Old Navy Button Down (this is a staple in my wardrobe and has stain repellant technology which is the only reason it still looks this white) // MM LaFleur Zhou Culotte c/o (these are a comfortable high-waist cropped pant that I’ve been loving. They don’t wrinkle and liquids basically roll off them. Perfect for going from mom duty to meetings) // old cap-toe slingbacks (mine are sadly sold out but I’ve heard that these are very similar and very comfortable. These are also a great closed heel alternative) // $10 Amazon Sunglasses (great designer look-alike but you don’t have to worry about breaking them) // Old Navy tote bag (this is a great affordable bag that carries everything I need for my day + Teddy’s stuff. This reversible tote is a great alternative if you want to spend a little more for a nicer quality bag)
I haven’t really addressed it but after I had Teddy, I left my 9-5 job in corporate retail to stay home with him full time. However, I also have this blog which allows me to continue working from home part-time. This leaves me in an odd midground when it comes to dressing for work. While most of my work can be done from the comfort of my couch, I do occasionally have meetings, either in person or via video/conference calls, and events to attend where I need to have my best foot forward.
However, this “creatives” field is totally new to me. Before I was in a straight forward business casual environment. Dresses, blouses, pencil skirts, and blazers were my regular rotation with jeans mixed in on casual Fridays (as long as you didn’t have to meet with a vendor). Now it’s basically casual Friday every day but with a baby in tow.
Needless to say, I’ve been feeling a little stumped about how to deal with these new circumstances. I still want to get dressed every day (I’m WAY more productive when I wear an outfit vs just bumming around in sweats or gym clothes) but I have to be able to keep up with my kid and not worry about things getting spilled on me. I also have a new post-partum body that doesn’t quite fit into jeans the way it used to. So what to do?
Well a couple of weeks ago, I was invited to visit the MM LaFleur pop-up shop here in Seattle. MM LaFleur is a new-to-me brand that is for women, by women and here to take all the work out of dressing for work. I met with one of their personal stylists and spent an hour talking about my new work situation and how I really need versatility in my clothes so I can go from mom-duty to a conference call during nap time to evening events. She pulled a bunch of mix-and-match separates that could all work together for more polished professional looks (think structured tops with pencil skirts) but could also be dressed down for more casual errand days.
Take these culottes for example. I ended up trying these Zhou culottes in both navy and rust because they can be dressed up with a button-down and heels but I’ve also worn them with a graphic tee and converse for my mom-days. My stylist made a point to show me that I could also wear these with loafers (my go-to shoe) for a mid-ground that is both polished but still casual.
I should also mention that I’ve been loving these culottes because they are 1) machine washable 2) travel-friendly aka don’t wrinkle and 3) high waisted – basically the Ana Luiza trifecta.
MM LaFleur has seven showroom locations here in the U.S., from Atlanta to San Francisco with two pop-up locations in Portland and NYC. I look forward to sharing more of my new work wardrobe with you in upcoming posts.
Now it’s your turn to let me know: Would you let someone else dress you for work?
Until next time,
Ana Luiza
Old Navy Button Down (this is a staple in my wardrobe and has stain repellant technology which is the only reason it still looks this white) // MM LaFleur Zhou Culotte c/o (these are a comfortable high-waist cropped pant that I’ve been loving. They don’t wrinkle and liquids basically roll off them. Perfect for going from mom duty to meetings) // old cap-toe slingbacks (mine are sadly sold out but I’ve heard that these are very similar and very comfortable. These are also a great closed heel alternative) // $10 Amazon Sunglasses (great designer look-alike but you don’t have to worry about breaking them) // Old Navy tote bag (this is a great affordable bag that carries everything I need for my day + Teddy’s stuff. This reversible tote is a great alternative if you want to spend a little more for a nicer quality bag)
