The Best Holiday

With Halloween approaching, excitement abounds. Dressing up as someone else, being someone else even for a short period, is true pleasure (maybe I should have been an actress). The daily corporate routine only makes it that much sweeter. Costume choices for the last few years have been real people: Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, the maid who was sexually harassed by the head of the IMF... This year is still undecided. 

Inspiration from 2012 events include the tanning mom and Clint Eastwood with an empty chair. However, this year, with all the change in my personal life (and I mean big things... worthy of changing your health insurance outside of the annual enrollment period type life events) I am thinking of simpler alternatives to balance these big events. Maybe a sheet with a couple of holes?

Of course, my year wouldn't be complete without some acknowledgement to a character. So I found this fantastic dress at Zara to wear on 'All Hallow's Eve' Wednesday the 31st to the office. I like to think it's what Lara Croft may have worn if she had a corporate job by day. Structured with its paneling, modern with its leather sleeves. Edgy and sexy all at once. The price is right too.

Now, all I need is a long braid. Happy Halloween!

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!

Yes, Burgundy is Everywhere

And we love it.  Like a new pop song, we may eventually get over it but for now, we can't get enough. Recent purchases in the color family include a great peter pan collared J.Crew sweater and this merlot colored shift from T by Alexander Wang (his lower priced line):

Edgy details within basic workwear is never lost on us. We were really attracted to the flattering and sexy but demure strips of netting on the side. Not noticeable when you have a jacket on (recommend black or grey), but very appropriate for after work drinks, dinner or date. See below..

Not just a basic work dress!

Wear it now, Wear it later

We've found some really great pieces for work lately that are built for fall but with some tweaking, can be worn now in warmer weather and later, when temperatures are lower. It's a great way to stretch your clothing budget (if only we were so structured that we actually mapped out a budget!).

3.1 Phillip Lim, Phillip Lim's lower priced line, has some really great pre-fall and fall numbers. We grabbed this timesaver option that's perfect for cooler weather: a navy ponte peplum long sleeve top and matching pencil skirt (on the right below). It's stretchy and so comfortable. 

On the left, we've taken the top out of the equation to wear the skirt now. Roll up the button down's sleeves, add a belt and you have a summer work outfit. 

For info on where to find each piece, click here.

She's Shifty

......she's just my type! 

(a little sidebar tribute to the beastie boys, may Adam "MCA" Yauch rest in peace)

Something easily forgotten these days is that fashion is not only a product of creativity, but also of function and social change. Bet you didn't know (or probably ponder) that bermuda shorts came in to existence because of a shortage of clothing during World War II in Bermuda!

A historical and functional fashion reference for women is the shift dress. In 1920, women in the US earned the right to vote, equally to men. Women were empowered to break social norms and flappers started wearing shift dresses. They found them comfortable, easy to dance in and a rebellion against the cinched waists that had been in style in the previous decades. Shift dresses were also popular during the mod fashion era of the 60's - arguably another decade of social change.

We love what they represent!

The chic French brand Sandro has an amazing shift dress for this summer, complete with pockets and fun color (and their sale is going on now!). It's a classic piece, flattering for every shape and for any part of your life, including the office:

(The shoes are Louboutin Summer '11)

Plus it has a bow detail in the back that we went crazy for:

So celebrate the shift dress for the freedom it symbolizes - after all it was created so we could dance to the Beastie Boys if we wanted to!

Figure Flattering Peplum

In a previous post we featured one of our favorite Spring trends: Peplum. And we can't seem to get enough of it.

We honestly couldn't walk out of Zara without this bright red skirt. Trust us, we tried but got as far as about a block down the street before that gnawing feeling beat us down. Like a moth to a flame, we promptly turned around and purchased.

What specifically did we love so much about it?

1. The peplum was actually assymetrical... and you know what little edgey details do to us.
2. The flaring is around your middle area which means it's a great piece for the not-so-skinny feeling days. It literally hides any bloat.
3. The bright orangey-red color and the stretchy linen fabric are perfect for summer.
4. Did we mention the location of the flaring covers up the pizza we ate too late last night?
5. The final detail: pretty gold buttons snap it together in the back (see below).

With a color this bright and design this pretty, all you need is a basic white button down and nude pumps. Be sure to tuck in the top so the peplum is kept in focus and enjoy!

Brighten up your day

Nothing says it better than the song "Summertime" from DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, from 1991 (can you believe that was 21 years ago? the song is of drinking age now!):
"school is out and it's a sort of a buzz,
a back then I didn't really know what it was,
but now I see what have of this,
the way that people respond to summer madness".

Warmer weather generally makes us as humans happier. Even the air in NYC smells better as the weather improves. Weekdays can start to become something to look forward to with longer hours of light for outdoor workouts or dinners.

How we dress is often a reflection of our mood. With summer almost here, we wanted to share a great piece that reflects that higher level of cheeriness.

This tie dress from DVF does the trick.

The bateau neck and tie waist flatters any figure. And of course, we love the button detailing in the back (since we are suckers for detail). Wear it with a neutral pair of heels and a chunky bracelet.

This dress is reminiscent of 70's styling too - a remake if you will - just like the DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince song was a great remake of a 1974 Kool & the Gang song.

Multi Season Dress

With temperatures ranging anywhere from the 80's to the 50's,the weather this Spring has been crazy in the Northeast. How the hell does one keep a wardrobe for this?  

It comes down to trenchcoats, scarves, and one particular solution: the sweater dress. It's an all year round wardrobe piece and a no nonsense throw-on-because-I-was-up-a-bit-too-late-last-night solution for a more casual day at the office (Friday timesaver?). 

This blue Fendi number is particularly stunning.

(Similar options here and here )

The simple knit is complemented with puff sleeves, which serves to balance out a lady's silouhette (and hips). 

Change up your shoes depending on the season: pumps for Spring and boots and tights for Fall. 

Given the material, it can also double as a piece for weekend brunch or a casual date (which can justify the price tag!).

Timesaver for work, with an edge

Ludlow is a sucker for details. Since this Carven jacket and combo dress are full of them, she absolutely had to have them!

The designer just so happened to have earned his stripes in true couture, where details are the most important thing. Lucky for us, he's applied this same approach to his ready-to-wear collection.

Not only is the ensemble stylish, but also very warm.... the coldest months of the year are still ahead of us (ugh).

Details to point out:

1) The jacket's zip closure and leotard shape at the lower half. This is less noticeable from far away, like this shot, making it still appropriate for even the most stuffy of offices.

2) The grosgrain belt, seen again below, is attached to the jacket. That's right, attached to the inside of the jacket. This makes the jacket stay closed, without being zipped shut. 

3) The shoulders are cool and edgy. Reminiscent of Lady Gaga and also nicely balancing for those with broader hips. 

And the last detail (promise!): the interlacing on the back of the dress.. so cute. The jacket actually has the same detailed interlacing at the back.

For accesories, we'd keep it simple and recommend black stockings, a simple pair of gold earrings and a watch... let all the details make the statement.

Click here to shop the jacket, and here to shop the matching combo dress.

One stop dressing for work

Continuing on our theme of 'timesavers for work', the combo dress (dresses that look like two pieces in one) certainly have their interests aligned with ours.

Lex finds this combo dress from L'Agence (click here to shop it!) to be an easy transition from office to cocktails, so you really get bang for your buck. Also great for those holiday cocktails after work. Use your accessories, such as a bracelet, ring or pair of heels to add a pop of color.

Introducing 'Timesavers for Work'

We know how tiring a working woman's life can be. Timesavers, shortcuts - and sometimes even reschedules or cancellations - can feel like utter lifesavers.

Wardrobes should also include timesavers - like that dress that always looks good but is comfortable too. You can pop out of the shower and throw it on without having to think about it. Versatility is also important. We are always on the lookout for these and will continually feature what we find.

This oatmeal colored cashmere dress from Tibi looks great multiple ways and can be worn with or without a jacket. Throw on a strand of pearls and have some fun with the shoes, as Ludlow did here, sporting a pair of color-block Miu Miu pumps (Fall 2007 and still cute!).  

Adding a belt instead gives the dress a whole new look for the office.

Another option: throw on a colorful jacket, keeping everything else neutral.

You can even take this number from work to cocktails... that's versatility.