Style Theory: Band tees have been around for a long time but this summer they re-emerged as 'the' tee to wear. They are slightly different from the grey marl 'Ramones' look from a few years ago, the new crop are on a dark base and work perfectly to toughen up pleated skirts, mini skirts and mom jeans. Pair with some super chunky black ankle boots and you have a cool AW16 look..
This is the tee of the moment, on the expensive side of things but it is the tee all the fashionistas are wearing. Pair with a gold, pleated midi skirt, a pair of heeled black boots and a leather biker....
This tee has to be my pick of the bunch, I spotted this on the very cool Lindsey from Ropes of Holland and hastily added it to this blog. Just the right amount of rock chic, subtle and totally cool.
Now necessarily a band tee, but cool nonetheless. Pair this with a leather mini skirt (or this season's black PVC skirt, see Mango one below and opaque tights and boots.
More of a coke tee than a band tee but I have a similar top I bought years ago from Topshop and I literally wear it with everything, from denim shorts in the summer to a navy blazer, boyfriend jeans and heels in the winter. Such a useful item in my wardrobe.
The rock chic look without the skulls, I would pair this with a silver or gold metallic, pleated skirt and trainers, or wear it with the skirt below...
This skirt is stunning on, it reaches my knees (I am 5ft3) and feels amazing on as it is silk. I would wear it with a band tee, black opaques and boots (see the first photo I posted of The Fashion Guitar above in the streetstyle)
I am going to give this look a try, I will report back and let you know how I get on and what I style it up with. Are you a fab of rocker/band tees? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Fran xxx
Style Theory: The time to shop at Boden is now, with up to 40% off they have some fab pieces to add to your Autumn/Winter wardrobe, from bretons with a twist to the most beautiful pink coat I have seen in a while...go, go, go!
This is the most beautiful twist on the breton, I love the velvet lace detail. A perfect addition to jeans and trainers uniform, or dress up in the evening with boyfriend jeans and leopard print heels (love the ones below)
Because a grey jumper is such a useful piece to have in your wardrobe, pair with jeans and coloured trainers, with a pleated midi skirt and heels, or tailored trousers and heeled boots.
This is a good looking trench, quite Burberry-esque. A perfect shape that will not go out of fashion and can be worn year after year. Perfect for over jeans, equally as chic over an evening dress for an evening out, timeless and stylish.
If you are hankering after a pink coat this is a great one, more of a 'car coat' ie. great for Autumn and Spring but will not keep you super warm in the deepest darker winter. However, this is great for layering over a pale pink jumper or grey sweater/hoody or wear a dark red, slim, padded gilet underneath for added warmth. Pink is staying around for SS17 too so this coat is a keeper..
A beautiful colour combination, the perfect AW16 work shirt, pair with ankle length cigarette trousers and a pair of leopard print heels for work style with a fashion edge.
A breton jumper is again such a useful item, size up for the perfect cosy winter sweater, perfect for cold country walks then onto cosy pubs. Pair with skinny jeans and Hunter wellies for a cool look.
Ever since my daughter was 1 and obsessed with High School Musical, yes, one and obsessed with the songs and dances from it, I have liked a baseball tee, Zac Efron looked good in his and if it is good enough for him it works for me!
These are stunning, having seen them in the flesh - Alex from The Frugality has them and they look amazing on her, so elegant. They are the perfect 'go with everything' shoes, they will be just as good for work as with boyfriend jeans for an evening out. If you are off to event they will go with any type of dress, definitely a pair of shoes worth investing in.
Navy leather with tan details looks so expensive and great with a breton, jeans, trainers and a navy blazer - the basic combination but always a winner in my eyes.
Those are my favourite picks from the Boden sale, all basic building blocks for your Autumn/Winter wardrobe and all pretty interchangeable, just add a good pair of jeans (try H&M or Topshop) and a pair of trainers - I still love Stan Smiths or Golden Goose and you pretty much have a capsule wardrobe.
I am also going to order a few pieces for my kids, I love their tartan pull on trousers for Jack with a stripy top, and for Jess, the denim playsuit and the gold glittery trainers and stock up on pjs and slippers. I could go on forever buying the kids clothes from Boden because they really do last and wash so well, but they just grow so fast and don't get enough wear out of them I only buy them a couple of things I know they will wear non-stop.
Have you got your eye on anything in the Boden sale, does any of the above pieces appeal to you? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, happy sales shopping, until next time Fran xxxxxx
Style Theory: I was so excited to be asked to be part of Endource shoot for 'The Women Influencing our Wardrobes' incredibly flattered and so looking forward to getting my hair and make up done professionally and have the chance to try on rails of clothes..heaven.
I fell in love with this dress and had always deemed my legs too chunky to pair with boots, but with some persuasion, I wore these boots and they worked to update the look. They are a great length and hit my calves in the right place. As you know I am a huge fan of ruffles and this dress hides a tummy to perfection, I have since bought both items!!
It was so lovely working with the bloggers below and it got me thinking, as to who influences the way we dress now? I, for one, have seen myself shift from pouring over magazines, reading every page (Grazia, Instyle, Red and Marie Claire were my fashion bibles - as they normally had great affordable, high street fashion) to now finding that I look to my favourite bloggers on Instagram and also pinterest for ideas. Mainly it is because it is quick, easy to find exactly what I am looking for both in style and price range. I still buy all the monthly magazines (along with Grazia and Look) but now I read them days/weeks after I have bought them when I have a spare minute. Fashion is constantly changing, that is why I find it so exciting and the way we interpret fashion has done too.
These lovely ladies I shot with at the Endource shoot, all have different styles, do things their own cool, unique way, that is what I love about fashion, it is all encompassing. You can carve out your own style or follow others, either way is good, it is your prerogative, you should wear the best selling item if you love it and look good in it even if it is all over Instagram or equally wear something completely different it doesn't matter, if it makes you feel good wear it, for me fashion is fluid, it can be as tame or as bold as you dare....
It was fun seeing, all of our different styles merge, I think it works!! Who influences you in the world of fashion, are you look to blogs/Instagram for inspiration or do go to Pinterest or are you still a magazine fan? I would love to hear what you think?
If you would like to check out the shoot, our interviews and details on what we are all wearing (my second outfit I was smitten with too) and if you don't already subscribe check out Endource, they are an up to the minute source of the best high street/ high end finds - they are worth a visit - click here
Thank you Endource for the fab day, Caz Wren for her magic make up and hair skills and Dan Williams for his amazing photography skills...
Have a great weekend and thank you for reading, Love Fran xxxxxx
Style Theory: The breton is a pretty remarkable piece of clothing, introduced by Coco Chanel in her 1917 'Nautical Collection' after she spotted the style on a french sailor, and since it's popularity has waivered. It is the perfect go to item, it covers all eventualities from the schoolrun to an evening out on the town. I have an ongoing love affair with the breton..I wrote a Breton feature for Good Housekeeping detailing three ways to wear a bretons and here they are..
Love these trousers, they are so flattering and skim over hips and tummy, they give you a waist and makes legs look longer..win win. Add a chunky poloneck sweater in the winter for chic style.
A breton jumper is a year around outfit staple, wear with denim shorts, skinny jeans or black jeans and boots in the winter, an indispensable item in your wardrobe.
I love a breton..how do you wear yours? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Fran xx
Style Theory: After a beautiful long summer it's time to turn our attention to Autumn/Winter wear. I must admit I prefer A/W clothing, the cosy knitwear, cool new shapes of jeans and ankle boots. This season ankle boots are big and come in so many guises, from ornate heels to metallic sheens, huge buckles to cowboy details..anything goes. There are some absolute beauties out there and they look just as good with dresses as they do with ankle length cropped jeans. They are slightly more 90-ish in their appearance, heavier, chunkier heels than the last the last few season that actual are flattering on your leg. Ankle boots are going to get chunkier and chunkier over the next season so this is just the beginning...
These are the dream boots, I must admit I am a sucker for a double G and these to me are Italian beauties. The price not so much, so here are a few more palatably priced similar Gucci-esque boots..
My favourite colour of boot, these would look amazing clashed with a yellow coat for a pure fashion forward AW16 look. Add a pair of ankle length cropped blue jeans and a slouchy navy blouse...love love this look.
A basic boot with a twist, make like the street style photo above and keep your look sleep and simple, a pair of jeans, a cashmere jumper but remember to match your the silver heel to silver hardware on your bag.
I bought these boots last year and lived in them, they are really comfy and sit beautifully under crop kick flared jeans or trousers and will also look fab with maxi and midi dresses.
If you, like me, have been yearning for a pair of Chloe Susannah's for ever..these are the best 'tributes' I have seen so far, they come in tan, white and black suede..haven's seen black leather as yet? I must admit I have a soft spot for the red after seeing them on Sienna Miller above a few years ago.
The boot of the season, these boots are very 'of the moment' they wont last you a life time but they are the kind of fashion item that is worth getting and then wearing to death (weather permitting - not great for UK rain obvs!) I have tried these on and am utterly obsessed, they are incredibly comfortable, stop at a flattering part of the leg and just look great on with dresses or jeans.
So out of my price range slightly but just spotted these and had to include them, I love them, they are the perfect length for dresses and look super chic on.
Weirdly smitten with these boots they aren't leather so not sure how they would be in real life but they have all the components I am after this season, snakeskin, cowboy shape and a touch of dark red..
If you are after this season's embroidered boots, these are the best I have seen. The cut (low) at the front is incredibly flattering on legs and the colours are chic and muted, showstoppers with class.
These are, so far, my favourite leopard print boots, they are animal print on cowhide and are a fab shape.
I have covered quite a range of themes there, these are my favourites from each theme. They are all 'dressier' boots and I will be writing a blog post next week with the best schoolrun/weekend boots ie: robust & waterproof but still look good.
In the meantime I am gazing longingly at the Guccis and Cavalli's and most probably ordering the Topshops and Asos ones!
Which ankle boots are catching your eye this season? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Fran xxx
