Style Theory: It is all about pastels this Spring/Summer and a hint of lilac makes any outfit look sublime.

This sudden love for lilac has taken me by surprise, I, in general, am not a fan of the purple hue but this Spring it is working for me. The lilac clothing and accessories adorning the high street shops at the moment are subtle bluey/pinky tones and look delicious with beiges, pinks and navy. It is definitely a colour I have embraced and here is how the Streetstylers are wearing it:

Pair lilac with navy for a chic look.

Purple lilac looks great on blondes

The muted colours on this outfit are bodly contrasted with a mustard and wine bag..it shouldn't work..but does.  

Lilac contrasted with a wine coloured bag and fabulous mirrored sunglasses.

Lilac and silver looks stunning.

Spring in a beautiful outfit

Do lilac subtly with lilac rimmed glasses

Lilac and camel..stunning

Diane Kruger pairing lilac and white for stylish simplicity.

Images above via Pinterest

Lilac is a calm, feminine colour and can be worked into your wardrobe in separates or wear it subtly with some stunning lilac accessories and jewellery. Here are the best on the High Street:

& Other Stories Leather Jacket £245

Hush Lilac Linen V Neck Jumper £49.50

A beautiful soft linen jumper, would look great paired with distressed, pale blue boyfriend jeans and white superga's for the summer. 

Topshop Lilac Bobble Jumper £75

I have this jumper and love it, it is super cosy, quite thick and warm so not a summer purchase but perfect for the colder nights. I love it paired with pale blue jeans and a camel coat/trenchcoat.

Asos Lilac Sweatshirt £18

& Other Stories Leather Skirt £145

This skirt would look fabulous paired with a navy blouse and navy, long, fluid trench coat and nude heels.

& Other Stories Midi Skirt £95

Anthropologie Megumi Ochre Thistle Contrast Heels £158

Katie Rowland Carmilla Collection rings from £95

This is a striking range of sugary coloured, semi precious stones beautifully set against 18ct gold vermeil. The rings make for a statement look or you could pile up the smaller stacking rings in beautiful coloured stones for subtle but colourful look. The range encapsulates this Spring/Summer pastel colour trend, I have my eye on the cross ring.

John Lewis Radley Johnston Bag £143.20 (on price match)

John Lewis Becksondergaard Peach/Grey £69

These scarves are slightly on the expensive side but are so worth it, they are large and sit well,  made from a luxurious silk and wool mix that makes them warm but light.

John Lewis Becksondergaard Supersize Nova Star Scarf £69

Rayban Translucent Original Wayfarers £130

There is my round up of the best lilac on the high street, I understand it is not everyone's colour and no doubt colour guru, Donna, from I Won't Wear Sludge Brown would be able to tell what kind of colouring lilac would suit. I am a fan and will be investing in few more pieces for this season.

MY STYLE: 

I have been so impressed by M&S shoes at the moment and I bought a fab pair of snakeskin slipper style shoes, very comfortable and will look lovely with black and blue skinny jeans. This is my outfit for running around after the kids, going to swimming clubs etc etc...

Shirt: Gap
Jeans: Topshop Baxter
Shoes: M&S
Trench: Topshop 

Leather Shoes: M&S £45

I am off for my Mothers Day treat, a talk by Pheobe Philo (Celine) hosted by Vogue, then a couple of glasses of champagne and supper at the Oxo tower..lovely, I am quite excited, off to get ready now..late as usual! I will report back...

Wishing all you Mummys out there a very very Happy Mothers Day, I hope you get well and truly spoilt..you deserve it xxx

Till next time Frances x

Fugly Sandals..are you going to indulge this Summer?

Style Theory: Fugly Sandals - 'Fashionable but ugly' footwear taking over the high street. 

Celine SS13 

Think Birkenstocks, plain or adorned with large jewels and 80s pool shoes now exalted to high fashion status but the likes of Celine, Marni and Prada. The  basis of these sandals is nothing new, I have seen Birkenstocks come round in fashion at least three times but it is the fact these were championed by designers on the Spring Summer catwalks that they now are 'the' sandals of the summer. The high street have every style, colour and jewelled option available, from very pretty to really quite ugly..dare you wear them?

Here is the inspiration behind the trend which began with the fur lined Celine sandals above in SS13, to be followed by a deluge of designers in SS14:

Marni SS14

Prada SS14 

Prada SS14

3.1 Phillip Lim SS14

Stella McCartney SS14

Givenchy SS14

How to style these fugly sandals:

Keep clothes casual,  Fugly sandals are a laid back look. 

Black birkenstocks look great with an all black outfit. 

Wear with a shirt and (fake) tanned legs

Love the look of the Birkenstocks with thin cigarette trousers.

Working Isabel Marant sliders with a camel coat 

Here are the best on the High Street:

METALLICS AND JEWELS

The way to glamourise the fugly sandal is to wear a gold, silver or jewelled version. This would be most definitely my sandal of choice, to wear with pale blue distressed skinny jeans with a large turn up and a pale blue oxford shirt and perhaps a black leather rucksack with gold/silver detailing.

Aldo  - Parramore Sandals £50

Aldo - Glawet Sandals £55 

Clarks Studio Punch Lime £49.99

Zara Leather Bio Shoes £69.99

River Island Pink Gem Stone Flatform Sandals £50

Dune @ John Lewis £120.00

THE CROSS OVER POOL SLIDERS:

River Island  Metal Trim Cross mules £40

Aldo - Codissago Sandals £40 (also in Gold)

Dune Lisa Leather Sandals £110

PATTERNED 

Wear patterned sandals with all back for a sleek stylish look.

Calvin Klein Geometric Slides £80

Zara Printed Crossover Sandal £59.99

Zara Leather Sandals with Fringes £59.99

THE CLASSIC BIRKENSTOCKS

The most 'user friendly' of the trend - anything goes with these sandals wear with jeans, denim dresses, cut off shorts etc etc and the good news is they super comfy, heels be gone it is all about the comfy sole...

River Island - White or Black Single Strap Birkenstock £40
River Island Pink Single Strap - £40 John Lewis - Salina Birkenstock £49.95
River Island - White or Black Double Strap Birkenstock £50

MY STYLE: Attending the opening of a new gym - more about that in another post!

Coat:M&S
Jumper: Cos
Trousers: Topshop
Shoes: Dune

The rest of the week I was super scruffy...

Left: Jumper Topshop
Jeans: Gap
Slip-ons: H&M
Right: Jumper Zara
Coat: Zara
Jeans: Gap
Trainers: Adidas Superstar originals

So are you going to indulge in the Fugly shoe trend, will you be resurrecting your old Birkos? I have my eye on the jewelled Zara ones and am off to try them on now! 

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments as always,

Till next time, Frances xx