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7 Work-to-Weekend Outfits That Epitomize Power Casual

Take your Power Casual outfits from on-duty to off-duty at the drop of a hat jacket.

By Emma Steinbergs

With the casualization and hybridization of the workplace, on-the-clock and out-of-office have never looked more alike. At M.M., we’ve taken this cultural clothing evolution to the next level by introducing the concept of Power Casual: the clothing equivalent of work-life balance. This translates into polished-yet-practical pieces you can wear any day of the week, in a variety of settings. From leading meetings to running errands, from negotiating your salary to perusing the new art gallery, you can count on Power Casual as your default dress code.

At the same time, it’s nice to use clothing to reinforce the mental boundary between your professional and personal spheres. Shedding your blazer post-board meeting can act as a symbolic gesture—a sartorial version of telling yourself, “That was a disaster, but at least I have exciting dinner plans.” The good news is: You can frame any Power Casual outfit as work-appropriate or weekend-ready by simply switching up a layer or a couple of accessories. The TLDR: Dressing in Power Casual results in a highly efficient wardrobe. Our bank accounts and overflowing closets love to hear it!

Want some examples? We thought you might ask. Scroll to see seven Power Casual work outfits and how we would re-style them for the weekend.

1. Dive into Deep Sea

Want to keep things streamlined and stand out from the crowd? Mix up your usual black essentials by going for this deep sea duo instead: the Jace top and Foster pant. A dark blue-green, deep sea is a highly versatile, near-neutral jewel tone that’s become a fast-selling customer favorite—meaning you’ll probably get along swimmingly with this hue, too. Further set yourself apart at the office by accessorizing with the complementary-colored Yuna earring and the silver Ella sandal. When you trade work meetings for weekend meet-ups, swap in the lowkey Claressa earring and white leather Koio Capri sneaker.

2. A Crisp Contrast

White top + dark pant = as crisp and classic as it gets. For work, layer the ivory Cameron tank underneath your cardigan and incorporate light-colored accessories like the Irene slingback and Lygia necklace to add color-coordinating texture. Transform your contrasting essentials into a trendier combination by skipping the tank top and opting for a leather slide plus a pair of gold hoops. You might just find yourself slipping on a pair of funky sunglasses, grabbing a friend, and sauntering down to the new brewery you’ve been hearing about.

3. The Pseudo Suit

You’re itching to suit up again, but your office dress code has gotten more casual. There are worse problems to have, but this can be a bummer as far as clothing goes. Don’t fret: With a traditional blazer, elegant underpinning, and matching-but-relaxed pants, you can channel that empowering feeling you used to get from a well-tailored suit while not feeling out of place amongst your casual colleagues. Heading out early to catch a game? Your no-fuss earring and belt will do, but lose your blazer, and trade your MVP metallic flats for some sportier footwear.

4. Olive All Over

The color olive is a lot like, well, olives—sophisticated yet polarizing. If you already love olive, join the club. If you haven’t tried it, we urge you to give it a go before ruling it out. Try the machine-washable, wrinkle-resistant (read: travel-friendly) Moreland jacket and matching Colby pant with the sleek Aubry top as your underpinning. Incorporate texture into your solid-colored outfit with the embossed snakeskin Lillian pump, and add an extra pop of personality with the multi-colored Jojo earring. The Colby pant doubles as an athleisure-adjacent jogger, so you can just ditch the jacket and swap in some slippers for a nap-friendly outfit.

5. Lean into Layers

Layers hold a lot of power in your closet. With just one garment, you can dress up or down an entire outfit within mere seconds. Take the Porter jacket: a luxurious, tweed-like blazer that’s knit yet structured and expertly crafted in Japan. Balance your elevated statement piece and elegant earring with polished essentials like the pima cotton Leslie T-shirt and the navy Foster pant. For your weekly jaunt to the farmer’s market, replace your heirloom in the making with something more heirloom-tomato-friendly, like the work-shirt-inspired Sierra shacket, and exchange your refined cognac pump for an easy slide.

6. Pearly Whites

Harry Styles may have made tie-front silk blouses cool again, but we made them practical. Meet the Darcy top: a 100%-silk stunner that’s machine-washable and made in an environmentally responsible factory (running on solar energy and recycling 90% of the water used in production). Create a luxe neutral palette with the matching Ponza earring, saddle Curie pant, and two-tone Rowan flat. When you want to go from classic to cool girl, let your hair down with sneakers and an on-trend gold earring.

7. Grays for Any Day

If you don’t have a New Yorker-level obsession with black, gray is a great alternative. Soften up the slightly dramatic, mock-neck Malki top with the sharkskin Gaia jacket, and make it a leggy suit with the matching Whitney skirt. Stick to this color scheme with the silver Lyssa earring and black Carter slide, or go for a unique gray sneaker if you’re looking for something more compatible with that bowling birthday party you have this weekend. We see a few stylish strikes in your future!

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.

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