This article was written by Madeleine Kim and published in collaboration with MM LaFleur. Read it on their website here.
A capsule wardrobe is a set of pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. And to help you make the most of your MM, we partner with some of our favorite creators to come up with something new every month. For this month’s capsule, we’ve teamed up with style blogger Sai De Silva (@scoutthecity) to share some mix-and-match outfits that are both functional and chic.
Sai was born and raised in New York City, and his style is shaped by a strong sense of place. He explains: “I consider myself a chameleon. “I’m always evolving, and I feel like that’s very similar to New York City. You can leave New York for a week, and when you come back, everything has changed. My style really changes according to my mood and how I feel.”
As one of the biggest fashion capitals in the world, New York is often associated with a bold yet elegant look. Sai’s style reflects that ever-combined mindset, while also embodying a less visible (but equally important) aspect of dressing for the urban lifestyle: comfort. He says: “Comfort is important to me. “Clothes have evolved a lot over the years, and today, you can find important things that are not only fashionable and beautiful, but also comfortable. Back then, you would have to wear your suit with high heels to the business office. Now, it’s more acceptable to wear a nice suit with sneakers and be lifted and put together.”
MMLaFleur is known for Power Casual, which is clothing that fits work-life balance, so we asked Sai how she finds balance in her life. “It’s very difficult to have a balance with social media, especially when I think that what I do for work is also my life. But I do my best to cut it off on the weekends and stay at home with my family. And we are a stylish family, I have to say—my son is very focused on what he wears. Balance for us means getting together, shutting down social media, and of course, looking good while doing it.”
In Sai’s mix-and-match hiatus, she’s chosen pieces that embody her perfect balance: plenty of comfortagainhigh style. Here are a few outfits you can make with her capsule.
Property 1
Clark puffer, Marcia t-shirt, Addison runners, Koio sneakers, and Claressa earrings.
In her first look, Sai styled a chic-yet-comfortable look—a Clark puffer, a Marcia T-shirt, Addison runners, and Koio Capri sneakers—which she plans to wear to school this fall. “I can definitely say that my style has changed since I became a parent,” he said. “When I had kids, it was important to have something to wear to run around the park, but I also felt superior.
Property 2
O’Hara blazer, Aubry top, Tinsley pants, Koio sneakers, Circle Buckle belt, and Sima earrings.
“I love making suits,” said Sai. “The style is borrowed from men, but pairing it with a tucked-in top brings some femininity to your ensemble.” She styled the O’Hara blazerand Tinsley’s matching oversized, silk Aubry top. “The way these pants fit was amazing, and the Aubry was my favorite, my favorite top,” she adds. “I also wore it for a few days after the shooting.” To complete the outfit, Sai moved away from classic pumps and opted for sneakers. “I know some people prefer to wear heels and pants, but I think this sneaker makes it look like I didn’t try too hard even though I’m put together.”
Property 3
Anna’s jacket, Marcia’s t-shirt, Milo’s jeans, and Jojo’s earrings.
Our Better Than Denim pieces are made from double-sided Turkish cotton with the texture of denim, but in a flexible way. Sai chose to wear an Anna jacket and Milo jeans for a casual yet classy look. “It looks really comfortable, and it shifts well,” he explains. “You can wear a trench coat in the fall, which can be really good with sneakers. I’ll always be a denim kind of girl. This looks like you have style, but there’s no noise there. You just put it on, people look at you and think,This girl looks beautiful.”
Property 4
Marcia t-shirt, Aubry top, and Addison joggers.
Few outfits better reflect the balance of comfort and elegance than Sai’s fourth look. “When my kids were born, I told my husband, ‘I’m not going to wear yoga pants all day,'” she says. Instead, she chooses pieces that reflect her personal styleagaingive him the flexibility he needs. He says: “My style has changed to be simple. “When I was young I tried hard, now it’s like, ‘I woke up like this.'”
Property 5
Clark puffer, Marcia t-shirt, and Tinsley pants.
For her final outfit, Sai created an ensemble that perfectly exemplifies the Common Power of Thought: Marcia’s casual (yet chic) t-shirt on top, and Tinsley’s polished pants underneath. She says: “I care about my appearance, even on days when I’m cool, comfortable. “The way these pants fit is amazing. I personally like it when my pants have a little length on the bottom. And with these pants, you can wear heels or sneakers.”
Want to shop all of Sai’s selections? Browse her mix-and-match fall capsulehere.