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This article was written by Madeleine Kim and published in partnership with M.M. LaFleur. Read it on their website here.
A capsule wardrobe is a set of pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a wide variety of outfits. And to help you make the most of your M.M., we’re teaming up with some of our favorite creators to come up with a new one each month. For this month’s capsule, we partnered with style blogger Sai De Silva (@scoutthecity) to share a mix-and-match wardrobe of styles that are simultaneously effortless and elegant.
Sai was born and raised in New York City, and her approach to style is shaped by a strong sense of place. “I consider myself to be a little bit of a chameleon,” she explains. “I’m constantly evolving, and I feel like that’s very much like New York City. You can leave New York for one week, and when you come back, everything has changed. My style really changes according to my mood and how I’m feeling.”
As one of the great fashion capitals of the world, New York is often associated with bold yet elegant looks. Sai’s style reflects that always put-together mentality, while also encompassing a less visible (but equally important) aspect of dressing for city life: comfort. “Comfort is key for me,” she says. “Clothing has evolved so much over the years, and nowadays, you can get essentials that not only are trendy and gorgeous, but also comfortable. Back in the day, you would have to wear your suit with high heels into a corporate office. Now, it’s more acceptable to wear a nice suit with a pair of sneakers and still be elevated and put-together.”
M.M.LaFleur is known for Power Casual, which is the clothing equivalent of work-life balance, so we asked Sai how she finds balance in her own life. “It’s pretty hard to have a balance with social media, especially considering that what I do for work is also my life. But I do my best to unplug on weekends and really home in on my family. We also are a very stylish family, I have to say—my son is very into what he wears. Balance for us means getting together, shutting off social, and of course, looking great while doing it.”
For Sai’s mix-and-match capsule, she chose pieces that embody her perfect balance: plenty of comfort and maximum style. Here are just a few of the outfits you can create with her capsule.
Outfit 1
The Clark puffer, Marcia T-shirt, Addison joggers, Koio sneakers, and Claressa earrings.
For her first look, Sai styled a chic-yet-cozy ensemble—the Clark puffer, Marcia T-shirt, Addison joggers, and Koio Capri sneakers—that she plans to wear for school pick-ups this fall. “I would definitely say my style has evolved since I became a parent,” she says. “Once I had kids, it became important to have something that I could wear to run around the park, but that also felt elevated. I’m very much a parent who wants to stay true to myself and not lose my identity.”
Outfit 2
The O’Hara blazer, Aubry top, Tinsley trousers, Koio sneakers, Circle Buckle belt, and Sima earrings.
“I love suiting,” says Sai. “The style is borrowed from the men, but pairing it with a fitted top underneath brings some femininity into your ensemble.” She styled the oversized O’Hara blazerand Tinsley trousers with the fitted, silk jersey Aubry top. “The way these trousers fit was amazing, and the Aubry was my favorite, favorite top” she adds. “I wore it for several days after the shoot, too.” To complete the outfit, Sai steered away from classic pumps and opted for sneakers. “I know some people prefer to wear a heel with their trousers, but I think this sneaker makes it look like I didn’t try hard, even though I’m put-together.”
Outfit 3
The Anna jacket, Marcia T-shirt, Milo jeans, and Jojo earrings.
Our Better Than Denim pieces are made from a Turkish two-way stretch cotton that has the structure of denim, but with way more flexibility. Sai chose to wear the Anna jacket with the Milo jeans for an easy yet elevated matching ensemble. “It’s a really comfortable look, and it transitions well,” she explains. “You can add a trench coat for the fall, which would be really nice with a pair of sneakers. I will always be a denim-on-denim type of girl. This look shows that you have style, but there’s no fuss there. You just get dressed, and people look at you and think, This girl looks great.”
Outfit 4
The Marcia T-shirt, Aubry top, and Addison joggers.
Few outfits better demonstrate the balance of ease and elegance than Sai’s fourth look. “When my kids were born, I told my husband, ‘I will not wear yoga pants all day,’” she says. Instead, she opts for pieces that reflect her personal style and offer the flexibility she needs. “My style has evolved to become more effortless,” she says. “When I was younger, I tried too hard. Now it’s just like, ‘I woke up like this.’”
Outfit 5
The Clark puffer, Marcia T-shirt, and Tinsley trousers.
For her final outfit, Sai created an ensemble that beautifully exemplifies the Power Casual mentality: the casual (yet luxurious) Marcia T-shirt on top, and the polished Tinsley trousers on bottom. “I care about my appearance, even on days where I’m in a chill, relaxed mode,” she says. “The way these trousers fit is amazing. I personally like when my trousers have a little bit of length at the bottom. And with these particular pants, you can wear either heels or sneakers.”
Want to shop all of Sai’s picks? Browse her mix-and-match fall capsule here.