Style Theory: I have been challenged by Miele to choose five capsule wardrobe items, clothes that I will wear again and again and wash again and again. I tend to invest slightly more on the items that will be the building blocks of my wardrobe, they must be timeless, well made and see me through season to season. Cashmere, wool, beautifully tailored pieces make the grade and I have also picked a 'hero' item my Bella Freud sweater below. Due to the delicate nature of these fabrics they are far too often relegated to the bottom of the wash basket with the never ending cycle of uniforms, towels, underwear and sports kits now taking priority over handwash only cashmere and silks (ie - the kids clothes vs any of my nice things!) 

So in the answer to my washing prayers Miele have developed a washing machine Miele W1 and drier Miele T1 that makes the unwashable, washable...woohooo..and I am putting it to the test..

So lets start with the 'Luxury Capsule Wardrobe'..

Bella Freud £280

I have been longing for this Bella Freud 1970 jumper for ages. I adore the striking red and know that this is one of those sweaters that I will wear all the year through. It looks fab with my everyday uniform of jeans or dungarees and trainers and in the summer I will wear with denim shorts and trainers..this jumper is so expensive and HAS to last... It is 100% wool and yep, it will go in the Miele W1 machine..

Cos £55

A white shirt is an absolute must have and this Cos one looks gorgeous on. The collar sits beautifully, I like a shirt to sit open but the collars not sit flat out (john Travolta style) I like them to stay in the position they should be in (clear as mud?!) This shirt looks great with a few bottons undone and a few fine gold necklaces, preppy but grown up. It is a bright white colour, I cannot wear a white shirt if it looks in anyway grey - so I am hoping this will wash and come out just as white time and time again..

J Brand £215

Next is jeans...I have these J Brand jeans in the blue denim colourway and have worn them non stop. I did have a massive gap in my wardrobe for a pair of black jeans as all of mine have faded to a chalky, grey colour. These crop kick flare ankle length jeans look great with heels and trainers and ankle boots in the winter. A good pair of black jeans can take you from smart to casual so easily, these flatter and hold everything in, the kick flare balances out my hips and thighs creating a flattering silhouette.

Cos £59

The ultimate indulgence, a cashmere scarf, this pink powder one is so beautiful. It looks great with my camel and green winter coats. The perfect travelling companion to wrap around you and make you feel super snuggly..and yes this can go in the Miele machine too..

H&M £29.99

This is my trend buy, it is a jumper I will wear loads this season and wash again and again, an angora mix, I am interested to see how this looks after a wash in the Miele W1.

Zara £69.99

I am completely loving velvet this season and as a black blazer is a capsule must have this Zara jacket is just perfect. It can be so easily dressed down worn over a tee, with jeans and trainers or wear over a dress with heels. The sleeves are bracelet length and pre-ruched to give them a stylish twist.

The velvet jacket completes my luxury capsule collection selection, all these items can be washed in the Miele W1 machine and I will be drying them in the Miele T1. I am known in my family as having the ability to shrink the most washing machine friendly items so I am, with trepidation, interested to see how all these items wash. I have been using the Miele W1 washing machine and Miele T1 tumble drier for the last few weeks (on my normal washing) and I can confirm I absolutely love them. They are both so easy to use, have a touch screen that is simple, lights when you open it, you can stop the washing machine mid cycle to add the random socks I always drop on the way to the kitchen. The washing comes out pristinely clean thanks to the Twindos system that keeps the liquid in the machine and disperses the exact amount the washing requires. The drier is fast, has a huge drum and stops when it detects your washing is dry. Along with the addition of steam pumped into the washing so no ironing is required. They are both amazing, honestly, honestly!!

I will let you know how I get on with 'washing the unwashable' my family and friends have already asked if they can bring their cashmere around to mine to wash! How sad that this excites me so much but it really does!

Updates on Instagram and Instagram stories...

And I have a 20% off code for you to use CRV5QWZNV6

I would love to know what you would buy for your luxury capsule wardrobe? Do you have a Miele machine, what do you think of it?

Until next time Fran xxx

*this was campaign is in collaboration with Miele, all views, opinions and clothes selection are my own

Winter Capsule Wardrobe Must Haves.... STEAL vs SPREE

Style Theory: My capsule wardrobe items for this season, a simple palette of creams and greys, chic understated, practical and cool. Can be mixed and matched with colours such as navys, deep plums, reds to add depth and variation. A simple formula that will work for women of all ages..

I have created two versions, the first is 'Spree' expensive, luxurious, investment pieces that are made of the best quality fabrics and are high on my wishlist...

SPREE:

Coat - Gianni Malin Wool Coat £315
Jumper - Jigsaw Aran Cable knit £149
Jeans - MiH Breathless Jean £195
Scarf - The White Company Cashmere oversize Scarf £198
Bag- Gucci Soho Disco Bag £650
Trainers - Golden Goose £260

The grey coat is this season's colour of coat to have, it is beautiful, understated and will go with everything. Perfect for wearing with jeans or throw over a party dress for a chic look. Add a deep plum or mustard oversize scarf for a pop of colour. 

The winter white sweater, such a useful piece, I tried this Jigsaw jumper on recently, it is fab on really soft and cosy and a gorgeous fit and the roll neck sits perfectly.

I am officially obsessed with the Gucci Soho bag and am saving for one..red or black not sure..think it will be black as it is super practical.

Golden Goose trainers the ultimate super cool trainers, so expensive but look so cool on..

STEAL:

Coat - Zara £59.99
Jumper - Topshop £45
Jeans - Topshop £40
Scarf - Travelling Bazaar £40
Bag - Topshop (Leather) £38
Trainers - Stan Smith @Office £66.99

These are maybe not super cheap alternatives but are mid priced high street and made of good quality fabrics so they will last.

The coat is wool, I love the masculine shape it really will look fab over your shoulders with a glittery, shimmery Christmas dress. The scarf is 100% wool and gorgeously oversized but not so big that you are unable to wrap it round your neck, it sits perfectly. 

The Topshop bag is leather, a fab shape, very Gucci-esque and looks far more expensive that it's £38 price.

Stan Smiths are the comfiest trainers I have ever had, honestly if you buy them you will not regret it and get so much wear out of them.

My Style: 

For running around at the weekend..

Sunglasses- Spain
Jumper - Boden £89
Jeans - Topshop £40
Trainers - Footasylum £79.99
Bag - Aurora Willow Bag £64.50

Trying on the Jigsaw sweater in my Spree edit above..

Jigsaw Sweater - Link above
Zara - Biker Trousers - sold out
Stan Smith Trainers - Link above
Bag - Yosa Uk £19

So there are a few capsule wardrobe ideas for this season, I would love to invest in the Spree but unfortunately I am more on a steal budget!! Are you a fan of grey, do you already have any of these key pieces, what is your ideal style for this season??

Next time I will be finding the best Christmas Gifts for her under £100..or also known as my Christmas list ;-) Thanks so much for reading and as always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxxxx 

Summer Inspiration

Costa Blanca

Style Theory: I am in need of some Summer Inspiration, I have looked at last years clothes and think they need a styling refresh so here are a selection of my favourite outfits and images from Pinterest that I will use to inspire my summer style this year..

Stripe Dress

Black Dungarees

Round Sunglasses

Levis Shorts

Stan Smiths 

W Hotel Barcelona 

Adidas Superstar trainers & baggy distressed jeans

Button through denim skirt

Denim dungarees with sandals

Light blue flared jeans 

Salt Bar Barcelona

Aigua Blava, Costa Brava

Distressed white jeans and striped shirts

Dark denim flares and heels

White boho tops and levis 501s

White boho dresses

White boho tops and short

Yellow tops, strappy sandals and hoop earrings

My summer inspiration in a nutshell, it is going to involve a lot of white boho tops, denim in it's many forms (dungarees, shorts, button through skirts and jeans) and strappy sandals with a touch of yellow thrown in to add a splash of colour and of course and big dose of Barcelona and Costa Blanca...

How is your summer wardrobe shaping up? What styles are catching your eye, who is your summer inspiration?

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

ph via Pinterest, LasCallesdeBarcelona, Sincerely Jules, Pandora Sykes, Happily Grey

25% Off Boden This Weekend..The Best Bits

Style Theory: 25% off Boden until Monday 30th with free delivery and returns (with code EGGS) always a great time to get a few key items that will work as excellent basics for your summer wardrobe, also a few extra special accessories that will add a wow factor to an outfit.

So first the items that have caught my eye this season and ideas of how to style them...

The Chic, Useful Cardigan

Boden Favourite Cardigan £36.75 (25% off)

A versatile piece, can be thrown over a white t-shirt, denim shorts and strappy tan sandals. With a maxi dress or in the summer with white top and jeans. Here are a few ideas...

The Cashmere Sweater

Cashmere Crew Neck Navy £74.25 (25% off)

I have a navy cashmere sweater and it is one of the most luxurious, most worn items in my wardrobe. Boden cashmere is fabulously soft and machine washable. I wear mine with distressed jeans and heels (with my Boden Alice heels as they have navy in them- great for a dressed down/dressed up look) and a bright coat. I also like to wear with t-shirt underneath and denim shorts and sandals, keeps me just the right temperature on warmer UK days.

The Grey Merino Sweater

Merino Wool Sweater £17.70

Was tipped off by Natalie from GlamRosie about this jumper and what a bargain, in fact I was so excited I have just ordered myself one to fill a little gap in my wardrobe. This is again, such a useful hardworking piece in your wardrobe, from wearing it with jeans to denim skirts to full on patterned midi skirts this is a must have item.

The Breton

Long Sleeve Breton £18.75 (25% off)

I have had two of these Boden bretons for a few years, they wash well and keep their shape and colour. A wardrobe staple, can be worn year after year after year..

The Denim/Chambray Dress

April Tunic Dress £55.30

A really useful price, wear with black opaque tights and black shoes boots in the colder, spring days. In the summer pair with white/silver Superga's for a laid back, comfortable look.

The Summer Event Dress

Long Sleeve Selina Dress £104.25 (25% off)

I love the print of this dress, it reminds me a little of the D&G dress Keira Knightley wore (see below). I would add some a little colour to this with a pair of pale (or even bright) pink shoes and some matching lipstick for a fabulous wedding guest outfit.

The Killer Accessories

Alice Mid Heels £89.25 (25% Off)

The heel of the season, bright, fun chic and really wearable. I have worn mine loads, they can be matched and clashed with so many outfits. Dress them up, dress them down you will wear them non-stop.

Lille Lace-Ups £66.75

The lace up shoe is a key look for Spring Summer 15, these are stunning versions and with 25% off more affordable.

Definitely worth having a little browse if you are in summer clothes shopping mode. The Alice shoes have a couple of weeks wait for delivery but they will still be the 25% off price if bought today or tomorrow. Right I am off to order a few items..

Are you a Boden basics fan, how do you find their clothing? I have got to admit I always have to have a bit of a search through as lots of it is not my style but I do love the styles above and I always buy my kids a few items (on the 25% off days) for each season as I do find the kids clothes really last and my two wear their Boden outfits loads.

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xx

*this was not a sponsored post I just thought the 25% off made the items I have been looking at over the last few months a little more affordable!
Streetstyle photos via Pinterest

Check Mate

Style Theory: This Autumn/Winter checks are still going strong on the High Street, though now there is less tartan more grid-like checks. They are bold and can work both within your casual and smart wardrobe..mix them up with tailoring or jeans, both look sharp and chic.

Here are a few styling ideas:

Checks and Tassels..Shirt Dress Perfection

Bold checks look great worn together  (as last year)

Very little can beat a check shirt and skinny distressed jeans for a laidback, cool look.

I am a huge fan of oversized, trapese dresses and love them with trainers especially Stan Smiths

Mix up your checks with spots.

Swap your skinnies for the kick flare for a more flattering check trouser look

All images above via Pinterest

Now for the best on the High Street..
Warehouse are taking the lead on the high street when it comes to bold checks, this is my favourite top and on my shopping list!

Warehouse Grey Check Jumper £42

This 60s shape would look fab with black culottes and heels, or pair with black skinnies and flat, leopard print pointed shoes for a cool look.

Grey Check Dress £48

Wear now with bare legs and white trainers (see Zara leather white trainers) Wear in the winter with black opaque tights and pointed ankle boots, throw an oversize cardigan over the top for a cool, grungy look.

Window Pane Blouse £42

Keep things simple by wearing this chic blouse with a pair of black skinny jeans and pointed black court shoes, add a splash of colour and texture with a wine coloured fur clutch bag.

Culottes £42

Ignore the styling in this photo, it is not flattering. I would pair with a tailored, fitted black or white shirt, or a grey poloneck and high leopard print heels.

Pink Check Coat £95

Just adore this coat, it will look gorgeous with a grey marl T-shirt and pale blue skinny jeans and white trainers. Or clash up with a turquoise jumper to really bring out the pink.

Now onto other High Street shops..

Zara Checked Shirt Dress £35.99

An easy to wear, wool check shirt dress. Perfect for the weekends.

Zara Printed Leggings £35.99

Wear with a long tunic as styled above, a cool alternative to black skinny trousers.

Zara Black Checked Jumpsuit £59.99

This just looks fab with chunky brogues and a black coat, add a bright coat for a splash of colour.

&Other Stories Blouse £65

I always find collars like this really flattering, this blouse is super stylish, would look great tucked in boyfriend jeans with a wine coloured pair of chunky heels.

Mango Check Wool Blend Sweater £19.99

A useful layering winter item, layer over a fine grey poloneck and wear with a grey wool a-line skirt and trainers for an on trend Autumn look.

Mango Check Boxy Blouse £29.99

A great basic for your wardrobe, this blouse will look fab with jeans, love the shorts with opaque tights but at nearly 40 I think I may be pushing it!

I am most definitely buying into this trend this Autumn, it is such an easy one to wear, it makes a statement without being too loud.

Have you bought into the check trend, it is something you fancy adding to your wardrobe this year or were you fully immersed in the trend last winter?

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

Follow me on Instagram @Schoolrunmum for daily outfit posts and photos of my weekend (this weekend) away in glorious Barcelona!