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10 Power Casual™ Pieces for When You’re Done with Sweatpants
Power Casual™ essentials that are soft, elegant, and exactly what we need right now.
Sweatpants really were the sartorial MVP of 2020, and we will always be grateful for them. But now, as many of us emerge from our year of isolation and mullet dressing, we’re craving pieces that transcend both the home and the office and work no matter where or how we log our hours. We want tops that look as polished in-person as they do on Zoom, and pants that offer the flexibility of our favorite sweats, but are a bit more in-office-friendly.
We call this style Power Casual™. Embracing Power Casual™ doesn’t require trying too hard or fussing too much about what to wear; when your outfit is Power Casual™, you look polished with minimal effort.
Want to transform your wardrobe into a Power Casual™ masterpiece? Here are 10 of our Power Casual™ favorites to get you started.
The Para Sweatshirt
When we debuted this slightly-oversized, work-friendly sweatshirt made out of the same material as our fan-favorite jardigans, so many M.M. employees bought it that we almost did a company-wide photoshoot with everyone wearing theirs. The reason the Para is so emblematic of Power Casual is that it makes wearing a sweatshirt to work look thoughtful, as opposed to sloppy. It really is the best of both worlds.
The Anna Jacket
A classic blazer has its time and place, but when you’re going for something with the same amount of “oomph” but a little more fun, the Anna jacket is where it’s at. It’s like your favorite denim jacket from high school, all grown up.
The Annika Tee
We’re all about wearing polished cotton T-shirts to work (more on that soon), but the Annika in washable silk offers a little something extra to take things up a notch. It’s as throw-on-and-go as you can get.
The Nora Top
We love the Nora top for the same reason we love the Annika—it looks stunning with a pair of skinny jeans or as an underpinning for a classic suit. And it’s the perfect Zoom top (just look at that draping detail!), if you’re still taking most of your meetings from home.
The Paige T-Shirt
There’s something so powerful about a confident woman in a T-shirt and a pair of structured trousers—especially if that T-shirt is the Pima cotton Paige. An upgraded version of your favorite easy tank top, this is a tee that works on its own or for layering. You’re going to want multiples of this one—trust us.
The Judith Hoodie
The Paige T-shirt’s best friend is the Judith hoodie. In luxurious cashmere, it’s the desk sweater you always dreamed of. It’s soft, versatile, zips up, and never lets you down.
The Milo Jean
The Milo jean is a fan-favorite because they’re the pants you can wear to an important meeting and pack for a long weekend. With their wide leg and super-stretchy material, they’re the perfect jeans for easing back into “hard pants.” On top of that, they’re wrinkle-resistant and machine-washable—and clearly, ready for anything.
The Stella Leggins
If hard pants are still too much, the Stella leggings are definitely what you’re looking for. These aren’t your standard lounge-at-home yoga pants (though you can certainly do Pigeon Pose in them); they’re made with high-quality ponte, which gives them added coverage and support. The Stellas were made for movement, meandering, and making it through Monday.
The Koio Sneakers
If I told you this pair of buttery-soft leather shoes was handcrafted in Italy, you’d probably assume I was talking about a glamorous pair of stilettos. But these are sneakers. Polished, casual sneakers. And you have our enthusiastic permission to wear them everywhere.
The Claressa Earrings
Earrings are always an elegant way to make a casual outfit more put-together, and the Claressa earrings were made just for that. They’re the icing on the cake, the bow on the present, the final touch you need to get out the door.
Written By
Caitlin Abber
Caitlin Abber is the Brand Editor at M.M. LaFleur, and an award-winning writer and content creator. Over the last decade she has held senior editorial positions at MTV, Women's Health, Public Radio International, and Bustle, and has bylines at InStyle and OprahMag.com.
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