The Nicky jacket, Elizabeth top, Lisey cami, Milo jeans, and Ella sandals.

Your Closet

Q&A: Our Style Experts Answer Your Fall Fashion Questions

Real customer questions. Real expert answers.

By Madeleine Kim

Should I wear these pants with heels or flats? Do these two patterns work together? What’s the secret to pulling off a monochromatic look? There’s no definitive rulebook on style, and sometimes, getting dressed can lead to more questions than answers. That’s where we come in. To celebrate the launch of our fall collection, our Virtual Sales Manager, Kate, and our Bryant Park Showroom Manager, Latasha, hosted a virtual event answering all your most pressing style questions. In case you missed it, we’ve shared the complete Q&A below.

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Question

“What do I wear when it’s really hot, but I also want sun protection?”

Answer

According to Latasha and Kate, it’s all about the fabrics. Breathable materials will keep you cool, even if you’re wearing long sleeves. They recommend the Tatum top in washable silk, the Owen T-shirt in pima cotton, and the Gwynne dress in OrigamiTech. These styles not only feature lightweight fabrics, they also have relaxed-fitting sleeves, which helps with airflow. Plus, they’re all machine-washable, so if you sweat a bit, it’s no big deal.

The Gwynne dress, Nina boots, and Beatriz earrings.

The Tatum top, Gwynne dress, and Owen T-shirt.

The Nicky jacket, Lisey cami, Whitney skirt, and Claressa earrings.

The Beebe belt, Nicky jacket, and Yuna earrings.

Question

“Sometimes I feel like wearing black on top and bottom looks too heavy, especially if the blacks don’t match. How can I fix this?”

Answer

Kate’s first piece of advice? Be confident! “Black always looks chic, and a dark tonal look is great for when you’re not sure how casual or formal an engagement might be,” she explains. When pairing different shades of black on top and bottom, she recommends adding a belt like the Beebe: “It provides a clear division between the two pieces and creates dimension.” Alternatively, opt for pieces with different textures to make the contrast look intentional. “Textured knits, vegan leather, and washable silk are great examples of materials that add interest to a tonal look,” says Kate. Finally, a colorful accessory, such as the Yuna earrings, is often the missing piece to make an all-black outfit look complete.

Question

“Where should lengths fall on my petite frame?”

Answer

The short answer is that there’s no one answer. We’ve found that some petite women prefer long, streamlined hemlines, while others like shorter styles. Whichever camp you fall into, our styling experts have some great advice for you. For a lengthening look, they recommend wide-leg pants like the Zhou culottes. If you prefer shorter styles, try the Whitney skirt in vegan leather, which will likely fall a few inches above the knee, depending on your height. And when in doubt, tuck your tops in to break up your silhouette and give your outfits structure.

The Leo pullover, Whitney skirt, and Claressa earrings.

The Zhou culottes, Sierra shacket, and Whitney skirt.

The Anna jacket, Leo pullover, Milo jeans, and Lana boots.

The Milo jeans, Wren top, and Orchard skirt.

Question

“What are your favorite styling recommendations for tall women (~6’)? I smile, open my posture, and soften my tone of voice to help others feel comfortable, but people can still be intimidated by my height.”

Answer

“I’m 5’10”, so I can definitely relate to this!” says Kate. “I love a structured wide-leg like the Milo jean, because it doesn't minimize my height (that I've grown to love) but helps balance it by adding some structure and playing with shape. You are the perfect candidate for a vibrant print like our cutout print. It might seem counterintuitive, but a bold print brings attention to your fun personality and warmth.”

Have styling questions of your own? Book a virtual appointment with Kate or visit our Bryant Park showroom to work with Latasha.

Question

“What would you layer under the Cassandra dress in blush (or another sleeveless dress) to make it work for fall?”

Answer

Opt for fitted pieces and lightweight fabrics to avoid creating bulk. Our style experts recommend the Brodie top, the Axam turtleneck, and the Elizabeth top, which feature neutral colors and high necklines that won’t compete with the neckline of the dress.

The Cassandra dress, Ella sandals, and Noemi earrings.

The Brodie top, Axam turtleneck, and Elizabeth top.

The Merritt jardigan, Leslie T-shirt, Finley stretch pants, and Claressa earrings.

The Axam turtleneck, Tatum top, and Merritt jardigan.

Question

“How do you create a layered look without making the outfit feel bulky?”

Answer

If you’re worried about bulk, Latasha and Kate suggest avoiding thick fabrics and opting for more tailored silhouettes. The Axam turtleneck makes an ideal base layer thanks to its fitted cut and lightweight pima cotton material. The Tatum top in washable silk would work over the Axam as a lighter blazer alternative, or as a base layer for a sweater or jacket. For your top layer, try something like the stretchy Merritt jardigan, which offers structure without the bulk.

Question

“What are the top three fall pieces you’d recommend to someone who already has a closet full of M.M.LaFleur?”

Answer

If you haven’t tried our new aloe color, that would be an excellent place to start. This versatile gray-green comes in a range of customer-favorite styles—the Antoinette top, Nejvi top, Nora top, Jillian dress, and Zhou culottes—so you can try a new shade in a silhouette you already know and love. Latasha and Kate also recommend the Elsa dress, which is super comfortable and can be styled for almost any occasion, as well as the O’Hara blazer, which just came out in a sleek new plaid.

The O’Hara blazer, Kara top, Mejia pants, and Claressa earrings.

The Antoinette top, Elsa dress, and O’Hara blazer.

The Sophie sweater, Orchard skirt, and Claressa earrings.

The Arbus sweater, Noa dress, and Nina boots.

The Kara top, Tinsley trousers, and Kat studs.

Question

“How can I mix fall 2022 styles with fall collections from the recent past?”

Answer

Kate recommends leaning on knitwear to bridge the gap between different collections. “The sleek fabrications from our new fall collection, such as washable silk, light scuba, and vegan leather, pair well with cashmere and wool,” she explains. “Forest and cutout print are surprisingly versatile and pair well with popular colors from past years, such as sage, oat, light heather gray, and jade.”

Written By

Madeleine Kim

Madeleine Kim is the Senior Brand Manager at M.M.LaFleur, where she started out as a stylist. She loves developing styling-focused content and creating newsletters that bring the M.M. community together.

See more of Madeleine's articles