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!

What's Up with All These Collars?

Just like in the 80's with plastic charm necklaces and big hair, and in the 90's hypercolor t-shirts, slap bracelets and plaid flannel shirts, this decade has had a number of fast trends already. We're not ashamed to say we love sporting the newest fad, but with age has come some maturity in wearing them. 

Unlike the days of spending all our savings on a new pair of Z.Cavaricci's, we spend more on the lasting items and look for lower priced versions of the fads. Right now, the collar is in focus and not just ones that are attached to shirts. You can find them studded up or even sold separately as a necklace (for a shirt or not). We featured a version of this in February of this year with Karl Lagerfeld's line and the idea has flourished in to mainstream.

We found this gold studded silk button down shirt at Zara and love it. And it's only $90! 

We've worn it buttoned to the very top, to emphasize the studs, with a demure shin length tan pleated wool skirt. It would also look great with black pleated trousers or an olive leather skirt (there are two great ones at Riess). 

On the weekend, wear it untucked with skinny jeans and heels.

So go for that next fad... Just not at the designer end of the spectrum.

Did You Mean Broke?

"No, I said Baroque. As in the style in art and architecture developed in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries.  It emphasized drama and elaborate ornamentation so the trend is extravagant and ornate".

"Ahh, now I get it... Doesn't sound like I can I wear that to the office though."

"You can, it just depends on your interpretation. For example, none of these would likely instill confidence at your next meeting with a potential investor:"

"Yeah, probably not, unless I was working at an 18th century circus... which sometimes i think I do. And I I don't know if I look all that good in that much gold and shine... Plus all the embellishment looks pricey."

"Yeah, it can be. There's an awesome McQueen dress and cute pointelle clutch from D&G with extra dollar signs. It's a trend... not a basic so no one should overdose on it in their closet anyway and go broke! BUT, you can work it in your closet and at the office in a couple of pieces. Take look at this little ensemble."

Click here to learn more about each piece.

"If you are feeling daring, you could wear a leather pencil skirt here instead of a plain one".

"Hmm, yeah I'll think about that one... This does look like the trend and I like it. Thanks lady!"

...An obviously very deep discussion on trends between Ludlow and a friend. We hope you enjoyed.

Word Association

What comes to our mind when we think of leather: 
-a luxurious fabric
-a topic of controversy
-often makes items more expensive than other fabrics
-Sandra D
-bikers
-popular in white on coaches in the 80's and
-can now be found as trim or the core of many ladies' fashions today. 

Does it pass the officewear test? YES. We tried it and it worked well. You just can't go overboard - the same for many other items when dressing (eg., too matchy matchy, too much jewelry, too many different colors etc.).

We paired this lovely reddish/burgundy leather skirt from Madewell wth a black silk top and black jacket. We toyed with the idea of a cream top but went the safer route for the first try.

Click Here to find out where all these pieces are from.

We kept the shoes low-key and low-heeled and added a traditional linked bracelet to contrast the other pieces.

Madewell also had a super cute leather dress in the same color - absolutely wearable with a black jacket to the office and both great for a work to cocktails/date look.

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!