
The Not-So-Basic Closet Staples Minimalists Are Wearing Into The Office This Fall

Call it a cliché but when you look good you feel good which is why I take pleasure in getting dressed for work even on the days I dread going into the office. Although I have a bit more flexibility working in fashion, expressing oneself through outfits even with a corporate dress code can significantly increase mood and creativity.
For most of us, it's been two years of Zoom meetings in our favorite t-shirt and sweatpants so I’m excited to get back to chic yet comfortable trend-forward looks that mean business. No matter your industry, a minimal take on casual workwear is my favorite go-to inspiration because of its effortlessly sleek take on comfort combined with affordability regardless of budget.
Whether you prefer wide-leg trousers paired with an oversized button-down or a blazer and denim combination worn with your favorite statement boots, I’ve enlisted two of my favorite minimalists to share their go-to workwear items they’ll be rotating this fall.
Less is more when it comes to sophisticated elegance, so take notes of these key items to refresh your workwear wardrobe that’ll surely get you noticed for all the right reasons.
Aissata
Gaining popularity on TikTok for her minimal fashion-forward style, Aissata inspires her 20,000 followers with her weekly round-up of everyday corporate outfits. Her effortless cool girl nature is achieved with a combination of neutral tones, oversized fits, and statement pieces styled to perfection.
1. Classic Blazer
“A classic blazer is a must for work this fall because it can make any look pulled together. I love throwing mine over a basic T-shirt with a pair of relaxed jeans to balance out the casualness of the rest of the outfit and it’s a formula that works every time.”
2. Loafers/Mules
“Not only are loafers/mules chic but they can also bring comfort to your work outfit. I have a pair of Gucci loafers that I grab every time when I need comfort. I also love kitten heel mules for those in-between seasons like fall or spring when I feel like adding a little something to elevate my work outfits.”
3. Neutral Trousers
“A good pair of neutral color trousers. They’re so versatile and can be dressed up or down. They're also really good at balancing out a casual work look and bringing it back to looking professional.”
Six
Her current Instagram series, “30 days of Outfits” is a girl’s guide to effortlessly cool looks when it comes to those of us with a bit more flexibility with our office attire. Mixing sportswear with casual pieces is a great way to keep it cute and casual with a hybrid work schedule. These are key pieces that are flexible between working from both the coffee shop and the office according to Six.
4. Oversized Button Down
“This piece is great because it’s comfy yet structured and can elevate almost any casual piece easily. For example, pairing a crisp white button with sweats and a pump takes business casual to a whole new level.”
5. Bomber Jacket
“I’m loving these for fall because they are warm and have so much versatility. For office dressing, adding a comfort element is always key for me. you can pair an oversized bomber with a structured dress and boots or even a fitted bomber with trousers and loafers and not only look put together but add a bit of edge to classic office staples.”
6. Maxi Skirt
“Asymmetrical, long, pleated, fitted, baggy, there are so many skirt styles that are hot and which make playing with them for the office so much fun. I’m loving the skirt suit with loafers or a bootie, a good button down tucked into a pleated skirt gives a mix of school girl but office appropriate when paired properly.”
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Featured image courtesy of Aissata/Instagram
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Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube
You Don’t Have To Choose: How Black Women Can Care For Others Without Self-Sacrifice
One of the primary instructions we receive before a flight takes off is to prioritize putting on your life vest first if there’s an emergency, even before assisting others. It’s funny how this rule rarely translates to the daily routine of women.
As women we are taught, directly and indirectly, to put others first. Whether it’s our romantic partners, kids, parents, friends, or even our jobs. Mental health survivor and founder of Sista Afya Community Care, Camesha Jones-Brandon is challenging that narrative by using her platform to advocate for Black women and their right to self-care.
Camesha created the organization after her struggles with mental health and the lack of community she experienced. The Chicago native explains how she created Sista Afya to be rooted in “culturally grounded care.”
pixelheadphoto digitalskillet/ Shutterstock
“So at my organization, Sista Afya Community Care, we focus on providing mental health care through a cultural and gender lens,” she tells xoNecole. “So when we think about the term intersectionality, coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, we think about the multiple identities that lead to certain experiences and outcomes as it relates to Black women.
“So in the context of culturally grounded care, being aware of the cultural history, the cultural values, and then also the current issues that impact mental health outcomes.”
Words like “strong” and “independent” have long been associated with Black women for some time and many of us have begun to embrace the soft life and are using rest as a form of resistance. However, some of us still struggle with putting ourselves first and overall shedding the tainted image of the “strong, Black woman” that had been forced on us.
Camesha shares that while there’s more and more communities being created around empowerment and shared interests like running, she still questions, “are Black women really comfortable with being vulnerable about sharing their experiences?”
Being vulnerable with ourselves and others play an important role in healing the instinctive nature of always being “on” for everyone. “I'm currently facilitating a group on high functioning depression, and yesterday, we talked about how when Black women may be struggling or have shared their concerns with other people. They may be minimized, or they're told to just be strong, or it's not so bad, or I went through something worse back in Jim Crow era, so you should be thankful,” she explains.
“So I think there's a challenge with Black women being able to be honest, to be vulnerable and to receive the support that they need in the same capacity as how much they give support to other people. So that is probably a very common theme. I think we've made a lot of progress when we talk about the superwoman syndrome, the mammy stereotype, the working hard stereotype, the nurturing stereotype. I think we're beginning to unpack those things, but I still see that we have definitely a long way to go in that area.”
I think there's a challenge with Black women being able to be honest, to be vulnerable and to receive the support that they need in the same capacity as how much they give support to other people.
Roman Samborskyi/ Shutterstock
While we’re unpacking those things, we know that we’re still women at the end of the day. So as we continue to serve in various roles like mothers, daughters, sisters, and caretakers, we have to make caring for ourselves a priority. Camesha reveals four ways we can still care for others without abandoning ourselves.
Trust
First things first, trust. Camesha explains, “Some of the burdens that Black women have can be linked to not feeling like you can trust people to carry the load with you.
“It's hard because people experience trauma or being let down or different experiences, but one of the things that I found personally is the more that I'm able to practice trust, the more I'm able to get my needs met. Then, to also show up as my best to care for other Black women.”
Know Your Limitations
Another thing Camesha highlighted is Black women knowing their limitations. “The other thing that I would like to bring up in terms of a way to care for yourself is to really know your limitations, or know how much you can give and what you need to receive,” she says.
“So often, what I see with Black women is giving, giving, giving, giving, giving to the point that you're not feeling well, and then not receiving what you need in return to be able to feel well and whole individually. So I really think it's important to know your limitations and know your capacity and to identify what it is that you need to be well.”
Don’t Take On A Lot Of Responsibilities
Next on the list is not taking on so many responsibilities, sharing herself as an example. “The other thing is taking on too much responsibility, especially in a time of vulnerability.
“One thing that I personally struggled with was being so passionate about community mental health for Black women, and saying yes to everything and taking on so much responsibility,” she reveals. “That affected me to do well in serving Black women and then also impacting my own well being.”
Practice Self-Care
Lastly, she notes the importance of practicing self-care. “The last thing is really practicing regular self care, regular community care, so that it's embedded into your daily life. So for me, having prepared meals, going to the gym, getting eight hours of sleep, spending time with friends and family, all of those things are part of my self care that keep me at my best,” she explains.
“Then community care, leaning into social networks or social groups, or spending time with other interests or hobbies. That's a part of my community care that keeps me going, so that I can take care of my needs, but also to be able to show up best in care for others.”
Find out more about Camesha and Sista Afya Community Care at communitycare.sistaafya.com.
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