Casual Workwear Style Sudoku: Hybrid Work Schedule Edition

When I went back into the office full time in June 2021, I put together a style sudoku capsule wardrobe to help me get back into dressing for the office after 14 months of WFH outfits. (In April and May 2020, I put together and wore a couple of WFH style sudoku capsule wardrobes.)

Last week, after months of working full-time in the office, I finally started my hybrid work schedule! I’m working in the office two days a week and from home three days a week, so I decided my new lifestyle called for a brand new style sudoku! I spent last weekend putting together my casual workwear: hybrid work schedule style sudoku. And here it is! I’ll be wearing these 16 items every weekday from February 7th through 25th (except for the 21st, which is a work holiday).

If you’re new to this style challenge, check out my style sudokus from 2019 (January, April, July, and October) for other examples of sudokus featuring clothes that are not activewear or loungewear!

Out of all the wardrobe remixes out there, style sudokus are my favorite. Because I’m a huge sudoku nerd, they’re fun for me to put together and just as much fun to wear. The goal is to play around with what’s already in my closet—and it usually helps curb my spending, too, though not always. 😉

WHAT IS A STYLE SUDOKU?

A style (or wardrobe) sudoku is exactly what it sounds like if you’re familiar with sudoku the puzzle. Basically, you choose four tops, four bottoms, four pairs of shoes, and four other items (accessories, jewelry, outerwear, etc.) and arrange them in a 4x4 grid so each row, column, and corner makes a complete outfit. (You can also make outfits out of the diagonals and the inner “squares” of the two middle rows if you’re so inclined!) In my past style sudoku challenges, I shared the diagonal outfits, too, even though diagonals aren’t technically included in a real sudoku. This gives me 14 outfits total.

Casual Workwear Style Sudoku Capsule Wardrobe: Hybrid Work Schedule Edition

Like I did with my back to the office style sudoku, last weekend, I documented on Instagram stories my process when putting together a style sudoku. I didn’t share everything this time (mostly because it took me so long, lol), but I did try to add some tips related to my decision-making process. It’s always overwhelming to figure out what to wear and how to arrange the items in the grid, but once it’s done, it’s done! This style sudoku was particularly challenging because I’m putting together outfits for the office AND for home all from the same 16 items.

For this style sudoku, because it combines two different dress codes (smart casual for the office, extra casual for home), I built it from the bottoms up. I knew I would have five days in the office and nine days at home, and because each bottom is worn three or four times depending on where it is on the sudoku, I had to include one pair of pants that could be worn for both the office AND home (I’m not one to wear hard pants to WFH, so this was challenging!). I also picked a pair of jeans for the remaining four office outfits and two other pairs of active/lounge pants for WFH.

I omitted shoes because I don’t wear real shoes while working from home, and I wanted flexibility for the office outfits just in case of inclement weather. Because of that, I had to get creative with the extra spots! I ended up including jewelry because I haven’t been giving much love to my jewelry lately. For the remaining spots—the “accessories”—I added three hats (two baseball caps, one beanie) and a layering tank top. The items I chose coordinate with each other but admittedly feel pretty random as far as the color combinations go. It’s a whole lot of neutrals! I added some interest via textures and my plaid flannel shirt.

As I do for all sudokus, I’ll be breaking down what I wear into three different blog posts over the next three weeks (published on Friday) and writing about how the outfit worked for me. Below the sudoku, you can find the details of all 16 items. I’ll be sharing a daily photo of my outfit over on Instagram stories (check out my “Style Sudoku” highlight!).

What I’m Wearing: 16 Items, 14+ Outfits

FIRST ROW

Everlane cashmere rib round crew sweater / no longer available; similar from Zappos

Amour Vert Tatum dream rib pants / no longer available; similar

Aurate short beam hoop earrings / exact

Madewell wool-blend baseball cap / no longer available; similar or similar by Nordstrom Rack

SECOND ROW

J.Crew ribbed pom-pom beanie / exact style

Kate Spade One in a Million initial pendant necklace / exact via Bloomingdale's or Nordstrom

Madewell curvy high-rise skinny crop jeans in Lander wash / no longer available; similar

Outerknown Sierra flannel shirt / no longer available; similar by Amazon

THIRD ROW

Vuori performance jogger / exact

Uniqlo fluffy yarn fleece full-zip jacket / exact

Madewell velvet baseball cap / no longer available; similar by J.Crew

Maison Miru tiny crystal stud earrings / exact

FOURTH ROW

Aurate birthstone stud earrings / exact

Everlane pima micro-rib tank top / exact

Quince baby alpaca-wool crew sweater / exact

Zella high waist studio pocket 7/8 leggings / exact style or similar