What would you call the female lead’s style in Ludwig? (Anna Maxwell Martin)

[Mixymaxymoxy]

Has anyone watched Ludwig on the BBC? I’ve watched the first series and started on the second. Anne Maxwell Martin plays the female lead, and I am just fascinated by her character’s style. Her hair is a very odd bob with a too short fringe and looks like she has cut it herself with kitchen scissors. Her dress style in the second season is an odd mix of old fashioned school girl (knock knees, short pleated skirts, white ankle socks and big Clarks shoes), and 70s/80s woman - striped polonecks, maroon anorak. It’s like she’s dressed from a school jumble sale.

What style is this? Why have they chosen it and who dresses like this in real life?

I think I’m fascinated because its so far from anything i could ever wear (big boobs, big hips). And I love the house her character lives in - I guess a lot of the clothing choices reflect that 70s / 80s vibe.

I still haven’t seen any of this series, but I loved her look in the last series.

I think she’s actually brilliant-looking entirely aside from her clothes, anyway. She’s a real chameleon. Like Eileen Walsh. She can present as extremely conventionally attractive and also as very plain. it’s a real gift for an actor.

Pedant61
Frankly, who wants to look like everyone else, especially as they get older?

I still want to look nice and like I've an idea about fashion trends as I look older.
I certainly don't want to look like the uber "trendy" old woman with short gelled-in-spikes grey/purple or pink hair, massive earrings and dungarees, all in clashing colours.
So I'll keep an eye on cuts of jeans, types of shoes, colours, accessories...
Just to give a touch of modernity but not looking like I desperately want to look young.
And I'm happy to be called "Grandma" instead of "Nanny Noodle", "Gan Gan" or <cringe> "Glamma".

I don’t think that’s been any kind of ‘uber trendy old woman’ for several decades. Maybe never.

Fair enough.
That's what you think; I think differently.
There's room for all sorts of opinions.

Eta Someone will probably mention Prue Leith.
Nobody tends to mention Sue Pollard.

This.

Ankle socks look ok although I wouldn't wear them (I wear trainer socks so they can't be seen) but any longer look, in my opinion, silly

Well I suppose some people just don’t care how silly they look to MNetters!

Or to rephrase that: some people wear what they like and feel comfortable in and don't need the validation of MNetters.

Her style fits Cambridge middle class middle aged University associated

Obviously

Someone said Velma already I think. That's how I see it.

I think it's really good for the character - I wouldn't wear any of it, but it's reinventing "frumpy" with a side of amateur detective.

I think the continuity is a bit off - in one scene I watched last night (influencers murder) L and A had orange make up on their faces and Anna on her legs - v odd

It’s not dark academia - that is stylish! Velma dressed as a frazzled Englishwoman is closer. I do find it really unsettling to see a woman of nearly fifty dressed like a schoolgirl. Weird styling choice.

I didn't know "dark academia" is a thing. I was going to suggest "art school". It's a 90s art school indy pop girl band look.

Yes and before that, the series The End of the Fxxcking World which definitely influenced Sex Education visually.

Hmm … I wasn’t taken with the first season of Ludwig - but now I’ll have to watch the new one for the clothes.

I’ve been wearing mid-calf length socks for years and years with midi skirts and dresses. Never white, generally in sludgy Margaret Howell / YMC wool; with loafers / brogues, or of course ankle or mid-calf boots. But I like them best with a pointy mule, heeled or otherwise.

I definitely don’t look like a schoolgirl.

Slightly off topic but I’ve just binge watched StarCity on Amazon and Anna Maxwell Martin does a wonderful turn as a Soviet era army General / psychopath. She’s a fantastic actress.

The first episode was so appallingly horrifying I haven’t been able to go back to it yet, @3peassuit.

Stick with it, it’s worth the effort.

The house is so stylish and well decorated , I'd imagine the actual owner to be more stylish , at least lose the socks. But then aren't ankle socks pulled up the thing the yoof are wearing ? Maybe she's in the vanguard of fashion and we'll all be wearing them soon

Has anyone noticed that all the rooms are incredibly dark with shutters closed and a couple of dim lamps? It really irritates me that they live in such gloom..

I find it incredibly dull and the characterisation is very wooden. OH watches it as its light diversion, I am usually doing something else at the same time.

i am interested in the style, not the clothes, from the programme itself
i did work it out in the last series
lots of squares everywhere - i spose that must be intentional due to the puzzle solving
but have forgotten

I could not agree more. Can't stand dark dismal houses/rooms. I can only live in a house that has lots and lots of light. I also like light bright colours on the walls

She would have carried the look off if it wasn't for those damn kids.