Whitney Nic James

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Personal Style | Minimal Everyday Outfit + 3 Tips to Help Find Your Personal Style

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It’s taken me a while to figure out my personal style. While some aspects of my style may evolve as I mature, I have a pretty good grasp on what I like to wear and what’s right for my body type. My lifestyle is active, my work environment is casual, and my closet reflects that. Sure, there may be an occasional business professional or fancy event I have to attend. When that time comes, I’m prepared. But for the most part, my style is minimal, chic and no-fuss. Give me a kimono, like this one from Forever 21, a pair of leggings, a comfy flat or sneaker, a pair of hoop earrings and I’m good to go!

RELATED: What I Usually Wear to Work

So, how can you figure out your personal style? It’s really not that difficult. The process can actually be quite enjoyable! Read ahead for 3 quick and easy tips to help find your personal style.

Kimono: Forever 21 Plus (similar) // Cap: Ivy Park (same) // Sneakers: Converse, Chuck Taylor’s (same)

 

  1. Consider Your Everyday Lifestyle 
    • Figure out what your every day looks like. Are you active? Always on-the-go? Do you work in an office that requires you to sit behind a desk? Does your industry call for you to dress business-casual or more business professional? Do you work from home? These are a few questions to ask yourself to help get you thinking about your personal style.
  2. Find Inspiration 
    • Pinterest, Instagram, and fashion magazines are the perfect go-to’s when looking for style inspiration. Take it a step further and create a mood board for your personal style. As you shop for new pieces to add to your wardrobe, use the mood board as a reference guide to help keep you on track.
  3. Re-organize & Clean-out Your Closet 
    • Once you complete steps 1 and 2, head to your closet and figure out what pieces you already have and what pieces you need. Write down the needs, keep the haves and donate or toss what you no longer need.
3 Tips to Help Find Your Personal Style #wnjstyle

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So tell me, what do you think about my personal style tips? Thoughts on my outfit? Let me know!

Thanks, as always, for reading and commenting and until next time, be blessed and stay safe.

Love & light…xo!

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*THIS POST DOES INCLUDE AFFILIATE LINKS*  

Personal Style | Wearing Stripes + 4 Questions to Ask Before Buying Something New

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So, I’m still trying to get my minimal wardrobe down pat. I took a break from shopping and organizing my closet for about a month or so, in order to focus my attention elsewhere. But as of last month, I’m back in action. This striped blouse, purchased for just $7.99 at Macy’s, is actually one of my latest minimal wardrobe additions. Wearing stripes for me comes as natural as wearing leopard print and as much as I love solids, styling prints every so often is a must!

* Read Also, How to Style 1 Kimono 3 Ways

How to Wear Stripes

How to Wear Stripes

Blouse: Macy’s // Bodysuit: F21 // Leggings: Philosophy, TJMaxx (another option) // Necklace: Purchased in NY // Shoes: Vince Camuto, Nordstrom Rack (similar style)

Wearing Stripes

Before deciding to purchase this blouse I had to come up with at least 3 ways to wear it. Regardless of the sale price, if it didn’t serve a purpose in my wardrobe, and if it didn’t make me happy, I wasn’t going home with it. Gone are the days when I purchase an item “just because” it’s the right price. My budget and my closet can no longer afford it.

:: SHOPPING TIP :: Before purchasing an item, make sure you can style it at least 3 ways. #wnjstyle

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I approach shopping for new wardrobe items, shoes and accessories included, differently these days. It’s taken some getting used to and there are times when I find myself slipping back to my old ways of shopping, but more often than not I catch myself. To help keep me on track I have 4 questions, in the Notes section of my phone, that I often refer to each time I go shopping for something new. You may find them helpful.

  1. Can you afford this item right now?
  2. Does this item fit into your lifestyle? 
  3. Can you style the item at least 3 ways?
  4. Does this item speak to your personal style?
4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying Something New #wnjstyle

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Wearing Stripes

Wearing Stripes Details

Tote Bag: Marc Jacobs, Nordstrom Rack (another option)

Wearing Stripes

So tell me, do you ask yourself certain questions before making new wardrobe purchases? Also, are you a fan of wearing stripes? Let me know!

Thanks for reading and be sure to share your thoughts with me below. Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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Personal Style | All Black Outfit + Keeping a Minimal Wardrobe Budget Friendly

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When it comes to personal style, all black outfits are my go to choice. The chicness of an all black outfit will never go out of style; it’s timeless. Chic and timeless are 2 words I keep in mind while shopping for my growing minimal wardrobe. While I love to add funky accessories and style trendy pieces every once in a while, I prefer to keep the majority of my clothing simple.

Related: 3 Ways to Make Having a Minimal Wardrobe Easier

All Black Outfit

All Black Outfit

All Black Outfit

Blouse: Edista, Nordstrom Rack // Necklace: Nordstrom Rack // Leggings: Philosophy, TJMaxx // Glasses: Local Beauty Supply Store

Building a minimal wardrobe is a process and it’s one that, in my opinion, will never stop. For a while, I was good with the amount items I had in my closet. I rotated and restyled several pieces, and still do, but as seasons change and as my style evolves so does my wardrobe.

Building a wardrobe never stops, but that doesn’t mean it has to be an expensive process. #wnjstyle

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So how do I keep my minimal wardrobe budget friendly? Here are 5 tips:

  1. Create your own definition of a minimal wardrobe and do what works for you. 
  2. Purchase certain items, like accessories and outerwear, at the thrift store. 
  3. Keep a running list of what you already have and what you need. 
  4. Purchase items offseason to avoid paying full price. 
  5. Only purchase what you’re going to wear right now.
    • not what you’ll wear when you get to a certain size or when you lose a certain amount of weight
5 Ways to Keep a Minimal Wardrobe Budget Friendly #wnjstyle

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All Black Outfit

All Black Outfit

Purse: Arcadia, Gifted // Flats: Vince Camuto, Nordstrom Rack (similar style)

All Black Outfit

So tell me, what do you think about my chic and timeless all black outfit? How do you keep your wardrobe budget friendly? Let me know! 

Thanks for stopping by and until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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Personal Style | 3 Ways to Make Having a Minimal Wardrobe Even Easier

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Since embarking on my minimal wardrobe journey, I’ve never been less stressed when it comes to figuring out what to wear each day. I literally have 5 work outfits. I rotate the items, change up the jewelry/shoes and go about my day. When it comes to weekend-wear I rotate 3 outfits, depending on what we have planned. Doesn’t get much easier than that, right? Well, here are 3 more ways to make having a minimal wardrobe can be even easier.  

Related: The Start of My Minimal Wardrobe

Minimal Wardrobe

Minimal Wardrobe

Kimono: TJMaxx (Another Option) // Shoes: Via Spiga, Amazon (Exact)

Minimal Wardrobe

1. Stop Using the Iron | Since creating a minimal wardrobe, I’ve started purchasing clothes made with certain materials. This tactic has saved me a lot of time in the mornings when getting dressed. Fabrics like spandex, wool, polyester-blends, and certain knits are great if you want to avoid ironing. These materials also have a tendency to be wrinkle-free. Granted, some items may need a touch up here and there, but for the most part, my closet consists of ready-to-wear garments that don’t need to be ironed.

2. Write Down Your Outfits | Knowing what you have makes shopping for clothes and getting dressed a breeze. I keep a notebook in my dresser drawer and it’s filled with all of my work, weekend and workout outfits. In the same notebook, I’ve written down sample outfits that I can wear for certain events, as well as my shoes and the outerwear. Granted I don’t write down every single item I own, but what I do write down keeps me on track especially when it’s time to shop for different seasons.

3. Buy More Than One | Even before creating a minimal wardrobe I did this. Having more than one of something you wear often just makes sense. Take black leggings for example; I have 5 pairs in rotation. 3 pair are the heavy spandex material and 2 are some kind of cotton spandex blend. They’re all thick enough to be worn with just a t-shirt, although I rarely do this, and they’re sturdy enough for me to wash weekly. I also have 2 more pairs that I wear on the weekends or while I’m walking/exercising.

How to make having a minimal wardrobe even easier! #wnjstyle

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Minimal Wardrobe

Minimal Wardrobe

Clutch: Thrifted, Goodwill (Another Option)

Minimal Wardrobe

So tell me, do you do any of these things? Let me know!

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Personal Style | September & October Outfit Recap

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November is here and the temperatures are slowly but surely beginning to feel like fall. I’m a huge fan of this season! Aside from the boots and capes, I love to feel the crisp fall air and nothing beats a cup of hot chocolate…with extra marshmallows, of course. I spent part of the weekend switching out some summer items and replacing them with chunky sweaters and knits. Looking back, I had a pretty stylish September and October. Here’s a quick outfit recap featuring my favorite looks!

* See Also, 3 Easy Ways to Simplify Your Wardrobe

I had fun styling a few prints and playing with accessories, but I pretty much stayed true to my simple style. Contrary to what some may think, minimal styling can easily be achieved during any season. Because of this, I plan to continue styling minimal outfits well into the fall and winter seasons.

You can achieve a minimal and simple style during any season. #wnjstyle

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Styling different prints and playing with accessories make minimal styling fun and unique. Wearing all black and mostly solid colors are staples for my personal style, but I do know how to make an outfit fun. After all, minimal style should never be boring.

* See Also, Minimal Wardrobe Lessons

So tell me, what was your favorite outfit? Let me know!

Thanks for reading and I hope you’re all enjoying the first week of November. Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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Personal Style | Maxi Skirt and Sheer Blouse

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Happy Monday, friends! I hope your weekend was a GREAT one! Although the Panthers suffered a rough lost yesterday – I’m still a die hard Ravens fan, but I love Cam – I still enjoyed hanging with the family at our annual Super Bowl gathering on Sunday. I stepped out of the house Saturday to run some errands and grab a bite with the Mr., so I decided to wear something comfy, of course. I still wanted to be cute and a little fancy, because I wasn’t feeling that great. So I decided to style my black maxi skirt and sheer blouse. Both items are subtly sexy and help boost my mood when I’m feeling a little blah. I’m a true believer that clothes can help boost your mood!

Maxi Skirt and Sheer Blouse

Skirt: Calvin Klein, Macy’s (Another Option) // Blouse: Nordstrom Rack (Another Option) // Flats: Sam Edelman, Nordstrom Rack (Similar)

Maxi Skirt and Sheer Blouse

All Black Plus Size Outfit

I’m not usually a fan of skirts, however I was immediacy intrigued when I saw this skirt had a gold zipper and high slit. I love when an article of clothing has eye catching details like that. The skirt is also very soft and stretchy (a major plus) and can be styled several ways. It’s no secret that I’m all about maximizing my wardrobe, so this purchase was a must!

Clothes can definitely help boost your mood when you’re feeling blah! #wnjstyle

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Wearing a high slit maxi skirt and a sheer blouse may sound fancy to some, but the shoes and accessories I chose put this outfit in the “casual chic” category. Because of the low temps I added my leopard print wrap to keep me warm. The “matching flats” were a given, and the big earrings added the final touch.

Maxi Skirt and Sheer Blouse

Leopard Print Wrap: NY & Co. (Another Option) // Purse: Nine West, Gifted // Gold Cuff: 2nd Avenue, Thrifted

Black Maxi Skirt OOTD

Plus Size Winter OOTD

So tell me, what do you think about my maxi skirt and sheer blouse weekend outfit? What’d you wear this weekend? Let me know!

Thanks for reading ad stopping by today! Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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Personal Style | October Fall Style Recap

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October has come and gone like that! While the weather hasn’t all the way caught up to the season of fall, fall style is in full swing here on WNJ. I was excited and ready to pull out my chunky sweaters, fall hats and leather leggings and style them here on the blog. Here are a few of my favorite looks from October!

It’s no surprise that I stretched my wardrobe and wore a few items more than once last month. From my chunky sweater, to the leather leggings and certain accessories I was all about re-purposing certain items. I also plan to continue this throughout the fall and winter. Once the weather consistently cools down I plan to add boots and more layers to my outfits. Can’t wait!

Don’t be afraid to re-purpose certain wardrobe items this season! #wnjstyle

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So tell me, what’s your favorite WNJ fall style outfit thus far? Let me know! 

Thanks for reading and be sure to link your recent fall outfit to my Personal Style Link Up below; can’t wait to see what you’re wearing! Also, be sure to sign up for my newsletter for upcoming events, announcements, freebies and more. This fall/winter I have lots planned and I’m sure you won’t want to miss out. Until tomorrow, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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** Linkups: Sophisticated Style, How I Fall, Let it Shine **

Personal Style | Timeless All Black Outfit

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Wearing an all black outfit is something I do at least 3 times a week. Yes, I love a pop of color here and there and I’m fond of many colors. But those all black outfits are just too easy to pass up. Whenever I wear one I feel ultra chic. All black outfits are without a doubt timeless and they’re great for just about any occasion. Having several black pieces in your closet is also a simple way to stretch your wardrobe and create several different outfit options.  

OOTD - All Black Outfit

Top: Thrifted, 2nd Avenue (Serena Williams) // Hat: Thrifted, 2nd Avenue // Pants: Sejour, Nordstrom (Casual Version) // Gold Hoops: Target (Another Affordable Option)

All Black OOTD

All Black Outfit - WNJ Style

I decided to wear this all black outfit for date night with hubby. It was an easy go-to outfit, since we made plans to head out at the last minute. I decided to wear my fancy thrifted hat again because I was having yet another blah hair day. It happens, LOL!

All black outfits are timeless, chic and a wardrobe must have! #wnjstyle

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One tip to remember when wearing all black is to accessorize. Have fun with it! This gives, what could easily be a boring black outfit, some personality. I opted for gold accents/accessories and nude heels this time. Simple and easy enough, right?

When wearing an all black outfit, don’t forget to accessorize! #wnjstyle

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Black OOTD

Details - All Black Outfit

Cuff: Thrifted, 2nd Avenue // Clutch: Steve Madden, Marshall’s // Heels: Kenneth Cole, Bloomingdales (Same)

Black Outfit

So tell me, how often do you wear am all black outfit? Are you a fan of today’s outfit? Let me know!

As always, thanks for reading! Be sure to share your thoughts on today’s look below and let me know your thoughts on all black outfits. Clearly, you know that I LOVE them. 😉 Until tomorrow, be blessed and stay safe…XO!

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