Style Theory: A fashion classic..The Trench Coat

Created by Thomas Burberry in the 1850s the trench continues to be a wardrobe staple year after year. The classic style has not changed, however, over the years there have been many variations on the shape and fabric, additions of studs patterned fabric etc but I am always drawn to the classic Burberry trench.

Here are some fabulous looks from the streetstylers:

The slouchy fabric looks great over a short dress.

Emmanuelle Alt stylishly rocking the black trench.

Classic and fabulous, love a trench with a Breton and blue jeans.

Another classic trench this time worn with sparkly sequins.

Gorgeous detail at the back of this trench I love the pleats and bows.

The monochrome look with a slouchy, fluid, black trench.

Another slouchy trench this time dressed down with trainers.

Alexa Chung, the queen of the Trench, wearing her Burberry beautifully with dungarees and pumps..perfection.

All images above via Pinterest

You need to find the right style for you fitted, classic, straight, short or longer, there is a style to suit everybody and here, I hope, is the inspiration you need to find your perfect match if you have not found it already!

The best trenches on the high street, starting with The Classic Trench:

Gap Classic Trench £59.95

This is fab classic trench shape, the details are quite Burberry (collar hooks etc) and it is a heavy fabric so will keep you warm. I tried it on instore and really liked it. It is available in regular or tall.

This is the Gap trench, it is so classic and would look stunning over a sparkly skirt in the spring, It does come up quite big so I would suggest ordering a size smaller, I am wearing an XS here which was good for me (or choosing the petite or Tall range)

River Island Classic Mac £75

A super smart trench, quite androgynous in a good way, this would look great over a flowery dress or a sequin skirt and sweater and court shoes to 'pretty it up'

Asos Premuim Mac with Panel Detail £75

The collar is fab on this mac, the coat looks great buttoned up, pair with skinny ankle length black trousers and little ballet pumps for a tres Francais look!

Massimo Dutti Classic Trench £125

This is a cotton mix classic camel trench with gorgeous details, looks great as styled in the photo, a breton, skinny jeans and ballet pumps.

H&M Trench £29.99

A fabulously priced, good, classic trench coat.

Now for the dark Trenches:

Marks and Spencer Best of British Trench Coat £249

This is pricey but has had great reviews on the website, it is waterproof and looks a beautiful shape, I love the idea of this with a black and white breton, pale blue ankle skimming jeans and pointy flat shoes for summer.

Warehouse Twill Trench with detachable lining was £95 now £40

This trench is such a good buy will keep you warm on cold spring mornings and then when it begins to get warmer remove the lining..perfect!

Uniqlo Short Trench £59.90

If you are looking for a super lightweight, short Trench this fits the bill, it is very thin but is showerproof and is great for us smaller ladies as it is nice and short and will not swamp you. A great summer jacket. Also comes in light grey, beige and navy.

Me in the Uniqlo trench, apologies not a great photo but will give you an idea of how long it is (I am all of 5ft 3.!)

Next Mac £60

This has a very subtle cocoon shape and a striped lining, very chic navy trench.

Now for a few of slightly different fabrics and colours:

Karen Millen Satin Fabric Mix Trench £250

This is expensive but beautiful, I love the drapey satin fabric mixed with the stretch cotton to keep some structure, would be beautiful worn over a dressed down outfit, distressed boyfriend jeans a jumper and ankle boot/ heels.

H&M Trenchcoat £69.99

A slightly longer length trenchc, looks fab buckled up.

NW3 @ Hobbs Tara Trench £189

On the website Hobbs call this Flamingo Pink but I am sure it is a pale pink and would look beautiful styled up with greys and pale blues for the Spring.

So there is my round up of the best Trenches I have seen on the high street and online, have you already got your ultimate trench in your wardrobe, where did you get it from and what features do you like about it? I would love to hear all your thoughts as always:

My Style over the last couple of days:

For a day of ducking in and out the rain I wore my Mac (3 years old from Topshop, I love it but am hankering after the Gap one, as I really like the classic style!)

Trench: Topshop
Jumper: Whistles
Necklave: H&M
Jeans: Gap
Trainers: JL

Out for lunch with friends, felt a little 70s in my bell bottoms!

Trench: Topshop
Jeans: J Brand
Shoes: nine west
Top underneath not seen Breton: Boden

I would love to hear your thoughts on the Trench and how you style yours, thanks so much for reading, till next time xxxx

The New Slouchy Trouser

 Style Fact: Trousers are becoming slouchier, more relaxed. Picture WW1 land girls, Marlene Dietrich and Lauren Bacal, a masculine look with a feminine edge, fabrics are fluid but tailored. They are seeping into fashion consciousness and will stage a takeover by AW14...

A shock for all the skinny trouser and jeans devotees, me being one of them. However, seeing the silhouettes more and more on the catwalks I am coming round to the idea (again). Think 90s, slouchy on the hips with a straight leg, wear with trainers if you are part of the cool crowd or for a more sophisticated and flattering look team with a pair of heels (heeled ankle boots for now,  pointed heeled shoes in summer) 

Trousers in 2014 should be worn long, many designers had their trousers pooling the floor but in practical terms floor skimming length is perfect. Here is the catwalk inspiration and those cool fashionistas already rocking the look:

The Designers:

Marc by Marc Jacobs SS14

BCBG Max Azia SS2014

Stella McCartney SS14

Maison Martin Margiela SS14

Lisa Perry Pre-fall Collection AW14

Roksanda Ilincic Pre-Fall AW14

The Streetstylers:

These are slightly bootcut, look so fabulous with the cut away top.

This look is solely for the brave and those without little ones..stunning but maybe not the most practical?!

Cool, laid back, classy a black shirt and trousers looks amazing every time.

The wide leg looks perfection with the tailored coat.

Worn as a suit, this trend is just perfect for sleek, elegant workwear.

Adore this look with white trainers, so cool...

These trousers are easy to wear and super chic, in order to create sleaker silhouette wear a pair of trousers that slightly more tailored, have a high waist and have a narrower (not hugely voluminous) leg and wear with heels.

I would wear these trousers with a little cashmere or fine knit jumper, a statement necklace and heels and then throw a huge warm jacket over the top and stick on your sunglasses voila...a rocking cool look! The look in the future will be with slouchy silky blouses, oversize jumpers etc but for now I think keeping the top slightly more close fitting is the most flattering way.

Now for the best on the high street:

Stella MacCartney at Net a Porter £330

In my dreams I would have these trousers....they are so beautiful, the perfect 'slouch', width, tailoring, I could go on...! If you are looking for an investment pair both Matches Uk and Net A Porter have a few beautiful pairs in the sale..

Mango Palazzo Pants £39.99

Mango trousers (as above)

These Mango trousers are fab, please ignore the photo above I would NOT recommend wearing with open toed sandals wear them with a gorgeous pair of black pointed boots it would look so much more stylish!

New Look Black Crepe Wide Leg Trouser £19.99

I have not seen this 'in the flesh' but they look a good shape and not too wide, also pretty reasonable, I will check them out when I am next out shopping.

ASOS Trousers in Wide Leg with Side Buckles £22

I really like the high waist of this style it will make legs look so long and the waist very neat. 

ASOS Wide Legged Trouser £38

These would have to be worn skimming the floor with heels, they are cotton so would need some height.

So there is my round up of the slouchy trouser, there will be many more paler colours released as we near summer but as there is possible snow around the corner for us all in the UK and US, I thought I would stick with black for now. Are you going to join me by dipping your toe in the water of the slouchy trouser or are you sticking to your skinnies? x

My Style:

For running around after the kids, playdates, shopping, clubs and the general day to day things. Sorry for the fuzzy photo, my 3 year old photographer was having an off day!

Blazer: Gap
Scarf: Uniqlo
Top: Zara
Jeans: Gap
Trainers: John Lewis

And for dinner out with the Husband, trying out the slouchy trouser look, very comfy.

Trench Coat: Topshop
Jumpsuit: Anthropologie
Necklace: H&M
Shoes: Zara

I would love to hear your thoughts on the return of the slouchy trouser, is it your kind of thing? Will you be trying it out in Spring Summer?

Next time my new favourite Spring coat and how to style it....

Thanks so much for reading xxxx

Back to the 90s....Stan Smith Trainers are back!

Move aside New Balance, the trainer of 2014 is the re-release of the Adidas classic; the Stan Smith.

The Stan Smith trainer was named after the US tennis player who won both Wimbledon and US Tennis championships in the early 70s. Stan first endorsed the trainers in 1971 and they became popular again in the 90s and in 2014, we now see them re-released thanks to them being worn by Pheobe Philo creative designer (and goddess of trainer based trends) and Marc Jacobs.

Pheobe Phile rocking the Stan Smith trainer.

The trainer itself is so classic, with simple clean lines enabling it to be dressed up or dressed down. Wear with boyfriend jeans, dungarees, the new (or again re-vamped) wide leg shape or if you are super cool wear with your little black dress! As Stan said himself 'I think it is their simplicity that has the attraction' Spot on Stan!

So here are the cool girls on the street showing us how to style Stan Smiths trainers amongst other styles:

The trainers look stunning with all black

I love the preppy look, the white shirt and jumper and leather leggings.

Wear with a skirt and a long, lightweight coat in the spring

Stan Smith trainers look cool with black trousers

These are a slightly different style, Adidas Superstars..I love this preppy look with beige trench..styled to perfection. 

Chanel's trainers gracing the Chanel SS14 Couture Catwalk

Superstar trainers with an all black outfit and cute hat.

I love how the red detail on this military coat picks up the red stripes on the trainer.

All images above via Pinterest
Not the easiest trainers to track down on the internet at the moment as they are in high demand but they are in and out of stock on the following sites, alternatively pop into an Adidas stand alone store or JD sports:

Zalando

END. Website - available for pre order

Size website

Crooked Tongues (honestly this is legit..redirect from Asos!)

If you are not particularly into Stan Smiths trainers, here are some fabulous alternative styles available to buy now: 

Adidas Superstar 2 @ Adidas UK £62
These also come with navy or black side stripes and are a fab alternative to Stan Smiths.

Adidas Amberlight shoes @ Adidas £67
I am always drawn to metallic details and these trainers are simple with a small 'blingy' twist..

Adidas Originals Honey-Lo £47
These are leather and are low cut at the sides which will make them super flattering for the summer when wearing them with shorts or...(bare with me on these)..culottes (more on them on a following blog!)

Adidas Womens Gazelle £64.99
I have obviously gone off-piste on these, they are not white and not Stan Smiths, but just how gorgeous are they...I love a touch of pink and these would be fab for the summer with ankle skimming pale jeans and a little white shirt....sooo cute!

White Vans @ Office £44.99
These are canvas so a little chilly for now but definitely worth baring in mind for the summer.

Converse All Star Low White £44.99
So classic, so comfortable, you just can't go wrong with a pair of Converse, timeless trainers.

Nike Tennis Classic @ Office £64.99
Just cool, understated, you can pick up the blue colour on the tick with a cute blue scarf it would look fab with a  chambray shirt and boyfriend jeans.

So there you have it, my 'Ode to Stan Smith trainers'...have you been caught up in the hype too? (I have ordered some..so will let you know when I get them and how they fit etc) I love the fact that they are so 90s, my complete comfort zone!

If you are after a larger selection of the fabulous New Balance (I swear they are excellent, sooo comfy and wear well) and Nike air etc trainers then check out my previous post has some trainers that should I fail my in Stan Smith mission I may have to buy....http://schoolrunstyle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/runninrunninrunrunnin.html

Here is My Style from the past couple of days:

Trying to style my old (90s Original Superstar trainers!) perfect for the school run!

Jacket: Zara available here only £29.99 now
Jumper: Zara available in store now
T- Shirt: Gap
Trainers: Adidas Superstars

For a little lunch out with friends and a meeting:

Coat: Pink Coat
Shirt: H&M similar here
Jeans: Zara
Boots: Russell and Bromley

So are you in the trainer camp...have you shed your Uggs for the equally comfy but more rain-friendly trainers? 

Would love to hear your thoughts and comments x Thanks so much for reading x

Next time the new trouser shapes....