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Upscale Work Wear with M.M.LaFleur

With the exception of a brief stint as a receptionist at an engineering firm in my early 20s, I haven’t had much need for professional work wear, and usually that suits me just fine. #pardonthepun

I’m generally very content with my jeans and t-shirt life, but every once in a while, it’s fun to dress up in a sophisticated work wear look.

Today I’m playing dress-up with M.M.LaFleur to share a few of their polished but practical pieces that will take you from the office to dinner and anywhere in between in comfort and style.

The biggest problem with work wear is that it tends to be stiff and uncomfortable . . . until now.

M.M.LaFleur is on a mission to change that.

Thanks to their soft, breathable fabrics and intentional styling, now you can look office-professional and feel as comfortable as if you were wearing your favorite weekend athleisure outfit.

All of their pieces are thoughtfully-designed, versatile, and sophisticated. Take for example, the Arbus Sweater made from luxuriously thick cashmere.

This sweater feels like a dream. Let’s just put it this way, this sweater proves that not all cashmere is created equal.

Not only does the fabric look and feel amazing, but the attention to detail is gorgeous. It comes in 6 colors and has a chic, boxy fit with a side slits.

Fit-wise, this sweater runs small, so I recommend sizing up at least one from your normal. I’m wearing the medium, for reference.

I paired this grey turtleneck with their Foster Pant in navy for a chic color palette that is professional but not boring.

These pants are perfect for those of you who travel a lot for work because they’re made of a thick, stretchy Italian-cotton blend that’s comfortable enough to wear for several hours on the plane or in the car; and they don’t wrinkle so you can hit the ground running.

They’re also machine-washable *cue angels singing* and incredibly flattering in the way they’re designed to streamline your shape and adjust to the contours of your body. Plus they button and zip on the side, for no extra bulk in front.

I also really like the cigarette leg and subtle seaming down the front for a long, lean silhouette.

But here’s the clincher. The Foster Pant has a concealed button in the hem, which allows you to switch the length of the pants from high to low depending on your shoe of choice! This is definitely one of those I-wish-I’d-thought-of-that moments.

For size reference, I usually wear a 6 or 8 in pants, and these are the 8. I could probably size up to a 10 for a little more wiggle-room in the waist area, but the material is so stretchy that they were perfectly comfortable once I got them buttoned and zipped.

All that to say, you may want to size up in these pants. They come in a wide range of sizes, from 0P through 3X, and they come in 7 gorgeous neutral colors.

I kept this look clean and classic with silver hoop earrings, black pumps, and a black tote. And yes, it is perfectly acceptable to wear black with navy, but taupe or cognac would also work.

You could always layer a duster or blazer on top of this outfit or add a statement necklace, depending on the culture of your office.

Then there’s the Etsuko Dress with its figure-flattering silhouette and three-quarter-length sleeves.

Also machine-washable, this dress is professional enough for the most conservative office but not at all stuffy. The removable belt is a nice added detail, and yes, it has pockets!

I also like the contrast top stitching and subtle seaming in the bodice.

Size-wise, this dress runs pretty true to size unless you have a larger chest, in which case, I recommend sizing up. I ordered my usual 8, but as you can probably see, I could use a 10 on top.

That said, it’s stretchy and comfortable, and I only noticed the sizing issue when I saw these pictures.

FYI, shipping and returns are free at M.M.LaFleur, so feel free to order two sizes if you’re unsure which you need. You can also chat with one of their virtual stylists, and they can help guide you on sizing choices. I did that with the pants, and I was pleased with their advice.

Once again, I kept this look classic and simple with black pumps and a black tote, and I added pearl earrings (similar) and a gold bangle for accessories.

If you’re in need of upscale work wear that feels as good as it looks, M.M.LaFleur has so many versatile, sophisticated pieces that will keep you polished and comfortable while you’re on the go.

You can also check out their capsules, or shop my top picks below:


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photos: Alison Cornell

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26 Responses

  1. So funny that you are doing a post on M.M. Lafleur…recently saw the wrap on another blogger and had to have it!  It’s great for plane rides because I’m always chilly…you look amazing in the clothes and I’m so glad you are adding them to your list of retailers.  I tend to go to your website first because you have a great variety and your retailer choices are where I typically shop.

  2. Funny you paired navy with black. A coworker and I were just talking last night about mixing navy and black. We both said we wouldn’t wear navy slacks with black shoes 😂 I would probably go with a dark gray shoe. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 

  3. While you look very nice in the workwear, they aren’t you, just like it’s no longer me.  I was in the corporate world for 32 years, but thru the years office attire got more and more casual.  Enjoy the afternoon with your girls!

  4. Great workwear is SUCH a great investment! I have pieces that are 10-15 years old that I still have in rotation. Definitely a good idea to splurge on such classic pieces – I always get my money’s worth. I’ll have to check them out. I need a few new pieces – my new agency is much more formal. 

  5. You look beautiful as always, as if you worked in the corporate world every day.  I also really like the teal shade in the dress on you.   Very flattering.  By the way, I’m wearing black suede booties and navy pants to work today.  I like it.

  6. I like this outfit, though a bit pricey, it is one I would wear to work. I do work in a corporate office and have to travel every so often, so the flexibility of the pants would be something I look for. I really like the pants, they look very slimming and would maybe fit my 33″ inseam with the adjustable hem. The sweater on the other hand looks very short. I have a long torso, so I know this sweater would be too short for me. Yes, I have the curse of long legs, long torso, and short waisted. I always go with the standard rule of thumb navy/navy, black/black with clothes and shoes. But this is something I would definitely wear, just in a lower price range.

  7. The turtleneck looks so comfy. Too bad  it’s a boxy cut and not a more straight one. I’m tall so cropped tops throw off my lines and boxy overwhelm my narrow shoulders and small bustling. The buttons on the pants to adjust accordingly is brilliant. You may want them long with your heels but then whoever to show off your styling booties. I hope more companies jump on this one, 
    The dress is very professional looking but alas, not for you. It emphasizes your generous chest size and that is all the men in the corporate world would notice. Love the cut & color though.

    1. LOL, Joanna, you crack me up. I’d love to see how the dress looks if I sized up. And I know what you mean about the sweater, but they do have sweaters with different silhouettes.

  8. I love how slimming these pants are. I’ve gotten away from my capsule wardrobe, but spending money on smart basics REALLY pays off. I am learning it is always good to invest in staple pieces. Thanks so much for sharing about these! xo

  9. You look amazing as always. I love how the clothes don’t require dry cleaning. So many of my outfits when I worked in the corporate world needed dry cleaning. 

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