You have so many other decisions to make, says Narie Foster, COO and co-founder of MM.LaFleur, the women's work wear brand.
That's why she, Sarah LaFleur and Miyako Nakamura created MM.LaFleur: to help women take the work out of getting dressed for work.
Foster says they started the brand in 2013, with around a dozen dresses. Then they added knits and separates, and just last month, launched pants.
Those pants were so popular, they sold out in just two hours and crashed the MM.LaFleur website.
Their black Tory dress was such a hit it was backordered for three months last fall, with a 900 person waiting list.
MM.LaFleur is largely made and manufactured right here in New York.
Nakamura, former head of design at Zac Posen, crafts all of their clothing using high-quality technical fabrics that are mostly machine washable, even their dresses.
Foster says they test everything, not just for washability, but also to see if you can bend over in it, raise your arm, and get into a taxi without flashing anyone.
Not sure where to begin shopping? They've tried to make that easier, too.
Just answer a few questions and get a customized Bento Box sent to your door.
Foster says you don't have to pick out a thing with the Bento Box. Just fill out a quick survey on the MM.LaFleur website (www.mmlafleur.com) and they'll send you 5-8 pieces to try on at home, no money down.
You just try on, see what you like, talk with an MM.LaFleur stylist if you'd like to, and send back what you don't want. You only pay for what you keep.
Their pants cost $195. Dresses run $165 to just over $300.
New Yorkers who want to touch and feel the clothes can stop in MM.LaFleur's Manhattan showroom and try things on.
They've also launched a new program in New York called Home/Work.
Starting at $95 an hour, a stylist will come to your house, go through your closet and come up with the right work wardrobe.
Foster says where you may see only three outfits, they can create 10. They'll turn those outfits into a personal lookbook that you can refer to every morning when you get dressed.
Their concept of simplifying work wear is catching on.
This year Foster, the youngest of the three founders, was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30.
Last year, the company grew from 15 to 60 employees, shipped 100,000 units, and grew its sales 550%, something they expect to do again in 2016.
Their secret? Foster says people really wanted stylish yet practical work wear, and it turns out they can make that.
The women at MM.LaFleur have so much to say they've written a guidebook called Wear to Work with all sorts of tips for women.
Their philosophy: create a professional uniform
So what's next?
MM.LaFleur is planning to expand internationally, starting with Canada.
They're also introducing shoes and bags.
--ALISON MORRIS
