outfits on display in the next edition of Last Week This Week.
The image in the feature photo was taken on my first day back to work after my illness leave. I’m thinking of getting myself set up to do the daily photos in my office so that I’ll have irrefutable proof of what I really wore last week to work.
Let’s connect! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, love, pin … all options are available and waiting for you. I look forward to hearing from you. And don’t forget to add a post or two to Saturday’s link up.
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16 Comments
I will be there Rena! I work at home in my PJ’s so I will have to post something else! xx
Fabulous, Laurie. I can’t wait to see what you’ll be sharing.
I love how you keep it real, Rena! I am positive that sharing your outfits and tips will be helpful to us all!
–Roxanne
http://glassofglam.com
Thank you, Roxanne. I hope that will find some inspiration from my every day style.
I think you are smart, stylish, practical and frugal in your frequent choice of cardigans over jackets. A pretty print, a colorful stripe, or a great bright solid color can all be easily and usually less expensively found in a great cardy. My favorite is the stripey one. It has a unique mix of colors!
I think a work week wardrobe wrap up will be really cool Rena! I’m looking forward to the next one!
Jude, it’s great that I can always count on your encouragement and support.
You always look so fabulous, Rena! You definitely have a knack for looking so put together while keeping it very interesting, cool, and on trend! Well done, my friend. So, as you know, my “work” as a stay at home mom and blogger includes just that…drop the kids at school and stay at home and blog! But I still dress the part! And man, do get some looks at school drop off…from women who don’t know me and should be assuming that I am dressed the way I am because I am heading to work…which I am…even though work is at a desk in my home. I have a blog post planned for this coming week….”Does My Outfit Offend You?” Hahaha! I think you will like it! Have a great weekend and I will add your new link up to my linky list!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Wow, Shelbee, such a wonderful compliment and I think your blog post idea is a scream. I can hardly wait to read it.
Have you tried the Worthington line at JCPenney? It is very career oriented and affordable! Great outfits!
Amy, yes I do look at the lines carried at JCP but not much of it appeals to me for some reason. I still keep looking though.
Loving both outfits!
Have an awesome day!
xx Kris | https://dreamingofpink.wordpress.com
Thank you, Kris.
I love working in a place where I can choose what outfits I want to wear rather than having a set uniform. This is a great idea, Rena. I’ve been terrible at linking up lately, as I have been busy and by the time I can work on my computer I am usually trying to get blog related stuff done. But, I will keep trying. You outfits are great. I love all your different shoes! – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
Amy, yes the freedom to dress as one prefers is great. I’m so glad that you had some time to stop for a quick read and to comment.
I completely understand your struggle! I think starting this theme can definitely help other ladies feeling the way you do, find inspiration.
Thanks for linking up with Weekend Wear
xo
Mel
Melissa, it can be a struggle. I hope that you’ll be joining this new link up.