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You’ve Been Shopping Online All Wrong—Here’s How to Get It Right

Overwhelmed by online shopping? Don’t underestimate these helpful tips and site features.

By Emma Steinbergs

As a member of society in 2023, you know how to shop online. But when you surf the web in search of new clothes, toggling between countless tabs, a degree of fatigue might start to settle in. You don’t have time to do a deep dive into every single dress during your lunch break. Nor do you care to—you’re specifically looking for a sleeveless style. And to make matters worse, you’re getting a blue-light-induced headache from staring at your screen all day. There has to be a better way to browse.

Luckily, there is. Thanks to our team’s hard work and our customers’ thoughtful feedback, our site has come a long way since its early days in 2013. What you see now is a labor of love—designed to be an enjoyable escape as you fulfill your practical clothing needs. At the same time, we know you have better things to do than explore every corner of mmlafleur.com, so we’ve developed our site in a way that empowers you to shop efficiently when you need to. These technical features might not seem immediately exciting, but just like our clothing, it’s the thoughtful details that make the difference in your everyday.

Below, see eight shopping tips and site features that will optimize your online experience at M.M.

1. Find your fit.

Not sure the fit of a style is right for you? In between sizes? Click “Fit” on any product page to see basic measurements like inseam or sleeve length, as well as information about how the piece tends to fit various body shapes. Not sure which shape you identify as? Here are some general guidelines:

    • Heart: If your bust is proportionally larger than your hips, you likely have a heart body type.
    • Pear: If your hips are proportionally larger than your top half, you likely have a pear body type.
    • Straight: If your bust and hips are proportionally similar and your silhouette is a straight line from top to bottom, you likely have a straight body type.
    • Oval: If you have less distinction between your bust, waist, and hips and a fuller midsection, you likely have an oval body type.
    • Hourglass: If your shoulders align proportionally with your hips and create a defined waistline, you likely have an hourglass body type.

You’ll also find that a few products have a special note under the “Fit” section. In the case of the O’Hara blazer, for instance, we designed this piece to have a slightly oversized, boyfriend-style look, so we recommend sizing down if you prefer a closer fit.

The five general body shape categories.

2. Go back to the basics.

Most clothing sites these days incorporate some combination of the following functions—and for good reason. These basic features will save you time and help you determine which styles will work best for you:

    • Filters: Under each product category (such as the “Dresses” or “Tops” pages), you can filter by size, color, price, and sleeve or hem length—allowing you home in on what you’re looking for without having to sift through what you’re not. 
    • Feature icons: Found under “Add to Bag” on each product page, these symbols indicate the key features of a product, such as machine-washability, travel-friendliness, or day-to-night versatility. 
    • Pair It With / Similar Styles: While on a product page, scroll down to discover our pairing recommendations and see similar styles you might want to consider.
    • Customer reviews: At the bottom of each product page, read feedback from your fellow M.M. fans.

A snapshot of the features you’ll find on each product page.

3. Shop by fabric.

If you’re a tactile person, online shopping can be hard. That’s why we recently launched a special page where you can shop by fabric. Nothing can replace touching and feeling IRL, but this page is the next best thing. We’ve started with our top eight fabrics—those that have stood the test of time and are the building blocks of our best-selling styles:

  • PowerStretch: A stretchy fabric with a substantial handfeel that’s used to create some of our best-selling styles, including the Foster pant.
  • Jardigan Knit: An innovative viscose knit that combines the structure of a jacket with the stretch of a cardigan.
  • OrigamiTech: A lightweight, wrinkle-resistant material that’s an easy choice when traveling for work or running errands on the weekend.
  • Wool Twill: A classic suiting fabric that’s sleek, breathable, and easy-care. Wear these pieces as standalone separates, or mix and match them to create your dream suit.
  • Better Than Denim: A denim-like fabric made from Turkish two-way stretch cotton that provides a polished look and forgiving flexibility.
  • Washable Silk: 100% silk that’s lightweight and machine-washable.
  • Recycled WonderTex: An eco-conscious fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. By buying one of these dresses, you’re giving up to 15 plastic bottles a beautiful new purpose. These pieces are also treated with Polygiene®, an anti-odor finish. 
  • Eco Soft Wave: An eco-conscious edition of our fan-favorite Soft Wave fabric that’s made from 35% recycled materials. These pieces are also treated with Polygiene®, an anti-odor finish.

Click here to shop by fabric.

A snapshot of our fabric guide.

4. Bundle up.

We periodically release special discounts in the form of bundles. As opposed to our marked-down sale selection, bundles allow you to save on full-priced items for a limited time. If we’re currently offering a bundle, you’ll see “Bundles” listed next to all the other product categories at the top of the site. To shop our always-on T-shirt bundle, click here.

5. Check out the monthly capsule.

Each month, we release a new capsule full of fresh outfit inspiration using our current collection. You might be surprised by the degree to which seeing pieces on a range of heights and body types can alter your perspective on a given style. Maybe you’ll finally seal the deal—or rule out a piece that’s been sitting in your cart for weeks. To shop capsules, click “Capsules” in the category list at the top of the site, or click here.

6. Shop sustainably.

Over the past couple years, we’ve been working with the sustainability advisory firm Eleven Radius to develop a long-term sustainability roadmap based on The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. One of these commitments is all about designing and producing long-lasting products—which has been a priority since our founding. Another one of our commitments is around developing garments using more sustainable materials when possible. You can shop our current selection of eco-conscious styles here, which features our pieces made from responsibly sourced fabrics. Read about what we have planned for the next decade here.

7. Search Second Act.

Shoot! That style you had your eye on is out of stock in your size. What to do? Head to our resale site, Second Act, to purchase gently used items from fellow M.M. customers. Shopping this way also contributes to sustainability, because more M.M. pieces gain new life instead of ending up in a landfill.

A snapshot of Second Act.

8. Chat with a stylist.

For immediate assistance with general questions, order inquiries, and basic product information, click the chat box that pops up in the bottom right corner of the site. Looking for personalized fit and styling advice? Book a virtual appointment to work one-on-one with one of our expert stylists for a quick 30 minutes.

Written By

Emma Steinbergs

Emma is M.M.LaFleur's Brand Manager. She previously worked as an M.M. stylist and still loves thinking through styling challenges and solutions for customers.

See more of Emma's articles

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