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10 Must-Know Styling Tips from the Best-Dressed Employees at M.M.
A breakdown of the most essential advice our stylists have shared at our virtual events.
If you’ve ever been to one of our virtual styling workshops, you probably left not only with newfound wardrobe knowledge, but also with a few new friends. “Honestly, I think that’s the best part for me,” says M.M.’s Brand Stylist, Nyjerah, who develops and leads many of our events. “It feels like an after-work happy hour that everyone needs. Everyone is friends now, and it’s nice to see familiar faces come together.”
We first started hosting virtual events back in April of 2020, when the pandemic put our usual in-person events on hold. Not long after, what started out as a temporary solution had become a core component of our styling service—and one that we have no plans of stopping, despite the fact that the country is opening back up. “It’s a totally different community than in-person events, because women can join from anywhere,” says Senior Stylist Kate. “Many of the attendees are also active in our community Slack workspace and communicate with each other regularly. Getting to see each other on a Thursday night with their cocktails is a really nice experience.”
RSVPs for our August virtual events are opening up soon, and you should definitely secure a spot at (at least) one of them. In the meantime, here are 10 excellent pieces of advice from our past events that you can start incorporating into your shopping habits right now.
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Education > Enforcement
“I start every workshop by telling people, ‘I’m not your professor,’” says Nyjerah. “Fashion is supposed to be fun, and we want you to learn the rules so you can break them. Our workshops provide the education and guidance to help you navigate the basics.” The takeaway: We’re here to give you tools, not rules.
Personality > Perfection
Which leads to their next point: You’re at your best when you’re you—not when you’re dressed up like someone you’re not. Have fun getting dressed, follow your instincts, and bring your personal style to the party/job interview/random Tuesday.
Simplicity > Sensory Overload
That being said, you should never feel like you’re hiding behind your clothing, or that your clothing waters you down. You should be the focal point, not your clothes.
Learn How to Elevate Your Basics
Speaking of which, you don’t need to buy an entirely new wardrobe to make your go-to outfits feel fresh and exciting again. For example, you can give a staple pair of pants a totally different vibe by changing your shoes and wearing different earrings. “Our customers are savvy shoppers, so they’re always interested in new ways to wear the pieces they already own,” explains Nyjerah. “We love sharing little tweaks that can amp up a look.”
Know Where to Splurge and Where to Save
Wardrobe-building is all about balance. Choose investment pieces that are long-lasting, versatile, and classic in style. Then, balance out your budget by taking advantage of great deals, especially to stock up on pieces like statement tops and accessories, which can make your core items feel new again.
Be Thoughtful About Your Accessories
Accessories often feel like an afterthought, but with a little effort, they can bring your outfit to a whole new level. Learn which jewelry looks best with which necklines, do some experimenting to figure out which of your dresses get along with belts, and always think of accessories as an integral part of your outfit.
Don’t Compromise on Comfort
It may sound obvious, but it’s worth repeating: If something isn’t comfortable, you won’t end up wearing it (and if you do, you’ll wonder why you bought it in the first place). Purge your wardrobe of pieces that don’t feel as good as they look, and you’ll never have that guilty, I-should-really-wear-that-thing-more feeling.
Invest in a Personalized Capsule Wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe is a curated set of pieces that can be mixed and matched to create tons of outfit combinations. And when you have one that works, getting dressed becomes easier, and you save money over time. “Learning about capsule wardrobes is especially useful for our newer customers,” says Kate. “When you’re starting from scratch with your M.M. wardrobe, thinking about clothes within that mix-and-match framework makes such a difference.” To build your own capsule, our stylists recommend creating a color palette to work within, then looking for a variety of silhouettes that complement each other.
Creating A Color Palette
Build Your Own Capsule
Look for Pieces That Transition Between Seasons
While some very worthwhile items are designed for specific weather (think: cozy cashmere gloves for winter or breezy linen shorts for summer), the majority of your wardrobe should be pieces you can wear year round. Think outside the box when it comes to seasonal dressing, and look for fabrics that are great in any weather and silhouettes that can be styled in different ways.
Embrace Dressing for Your Shape
No matter your body type, there’s one thing we all have in common: We deserve clothes that fit so well, they feel like they were made for us. When you know your body type and can identify the necklines, silhouettes, and shapes that make you feel best, shopping gets a whole lot easier.
Want even more wardrobe tips from our expert stylists? Keep an eye on our events page to secure your spot at our next workshop.
