Flirty Florals

7.29.2016



Style Theory: Florals on a dark background are huge fashion trend for now and through to SS17. Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Erdem to name but a few all featured this look in their SS16 collections and their most recent SS17 catwalk shows still embraced the trend so it is worth buying into now, it is not going anywhere soon...


Dress: Zara £49.99
Trainers: Adidas Hamburg £72
I am pretty smitten with this Zara dress, it is so comfortable to wear, a light cotton fabric with a cotton slip underneath. It is super voluminous, shorter at the front than the back and looks just as good with tan sandals as it does with trainers or sliders. 

Here is my edit of the best floral dresses on the high street now..
Topshop Camo Floral Shirt Dress £39
Camo and floral and a hint of cold shoulder detail..heaven.
Topshop Floral Wrap Slip Dress £39
This is a beautiful dress on but I had to size up as I found the wrap to not be very generous.
Topshop Floral Printed Shirt Dress by Rare £55
This dress is so up my street, I love the frill skirt and high neck, it looks fab..
Oasis V&A Silk Dress £85
I completely love Oasis 25 piece collaboration with the V&A, the prints are beautiful a little different from the usual Oasis prints and the fabrics are more luxurious, also love the pyjama style suit here
Zara Midi Dress £99.99
Intricately embroidered, this dress looks so expensive on.
Asos Tea Dress £38
This season the tea dress is big news and this is a gorgeous version. Wear now with flat tan sandals, wear in the autumn and winter with black opaque tights and western style ankle boots.
Warehouse Ditsy Floral Dress £55
A cute ditzy print that will take you seamlessly from summer to winter.


Are you a fan of the floral print? Have you bought into it this season, as always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Fran xxx

Summer Inspiration.....and my SS16 Recipe for Wardrobe Success..

7.28.2016










 







Style Theory: My SS16 'Recipe for Wardrobe Success'...

Ideal basics this season are a couple of beautiful white tops, can be a mixture of loose, floaty blouses and cotton boho tops. Add a great pair of pale blue slightly distressed jeans, preferably chopped at the ankle (a DIY job is best to get the right length) and a pair of loafers with back or without (Topshop have the best selection) along with a great pair of tan chunky heeled sandals (ie walkable in otherwise if you are like me I opt out if heels are uncomfortable) 

For an added 'Fashion Lift' to your basics think textures..metallics, tulles (see Zara for awesome, affordable tulle pieces) and Mango and Topshop for great metallic pieces (check out the new in section) Then this season just add one piece of gingham - Marks and Spencer have a fab off the shoulder gingham top £25 - it is not a trend that will hang around for long but a cheap and cheerful gingham top or dress will update your look immediately.

Add a floaty floral maxi, wear now with sandals, wear in the winter with a biker jacker and cowboy style boots.

Max out on pink, this is one colour that isn't going anywhere for the next couple of seasons so it worth buying into it. Try on pink tops, skirts, find a shade that suits you, you will be surprised pink is incredibly flattering and a really happy colour to wear.

Finally red, add splashes of red with accessories and make up, a red lip takes a basic, practical outfit up a notch. Be bold, fashion is about having fun, no matter what your age, your shape, it there to experiment with, be adventurous, be brave!!

What are your SS16 must haves? Do you have a clothes recipe, I would love to hear your ideas. Until next time Fran xxxx

The One Holiday Item you need this Summer

7.25.2016











images via Pinterest
Style Theory: The denim short, my holiday must-have. The easiest item to mix with everything on holiday, from vest tops and flip flops to the beach to beautiful white tops and tan sandals in the evening. Without a doubt my denim shorts are the item I wear the most on my summer holiday, they are super robust, look laid back and avoid the nightmare that is thigh rubbing (arghh!!)

I love a pair of denim shorts with a boho style top for the beach, they are easy to sling on. I always size up and try on lots of pairs to ensure they hang loose on me, I am not a fan of tight denim shorts, they look better when the leg opening is slightly bigger giving the illusion of thinner legs and I always make sure they stop just at the the most flattering (ie where my thighs are not at the fattest) point on my legs. I buy bigger and longer then chop them to the correct length for me. I wore my H&M scalloped shorts every day on my mini break to Barcelona, I nearly didn't buy them as I had to size up 3 sizes to get them to fit (which, to be honest was really off putting) but I am glad I ignored the sizes and bought the ones that fit! It is safe to say that after a couple of summers not being mad for denim shorts I am back on board with bells on..

Here are the best I have found on the high street..
Levis £40
The original and I still love mine. They are super flattering on the bottom as the pockets are a decent size and well placed.
Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren £70
I am a huge fan of distressed denim shorts, they look super laid back and cool, add a pretty top and a pair of rope flat sandals (love these from Topshop) The pale denim colour looks spot on, really authentic.
River Island £32
River Island jeans tend to be well cut, I like the colour of these shorts but may be tempted to chop off the turn ups for a sharper look.
Northmore Denim @Asos £28
These are great of you are after a longer length, I have a pair similar that are my schoolrun shorts, they cover up a bit more than my shorter 501 shorts.
H&M £19.99
Long denim shorts look great worn with blouses and shirts, add a pair of delicate sandals for a chic look.
Pandora Sykes
Long shorts perfectly styled by Pandora Sykes above..
H&M £19.99
Loose, comfy, although do watch H&M sizing, they do tend to come up small.

Fat Face £40
Fab pale colour, I always find Fat Face shorts a good fit.

My Style
My scalloped H&M denim shorts (now sold out) have been my most worn piece of clothing so far this summer..
Blouse - Travelling Bazaar £50
Shorts - H&M (sold out)
Shoes - H&M (old season)

Top - Zara £22.99
Bikini Top (underneath tulle top) - CocoBay
Shorts - H&M (sold out)
Sandals - Wallis £20 
Bag- Borrowed from my sister!
Top - Monsoon £49
Shorts - H&M (sold out)
Sandals - Wallis £20
Bag - Gucci Soho 

So for me, this year, denim shorts rule and dresses are taking a slight back seat, especially for daytime. Are you a fan of denim shorts, do you have some you pull out your wardrobe summer after summer? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, Fran xxx