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MM.LaFleur Bento Box Review

This article may contain affiliate links; if you click on a shopping link and make a purchase I may receive a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

an honest review of an MM.LaFleur Bento Box by size 14 over 40 blogger Wardrobe Oxygen

Over the years, many of you have tried MM.LaFleur and raved about your experience or asked me to do an MM.LaFleur Bento Box review to help you decide whether to try the brand yourself. For those not familiar with MM.LaFleur, it’s a women’s corporate fashion company. Their goal: to help women harness the power of self-presentation, and to rethink the shopping process altogether. Their mission: take the work out of dressing for work. Available in sizes 0P through 22W, MM.LaFleur clothing is made from high-quality fabrics, half the production in NYC and half in WRAP-certified factories in Italy, China, and Vietnam that are regularly visited.

A screenshot of the MM.LaFleur website showing models in a variety of sizes and ethnicities

Speaking of sizes, MM.LaFleur is one of the few brands that offer photos of their clothing in a variety of body shapes and sizes.  It is refreshing to see the same skirt in the same color modeled on a woman shaped more like me, and not just hidden as the last possible photo in a slideshow. Along with a variety of body sizes, MM's models also come in a variety of skintones and ethnicities.

The site is easy to navigate with a variety of photos to view a product from a variety of angles.  I appreciate the ability to filter by machine washability of the clothing, as well as filters for travel-friendly, made in the USA, and friendly for certain aspects of your body (middle or full hips friendly, if it's a good choice for those with a full bust or if you're petite).

You can shop MM.LaFleur in a variety of ways. You can visit one of their showrooms or pop-up shops (by appointment only), go online and pick out what you want (knowing there’s always an online stylist there to assist), or try out a Bento Box. Take a quick online survey, and an MM stylist will create a personalized box for you that includes a selection of wardrobe items and accessories. This isn’t a subscription service, you won’t keep getting Bento Boxes each month, you’re not charged a dime for your Bento Box, just what from the box you choose to keep. I decided to try a Bento Box to get the full MM.LaFleur experience in a manner all of you can experience yourself (there’s a showroom in DC, but many of you don’t have a store near you). This is not sponsored, I didn’t notify MM.LaFleur that I was doing this review, my experience is like any other customer.

The MM.LaFleur Online Survey

Before ordering a Bento Box from MM.LaFleur, you complete an online survey. If you’ve tried a virtual styling program like StitchFix or Dia&Co you are used to this aspect. The MM survey is focused on your workwear style – what kind of clothes do you wear to work, what colors and silhouettes you like, and it lets you share what size you wear in one of many popular brands (so nice because a 14 isn’t the same size across brands). Based on your survey results, an MM stylist will select a mix of clothing and accessories to send to you to try out.

mm.lafleur bento box review

My MM.LaFleur Bento Box Review

The Bento Box arrived in just a couple of days in a sturdy cardboard box, the kind you want to keep to store mementos or Christmas ornaments in (I can’t be the only one who rates cardboard boxes in this online shopping age). Inside was a small folder with a note from my stylist and some information about the Bento Box. The clothing beautifully folded, tied up with a grey grosgrain ribbon, and tucked into a large frosted plastic bag that has a Ziploc-like closure.

mm lafleur bento box review packaging

I received:

  1. The Etsuko Dress – Black, size 14
  2. The Soho Skirt – Black, size XL
  3. The Sant Ambroeus Jardigan – Black, size XL
  4. The Foster Pant – Black, size 14
  5. The Didion 3.0 Top – Black, size XL
  6. The Aditi 2.0 Dress – Persimmon, size 14
  7. The Noho Skirt – Deep Plum, size 14
  8. The Didion 3.0 Top Wildflowers – Birch, size XL
  9. The Harriet Top Boucle – Grey/White, size XL

MM.LaFleur Clothing Review

Overall, I was highly impressed by the fabrics. Tightly woven knits with a professional finish, textured boucle that looks luxe, crepes and other work fabrics that have a hint of stretch while still being completely at home in a boardroom. The colors I received were rich – the plum of the skirt was almost electric yet would still be appropriate in a conservative workplace. The persimmon color was a gorgeous orange that was surprisingly flattering and would look chic, not Halloween with black and other dark neutrals. Items were well crafted, made with care.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have much luck with the fit of these pieces. While MM.LaFleur carries a 0P, that is the only petite they carry. I often find petites to be too short in the rise, length, and torso but when trying my Bento Box, I was wishing there was a petite option. For reference, I am 5’3”, around 185 pounds, usually wear a 14 or 14 petite in most mall retailers (J. Crew, Banana Republic, Talbots, Ann Taylor, etc.). I am 43 and while I work out on a regular basis I still have soft curves. These photos were taken with a standard bra and underwear, no control garments to show the true fit of the garments.

MM LaFleur The Etsuko Dress Review

The Etsuko Dress – Black, size 14

This dress is the kind I wish I always had in my closet. Funeral, second interview, client meeting, date night. Switch out the belt and it could work for a wedding. The sleeve length makes it work for three seasons, the stretchy yet elegant fabric dresses up and down and doesn’t wrinkle and is thick enough to smooth the figure. The silhouette is super flattering and classic enough to be chic for years. And hello pockets!

MM LaFleur Ektuso Dress MM LaFleur Bento Box Review petite MM La Fleur Bento Box Review dress belt

But my arms are so thick and shoulders so broad I couldn’t fully get the sleeves up. My husband had to zip it closed because my arms couldn’t move. And my torso is a bit too short causing the zipper to buckle in the back. If I were a couple inches taller and not so busty/arm-y/shoulder-y this dress would be in my closet.  FYI, this dress is available in seven different colors and the full-size range.

soho skirt MMLaFleur

The Soho Skirt – Black, size XL

I expected to hate this skirt. It was very tight going on, and it’s jersey. This doesn’t look like workwear, it’s more like clubwear right? I wiggled it on, looked in the mirror and was surprised by how flattering it was. The draping and layering (it’s lined and a doubled waistband) really make this a great skirt. This would look amazing with a jersey top to create a dress effect, but would also be chic with a crisp white button-front shirt.

MM LaFleur Soho Skirt Review MM.LaFleur Soho Skirt

However, I am not really a skirt girl and not to sound like a broken record but it was a bit too small and I would need it in petite.  This skirt comes in two colors and the full-size range.

MMLaFleur Jardigan review

The Sant Ambroeus Jardigan – Black, size XL

For all you women emailing me asking me where to find a cardigan that looks great with dresses, this is it. You can be covered without looking dowdy or twee. This is a heavy ottoman rib, think a mix between ponte and that stretchy fabric from Chico’s Travelers collection. It’s polished, it’s professional, and it will look great over all your shifts, sheaths, shirtdresses, and fit and flares. There’s a cool little openwork design at the end of the sleeves that make it look less utilitarian.

mmlafleur jardigan mm la fleur jardigan review

However, with my bust, I think one size up would be good and help prevent it from sliding into my armpits when I do too many hand gestures (I gesture a lot with my hands). But like everything that came in my Bento Box, this is really high-quality fabric and completely appropriate in a workplace setting (add a sparkly brooch and it would also be great to have on hand with your cocktail dress at a chilly wedding or event).  Select colors are available in the full-size range; there are five colors to choose from.

mmlafleur bento box pants review

The Foster Pant – Black, size 14

This is an amazing pant. The fabric is phenomenal – thick but stretchy but looks like suiting fabric and it bounces back and it’s not too shiny, and doesn’t show lumps and bumps and would coordinate nicely with most blazers in your closet. It’s a side zipper which I usually don’t like because it emphasizes my belly, but these don’t do that. At the top of the zipper is an inside tab with two buttons to keep a smooth waist that won’t fold down like many side-zip pants. On my body, I found the pants too tight in the calf and thigh. Also at 5’3” these were not ankle pants and required heels to not drag on the ground.

mm lafleur foster pant mm lafleur foster pant review

They are considered petite friendly likely because they still work if not ankle length, but I found the rise to be too high for comfort.  But if you’re 5’5” or taller and don’t have legs so sturdy you require wide calf boots, try these pants. They’re amazing.  They are available in the full-size range and four colors.

mm lafleur bento box review

The Didion 3.0 Top – Black, size XL

When I first tried on this top I loved it. At first glance, it looks like a simple crepe t-shirt but it’s quite ingenious and unique. It’s a machine washable crepe, but it’s lined in a silky fabric which feels amazing and helps the crepe drape nicely and not cling. Note the hem; the back is curved like a normal top but the front has a blunt angled edge that not only adds style to the look but makes it easy to do a half-tuck without looking disheveled. The sleeves are a flattering length and not too tight.

mmlafleur bento box

It’s $110. I work from home and no longer need to go to an office. I felt I couldn’t justify the cost of this top, no matter how nice it was. I did my review of the Bento Box (see below) and informed my stylist that I was returning this… and then after this shoot, I changed my mind. This is a classic piece that can be worn year-round. I can throw it on with skinny jeans and flats and meet friends for a casual dinner. I can tuck it into a pair of ivory trousers and add heels and head to a shower or brunch. I can wear it tucked or untucked under a blazer. How cute would it be half-tucked into some ankle pants (I have these from Banana Republic and the fabrics are so complimentary it almost looks like a jumpsuit)? And so many times I have wished I had a top that was dressier than a t-shirt, but not an actual blouse. So I revised my feedback to MM.LaFleur and decided to keep this top.

The links above are only to this top in black; this link is to all the different colors and prints available in the Didion top. Select colors and prints are available in the full-size range.

mm lafleur aditi dress review

The Aditi 2.0 Dress – Persimmon, size 14

This color of this dress is gorgeous. Orange can be hard to wear but this persimmon/pumpkin shade is not only more office friendly, but friendly with a variety of skin tones. The fabric is textured but not itchy. The dress is unlined and stretchy but like all the other pieces I tried, it looks very structured, polished, and professional.

mm lafleur dress back view mmlafleur bento box review dress

Too bad that just like the other dress, it’s too long in the torso and a bit too snug. If it was a size larger and came in petite, this would be a winner as it’s a very flattering and versatile piece. Please note this dress is only available up to a size 16, and it is available in seven colors.

mmlafleur bento box review 1

The Noho Skirt – Deep Plum, size 14

This is a really nice skirt. Before this photo was taken, I wore it to set up the space, move some furniture and paintings, I switched the clothes from the washer to the dryer and folded that which was in the dryer, and then sat down on the couch to write a bunch of copy that’s in this post. No terrible creases or bagging. The skirt is a nice suiting fabric with a subtle nubby/crepe finish. Side zipper, and a lining that is lightweight and stretchy.

mm lafleur review bento box mm lafleur bento box review unsponsored

Skirts often look terrible on me with my lower belly and round booty. I can look cute from the front, but the side view I resemble a lampshade (or else have way too much on display). This skirt is so flattering from the front, side, and back.  This skirt comes in the full-size range and is available in seven different colors.

mm lafleur bento box review didion top

The Didion 3.0 Top Wildflowers – Birch, size XL

This pattern is NOT me, nor is the color.

mm lafleur didion top review

And while this is the same top and size as the black one, I found this one to be too big on me.

harriet top white grey mm lafleur

The Harriet Top Boucle – Grey/White, size XL

This is a super cool looking top. The boucle is stretchy and while the top is not lined, it’s not itchy at all. This would be a super cute swing top to wear with high-waisted black pants, a pencil skirt, the coordinating trousers, or the coordinating skirt. That is, if you have smaller than a DD chest and are taller than 5’3”. With my boobs and height, the top tented out in front and bunched up on the top of my booty.

harriet top mmlafleur mmlfleur harriet top

This would look amazing on the right body, and has perfectly shaped armholes and a nice pleat in the back that gives it elegance. But on my short curvy body, there was no elegance.  This link is only to the top in grey/white and at the time of writing this, it only had three sizes left.  This is the link to the same top in Galaxy Blue but it too is currently available in a few sizes.

After Receiving my MM.LaFleur Bento Box

When you order a Bento Box, you are assigned a stylist. This isn’t a computer algorithm charmingly named Amanda, it’s a real person (you even see a photo of her). She sends regular emails and feedback within the MM website. I was able to tell her I needed two extra days of my trial via email and she updated my account without any cost or issue. Your stylist truly wants feedback – what worked and why, what didn’t and why, so she can improve your future orders.

Once you get your Bento Box, you’re sent a link to provide feedback. Keep or return, and then details as to why. You can click selections and also have a field to write more specifics. When you finish your form, you’re offered the opportunity to order another Bento Box.  If by chance you change your mind, as long as you haven't mailed back the items you are able to go in and revised your feedback form.

My Final Verdict

The whole concept of shopping from MM.LaFleur is pretty fantastic. There’s no hard sales pitch, you won’t get annoying emails every day promoting products, your stylist won’t hound you. You can do a Bento Box and try the brand without risk and also get a virtual stylist to help you build a work wardrobe, you can buy individual items online without any assistance, you can make an in-person appointment. There’s plenty of support with stylists and customer service to answer questions and offer suggestions without any pressure. Online shopping isn’t usually described as elegant, but MM.LaFleur has achieved just that. For the price of their clothing, it’s nice to have an appropriate level of service and class to go with it. MM.LaFleur makes you feel like a valued client.

MM.LaFleur makes extremely high-quality professional workwear. These are clothes that would feel at home in a boardroom, but many pieces would be just as perfect for brunch with friends, to a day wedding, or a business casual office. The fabrics are luxe and the cuts are made to flatter a body.

The problem is, the body MM.LaFleur is trying to flatter is not mine. I am simply too short for the brand. I have a friend who has tried the line, wears a different size from me but is essentially the same height and experienced the same, even with an appointment at their DC showroom. I don’t think my shape or clothing size, however, is an issue. I think most of the issues I experienced were due to height and just having the wrong pieces from their extensive collection in my Bento Box. If I were 5’5” or taller, I would be ordering a new Bento Box and likely ending up with several pieces of MM in my closet.

If you are 5’5” or taller and are looking for quality work clothing, MM.LaFleur is worth a try. Their Bento Box program makes it risk-free. The box ships for free and comes with a pre-addressed bag to send everything back free via UPS. Don’t like anything sent to you? Send it back to MM within a week and you won’t be charged a dime.

I was not paid to do this review, MM.LaFleur has no idea I am writing this Bento Box review. However, all links to the brand are affiliate links and if you make a purchase through them I may receive a small commission. If you have any questions, do ask them below in the comments and I will answer them with full honesty. If you are an MM.LaFleur customer, I welcome your thoughts and answers to questions in the comments as well!

A woman with curly hair wearing a plaid blazer holds a green fur coat over her shoulder on a city street.

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42 Comments

  1. I love, love, loved this review! Honest without being snarky, and super helpful. I know its different actually wearing the clothing, but I thought you looked gorgeous in every piece! I’m excited to place an order with them since I think I’m the body-type you suggested they design for.

  2. Nicely done. The MMLaFleur website appeared in my feed, so I browsed around looking for reviews. Alas, I work freelance from home and have few occasions to look so polished and pulled together. I seem to have enough black pants and blazers for my few meetins. Might do the Deneuve top and cigarette pants. I’m 5’5″ and pretty much straight up and down, size 4. That said, I think you looked marvelous in all the clothes! You have a terrific figure, and wore everything well. Any one of those items (maybe not the floral top) would have had me making a beeline to you, and politely inquiring about your gorgeous clothes! Thanks for the review. I’ll be back to see what else you’re up to.

    1. Try the Foster pant, it’s now my go-to pant. I have been buying pieces for a little over a year now. The Deneuve is nice. Also love the Jardigans. All of them, but especially the Merritt. I am 5’7”, wear three sizes in MM depending on the style. Happy shopping!

  3. I’m 5’3, 145 hourglass figure and super short waisted. I also wish they’d do petite. I bought a dress and the foster pants. It’s kind of hit or miss, but everything is for me. I love the quality and style. Not ready to give up. I did stitch fix for a while then felt like I was getting the same items over and over. I also did Nordstrom, but they must not have even read my survey. I felt like I must have gotten someone else’s box.

  4. Adding a second, follow-on comment. Since MMLF does not have reviews on its site, perhaps they’ll read these!

    At 5’9″, 185 lbs, I”m about to give up on MMLF, which makes me very sad. The size 16 dresses are skintight, and the +1 are huge, esp in the hips, butt, and thighs. In my opinion, the plus-sized line is for very curvy, hourglass women, exactly as their models show.

    Again IMO, if a size 16 is too small, the next size up, i.e., a size +1, should fit. Instead, there’s a huge gap in sizing that isn’t being filled. Sad.

    PS. I also wear a size 10.5 shoe. Same issues! A 10 is too small and an 11 is too big, and no one makes a 10.5 (why?!). I’m doomed!

    1. This is very interesting! I was about to order a dress and am seeing your post. I am 5’7″ and 188. I normally wear a 12 in jeans and usually 12 is on the small side and 14 is too big in dresses. I really love that Etsuko dress but you’re making me think it’s not going to work.

      1. The Etsuko in all three sizes I tried did not fit. My challenge as a curvy gal was the armpit area… just could not get the sleeves up. However, I LOVE my Constance and Rachel dresses. They’re amazing.

  5. This is a great review, complete with honest photos and descriptions. I think every single thing you tried (with the exception of the floral tee, ugh) would look great on you in a larger size. Please consider another review, with size 16 or +1.

    Although our body types are different (I’m 5’9″ and 185), I found the Foster pant to be too tight in the calves also (in a size 16). And the pants were also far too short for me! If they had fit elsewhere, there was a generous hem I could let out.

    I agree, the colors are gorgeous. Thanks so much for doing this!

  6. I got my Bento box and had a very similar experience. My one question is, “did you try to adjust the length of the pants using the cuff buttons that are provided?” When I adjusted the length of the pants using the buttons they were essentially the perfect length!

  7. I appreciate your review and honesty. Most of all, I appreciate your willingness to display the garments on your body “as you are.” That is so rare!! I am about your size and height and now have a better sense of what to expect when I receive my Bento Box (and probably return most of the items). Thanks!!

  8. Can I just say, you looked amazing in each piece! I’m 56 years old, 5’0” and I love my MM Lafleur outfits. I’ve been buying from them for a year now. I started with a Bento Box. I kept 3 pieces and returned the others, no charge. Since then I have been steadily adding pieces to my wardrobe. I love the style. I would describe it as a fashion forward retro look.

  9. The foster pants are self-hem-able. The have a little button on the inside that allows you to fold the pant inside the leg to create a shorter length if you are a petite person looking to wear flats. Just thought I’d let you know in case you liked the pants but didn’t keep because of length. I almost only wear mine hemmed!

  10. I live in the NY area and experience both a delivered Bento Box and a showroom visit. I loved the Bento Box experience—although most of the pieces weren’t a good fit (the sizing tends to run smaller than Banana or Talbots) so I made a special trip (along with my daughter) to experience the boutique shopping experience (champagne, a custom stylist, SOHO NYC)—overall, warm champagne, no real attention paid to your requests, boxy styles that did little to flatter your figure. Any requests for a different size or different style were pretty much ignored. My 12 year old daughter who was excited to experience “boutique shopping”—after five minutes sad that it wasn’t the experience she hoped for and I was pissed that I took multiple trains in from the middle part of NJ to be ignored by a staff member who didn’t notice that the “champagne” was warm and that the sizes she brought into my fitting room weren’t the sizes I requested.

    It was a warm summer day and after being ignored for 15 minutes, I put on my street clothes and walked out without saying a word—and no one noticed.

    I love the concept of the brand however it’s not for me.

  11. I have 3 tops and 4 dresses from MMLF. I am 5’9″, wear a size 16 from this maker, and wear a size 30 I bra. I am very curvy with a large bust. Not every style works for me, but most do work well on my tall and curvy frame.

  12. I have been waiting for you to do an MM review– I have to admit I am obsessed. I have slowly been replacing my work wardrobe with their pieces. They are expensive, but really high quality. I own three of the didion tops, and that black soho skirt (with the matching jersey top).

    Though I am 5’6, and a size 8-10, so from the comments I might be their target audience. I find it to be the only place I can find high quality workwear that is not outrageously expensive. And most of the stuff is really comfortable.

  13. I am 5’2” and a smaller size range and have 3 wonderful pieces from MM La Fleur. They run a bit small, order one size larger than your talbot, loft or Ann Taylor size. Quality is impeccable. There are many styles that work for petites — and many that don’t. The rise of their pants is too high for me. But I am utterly in love with my Sarah dress, Noho skirt and Peggy top. I found it helpful to go to their DC store because I was very unsure of sizing. Many items we had to switch out the sizes. I bet many of the above items would have worked in a size up — though you have less need for their business looks in your current lifestyle.

  14. Thanks for the review! I have tried MMLF and I love their pieces, but not all worked for me (I’m 5′ 6″ so length wasn’t the issue, just other general fit/style choices. Mostly I’m probably in between the 16 and +1 for tops). Funnily the two I have that I love the most are the black Didion top and the Noho skirt that you also loved, although we’re rather different in shape.

    I actually adore the floral print on the Didion top, but can’t pull off cream personally so haven’t pulled the trigger.

  15. This is such a great review! I am a size +1 at MM.LaFleur and am so thankful for them as a place to find such high quality workwear for my size, but I am 5’8″, quite a bit taller than you. One of the things I am happiest about is that such a high proportion of what they sell is WASHABLE too.

    And oh, I am with you on that floral print for that Didion top. I saw it when they released it and thought YIKES.

    1. Can I be super nosy and ask if you are busty? I’m5’9″, busty, would probably be a +2 in their sizes and would LOVE to know if the etsuko and the jardigans wouold work on my build. They’re spendy but I think I would wear them all the time if they work!

      1. I have 3 tops and 4 dresses from MMLF. I am 5’9″, wear a size 16 from this maker, and wear a size 30 I bra. I am very curvy with a large bust. Not every style works for me, but most do work well on my tall and curvy frame.

  16. I love MM’s clean aesthetic and agree that their website is elegant. I went to one of their locations and found that as a 5’8″ tall size 14 most pieces did not work for me. They seemed to be designed for a shorter, straighter body type. I also had great difficulty accepting the prices of the pieces. I’ve been able to find high quality, better fitting work wear at much better prices at Ann Taylor and Banana Republic.

  17. Thank you so much for this review. As a cusp size attorney I really struggle to find work wear. I really appreciate the reviews with the multiple picture angles – good reminder to make sure something fits every where and a fh works before buying it. Thanks!

  18. This is a great review. Interestingly, I’m fairly similar in body to Allison, but I love MM Lafleur. I’m 5’2″ and normally a 14P at Talbots. I’m mid-40s and curvy and soft. I’ve had a lot of luck with their dresses– especially the ones that are more A-line. LOVE the Emily. The dresses, probably more so than the skirts or pants, work for us short gals. I do have a Didion that I wear with the Greenpoint skirt and it might be my favorite outfit. It wears like a little black dress, but the skirt is stretchy and the top covers my tummy so it’s like wearing pjs. For a lot of people the Etsuko is a dream, but I couldn’t get it to work– even trying a couple sizes. I will say that if you can make it to a store or pop up, it’s worth it.

    1. The ponte from MM is so much more luxurious in my opinion. It is thicker and lays nicer than Land’s End.

  19. I appreciate this review. I wonder though if these pieces would work on a much taller woman (I’m 5’11”). Based on some of the photos here, the skirts and dresses would be too short for my liking! It would be nice if they carried tall/long (maybe they do).

  20. I really appreciate this review! I have seen MM LaFleur ads and wondered about the company. However, I’m shaped very similarly to you, so I probably wouldn’t be able to fit their items either.

  21. I love this review (as I always love your reviews!). I am in love with MM LaFleur and am slowly replacing my workwear with their pieces. I travel extensively and their pieces are a dream to travel with. I agree with the goofiness of the sizing. I am taller than you (5’6″) and short waisted and I do find the lengths and rises to be absolutely perfect on me (so guessing I’m closer to their fit model height/build). I do typically wear a size 12 in most brands but am a solid 14 in everything MM LaFleur and a large in the tops (I’ll put in another pitch for the Deneuve – which is an absolute dream and I now own it in three colors). The black Etsuko is my favorite dress in my closet. And the Morandi sweater is a dream to throw over a dress to be warm & yet still look professional (though weirdly, I wear an XS/S in that. Go figure).

  22. I can’t believe I forgot! The Deneuve top is amazing. I am wearing the blackberry color today and get compliments every single time (I have cream and that new steel color, and have your same coloring). Although I wear the xl/1x in most MM, I wear a large in this top. It looks like a professionally polished high quality silk blouse, but it’s synthetic, and incredibly forgiving. It goes on over your head, has a v neck and the trick is the cross over and soft fabric draping in the front- very sophisticated looking. Plus, it’s stretchy and gives! I’m wondering if you would consider doing a second Bento with different sizes, I’m really interested in hearing your perspective.

  23. I want to love MM LaFleur and have ordered and returned more than I’d like to remember. I’m just not sure their clothes work well unless you are a size 4-6-8-10 and 5’6″ tall. As Ally’s review attests, they don’t work well for petites. And as a 5’8″ size 12-14, I have found the dresses and pants way too short, and the tops too short waisted. I wish they would consider a new fit model, since the fabrics are fantastic and the concept makes great sense for today’s working world. But for now, I’d advise taller women to order with caution.

  24. Wow, this is an amazing post. So thorough, honest, detailed, and exactly the kind of thing I appreciate about following your blog. The pieces ARE beautiful, but it is great to see how things fit and to hear your thoughts about the utility of certain pieces. I want a jardigan but I have been hesitant because of the price tag and because not all open-front pieces work with my bust.

    I bet this post will tip some readers toward, some away, from buying. Which is exactly the point. Thank you for taking time to do this!

    Side note, I am wearing a persimmon colored drape cardigan today– never knew exactly what to call it! I am NOT an “orange” person” but I LOVE this color and get lots of compliments. Now I know what to call it!

  25. I have ordered and returned so many items from MM…. I’m about 5’5″ with a very similar build to you. My fave is the jardigan, and it fit me exactly the same way it fit you (the xl). I went to the 1x and it is perfection! But I still struggle with just about every other item they sell- feel like they are cut much smaller than store retailers and that really pisses me off, because vanity sizing, come on!!? I also have the Hoffman blazer and love that because of the bust fit.

  26. I want so much to love MM La Fleur, but I don’t feel like their plus size pieces are good for my body. I went to the in-person events twice and at the second one, they had one of the designers for the plus size line work with me so she could hear some of my comments about fit. I really wanted their pants to work for me – the fabrics are great and I love that they don’t wrinkle, but one style was so long in the rise that the waist was practically under my arms and the other pair fit like leggings. And the Etsuko…I hope they read your post about the fit and make some changes. It looked lovely if my hands were at my sides, but it was too tight in the upper arms and the bust.

  27. I have always wanted to try this brand but they don’t ship to Canada so I never had. But with your review I am wondering if it would even work. At 5’4 I always joke that I am a “tall” petite but it does mean that some brands just don’t work.

    1. I was going to say the exact same thing. I was considering asking a friend in the US to forward pieces to me, but they clearly are not going to work for my body!

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