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Welcome to the February, 2023 installment of the Power Casual Report, a series where we share outfit inspiration for the month ahead. In case you’re new to M.M.LaFleur, here’s the deal: Power Casual is a way of dressing and wardrobe-building that eliminates the need for separate “work” and “everything else” wardrobes. We like to define it as the clothing equivalent of work-life balance. You can achieve the look by pairing elevated styles with relaxed pieces, and the resulting outfits are occasion-agnostic—allowing you to wear them anywhere.
Wondering what Power Casual looks like in practice? You came to the right place. Read on for seven outfits to try this February and beyond.
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Oversized Button-Down + Pencil Skirt
Try putting a Power Casual twist on a classic look by swapping your tailored button-down for an oversized poplin one. The Mila shirt is crisp but flexible, making it easy to half-tuck into a knit skirt like the Harlem. Roll up the sleeves to further casual-ify your look, then finish it off with easy leather slides and your go-to earrings.
Cardigan as Shirt
The cardigan-as-shirt trend isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon (at least, not if we have anything to say about it). The Emerson cardigan is an ideal piece for tucking, thanks to its figure-skimming shape and beautiful texture; and the trousers keep the look polished, while the sneakers dress it down. And the cat-print Clancy earrings? They’re just fun. The Emerson is sheer, so if you’re wearing this outfit to the office, you can layer it over a cami—but on weekends, we say show off that lacy bra.
Casual Jacket + Trousers
In case you haven’t noticed, we’re very into trousers—and we firmly believe that they can (and should) be more than the bottom half of a suit. Try wearing the Horton pants with a structured but casual jacket like the Emalis to create an easy Power Casual look. The Emalis features ¾-length sleeves, so layering it over the long-sleeved Axam turtleneck creates a chic, color-blocked look. Complete your palette with the olive-and-black Rowan flats and white Esti earrings.
Shirt as Jacket
One simple way to create a Power Casual look is to swap your typical blazer for a button-down shirt. In this column outfit, the bold Lagarde shirt in clover infuses some springy freshness into an otherwise-all-black look. Wear the Paige tank tucked in if you choose to incorporate the Beebe belt, or try it untucked, sans belt.
Oversized Blazer + Skinny Pant
This quintessential Power Casual outfit is easy to achieve: Just choose your favorite skinny pants, add an underpinning and a boyfriend blazer, and voila! You’ll look put-together but never overdressed. At M.M. HQ, our favorite oversized blazer is the O’Hara (you can count on seeing multiple people wearing it in our office on any given day)—and we’re equally obsessed with the ribbed silk jersey Aubry top and the sleek Skinny Foster pants. Complete the outfit with white sneakers and silver hoops.
Solid Jacket + Printed Silk Skirt
The simplest way to incorporate prints into your outfit is to wear solid-colored pants with a printed top—so when you flip the script and wear a printed skirt, you look extra stylish. The almost-neutral oregano hue of the Emalis jacket is a beautiful match for the browns and beiges of the Sahara-print Orchard skirt. Strappy sandals and subtly colorful hoops take this look to a new, very chic level.
Textured Top + Printed Silk Skirt
Want to have even more fun with pattern? Pair the Orchard skirt with the Brodie top, which features subtle stripes that add texture without being too loud. Keep cozy by wearing the Brodie over the Axam turtleneck, whose fitted cut makes layering a breeze. Finally, finish the look with some pumps and hoop earrings that mimic the print in the skirt.
