I worked in the fashion industry for nearly 20 years in both merchandising and production, so I’m privy to the typical markup for clothing or accessories. Because of my previous experience working with fabric mills, I pay extra attention to quality and whether a garment lives up to its promise. I recently discovered the brand M.M.LaFleur while looking for a new outfit for work engagements, and their travel suit is a winner!
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M.M.LaFleur is a women-owned company founded by Sarah LaFleur, who graduated from Harvard University, and Miyako Nakamura, who led the design team at Zac Posen. Based in New York City, the duo launched with a desire to create versatile and sophisticated womenswear that can be worn at the office, out to dinner, or just hanging out on the weekends.
I’ve worn the OrigamiTech travel suit on three separate flights and love its wrinkle-resistant and breathable fabric. It’s part of a larger OrigamiTech collection with seven timeless and practical pieces, including jackets and pants, as well as skirts and dresses. The biggest advantage of this assortment is that it’s all machine-washable, which makes life on the go very convenient and cost effective — no visits to the dry cleaner!
To put together my travel suit, I chose the Moreland Jacket, which is a tailored blazer that is flattering for all body shapes. The Moreland’s single-button closure cinches at the waist, creating a feminine silhouette. I love that the jacket fits nicely around the shoulders. While most tailored jackets for women can be restrictive around the upper body, the Moreland allows for easy and free movement of the arms, which makes me feel more relaxed on the go. Another smart design feature is the slanted pockets, which are great for stashing essentials because of the zippered protection. I especially like this at the airport because I can securely hold my ID along with some cash instead of opening and closing a handbag or wallet.
The Moreland Jacket retails at $325 and is totally worth it because it is lightweight enough to wear during the summer and hefty enough to wear in the winter. In colder temperatures I can layer a puffer vest over the jacket, which easily slips off if I get too warm. If a tailored jacket is not your jam, you can achieve a similar elegant look with the Sierra Shacket ($345), which is a combination of shirt and jacket made of an Italian knit. The fabric has excellent stretch.
I also tested the Colby Pant, which retails for $225, and was very pleased with the fit. It has a comfortable elastic waistband that sits at the back while the front panel lays flat, so you can tuck in your shirt or tank top without looking frumpy or too casual. The pants have a great fit and a tapered leg that sits nicely without bunching up around the calves. Another thoughtful design enhancement is the extra 4 inches at the hem so that it can be tailored if needed.
The suit is super versatile, not just great for meetings but also for special occasion dinners and outings. Not only did I feel so put together and chic, the pants and jacket stood up to its claim. I emerged from my flights with the fabric feeling crisp and neat — no wrinkles or creases here! When I do pack the suit, I simply can hang the garment up upon arrival at my hotel and any folds or crinkles simply dissipate, no steaming needed.
The jacket and pants are versatile; they can be paired or worn separately to create a new outfit. For a more casual look, I combine the blazer with a pair of jeans and a white blouse. I typically can also wear the Colby Pant with a sweater or chic knit top. This cuts down on the number of things to pack on my trips, which is another plus in my book!
Another home run is the Gwynne Dress ($425), a double-breasted suit dress that comes with a removable belt. It’s pricey, but it is a classic that can also be worn as a long jacket over trousers or a pair of jeans. It’s an essential that travels well and is easy to pack.
Beyond the practical design features of the garments, M.M.LaFleur focuses on sustainability and responsible production practices. Their Recycled Wondertex fabric is made from recycled bottles. They recycle fabric and materials not used during their production process and use recycled paper for their hangtags. About 70% of their inventory is shipped from factories by boat versus plane with the goal of reducing their carbon impact.
The only thing I would like to see is more color options for the suit and the Gwynne Dress, though they do offer seasonal colors from time to time.
The collection can be purchased online, or M.M.LaFleur currently has two locations in New York City and Washington D.C., with plans to open five more stores in 2023. Online orders that exceed $150 get free shipping. Full-price unworn items with original tags attached can be returned for a full refund within 21 days of shipment. For the holidays, the return policy has been extended to Jan. 31, 2023, for items purchased through Dec. 31.