Style Theory: Cool, comfortable and can look pretty edgy, trainers are a day to day staple for us busy ladies. Wear them to the office to make travelling easy, perfect for the schoolrun or chasing round toddlers, trainers are a trend we can all get on board with. I am a huge fan and I think cross a few trainer tribes as for me pretty much any trainer goes..

Trainers can be worn with pretty much any outfit, the perfect item to tone things down making an look effortlessly cool..so lets start with the Trainers Tribes..

The Luxe Tribe

Money is no object, the name is key but best if it is subtle..the creme de la creme of the trainer world..

Gucci @Net a Porter £435

Wear with crop, black kick flare jeans and a forest green silk shirt for a glamorous, grown up look.

Golden Goose @Matches £250

My favourite luxe brand, these are my style of choice, I love the leopard print details and the worn in look. These with go with everything from your little black dress to boyfriend jeans and sweater.

Saint laurent @Net A Porter £380

The star details makes these trainers stand out, would look simply chic with a black trouser suit and white tee and delicate gold jewellery.

The Sporty Tribe

Trainers in their true form..the sports trainer or running shoes, use them in the gym, wear them out in the evening either way these look pretty cool..

Nike Flyknit Racer Trainers £130

Super cool, I love the mix of the turquoise and gold, great with an all black outfit.

Nike Air Max Thea @Office £84.99

These have been the trainers 'to have' over the past few years and now are classics. They look chic and cool and again can be worn with everything, love them with the dungarees and white tee in the streetstyle photo above. 

Nike Air Max @Office £96.99

These are super chunky but are amazingly flattering on legs, the depth of the trainers make legs look thinner. Love the grey and bronze colours, these will add interest to any look.

The Retro Trainer Tribe

Adidas Stan Smith £67

I live in my Stan Smith trainers, they are the comfiest trainers I own and I have worn them throughout the Summer, autumn and winter. They are, in my opinion, the ultimate all- rounder trainer. I love the neo white colour (the more worn yellowing colour as seen in the photo above).

Adidas Superstar @Office £61.99

These trainers have stood the test of time, I had my first pair at university 20 years ago (yikes!) and completely treasured them then. I still have a pair from 15 years ago and believe it or not they look as good as new. Love them with black skinny ankle length jeans and a grey coat (see photo above)

Adidas Gazelle @Office £66.99

For those preferring the understated trainers this is for you. It doesn't shout but just shows that you have your eye on the trends and subtlety is your thing.

New Balance £67

A sugary take on a classic. The colours bring this retro New Balance trainer up to date and would make a cute outfit with blue skinny jeans, white shirt and huge oversize beige scarf.

The Metallic Tribe

Golden Goose @Net A Porter £270

Luxuriously glittery, utterly over the the top but so gorgeous. I love, love these, keep the rest of your outfit paired back to black, neutrals, let your feet doing the talking...

Adidas Superstar £79.99

I have just ordered these, I spotted them on Its.Reb instagram feed and fell in love with them. She was wearing them with black, ankle length jeans and a white shirt and bomber and looked amazing..

Superga @John Lewis £50

I have these and again have worn these so much, if I want to look a little smarter but still be super comfortable I wear these with a black dress or my dungarees and a smart blouse. 

I think I cross most of these tribes and am now dipping my toe in the metallic tribe..not sure I will pull them off but I will try! Here are some of my trainer looks from the past couple of months..

My Style

I am a huge trainer fan and live in them every day!

Which trainer tribe are you in, or do you, like me, dip into all of them? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx

Winter Berries

Style Theory: Berry, Wine, Burgundy, the beautiful rich, deep, red colour is AW14 must have. Whether worn as a coat, cosy jumper or shoes, this warm hue will add a touch of winter decadence to any outfit.

Berry trainers look fab with a camel coat

Clash berry with pink for a cool look.

Toughen up your berry coloured coat by layering up over a biker jacket

Just adore everything about this outfit

Berry is a truly versatile colour, it looks fabulous with camel, navy, khaki and of course black. However, if you are feeling a little bolder wear with pink (my favourite combination) or orange for a statement look.

Here are a selection of some stunning Berry items available on the high street now:

Warehouse Winter Coat £95

This is a beautiful coat on, looks great without the (detachable) fur collar also. I tried this on yesterday, not a great photo but this may give you an idea of how it looks.

It is a lovely shape and looks cute on. I would take off the fur and wear with a huge navy tartan scarf as in the Pinterest photo above..this one from Ebay is perfect..

Ebay £18.20

I have never bought from this seller on Ebay so just double check feedback before buying!

A sweater is a great way to add a contemporary colour to an outfit. These sweaters are cosy and would look fab with skinny jeans (love this colour with khaki jeans)

Baukjen Roll Neck Jumper £129

Gap Merino Sweater £39.95

Most people have a pair of jeans at home in this berry colour from a few years ago. Why not pull them out and update your look by wearing them with a pink jumper, a khaki parka and a pair of Stan Smith trainers, these colours look great mixed up and make a cool style statement. If you do not have them already try these from Topshop..

Topshop Leigh Jeans £38

Here is what I teamed my jeans with last week..

Sweater: River Island
Jeans: Topshop
Trainers: Stan Smith

Or wear with a berry T-shirt for a coordinated look..

Topshop Zip Back Tee £18

Zara Faux Leather Pleated Skirt £39.99

Pair this skirt with the Gap merino sweater above and a pair of pointed snakeskin flat pumps.

Next Strap Detail Point Heels £35

Super elegant shoes, would add a beautiful touch of colour to a black jumpsuit or dress.

I have featured this bag before and I do love it, it ticks the trend perfectly. I would team with a camel coat.

Aldo Bag £50

This is such a warm, comforting colour and definitely will be featured again and again in my A/W14 wardrobe.

My Style 

This was an outfit from from last year but the colours still work this year.. 

Coat: M&S
Gilet: Primark
Sweater: zara
Jeans: 7ForAll Mankind
Trainers: Adidas Superstars

For a night out with my fab university friends. The first outing for my black M&S culottes, they are so amazingly comfortable and easy to wear, I am a huge culotte convert! We realised it was 20 years since we started university together (argghhhh!!) 

Sweater: Cos
Culottes: M&S
Jacket: Asos
Bag: Topshop
Scarf: Becksondergaard
Trainers: Adidas StanSmith

 For a day out and about shopping..

Sweater: Whistles
Jeans: Topshop
Shoes: Russell and Bromley
Bag: M&S
Coat: M&S

There concludes my round out of my fave berry items and a few of my outfits from the last week! Will you be indulging in the Berry trend, do you have lots of items accumulated from the last couple of years that you can wear this year?

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

All Shades of Sunshine...

Style Theory: Yellow in it's mustard hue is spreading its' sunshine rays through the High Street stores this season. From a clearer lighter yellow through to a dark mustard the colour has seeped into the Autumn Winter colour boards and is now finding a way into our wardrobes....

Yellow and mustard, sometimes thought of slightly scary colours people shy away from as they are not initially easy to style, but there is no need to be scared of them, here are a few ideas to show how these notoriously difficult colours can work beautifully:

Wear with an all navy outfit underneath.

Supersize your mustard jumper for a cool slouchy look

Add a touch of sunshine brightness to your outfit with yellow accessories

A mustard printed scarf looks fab with a camel or pale grey coat.

Go for the easy option and wear with black 

For brighter Autumn days mix with a beige jumper/dress to lighten up the look

A biker jacket always toughens up a soft colour giving your outfit an edge.

Mustard looks great as part of a print.

All images above via Pinterest

Mustard is a tricky colour to wear, especially for people with my pale colouring but there are a few little tricks around it:

The first and probably the most obvious, if you have colouring like me avoid wearing it against your face, pick up the colour in a skirt or as a detail on shoes or accessories.

Second, wear the trend in your accessories, a mustard bag, a yellow scarf or gloves - a little 'nod' to the trend will bring your outfit up to date without drowning you in it.

Thirdly style with navy or grey. A beautiful pale mustard scarf looks amazing over a pale grey coat, or a mustard skirt with a navy blouse and brown 70s boots..A/W14 heaven..

Avoid tight yellow/mustard jeans or trousers unless you are model proportions they are not the most flattering on your legs.

Here are my favourite yellow items on the high street now:

Cos Wool Bomber Jacket £150

The bomber jacket shape is still going strong and this wool jacket in a mustard shade brings it into A/W14. Wear with navy tailored trousers, a fine navy polo neck and some elegant heeled strappy court shoes

Zara Mohair Coat with Pockets £109

A cool slouchy coat, would look great layered over a denim or biker jacket with blue skinny jeans and navy Celine-esque loafers see a gorgeous pair of Next loafers here.

Zara Jacket £69.99

This showerproof jacket in perfect for a stylish schoolrun, wear with a breton top, skinny jeans and a pair of white trainers for a cool look.

Jigsaw Cashmere Jumper £98

Asos Mustard Fine Jumper £30

Zara Jacquard Sweater £45.99

Wear this sweater now with a pair of distressed pale blue boyfriend jeans and tan heeled sandals for a cool end of summer look.

Cos A-Line Crepe Dress  £69

A classic dress in an on trend colour, wear with navy pointed flats and a navy coat for a chic look.

Cos Wool Mohair Skirt £89

I love this Cos skirt, it really looks gorgeous on, I would wear with a navy fine blouse and heeled 70s style tan knee high boots for a cool 70s vibe.

Zara Checked Shawl £19.99

Cos Double Woven Scarf £39

Add a punch of colour to a pale grey or navy jacket with this scarf.

Cos Printed Wool Scarf £45

This scarf is a beautiful way to wear mustard subtly.

H&M Bag £12.99

So will you be stepping into the Autumn/Winter in mellow yellow? I think I will, I just adore the Cos skirt, a definite addition to my A/W wardrobe.

MY STYLE:

Back to the schoolrun so all fairly casual, jeans as usual being the easiest thing to pull on in the morning...

Jeans: Topshop Baxter
Top: Jigsaw
Cardigan: Topshop
Trainers: Adidas StanSmith
Bag: Spain

Jeans: H&M
T'Shirt: Gap
Denim Shirt: Gap
Bag: TK Maxx
Sandals: H&M

How are you finding the start of the school year, are you getting into the swing of the schoolrun, back to work, back to juggling life?

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, till next time, Frances x