Style Theory: Leopard Print, now regarded as a neutral, a classic, no longer confined to be worn with black, leopard rules when you want to add interest to your look. A leopard print coat can create a rock chick vibe or a chic look..

Happy Sweaters...

Style Theory: Slogan sweaters make me happy. I am a huge fan of the more subtle slogan sweater, a hint, a word, irrelevant/relevant it doesn't really matter, they are fun and they are perfect for slinging on at the weekend with a pair of jeans and trainers or putting on for the schoolrun. They look cool and make a statement without saying a word.

In saying that, this sweater caught my eye when I saw it on Boden's website, it is not necessarily cool but I just love it...

Boden Slogan Sweater - £59.50 

Not exactly rock 'n roll, but so cute. I love the gold glittery 'Tea' (I am a sucker for a touch of glitter) and the sweater is seriously just my cup of tea! I sized up two sizes, this is a size UK14 I am normally a UK10, I probably could have gone just one size up but I do like them super slouchy so I am happy with this size.

Here are a selection of my favourite slogan sweatshirts to brighten up January...

Starting with the ultimate in slogan sweaters..Bella Freud

Bella Freud 1970 @ Net a Porter -  £280

Bella Freud Ginsberg is God @Net A Porter £270

Bella Freud Star Studded Jumper now £170

These sweaters are iconic worn by Kate Moss, they look so cool in the winter with black skinny jeans and boots or a leather/suede skirt and opaque tights. In the summer over denim shorts or a floral skirt a la Alexa Chung. They do come up slightly on the small side so if you are investing size up. I am saving up for one of these, they are on my wish list!

photos via Pinterest

I love Zoe Karssen too, her sweaters always have a cool edge..

Zoe Karssen @Very reduced from £140 to £70

On me this would be a pretty ironic statement as I am sooo not rock and roll..but worth it for the conversation.. Again I would size up in Zoe Karssen, I have one of her sweaters from a few seasons ago and bought the small but could have really done with the Medium as it is a little snug.

Zoe Karssen @Very Exclusive £100

Cute, understated, cool..

Whistles 'Bonjour' sweater £75

Simple and chic..

Whistles Le Marais £75

This is my favourite part of part of Paris so maybe kind of stating the obvious?! But it is a gorgeous sweater, neat and grown up, it would look fab with tailored, ankle length, black trousers and trainers or with black leather shorts and opaque tights. In the summer pair with pale blue skinny ankle length jeans and white supergas for a simple stylish look.

Topshop NYPD hoodie by Tee and Cakes £35

I saw this in store yesterday and love it. Buy big and wear under a bomber jacket with skinny jeans and trainers for a comfy and cool 90s look. Or sling over your gym gear..either way this hoodie will look fab.

Mango 1976 - £29.99

A good choice for the ladies turning 40 this year, a cool birthday present perhaps?

BDG Fairfax Sweatshirt Urban Outfitters £42

Love this pale blue, will look gorgeous in the summer with sunkissed skin and shorts. For now wrap a mid grey oversize scarf around the neck and wear with blue jeans and adidas superstar trainers.

Hush Sweater £50

Loving the look of this sweatshirt, Hush SS16 range has just launched and this is my favourite piece.

Sista sweatshirt - Selfish Mother £45

Selfish Mother have the most fabulous range of sweaters from 'Mother' to 'Sista' to 'Human' and the best thing is £15 from the sale of every sweater goes towards Women for Women International - an amazing charity that helps women in 8 war torn countries to rebuild their lives. They are, also fab sweaters really warm, thick and look great on (again size up, sloppy is good!)

So as you can probably tell I do prefer the more subtle slogans, I don't like them to be too 'in your face' or obvious. They are the most useful sweaters, clash them up with midi skirts, pair them down with jeans, any which way goes!!

Do you have any slogan sweaters, if so which are your favourite, are you a loud and proud slogan wearing or do you prefer subtlety? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxxx

Time for Khaki..

Style Theory: Khaki in spring summer 2015 is definitely one for the girls, no longer a military look this season it comes in elegant, fluid forms, think flowy dresses, slouchy shirts and tailored trousers. The colour is considered a neutral and can be combined with almost any colour in the rainbow, but this season keep it chic and simple layer up different shades of green from dark forest to pale khaki, or wear all one colour with black accessories, clean and straightforward..

From left: Marc Jacobs SS15 (photos 1 & 2) Chanel Spring 15 Ready to Wear

From left: Sacai SS15 Sonia Rykiel SS15 Ralph Lauren SS15

Here is streetstyle inspiration on how to style the khaki trend..

A really grown up way to wear khaki, chic and stylish.

Smarten up a khaki coat with a skirt and heels

Boilersuits and jumpsuits continue going strong through 2015

Wrap a belt around your trench so a chic look.

ALL IMAGES ABOVE VIA PINTEREST

Khaki is an easy trend to wear, it is a soft flattering colour, looks great with olive skin or try a splash of fake tan to enhance the colour on paler skin tones..here are the best khaki clothing on the high street now..

Topshop have this look pretty much covered, pair your khaki items with black skinny jeans and black accessories for the winter, as the Spring approaches add some pale pinks and reds in for a fresh look.

Topshop Grungy Lofty Ribbed Sweater £36

I have this sweater and have worn it non-stop. It is so soft and comfortable, looks great with faux leather leggings and a fur coat for a statement look. Or pair it with a black leather pencil skirt and heels for a chic outfit.

Topshop Drape Front Blouse £36

A sophisticated take on the khaki trend, toughen this blouse up with distressed skinny light blue jeans, a biker jacket and pointed snakeskin heels.

Topshop Hybrid Jersey Shirt Dress £40

An easy to wear dress, wear now with tan knee high 70s style boots and a camel or navy coat. Wear in the summer with tan sandals.

Topshop Moto Khaki Ripped Jamie Jeans £42

A fabulous pair of basic jeans, they look great with pink sweaters and stan smith trainers. In the summer pair with delicate white 70s tops and tan, flat sandals.

Relaxed Utility Trousers £36

I have these trousers and they are unbelievably comfortable, however as they are not denim the rips do get bigger and bigger so wear with caution, not the best for scrabbling around on your knees with the kids. They look fab with leopard print heels and an oversize sweater or navy blouse.

Topshop Borg Lined Short Padded Jacket £78

This is a great transitional jacket, the black faux fur adds a touch of luxury. 

Miss Selfridge Khaki Utility Playsuit £45

Chic, sophisticated and so easy to wear. This playsuit would make a fab summer holiday buy, I would wear with tan , flat strappy sandals and fine gold jewellery.

H&M Quilted Bomber £29.99

Kate Moss has been wearing her Louis Vuitton bomber jacket in a true 90s way this season (see image below) I really like this one, would look fab layered with a black skinny roll neck and denim jacket, add black skinny jeans, pointed boots and a pair of cat eye black sunglasses (see Mango for some fab reasonable ones) and you will look like one stylish Mama

New Look Long Sleeve Military Shirt £22.99

This is much softer and more slouchy looking in real life, would look great tucked into a black leather midi skirt and delicate high black heels.

Miss Selfridges PU Midi Skirt £31.50

Adore the colour of this reduced skirt from Miss Selfridges, wear with a fine denim/chambray shirt and high tan boots now.

My Style:

Here are a few of my outfits with a nod to the khaki trend....

For an easy day around the house..

Cashmere Sweater: Whistles
Breton Top: Petite Bateau
Cashmere scarf: Uniqlo
Trousers: Topshop (link above)
Trainers: Stan Smith Adidas
Watch: Storm
Lipstick: Mac Lady Danger
Perfume: Chanel no.5

Shirt: New Look
Sweater: Topshop (link above)
Leggings: Zara
Shoes: M&S
Bag: TK Maxx

Sweater: Cos
Scarf: Burberry
Pink Coat: M&S
Trousers: Topshop (link above)
Shoes: Uterque

I do love a spot of khaki and have amassed quite a few items over the last few years. Are you a fan, is it a colour you like wearing, do you consider it to be a neutral?

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

Top 10 Spring Statement Jackets

Style Theory: A gorgeous statement jacket can turn a plain, daytime look of a t-shirt, distressed jeans and sandals into a stunning 'going out' outfit and making you look polished and chic.

As a statement jacket does all the talking, it is important to keep your outfit underneath simple. Keep colours monochrome, wear a grey marl/white or black t-shirt/top with black or blue slouchy boyfriend jeans or distressed shorts. Keep footwear neutral, tan sandals or this season's 'fugly' sandals work well. The statement jacket makes dressing up simple...

My Top 10 Statement Jackets on the High Street:

Sequin Jackets add sparkle to your outfit - 

Topshop Sequin Embellished Mesh Jacket £85
I have this jacket and love it, it looks great over a black vest top with boyfriend jeans - I have styled it in my style photos below...

Zara Sequinned Jacket £79.99

A Chanel inspired jacket always adds a touch of class...

Zara Combined Tweed Jacket

The Floral Jacket - This season's must have the floral jacket, this cape-style jacket ticks so many trends and would look great over a white top and white jeans, or pale blue skinny jeans and flat pumps.

Traffic People Cape Jacket £76

Asos Jacket with Statement Floral Embroidery £60

Mango Printed Jacket £44.99

H&M Beaded Coat £69.99

This jacket really does not look great online but I saw Kourtney Kardashian (granted I am not normally inspired by Kardashian fashion) wearing it with a pair of leather trousers and white top and I thought it looked gorgeous, a real designer look for a fraction of the price..!

The Pink Jacket -  still loving this look, would look great with a grey marl tee, jeans and silver pointed flat shoes. This jacket would also worked layered under a trench.

Topshop Crepe Notch Front Jacket £55

The Sports Luxe Bomber - the sheer sleeve add a touch of sophistication to this sporty shaped jacket.

Next Black Bomber Jacket £55

The Fringed Jacket - a 'marmite' jacket, but I do like this one, I think it would look fab worn with a white boho top and denim shorts.

Zara Fringed Leather Jacket £129

My Style:

Wearing my Kate Moss for Topshop statement, sparkly jacket for a date night to celebrate our 10th Anniversary.

Jacket: Topshop
Black Crop Tee: Topshop
Jeans: Gap
Shoes: Zara
Bag: H&M

Are you a fan of the statement jacket, are you like me and love some sparkle? 

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