A Week of Workfits: Serving Looks From 9-5.

Since we last met, Serena Williams has graced the cover of vanity fair with an awe-inspiring pregnant shoot, Baddiewinkle got on NPR, and I began working on a zine. Exciting things are happening, people!

First things first, I'd like to give a special thanks to Nnonyem for shooting my looks for four days straight! That was a feat in and of itself and I'm happy she was so willing to help.

In the past, I discussed how I shifted my style and outfits from my more eccentric college self to my slightly more self-contained professional self.  I took the time to do a small showcase of my personal work outfits (or workfits).  I got the idea to do this while flipping through an Allure magazine and coming across some work fashion profiles, and it inspired me to take an objective look at my work style profile. I'm showcasing my work looks from Monday - Thursday and adding shopping details and the like.


MONDAY: down at the seaport.


It’s just another manic Monday
I wish it was Sunday
’Cause that’s my fun day
My I don’t have to run day
It’s just another manic Monday
— Mani Monday - The Bangles
Rachel Ndubuisi wearing H&M pearl earrings, and lipstick from ColorPop

On Mondays, I tend to dress in a very traditional and cookie-cutter professional way. Something about Mondays  for me spell formality and procedure. It's the first day of the week and I tend to approach it almost ritualistically because it sets the tone for the rest of the week.

Coincidentally, my friend and I did this shoot at the South Seaport without even really know how well the colors of the landscape would match my outfits. This whole shoot seems very reminiscent of the 1750's with me as a sailor's wife waiting in her finest duds at the seaport for her husband. 

Rachel Ndubuisi wearing a polka dot top, black pencil skirt, leather booties and standing in front of the South Street Seaport

TUESDAY: Earth mami~


Rachel Ndubuisi smiling and wearing pearl H&M earrings

This Tuesday, I was feeling rather bohemian, to say the least. Being in the midst of summer, the best bet for most outfit choices are light and airy and at times, it's hard to wear those kind of pieces to work because of obvious modesty issues.

I'm extremely cautious of my clothes being see-through so I always make sure my clothes cover appropriately even when wearing something that's light and airy. I've noticed that a a lot of women don't seem to take note of this, especially because of all the undergarments I've been exposed to when people walk in the sunlight, haha. They also may just not care as much as I do about these things 🤷

By Tuesday, I'm very much in the swing of the week and feeling a bit more spontaneous with my outfit choices. This is one of the looks I had to slowly put it together over time. It went like this: I found the skirt, fell in love with it and then realized I had nothing to match it.  Thankfully. I ran into those brown super comfortable wedges and that's what brought the look all together.  

I tend to alwayssss do this; buy individual pieces that look cool and then come home with it and I realize that I barely have anything to match it. I'm honestly so annoying.

Anyway, every week or so, I try to put together a look that has nice earth tones especially warm browns and golds because they go beautifully with my skin. This outfit made me feel like an earth mami because of how the browns and golds meld with my skin, yknow?


WEDNESDAY: A floral affair.


By this time of the week, I'm straight cruising and therefore my outfits get a bit more relaxed especially in regards to footwear. Because I'm short, I tend to want wear heels most of the times butttt  I also tend to get over it by mid-week. 

I picked this outfit because I'm  in love with the floral skirt and I based all the other pieces on it.  The flower embroidery on the skirt has a romantic feel and paired with the lace pullover, I felt very elegant and regal. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the ability to be colorful and bright. Very often, I feel as though being colorful and bright isn't really appreciated in fashion. We may be in the era of pastels, greys and neutral tones and while that's cool, it can be awfully boring especially in the summertime. At times, I tend to go with neutral tones but I can be very colorful and awfully bright  and I like to show that at times. 

 

SH

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Rachel Ndubuisi in Housing Works Skirt, Zara Top  and H&M shoes

THURSDAY: A Floral haze


Rounding off the week, I kept things colorful and bright. I'd been dying to wear that Saks robe/jacket to work and I finally managed to pull it off with a simple black dress and holographic earrings.  Around the end of the week, I generally put the least thought into my outfits because y'know the week is almost over. Generally, I just slip on a dress and some cool accessories to tie it all up. 

Rachel Ndubuisi in Old Navy Dress and Saks Summer Jacket

One of my biggest struggles when it comes to fashion and personal style is being consistent. As y'all can see, I'm not very consistent with my looks. I tether between being simple and chic to being slight bohemian, and then finally i delved into the eccentric and bright zone.  

Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.
— Gore Vidal

With blogging, I feel as though I need ( or I am expected) to pick a certain style profile and then stick to it, but essentially, that's not me. I'm someone that enjoys change and transformation more than anything and that shows in my style because it's one of the easiest things I'm able to manipulate and change as I like.

In staying true to myself, I plan to continue to express my fashion through all the mediums, prints and patterns that I see fit. Life isn't about following trends and putting yourself in a box in order to fit an idea of what I'm supposed to be.

I will continue to follow in the footsteps of who I am and everyone else can tag along for the ride. 

Til' next time folks.