Manifesto

Dressing for Work Doesn’t Have to Be Just “Functional”

When it comes to fashion for work, there’s a common misconception: that it’s all about function. Black pants, white blouses, and the same flavorless, shapeless, uninspired staples, over and over. While a black pair of pants is undoubtedly a wardrobe essential, not all pairs are equal. Why settle for insipid? Thoughtful cuts, fresh styles, and clever reinventions emerge season after season—so why not embrace them? Fashion is nuanced, vibrant, and endlessly creative. It’s an empowering tool—let’s use it.

At Maestra, we approach dressing for work differently. We don’t see it as a rigid, separate category where boring, plain, or unnoticeable equals credible. Instead, we tap into the creativity and abundance of exciting fashion brands, curating pieces that balance individuality with professionalism to maximize confidence and professional impact. You’re not just wearing “appropriate” clothes—you’re unlocking your inner corporate goddess: sleek, commanding, effortlessly in control, and, yes, genuinely excited to walk into the room. 

Curation: Core and Accent Pieces
Season after season, drop after drop, we meticulously comb through collections — from high street to luxury — to identify elevated garments (“Core”) and worn accessories (“Accent”) that embody style and sophistication while respecting corporate dress codes. We don’t settle for merely functional staples, nor do we overwhelm you with endless options (e.g., “Need black pants? Here are 378 uninspired choices”). Instead, we carefully curate items that spark joy and exude confidence, all while remaining perfectly appropriate.

Putting it Together
Once these curated Core and Accent pieces find their way into your wardrobe, our simple, proprietary dressing formula makes it effortless to create polished, professional looks. It’s not scientific but almost. With clear, actionable guidance, you’ll step out every day as the most put-together, confident version of yourself. Yes, it may feel prescriptive, but it works—and it simplifies your life

  • Our 5-point Formula helps create a balanced, intentional, and polished work outfit with our curated Core and Accent pieces, that feels neither overly busy nor too plain. We aim for our outfit to get a total of 5 Points (2 Points for portrait mode). Here's the breakdown:

    Core: Upper (1 Point):

    • Outer Layer (0.5 Point): Blazers, cardigans.

    • Inner Layer (0.5 Point): Blouses, shirts.

    • Sole Layer (1 Point): Sweaters.

    Core: Bottom (1 Point):

    • Pants.

    • Skirts.

    (For dresses, which combine both top and bottom pieces: 2 Points.)

    Core: Dresses (2 Points)

    Accent (1 Point):

    • Belts.

    • Hair Accessories.

    • Shoes.

    • Statement Jewelry: Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, brooches. (Delicate jewelry like wedding bands, simple studs, or discreet bracelets do not count - unless heavily stacked!)

    Excluded Items (0 Point) — For purposes of the outfit formula, no point ascribed to non-visible layers of clothing (eg. camisole), purely functional wear (eg. tights), outdoor wear (eg. coats) or non-worn accessories (eg. bags).

    • Stick to 2 colors tones max in your outfit.

    • The 2 colors should not be interrupted by each other, meaning that the bottom must either be the same color as the top or the same as the shoes, creating a smooth, unified look.