The Fashion Lift: #denimfashion

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

Style Theory: In 2015 denim is taking over, from the re-emergence of the 70s flares, to tailoring (with the most flattering shirt dresses and skirts) to embellishment and luxury trims. No longer is denim just about jeans and traditional denim jackets, it's time to fill your wardrobe with this cool, robust, child-friendly fabric..

The SS15 Catwalks were awash with denim in all forms...

Gucci SS2015

Left: Sonia Rykiel SS15 Right: Burberry SS15

Left: SS15 Chloe, Right: SS15 Fendi

My favourite denim looks from the Streetstylers..

The 70s and military influence permeates all high street denim designs along with the huge influence of Alexa Chung's collaboration with AG jeans (I would buy each and every item in this range if it were a little cheaper) denim is taking the lead this year so jump on board...

In this blogpost I will look at denim in it's tailored form, dresses, skirts and jackets, I will look at the best jeans on the high street in a later post. Here is the best on the high street now..

Whistles Silka Jumpsuit £295

This jumpsuit is utterly stunning, ticks so many Spring Summer 2015 trends: jumpsuit, raw edges, denim, tailored. Unfortunately it is also hugely expensive, this is going to be one of those items I will stalk until the sale!

Alexa Chung for AG Jeans @Net A Porter £245

Again, very pricey but such a stunning dress, the design details are perfect, the high neck, the pin tucks and the sleeves, I will be looking out for the high street 'homage' of this dress..Zara is normally pretty quick at producing similar designs, I'll let you know when I spot one!

Miss Selfridges Patch Pocket Denim Dress £39

A boat neck is really flattering and I love the shape of this dress, wear it over skinny jeans or leather leggings and flat pointed shoes now and in summer with white Superga style trainers.

Topshop Zip Through Pinny Dress £36

This is a key colour for SS15 very 70s, wear now with skinny black roll neck under, black opaques and a ankle boots. Or wear as a skirt with a chunky cream knit over the top. In summer wear with a white vest top under and white superga trainers.

Levis Long Sleeve Dress £85

A fabulous, basic shirt dress can be dressed up with a trench thrown over and a pair of leopard print heels, in the summer pair it down with tan, flat strappy sandals.

Zara Denim Bib Front Dungaree dress £39.99

Another dungaree style dress, there is no getting away from them this year and they honestly are so comfortable, especially if you are like me and after having two kids I really cannot bear wearing tight waistbands! Wear with a breton top and some 70s style knee high tan boots. In the summer throw this over your bikini for a cool beach look.

Asos Girlfriend Shirt in Tencel now £21

A perfectly slouchy, grown up shirt, ideal to layer under a chunky cardigan now or wear with white jeans (as image) looks stunning!

Asos Denim Skirt £28

The skirt style of the year, Alexa Chung for AG jeans is the huge influence on this style. Look out for a similar style in Miss Selfridge and also a fab button through Alexa style dress, both are out of stock at the moment but due in end March.

M&S Button Through Skirt £25

A fabulous, basic skirt. Make sure you keep styling sharp with a trend edge to avoid this looking frumpy. Would look fab with a chambray/denim shirt tucked in and pointed strappy heels, or wear with a roll neck (slightly tucked in at the front) and heels with a long trench (see the streetstyle image above)

Asos Denim Lab coat £38

Wear this over your little black dress with heels for a dressed up/dressed down look. This would work hard in your wardrobe, would look fab with leather leggings, a chunky sweater and trainers.

My Style:

The key denim pieces that will be playing a huge part in my Spring Summer wardrobe again this year!

Left: Denim Skirt - Topshop, Sweater- H&M, Coat-Zara, Bag & Shoes - M&S
Middle: Dress- Levis, Boots- Seven Boot Lane
Right: Jacket-Asos, Dungarees-H&M, Bag-&OtherStories, Top-Zara, Trainers- Stan Smith

Left: Sweater-Topshop, Top-Zara, Jeans-J Brand, Shoes-Nine West
Middle; Culottes-Chloe, top-H&M, Bag-Accessorize, Shoes-Acessorise
Right: Jacket-Zara, Jeans-Gap, Sandals-H&M

I hope this has inspired you a little, you may already have these denim pieces in your wardrobe this year so you can put a new spin on them. I love denim as it survives children's sticky hands, doesn't crease and it so comfortable!

What are your key denim pieces, how will you style them? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time, Frances xx

The Fashion Lift

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2015..Your Denim Must Haves..