How I Curated a Real Client’s Closet Refresh
All the intel on my BENTO® picks, plus a video tutorial.
I’ve worked as a professional stylist for 11 years, and last year, I joined M.M.LaFleur’s BENTO® styling team. One of my favorite parts of my job is working with women who are interested in leveling up their wardrobes but wouldn’t typically hire a personal stylist. The intimacy of working one-on-one with a stylist can sound intimidating, but I’ve noticed that as soon as a client connects with us, she’s pleasantly surprised by how approachable the whole experience is.
To give you an inside look at how it works, I took the chance to document a recent BENTO® request I worked on. Scroll to see highlights from my client’s quiz, what I picked out for her, and a few outfit ideas I included in her lookbook.
In case you’re not familiar with our BENTO® styling service, here’s a recap of how it works:
Step 1: You take our quick style quiz.
Step 2: One of us stylists will determine which M.M. pieces best fulfill your wardrobe needs and text you a lookbook with our selections and size recommendations.
Step 3: You add any of the pieces you’d like to try directly to your cart and check out!
The Ask
Here’s a snapshot of my client’s answers to some key questions from her BENTO® quiz.
Dress code: Power Casual (polished and put-together, a combination of formal and casual elements)
Shopping for: A mix of separates and dresses
Budget: $500-$1,000 (a few new outfits)
Body shape: Pear (hips are proportionally larger than the bust)
Which adjectives best describe your current style? Architectural, comfortable, playful
Age: 38
My Selections
1. & 2. Rossi executive blazer and Rina sculptural pant: As soon as I read that my client identifies her style as both architectural and comfortable, I knew I wanted to recommend this statement suit. Each style has a decidedly exaggerated cut—the Rossi blazer is longer than your average women’s suit jacket, and the Rina pants have a gorgeously relaxed leg—creating a shape that’s fresh and modern. The bluebell hue also checks her “vibrant but versatile” box, as it’s more distinctive than navy.
3. Peggy top: There are certain items I almost always recommend, and the Peggy is one of them. Made from our thick 365Knit, it’s like a fancy tank top. I saw my client hadn’t tried it out before, so we were off to the races!
4. Milo wide-leg jean: Since she said she was interested in pants and non-formal pieces, the Milo jean was another style I had to encourage my client to try out. Their not-too-wide silhouette is flattering on truly all shapes, and their unique combination of comfort and polish makes them a wardrobe workhorse.
5. Axam layering turtleneck: For another eye-catching pop in addition to the blue suit, I included the Axam turtleneck in bloom print. The jersey fabric is so comfortable and the ideal layering weight for spring, while the small-scale print is playful, like my client’s sense of style.
6. Rani slinky dress: Two bloom print pieces might seem duplicative at first, but I can think of 8+ people (a combination of M.M. employees and BENTO® clients) who own a bloom print top and dress, because these pieces are just that good.
When it comes to our jersey dresses, the ruching is what really sets them apart. Whether you go for the short-sleeved Aisling or the long-sleeved Rani, you can expect a shape that’s curve-complementing without feeling tight or “body-con.” I went with the Rani because its A-line skirt is perfect pear shapes, which my client identified as.
7. Kane cropped jacket: If you like to incorporate a structural element into your outfits like my client, I recommend investing in a sophisticated jean jacket. This one features a dark indigo wash and charming contrast stitching that make it stand out in a sea of distressed denim styles. If you’re looking for a light spring jacket that you can keep on indoors, this is a fantastic option.
Hit play on the video below to see me modeling all seven of these pieces.
Outfit 1
For a crisp spring palette, pair the Peggy top with the Rossi Blazer and Rina Pant. In context of this outfit, the Peggy reads as an elegant underpinning, but it’s an everyday essential that you’ll also find yourself wearing with jeans on the weekend.
Outfit 2
If your office is business casual, feel free to wear the Milos any day of the week, not solely on “casual Fridays.” Just make sure to frame them as more of a trouser by styling them with a tailored jacket, like the Rossi.
I wanted to show my client how bluebell can be paired with non-neutrals, so I layered the Axam turtleneck underneath for this look. Blue and orange are complementary colors, so the bluebell and marigold really work while also being unexpected. The small-scale pattern also adds wonderful depth against the otherwise solid-colored outfit.
Outfit 3
The Rani dress makes for an ideal one-and-done outfit when you have dinner plans after work, need to fit a lightweight event outfit in your suitcase, or have Saturday plans but want to feel like you’re still in pajamas. When you want to dress down this style, just add sneakers and a jean jacket.
I’d love to work with you. Click here to try our (free!) BENTO® styling service.
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I love this approach to showing how to style pieces-here's hoping MM does more of these videos!
I’ve been eyeing that Bluebell suit, and now you also sold me on the denim jacket!