My name is Keabetsoe Mautla and I am a personal style and lifestyle blogger who curates and writes for KeabeMautla.com, where get my creative juices to flow and write about fashion, beauty, health and topics which affect the millennial woman.9 – 5 sees me working in the Technology Industry as an Analyst and Delivery Manager. My style for a typical week would look something like this:

Monday 

Monday’s are the worst days of the week for me. I envy people who wake up with positivity flowing through their veins! To counter my Monday Blues, I need to dress up and tackle Monday head on. A crisp white shirt always does the trick. I channel Carolina Herrera who exudes power, elegance and sophistication.

Style Tip: Don’t let Monday Blues consume you, pick your favourite item of clothing and wear that to work. Wake up, dress up and slay! Button down shirts are super versatile and this time I’ve paired this men’s shirt with a very lady like tube skirt. I love the juxtaposition of something masculine paired with something feminine.

Tuesday

Olive green is one of my favourite colours this season. It looks amazing paired with so many colours (trust me, you could even pair olive green and pink) and it is a welcome relief from the black, white and grey looks I usually live in. This time around I’ve paired this multi pocket, utility style jacket with white denims to make it pop. It looks a little rugged but chic so I’ve dressed it up with statement heels and my favourite mirrored sunnies.

Wednesday 

When I was eyeing these pants, I tried to imagine how exactly I would wear them. Culottes are a little tricky because of the length. They are really just long shorts, or short pants (depending on how you see them). I decided to take the challenge and buy them and they have quickly become one of my favourite pair of pants I own.

Style Tip: Style your culottes like you would an a line skirt. Balance the proportions. Here I’ve dressed them up with a tuxedo style shirt, sleeveless jacket and strappy sandals.

Thursday 

It’s all about the layers. One thing I really enjoy about winter is being able to layer. We’ve had a particularly cold week in Johannesburg where a day will start out freezing cold in the morning, warm up in the afternoon then turn cold again in the evening. Layering has saved me. In this look I’ve layered a fur gilet over a long sleeve top, cinched it in at the waist, then thrown my favourite camel coat over my shoulders.

Style Tip: When layering be cautious not to look like you are wearing your whole wardrobe. Cinch in a jersey or coat with a belt so you don’t look too bulky, and keep the colours complimentary. I’ve stuck to a cream, camel and white palette for synergy. Winter is also the perfect opportunity to play with different textures to add character to looks like these fringe sandals.

Friday 

Casual Friday does not mean you need to go to work looking a mess. I love dressing down a formal pair of pants with low sneakers like Adidas Stan Smiths and a bold, statement lip. Instead of a formal shirt and suit jacket, I’ve paired the look with a flowy cami and collarless jacket. This is also perfect as I can easily go out for sundowners after work and still be comfortable.

Saturday 

My Saturday either calls for total rest and relaxation at home or I’m out either having lunch/dinner with my girls, or out on a date. Over the knee boots are a winter must have and for this look I’ve paired them with a sparkly lamp shade shaped mini skirt and skinny choker for a little edge. This look is sexy but still really covered up. The only hint of skin is a little thigh.

Style Tip: If, like me, your over knee boots never stay up then get yourself a pair of thick, fluffy long socks to wear underneath. They help prop your boots up and also keep your legs warm.

Sunday 

Let’s take it to church! This skirt is one of my favourites right now. It cinches me in at the waist, flows perfectly over my hips and hits my leg just below my knee. I’m in my black on black uniform to end the week and have uplifted the look with a mustard pair of shoes, gold circle necklace to compliment the detail on the skirt and a fedora.

To see more on my personal style philosophy and read up on topics close to my heart check out: KeabeMautla.com. Or keep the conversaton going on Twitter: @Kiabe, Facebook: KeabeMautlaBlog, Instagram: Kiabe, and SnapChat: Kiabe

Photography by Tegan Smith, Keagan Kingsley, Greg Carlin