What I Wore to Work - And Why It Worked
One of the questions I hear very often from clients is: “How do you decide what to wear?” “Where do you start?” “How do you choose your accessories?”
In other words, how does styling really happen in real life? So I decided to use today’s outfit as an example.
Today, I worked in my office doing in-person color analyses.
When I do these sessions, my outfit is never random. It always starts with my work. Because I stand behind my clients during the test, I need to wear neutral colors on top. Bright colors could distract the eye and interfere with the process. I also need to be comfortable, since I’m standing and moving a lot.
It is very cold right now, and I meet my clients outside before coming in. So on freezing days, my base is almost always the same: a good cashmere sweater and comfortable pants.
Building the Base Outfit
Today, I chose a gray V-neck sweater that is oversized on me. I paired it with black jeans that are not fitted either.
Since both pieces were relaxed, I decided to do a half-tuck and add a belt. That small detail already gives more structure to the outfit.
Using Jewelry to Add Personality
I love jewelry, and I use it a lot in my outfits. Gray isn't one of my best colors, so I knew I needed something close to my face to add more life and warmth. I chose a chunky gold necklace and layered it with another one in orange tones.
That combination added color, light, and personality to the look. (And yes, this is a good example of how I sometimes wear colors that are not in my palette, with intention and balance.)
Choosing the Right Belt
I have a few black belts, but I chose this one for three reasons. It is thinner than the others, made of suede, which gives it a different texture from my shoes, and it has a small buckle with subtle gold, not too flashy. Because I was already wearing statement necklaces, I wanted the belt to support the look, not compete with it.
Earrings, Rings, and Mixing Metals
Although I love jewelry, I usually avoid wearing big earrings and big necklaces at the same time. Today, I chose two simple ear cuffs: one gold and one silver.
I actually enjoy mixing metals. I just make sure that one of them is the protagonist. In this case, gold was dominant, and the silver cuff created a nice connection with the gray sweater.
Lately, I’ve also been enjoying wearing more rings and mixing different styles. It’s a small detail, but it makes getting dressed more fun.
Why This Outfit Is Never “Final”
Every piece I wore today is something I already owned. Some I’ve worn many times. Others, like the ear cuffs I brought from my recent trip to Brazil, I had never worn. And even though I’ve worn some of these items before, I had never worn them together like this. That’s the magic.
Next time I wear this sweater and jeans, I’ll probably choose different boots. Or bigger earrings instead of a necklace. Or maybe a different belt.
This is what I call having fun getting dressed. When you do it every day, it should feel enjoyable, not stressful.
If You Feel Stuck…
If choosing outfits feels difficult or overwhelming for you, you don’t have to do it alone. This is exactly the kind of process I help my clients with: understanding their lifestyle, colors, and preferences, and building outfits that make sense in their real lives.
If you’d like to talk about it, you can schedule a discovery call, and we’ll chat.
Hi, I’m Marcia Crivorot, a Personal Stylist based in NY. Once a month, I send newsletters featuring style tips, recommended brands, and a shopping guide. Unlock previous editions of my newsletters and receive my emails firsthand by subscribing.
Disclosure: Remember that I link products and companies based on their quality, my personal opinion, my experience, and my professional expertise. Some of the links in my posts are affiliate links, and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a small commission. The decision is yours, and whether or not you buy something is entirely up to you.