Flat Stomachs Need NOT Apply

If you've been reading our posts you know we really like pieces with peplum, especially for the office. This pretty, lady-like fashion trend has continued for fall '12 and so has our attraction to it....not to mention it's usefulness as a belly-hider. When it comes to the middle area, this is worry-free dressing.

We found this flattering heather grey cap sleeve dress, courtesy of Alice & Olivia. Stretchy without being too clingy, with a color that provides lots of options for whatever you choose to pair it with. Pick a bright color for a pop, like yellow, shown here, or one of the darker jewel tones when it's cooler and you have to wear tights. 

The metal zipper detail on the back adds a little edge.

Another easy office timesaver...and you don't have to go to the gym to rock it!

Recap: Our favorite trend from 2011

Happy New Year!

Salvatore Ferragamo long sleeve collared shirt
$525 - stylebop.com
Similar: Rachel Zoe blouse: $206.50

John Lewis navy blue top
Similar: Patterson J. Kincaid top: $128

Madewell western shirt
$88 - madewell.com

Kelly Bergin knee length pencil skirt
Similar: Liska by Thomas Kirchgrabner skirt: $339

J.Crew crew pants
Similar: Jenni Kayne wide leg pant: $245

Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti long length pants
$525 - stylebop.com

Akris beige skirt
$633 - www.stylebop.com

Maison Martin Margiela knee boots
€840 - shopmrsh.com

Similar: J.Crew boots: $348

Gucci ankle wrap heels
Similar: DKNY Shoes: $225

Wool fedora hat
Similar: ASOS Wide Brim Fedora: $14.54

Gucci wide brim fedora hat
Same hat in burgundy, on sale!: Fedora $249

How we dress 40's at work

We have a special place in our hearts for fashion from certain prior decades and we absolutely love when they come back in to popular fashion. Gucci's Fall 2011 ready to wear (rtw) line is so fantastically 70's, Ludlow has her heart set on wearing Fedora's and silk dresses until spring.

A tidbit you may not be aware of is that fashion in the 70's, and particularly the late to mid 70's, was an update of the 40's. So, naturally we love anything 40's too. Of course, a lot of times what you see on the runway, can be difficult to translate when dressing for the office.

So, here is one example of how we would do 40s/70s in the office:

Lex found this super cute top from Tibi (that is actually a body suit) and matched it with a delicious belted pair of redish/burnt sienna trousers from J.Crew. Gold accesories, such as a thin gold necklace to accentuate the neckline, could be added.

Given the 40's was a decade where more women went to work, since their men were off at war, denim-like shirts became popular fashion. That also looks really good with these trousers and is a little more casual - for a Friday if your office is a bit more formal. A chunky gold bracelet would top off the look.

After we wrote this, we were interested in the employment trends during WWII. We found out that more than  an estimated six million women joined the workforce during the war - the majority of them married women. In 1940, before the war, only 36% of women workers were married. By 1945, after the war, 50% of women workers were also married. The middle class taboo against a working wife had been repealed.