How Shaking Things Up At Home Will Shake Off The Workplace Blahs

By Brian Maynor

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Going back to work after a vacation of any kind, but particularly the holidays, can be stressful and is not particularly a red-letter moment for most of us.  It’s easy to fall into the doldrums and complacency of old habits and routines.

Fortunately there is an easy way to shake off those feelings and it starts at home.  One of the most prescribed actions to bolster energy, creativity and happiness across your life is to challenge yourself, and I can’t think of a better place to start than your closet.   Shake things up by creating your own capsule collection.  Don’t get nervous, it’s five simple steps anyone can do and you can try it for just a month.  We can do anything for four weeks, right?  Here’s what you need to know:

 

1. Set the stage.  Just like with anything a good plan makes all the difference; so before you start grabbing your favorite pieces willy-nilly think about what you need them to do.  Since we are focused on professional attire, my suggestion would be pulling only work appropriate pieces.  You go to work every day so you should know what is acceptable and what isn’t, but if you have questions you can always ask your manager or HR Director.
2. Limit the number of options.  The whole goal of this project is to change up normal routines, which means making sacrifices and sometimes forcing creativity.  We can’t grow without pushing ourselves.   Thirty-seven is the standard number of clothing pieces in a capsule collection that will give you plenty of options if you’re going for a full season, or three months.  If you’re just going for a four weeks try cutting the number back to fifteen.  This of course does not include accessories but should include shoes, and remember this is only for work wear.  Your full closet is fair game for dressing outside of the office.
3. Review your choices.  Pulling the pieces is the easy part, the hard part is making sure they work together and offer ‘real world’ outfits.  This isn’t the time to try and make a scarf double as a skirt or blouse.  You should be able to make at least ten different outfits from your choices and multiple variations of them.  You also want a mix of neutrals and statement pieces with more tops than bottoms.
4. Stick with your decision.  To get the most out of this exercise you don’t want to go shopping or add any pieces to this set once you’ve pulled it together.  That sounds hard because it is.  However the goal isn’t to limit yourself but to try new things and think outside the box.  When you have unlimited options we tend to fall into ruts.  Having a fixed number makes us engage our creativity but the desire for something new and different will always be there.  The discipline and willpower of not adding to your collection can only determined by you.
5. See the benefits radiate through your life.  This exercise is all about creating happiness, though it may not seem that way at first.  You’ll be happy when you pull together a new outfit you never would have created before.  You’ll be happy because you’re saving money not buying clothes to fill a void.  You’ll be happy because your breaking out of boundaries you never knew existed, and all of that happiness effects every other relationship and interaction in your life.

 

In addition to bringing some much needed focus and energy to our lives, creating a capsule collection will also help purge and de-clutter your wardrobe in small doses when the idea of tackling it all at once can be paralyzing.  It will also make your spring-cleaning that much easier.

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

 

I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace.  Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected].  Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.