The Item of Clothing you did not think you needed..but you do!!

5.29.2017






Photos via Pinterest
Style Theory: Kimonos/ kaftans or robes are big news this season, yes, they have been around for ages, in the past they were more related to a hippy/boho vibe, but now they are a key Spring/Summer 2017 look. They add a chic twist and a little (swishy) drama to the most basic of outfits (a tee, jeans and heels) and are the perfect warm weather outerwear. With intricate embroidery, in beautiful colours, fringing or piping details, this luxe jacket is my new obsession. It is so flattering thrown over a pair of shorts, with a t shirt and flip flops, or over a swimsuit, a kimono will be my perfect cover up companion on holiday this year...
Mango £79.99
I love this kaftan, it is a navy base (would look gorgeous over a navy swimsuit) The embroidery is beautiful, stunning colours to mix and match with, it would look fab over a dark red dress in the evening on holiday, the perfect day to evening item.
Mango £35.99
A subtle, velevet kaftan, the black edging on this makes it the perfect item for over a black camisole, jeans or shorts and flips flops for the perfect dressed up but dressed down holiday look.
Topshop £75
Add a pair of pointed mules, denim shorts and a pale green silk camisole top for the most beautiful summer look.
Asos £70
This soft blue colour would look stunning against sunkissed skin and gorgeous over a brightly colour or navy bikini or swimsuit.
New Look £19.99
If you fancy dabbling in the trend but do not want to spend lots of money, this chic kaftan ticks all the boxes without being super expensive.
Zara £59.99
Super chic, very St Tropez, this kimono has gorgeous side splits perfect for over swimwear or jeans.
Zara £69.99
This is the same kimono seen on a couple of the streetstylers above, it looks stunning on, perfect over a breton and jeans.
Warehouse £32
A beautiful really soft pink colour, again this would look fab against sunkissed, over a black bikini or swimsuit but equally as good over pale blue, ankle length jeans and a white tee.


My Style


Kimono - Mango £79.99 (instore)
T-Shirt - Quattro Rish


My sister came around with this kimono on and it looked so amazing on her, super chic and stylish so I 'borrowed' it from her (in the hope she may forget about it!!) They are great on, this one is quite heavy, the embroidery is stunning and covers up perfectly, flatteringly, with a cool edge, how did I live without a kimono before?!!

There is 20% off EVERYTHING on the Asos website today..just click this link and write SWEET at the check out!!

Are you as fan of the summer kimono/robe look? I must admit when they were first shown on the SS17 catwalks I did not really 'get it' but since I tried one on I completely do and have fallen in love with this chic but useful trend..As always I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions, til the next time Fran xxx

Chinos - Your Cool Summer Trouser Saviour

5.24.2017







images via Pinterest
Style Theory: Chinos are a classic, whether khaki, sand or navy, these cool wardrobes staples will have you looking chic year after year. They are such a good alternative to jeans in the summer but can be styled similarily. For a stylish, understated look just wear with a tee and a pair of wedge espadrilles, add a straw bag and you are ready to go. For a european, smarter look, style with a linen shirt and tan sandals (both heels and flats look great) add a slouchy leather tan bag and you are ready to hit the city..

Boden £42.50 (discounted at the moment were £50
The perfect navy chinos, the wide leg shape is really flattering on ankles, looks great with an espadrille (especially red) add a breton top, for a chic summer look. These chinos come in different leg lengths so you can find your perfect length.
Topshop £39
Every year I buy a pair of khaki trousers from Topshop, they are so useful, really flattering and are the perfect alternatives to jeans on hot, sticky summer days.
Topshop - £39
Tee- Topshop - £15
These chinos have this season's 'paperbag' high waist, they look fab on and give chinos a modern twist. The tee is brilliant for £15, it is good quality, decent weight cotton, I sized up to a medium as it is cut slightly small.
Mango - £49.99
A smarter take on the chino, perfect for work and I am smitten with the puff sleeve blouse too Mango (£35.99) I would wear this to work with a breton, navy blazer and red pointed strappy shoes for a the perfect preppy office look.
Gap - £39.95
Gap are pretty good at chinos but, if you can, pop in and try them on, their sizes are all over the place so you never really know if you need to go up or down a size so it is best to try on a few sizes. 
Zara £29.99
Zara do it again, these chino style trousers have bows at the bottom..super cute.
Zara - £25.99
Classic Zara chinos, I love the addition of the silver skinny belt and white open shirt..these also come in Khaki - again watch the sizing and be prepared to size up at least one size, Zara trousers come up small.

So are you in the chino gang? I will be dusting my Topshop ones from last year off and pairing them with my bretons and espadrilles this week...

As always I love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Fran xxx

Dressing down, dressing up at Ascot with Wallis

5.21.2017


Style Theory: I find dressing up quite tricky, I am so much more comfortable slightly dressed down for every occasion, as I have said many times before I have FOBO - fear of being overdressed. I am not super comfortable standing out from the crowd and the thought of falling over in heels fills me with dread but I also love wearing lovely clothes, dressing appropriately for an event whilst also remaining comfortable, so step forward this Wallis trouser and camisole outfit it was completely perfect for me for a day at Ascot, it fulfilled the dressed up brief without being too over the top.

Ascot was fab, Wallis invited us to a fun packed day, watching the races from a private box,  whilst eating a delicious lunch and drinking wine - just heaven! I had not been to the races before (well, to the derby a few times standing on a mound of grass outside the racecourse on tiptoes trying to spot the horses!) so it was a real treat to go to Ascot. It was not Royal Ascot so dress code was not super tight but I was filled with visions I would have to wear body con, a hat and skyscraper heels. However, browsing through Wallis' website I saw these fab stripy trousers, I love a trouser..with a black camisole, black tailored jacket and black heels I knew it would tick the box for being smart, look stylish but also would be comfortable enough to wear all day.
Jacket (old season) - Similar here
Camisole Top - Wallis £16
Trousers - Wallis £35
Shoes (old season - Similar here)
The trousers are stunning on, flattering (the vertical stripes work wonders) they skim over lumps and bumps and with an elasticated waist so I could happily tuck into the afternoon tea after the three course lunch! The camisole was a perfect fit and will be coming on holiday with me, the cut is flattering and hangs perfectly over a strapless bra.

A black tailored jacket is a must have, I wear my blazers non stop in the summer, they can smarten up a basic tee, jeans and trainers look in a flash, this season add a pair of statement earrings for a laid back, cool but dressed up look.




Me - Jacket (old season) - Similar here

Chloe - Dress - Wallis £38
Shoes - Wallis £42
Coat - Wallis £50
Chloe - ChloeLovesToShop lived the Pretty Woman dream in a beautiful spotty dress and gold strappy sandals, with a fab dusky peach duster coat, super glam.



So now I am a fan of the races, one of my horses came second so I won (£8 I think?! - not a big gambler!) But it was so much fun, quite want to do it all again. Wallis currently have a Style Event on at the moment with up to 30% of everything..check out their jewellery it is fab!

Such a treat of a day, I was happy to be in trousers (it worked!) and will be wearing them again with a white tee and a denim jacket and flat tan sandals.

Are you a fan of dressing up, or are you like me would rather be dressed down..dressed up?! As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Fran xxxx

This post was written in collaboration with Wallis, all images, styling and words are my own

The Stripes Win Everytime...

5.16.2017




Style Theory: Is there a top that shouts summer as much as the breton. It is a versatile, chic and endlessly useful top that never ever goes out of fashion. It is so easy to wear, can be dressed up with a pair of jeans and heels, or dressed down with shorts and sandals in the summer.

The breton has stood the test of time, 100 years in fact, so it is definitely worth investing in as you can wear them year after year after year..



 

Jeans - Gap (old) Love these ones
Espadrilles - Air and Grace

Ph DinaLovesMixTapes

This Me+Em breton is so easy to wear, a good weight fabric (not too thin that it clings - not too thick that it is too hot) it is cut to be worn quite loose (I would recommend sizing down as it does come up a little on the large side) It is a clean white colour and just looks chic on. I paired it with my old Gap jeans and added some pops of colour courtesy of a pair of red H&M earrings and these incredibly comfortable espadrilles from Air and Grace with a memory foam sole that makes walking in them a dream.

I really believe every wardrobe should have a breton in it, they are easy to pull on with anything, they look great clashed with a print (either skirt or trousers or a camo jacket) and can dress down a super smart skirt and put a cool French twist on any look.

There are so many on the high street to choose from here are a few of my favourites..
Me+Em £49
The breton I am wearing above and one of my current favourite tees... great partially tucked in (hides a tummy!)
Me+EM £75
This breton looks beautiful on, the darker panels down the side do an amazing job of slimming me down. A heavier weight fabric than above but not too heavy to wear in the summer. Size down on this top as it does come up slightly large.
Maison Labiche £60
I have a couple of Maison Labiche tees and they are the most luxurious, beautifully cut tees, they wash amazingly and look great on. They skim the figure rather than cling.
Topshop £22
A twist on the basic breton by Tophop, this has embroidery high on the shoulder and a slogan tab at the back, a really cool and useful top..
Topshop £22
A little bit more of a T-shirt than a true breton but I love the embroidered heart on the tee, looks more expensive than £22..
Crew Clothing Company £38
I am a huge fan of red this season so this breton caught my eye, the reviews written about it online ae pretty good and it would look fab with jeans and red espadrilles.
Jack Wills £24.95
Jack Wills make good breton tops, these contrast arms take away the bulky stripe look, a great weekend top.
Jack Wills £34.95
This is a true breton with it's wide neck, relaxed fit and long sleeves. A classic made of heavy cotton, this top will last year after year..

There is my tribute to the mighty breton, 100 years on from it's first sashay down the catwalks. Everyone's favourite style, this top is the one item you will reach for for years to come. Do you reach for your breton every summer..as always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Fran xxx