All images above via Pinterest

Style Theory: The weather has turned, it feels so much colder now, the perfect time to invest in a beautiful, cosy jumper to snuggle up in. I like an oversize jumper, perfect to wear now with ankle length jeans and trainers and in the winter pair with chunky ankle boots. This year any colour goes from neutral to dark green to warm red to bright pink.

They can be paired with a pleated skirt and heels for a smart/casual work look, or wear with boyfriend jeans and heels for an evening out. I can never have enough jumpers, I wear them every day in the winter and here are the best on the high street now...

Topshop £34

I saw this jumper on Pinterest and had to track it down as it really caught my eye. I love the neon stripe down the side, it looks far more expensive than it's high street price. I would pop a vest top underneath and wear with skinny ankle length jeans and my stan smith trainers.

Zara £29.99

I know this sweater has been seen all over instagram but that is because it is gorgeous and at £29.99 pretty hard to resist. Perfect for casual or dress up for an laid back going out look with boyfriend jeans and leopard print heels..

Me+Em £149

Me+Em knitwear is pretty exceptional, beautifully cut and there is nothing more luxurious than a cream jumper. I love a polo neck that stands up, I find, especially in cream it really flatters my face and looks elegant with jeans and ankle boots.

Zara £29.99

Perfectly oversized and slouchy, this would be the ideal weekend jumper with a pair of skinny jeans and, dare I say it, UGGs (the really low style) yes I do still sneak my Uggs on of an evening as they are just so comfy - watch my little sister now disown me!!

Topshop £36

My sister bought this sweater this weekend and it looks fab on, not too tight and fits beautifully at the shoulders.

Zara £29.99

You cannot go wrong with a breton jumper and this one looks great on..

H&M £14.99

Dark green is the perfect autumnal colour to wear, it looks stunning with a camel coat, jeans and trainers.

Oasis £36

I am a sucker for a puff sleeve and cable knit detail. I would size up on this one size as I think it would look better bigger rather than a neat fit.

H&M £29.99

This lace trim is so flattering when worn over leather leggings, or skinny jeans, it skims over hips I would wear with stan smith trainers and tanned ankles for a cool look.

Zara £25.99

I am officially obsessed with all of this outfit, I adore the jumper with the frill shoulders, such a useful item to have in your wardrobe. But more than that I love this tartan skirt, it is out of stock on the website so the hunt is on, but how fab does it look with the sweater and those boots?!

Boden £55.60

A navy jumper is so useful in a winter wardrobe, navy is less harsh than black against the face and it blends beautifully with so many autumnal colours. This would look great with a pair of navy culottes and heels for work, or with skinny jeans and wellies for a countryside walk.

&Other Stories £55

The sleeves on this sweater are stunning, it looks so designer-esque - adore it..

&Other Stories £65

This sweater is grey with flecks of silver running through it, it is the perfect way to add a little sparkle into your day to day wear. Beautifully oversized, would look great with leather leggings and trainers. 

So there is my round up of the best jumpers I have spotted so far on the high street. I live in them in the autumn and winter so will be stocking up. I have also just started a blog post on the best cashmere jumpers that will be heading your way soon, so many to choose from at all different pricepoints some fab high street brands and we all deserve a spot of cashmere in our wardrobe, pure luxury..

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

Red Rules...

Style Theory: Grey and black, although incredibly chic can become a little lack lustre. I am feeling my monochrome wardrobe needs a shake up and a red knit will be the perfect colour pop..

Images via Pinterest

A red sweater can add an eyecatching focal point to an outfit, pair it with slouchy jeans and trainers (ideally with a flash of red on them, I am a huge fan of a spot of colour matching) Or pair your jumper with grey trousers and courts for a cool work look. Aran knit style sweaters are still big news and remember to buy on the bigger side rather than fitted. If you are concerned about your silhouette wear with skinny blue jeans and heels for a slick, chic look..

Her are my favourite on the high street now...

Clockwise from Top Left
Bella Freud 1970 Jumper £280
J Crew Cashmere blend sweater £110
Karen Millen £115
H&M Tassel Jumper £13.99
Uniqlo (mens) Merino sweater £24.90
Zara Bell Sleeve Sweater £23.99

A quick bright colour fix for you Autumn/Winter looks, I am still loving the Bella Freud sweater but will probably opt for the Zara or Uniqlo option!

Which one would you go for? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx

Winter Sparkle

Style Theory: We all need a little sparkle in our lives right? It is never too early to add an item of sparkly clothing to your wardrobe...

It is easy to make it daytime acceptable. Just wear one glitter item, I am thinking this season a jumper or a vest top, and dress down with jeans, trainers (or wellies!) and wear a parka over the top so just a little sparkle is showing. I wore my new Primark black and silver jumper with my dungarees, completely dressed down and during the daytime I still managed to get a little sparkle in my life..

Jumper: Primark £9 (avail in store)
Dungarees: H& M similar here
Converse: House of Fraser now £35.99
Bag: &Other Stories similar here

The Primark sweater is available in store (also in a gold colour) and was £9 or £10, my local store had lots so it worth checking if you fancy a little sparkle!

There are some gorgeous sparkly tops available on the high street, here is my edit of the best:

The Dream Top...

Bella Freud in Selfridges £270

The dream sweater from Bella Freud, blue merino wool with metallic yarn, sparkly and extra special, the kind of Christmas jumper I would be more than happy to wear. Also comes in black... 

Travelling Bazaar £179

Travelling Bazaar £179

This Munthe sweater from Travelling Bazaar has a stunning, super glittery (sparklier in real life) panel of sparkle across the middle. The beige has silver, the pink has gold, it is a super soft sweater mohair and wool mix, not itchy at all. Wear with wellies or with heels this sweater would be a hard worker in your wardrobe!

&Other Stories £65

Another gorgeous sweater with a nod to metallics, merino wool, supersoft and at a more affordable price than the Bella Freud sweater, this is on my wish list. I love the skirt too which will available soon..the outfit above is a really cool Christmas look, add black opaques and little shoe boots.

&Other Stories £45

This sweater looks really luxe, I would size up to wear it slouchy. 

H&M Poloneck £29.99

Love the gold colour with blue denim, wear underneath a denim pinafore dress with opaque tights and trainers for a relaxed look. *one to try on just to check it is not itchy..

H&M £24.99

Love the shade of red of this jumper, it looks a fine knit so would not be itchy. I would size up on this sweater and wear slouchy with black ankle length jeans and a pair of heels for a night out. Or for daytime with a pair of blue boyfriend jeans and stan smith trainers.

H&M £49.99

Slightly 'out there' but I adore this jacket. Again I would size up, wear slouchy, completely dress down to make it daytime ready, wear a white/grey/black t-shirt underneath, a pair of loose boyfriend jeans and stan smith trainers. Or wear with a tee, a pair of black skinny jeans and black converse.

Topshop £20

This top speaks for itself, wear it instead of a grey Tee to add a little sparkle.

Topshop £36

Love this top, the shape is gorgeous, a real swing top, balance the volume by wearing skinny jeans and a pair of heeled ankle boots.

Zara £17.99

This has a subtle gold thread through the fabric for a gold sheen. Love the sleeves on this top, this would look great under dungarees or a pair of leather shorts, thick tights and a pair of trainers.

I am well and truly onboard with a bit of Autumn sparkle, I think I may 'need' the &otherstories sweater and the H&M zip top, love the sporty vibe.

Are you a fan of shimmer and sparkle or do indulge at Christmas or avoid completely?! As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx

The Essential Black Dress

Style Theory: When in doubt I often reach for the safety of a black dress for an event. They are always flattering, can be matched with any accesssories and always look chic and understated.

Images via pinterest

So versatile and timeless, the black dress is the perfect fall-back dress in your wardrobe and works for every season. Over the past 10 years my black dress hemlines have got longer but I always tend to buy ones with fairly high necks as they suit me shape better and I wear them again and again. 

Here is my selection of the best on the high street now:

&Other Stories Pom Pom dress £55

This is a great, light cotton, comfortable dress. It is one of those dresses that works just as well with flats as with heels. It does crush but as the fabric has a slight pattern in it you can get away with it crushing a little throughout the day. It also comes in cream, I know I will wear this non-stop and it hides my mum tum perfectly! Fits true to size.

This dress is a great cover up piece, I love feeling comfortable at an event, top arms covered, and legs..makes me feel unselfconscious...

&Other Stories Broderie Anglais £65

A beautiful, delicate but structured dress. I love the broderie look on the arms, will provide arm coverage whilst looking interesting and extremely pretty.

Zara Cape Sleeve Tie Neck Dress £69.99

The cape detail of the sleeve on this dress is very 2015, I would wear with high black/tan strappy sandals M&S ghillie sandals look fab on.

Mango Fringed Dress £49.99

Fringing is on trend this season and this dress is a perfect way to wear it. Would look amazing with the mango strappy, flat sandals, a cool boho look for holiday. Add a large straw bag and some fine gold jewellery and it will look beach to bar perfection.

Next Boho Dress £26

An easy to wear lightweight jersey dress. Great for throwing over a bikini/swimsuit on holiday.

Topshop Plunge Neck Dress £40

Balance out the midi length of this dress with a plunge neck. I had one of these from French Connection many years ago and it was so flattering. Pointed court shoes make this dress look super sophisticated.

M&S Sleeveless Maxi Dress £52

Chic and glamorous, the black maxi dress is endlessly useful. Dress up with chunky gold bangles piled high, gold boho drop earrings and high strappy tan or black sandals. By day wear with flat sandals and fine gold jewellery, add a coloured bag for a pop of colour.

Warehouse Gypsy Style Dress Midi Dress £28

An easy to wear, un-expensive dress, will make an impact when dressed up with heels and accessorised with gold/silver clutch bag.

H&M Embroidered Dress £59.99

This is a little short but I love the embroidery detail, it is stunning. A great holiday piece and wear in the winter with black opaque tights and knee high 70s style tan boots.

I could go on forever, I do love a black dress, I have kept all of mine (since I was 18) as I wear them again and again (the ones I can still squeeze into!)

Do you have a favourite black dress? Do you tend to go for the safety of black when attending a function? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, have a great hopefully sunny weekend Frances xx