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
Colman Domingo’s Career Advice Is A Reminder That Our Words Shape Our Reality
When it comes to life, we are always here for a good reminder to shift our mindsets, and Colman Domingo just gave us one we didn't know we needed.
In a resurfaced clip from an appearance at NewFest shared as a repost via Micheaux Film Festival, the Emmy award winner dropped a gem on how he has navigated his decades-spanning career in Hollywood. The gem in question? Well, Colman has never identified with "struggle" in his career. Let that sit.
Colman Domingo On Not Claiming Struggle
"I’ve never said that this career was tough. I’ve never said it was difficult. I’ve never said it was hard," Colman said. "Other people would say that—‘oh, you're in a very difficult industry. It's very hard to get work and book work.’ I’m like, I’ve never believed that."
Instead of allowing himself to be defined by other people's projections about their perceptions of what the industry is or was, Colman dared to believe differently even if his reality was playing catch up with his dreams:
"Like Maya Angelou said words are things. And if you believe that, then that's actually what it is. Actually I've just never believed it. Someone told me some years ago, they said, 'I remember you were, you're a struggling actor.' I'm like, 'I don't.'"
"I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living..."
He continued:
"Even when I was bartending and hustling and not having opportunities or anything, I never believed that I was struggling because I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living and creating and being curious."
Colman’s philosophy of attaching to living instead of struggle has blossomed into an enduring career. He first made his mark on stage in acclaimed Broadway productions before transitioning to the screen, where his star began to rise in the 2010s following his role as Victor Strand in Fear The Walking Dead. From there, his presence only grew, landing memorable supporting roles in If Beale Street Could Talk, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and the hit series Euphoria.
In more recent years, Colman has stepped fully into the spotlight with standout leading performances in Rustin and Sing Sing, both of which earned him widespread critical acclaim and Academy Award nominations for Best Actor.
With all that said, Colman's advice is no doubt powerful, especially for those who are chasing their dreams, building something from the ground up, or have question marks about what's next in their careers. Words shape our realities, and how we speak about our journeys even in passing matters.
Words Create Our Reality & Colman Is Living Proof
"I tell young people that. To remember the words that you say about yourself and your career are true. So, I choose to make it full of light and love and it's interesting and every day I'm going to learn something new even if it looks like I don't have what I want but it's important to be in the moment... you really build on the moments moment to moment.
"And you're looking back at your career as I've been in it for what 33 years and you're like, 'Wow, that's what I've been doing.' And I've stayed strong to that so I think that is truly my advice."
Let this be your sign to give your path a reframe. When the path you're on feels uncertain, the journey is still unfolding. Like Colman said: "I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living."
That's a Black king right there.
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Featured image by Soul Brother/Soul B Photos/Shutterstock