Sabrina Champagne Ring £175

Style Theory: If you entered my Brilliant Inc Jewellery Instagram competition to win the beautiful ring below you may have had look at Brilliant Jewellery's range. Brilliant Inc are a jewellery company run by two sisters based in Duke of York Square just off Sloane Square and specialise in non mined diamonds (simulated diamonds) that look exactly like the real thing without the price tag. Heaven to all of us that yearn for that beautiful diamond ring but do not have the budget to buy, all hand set in solid gold or silver their jewellery really is quite spectacular...

Focus on Flares...

Style Theory: There is no getting away from it, the fashionistas are leading the way and have confirmed that flares are the Jean shape of 2015. 

images via Pinterest

I am talking flares in the true 70s way, they must be fitted/tight on the thigh and flare out to a bell bottom at the hem. These are the jeans to look out for, no doubt bootcut jeans/trousers will follow suit in the next year or so but for now stick to the flares to look truly on trend...

A few flared jeans rules:

Wear tight at the thigh and hips with the flare strictly limited to below the knee.

Size down as I have found they tend to come up bigger than skinnies (on all pairs I tried on, I sized down) and they do look better tight.

Keep your look truly retro by keeping your top as neat and fitted as possible, skinny roll necks, neat fitting silk blouses look great.

For a more tailored and smart look ensure your sweater or top end at the top of your hip, a longer sweater results in a slouchy look (also pretty cool but not as smart)

This is one look to wear with heels as high as you can bear because a) your legs will look so much longer and b) no one wants soggy hems.

Keep the length long, they look best entirely covering the heel of your shoe or boot with just a pointed shoe showing at the front.

For a slimming look buy a darker wash Jean with little or no lighter patches.

Here is my round up of the best on the high street and how they fit...

Marks and Spencer:

M&S Limited Edition Kick Flare Denim Jeans £35

As usual appallingly styled on the M&S website, I would not have given them a second look had I not seen them 'in the flesh' This is how they looked in real life..actually I was pretty impressed..

Dare I say, these were actually my favourite, the denim had a really good stretch, was comfortable and high waisted across my child-busted tummy and was a good colour blue. I also liked the pocket detailing at the front, very 70s. This was the regular length and was a good length for me (5ft2) I would have maybe had to chop off the very bottom but I like raw edges so would literally just lob them off. Well done M&S, I would highly recommend but with all jeans I would, if possible, try on a few sizes and see which one fits you the best, always try a size smaller than think, you may be surprised how flattering they are.

River Island

River Island Brooke Flare Jeans £42

Trying them on...

I liked this Jean especially from the back, the pockets were a good size, placed fairly close together to make your bottom seem a little smaller. A good basic and the wash a good colour but I preferred the M&S comfort-wise. 

Tophop Jamie Flares

Topshop Moto Jamie Flared Jeans £40

Possibly my least favourite on me,

These were the size 28 length 30 and were too short for me (they didn't have length 32) these were the least flattering on my little chunky legs. I should imagine on a tall willowy person they would work. Also, for me they do not have enough flare to flatter my hips and thighs.

Gap 1969 Curvy Boot Jeans

Gap 1969 Curvy Boot Jean £44.95

I tried these on in the darker wash, I prefer the lighter wash above..

These were ok, definitely good for ladies with hips and bottoms as they do curve and hug your figure. The dark wash is flattering but they do not have a huge amount of stretch. Again size down at least one size these do come up on the large side.

MY STYLE

These are my flares, I have had them for 7 years, I bought them just after having my daughter and luckily I was encouraged to size down as small as I could possible go so they still fit (although when I wore them just after having J, I could not breath or sit down and felt like I may lose my internal organs!

J Brand 722 Close Cut Love Story Jeans £195.27

These are really expensive but they have lasted and lasted, every year they get dragged out and worn again. The style above are a slightly different cut with a lower waist but the leg shape is the same. I had to take my jeans up by about a foot, they so tend to be very long, great for all you tall ladies!

Coat: Topshop
Shirt: Zara
Jeans: J Brand (as above)
Shoes: Nine West

There is my round up of the flares I found on the high street and how they fit. It is definitely worth jumping on this trend as it really is here to stay, at least for a few years! The M&S jeans are a good way to try out the trend and not break the bank.

How do you feel about flares, are you ready to embrace them or are you holding on to your skinnies for dear life, which brands fit you best?

As always I would love to hear your thought and comments, until next time, Frances xx

Christmas Snapshot

So far this Christmas I have been....

Christmas shopping on Kings Road with sisters and friends..

Strolling through SW1 wearing what has to be my best items of this season..my Topshop faux fur coat and Aldo boots...

Visiting Winterville in the East End, with Little J and my little sister... found out we could still roller skate at the roller disco!

Christmas Eve sparkles in my H&M leggings...

Christmas morning excitement and chaos..the best moment of the year. My outfit...wearing my summer maxi under a jumper and fur coat with Aldo boots..

Wrapping up warm for Ice skating, carousel riding and hot chocolate at the park...

And finally Santa left a few things for me too!...

&Other Stories Sadie Williams Skirt
Zara Sweater
Cos Navy Fine Wool Jersey Top
Topshop Khaki Sweater  (I have worn this non-stop)
Asos Baby Kick Flares
Miller Harris La Pluie (One of my fave perfumes along with No.5)
Mac Lady Danger Lipstick
A swallow bracelet from a super special friend.

Next on the list what to wear for New Year and planning for my 40th Birthday party at the end of January...eek!!

Wishing you all a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas and a Wonderful New Year. Thank you so much for all your support in 2014..looking forward to what 2015 has in store...

Love Frances xxx