images above via Pinterest

Style Theory: The sales are always the best time to buy designer, you can pick up some real gems for a fraction of the price they will add a little 'luxe lift' to your wardrobe just in time for summer holidays..

Here are my picks of the My Theresa sale  - they have free delivery too at the moment which always makes sale shopping better..

Dodo Bar Or was £251 now £175

I have literally lived in my Dodo Bar Or top this Spring summer, it is expensive but a really useful, easy to wear top. It looks great dressed up with a pair of black jeans and red espadrilles but also looks just as good with denim shorts and flip flops, a great top I will be wearing for years to come.

Etre Cecile was £100 now £70

The most worn item in my wardrobe for the school run, I love a grey hoody and uber cool Etre Cecile will take it up a notch..

Chloe Lexa Leather Shoulder Bag was £1250 now £875

This rose tone, nude leather bag will go with everything, pure subtle elegance..

Isabel Marant Etoile was £325 now £227

A white shirt never dates and a high neck is so so flattering, this is a beautiful blouse, simple style with pale blue, ankle length jeans and flat tan sandals, so chic..

Isabel Marant Etoile was £335 now £234

I have had my eye on this top for ages, the perfect top for the summer with denim shorts and in the winter throw a chunky dusky pink cardi over the top.. I am ordering this now..

Miu Miu was £400 now £280

These are certainly not 'classics' but a part of me cannot resist, I have always loved a ballet pump (Kate Moss wore them so well) and the silver sparkly glitter just makes them the shoes of dreams..

Ganni was £355 now £248

I promise promise you this is THE most beautiful piece of knitwear ever. The colour is a vibrant red, the sleeves perfectly pouffed and the knit super soft. I have this (bought for 'research' purposes at full price!!arghh) but I love love it. Size down it comes up big I have a XS.

Frame jeans £262 now £157

The best boyfriend jeans ever, Frame jeans are incredibly flattering in a true boyfriend sense, they skim over hips and thighs and hang perfectly, size down one size for a neat fit.

J Brand was £285 now £171

These are my favourite skinny cropped jeans, they fit amazingly (size down one size) and keep their shape wear after wear, I would 100% recommend them especially if you are a similar height to me (5ft 3ish) super flattering..

Miu Miu was £180 now £90

I find cat eye sunglasses really flattering (great on a square/round face) They look chic and can be worn year after year.

I would buy every piece on this blog if I could, they are all timeless items (maybe not the glittery ballet pumps!) and can be easily slotted into any wardrobe and been worn time and time again. I believe in really wearing designer things day to day and not keeping for best because those 'best' occasions are few and far between and I like to get my money's worth out of a piece of clothing and anyway every day is pretty special...

Happy Shopping, so many gorgeous things!!

Until next time, Fran xxx

Pretty in Pink

Style Theory: The grey winter days always draw me towards a soft, pink palette, it seems to make your skin glow and will add a little, subtle touch for colour to your winter/spring and summer 2016 wardrobe. 

The SS16 catwalks were full with differing shades of pinks, from pale pink organzas to soft tulles to pleated fuschias mixed with golds (Isabel Marant) and reds (Chanel)...

Chanel, Chloe, Carolina Herrera, Tibi

Stella McCartney, Delpozo, Erdem, Alexander McQueen

Chanel, Isabel Marant, Gucci, Rochas

All images above via Pinterest

As you can see above pink featured in so many designer's SS16 collections and it will therefore follow suit on the high street. The fashionistas on the street were quick to pick up on this colour trend wearing pink with aplomb..

Ph via Pinterest

So how does this translate down to the high street? The colour is coming through in knitwear, dresses and accessories. Mix with neutrals (greys, camels, denim and black) or clash up with merlot and red to create eyecatching, feminine looks...

Whistles @House of Fraser £160

A beautiful shade of pink and a fabulous shape of sweater. Slightly expensive but it is 100% cashmere (hand wash) Wear with skinny blue jeans, white trainers and an oversize pale grey scarf for Spring perfection.

Mango @John Lewis £39.99

Style this jumper as above or wear with a silver pleated midi skirt and merlot coloured heels for a cool look.

French Connection @John Lewis £75

A beautiful, soft pink, I would size up on this sweater and wear with slouchy grey tracksuit pants and stan smith trainers, add a contrasting grey scarf and biker jacket for a chic, laid back look.

&Other Stories £69

This silk shirt is a classic shape brought up to date with a neck tie. This would look stunning tucked into a pair of boyfriend jeans with black heels or wear with tailored ankle length trousers and Chanel-esque pumps.

H&M Crepe Blouse £14.99

A budget, wardrobe basic, this crepe blouse will look great unbuttoned slightly with fine gold necklaces layered, tucked into a pair of ankle length skinny jeans.

Cos Drape Detail Top £59

To balance out this floaty top I would pair it with skinny jeans or tailored trousers, add a pair of pointed kitten heels for added glamour.

Finery Satin Trapeze Dress £45

This dress is gorgeous, wear it now with black opaques and black heels (it has black bonded fabric on the inside so would look fab with black accessories) wear in the summer with flat, tan, strappy sandals.

Finery Mallow Tunic Dress £49

A stunning dress, buy now wear in the summer with strappy sandals or with white trainers.

&Other Stories Cap £35

I am slightly obsessed with caps at the moment, this would look fab with a grey oversize coat and skinny leather leggings and trainers.

&Other Stories £12

Love these, I will have to buy them.. gorgeous with pale pinks, greys and beiges.

Burberry Fuschia Pink Scark £335

I know, ridiculously expensive for a scarf but this is pretty gorgeous and a nice addition to any wardrobe should you be able to afford it.

&Other Stories Cashmere Scarf £65

Super soft and in a beautiful colour, a real luxury item, perfect for travelling (use as a pillow) indulgence at its best.

My Style

Last days of Christmas holidays, I have worn this cardigan non stop (a Christmas present from my Mum and Dad) love love it!

Cardigan - American Vintage @Quattrorish £110
Dungarees - H&M Old
Sweater - Boden 
Bag - Gucci @Selfridges £650
Bangle - Black and Sigi 
Shoes - Topshop £12 (sold out)

So I, for one, adore pink and will be buying a few pieces this season to add colour to my wardrobe. I will still be sizing up on all sweaters so they are slouchy and baggy and will be keeping trousers and jeans neat and skinny (although current Christmas excess weight makes this slightly tricky!)

Are you a fan of pink, will you be indulging in this colour trend this year? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xx

My AW15 Wish List

Style Theory: I love writing a wish list, it helps me work out what is realistic, what I should be saving for and puts a few frivolous items out there to gawp at. This season, accessories seem to be taking centre stage, with a dream coat and a couple of pieces of knitwear thrown in to add to my ever-growing list. This is a dream list and normally with these list I find similar on the high street, so here are the originals and I will work on the high street versions and follow up with an affordable version..in the meantime I am going to indulge in a little dream retail therapy.....

The AW15 Wishlist so far...

THE CROSS BODY BAG

Gucci Soho Disco Bag in Black £650

A classic, cool, practical bag. Now I can go out without a mountain of baby items (nappies, food, changes of clothes etc) this is the perfect cross body bag I would chose to replace all my old ones...

THE COAT

MaxMara Studio Ninetta Coat @Matches £448

A forever coat in a classic style. I bought a MaxMara coat when I was 22 at my first PR job..I took it back and bought three cheaper coats..err why?? Such an iconic coat..nothing ever quite matches up to it.

THE SWEATER 

Bella Freud @Net a Porter £270

I have said it before but I LOVE Bella Freud sweaters..so cool, would look fab with black skinny jeans and high, spiked heel black boots. 

THE LEATHER TROUSERS

Hush Leather Leggings £340

These would work hard in my wardrobe with oversize sweaters and chunky boots for the schoolrun or high heeled court shoes and blouses for an evening out.

THE DRESS

D&G @Net-a-Porter £2300

This dress looked amazing on the catwalk, perfectly tailored, full to the brim of style and elegance..a stand out piece.

THE SUNGLASSES

Tom Ford @John Lewis £206

So elegant and chic with a 50s vibe, these sunglasses would make the plainest outfit look cool. Tom Ford is the king of sunglass cool and I love the shape of these, they are so flattering on a round or square face.

THE BACKPACK/BUCKET BAG

Jerome Dreyfuss Alain Leopard Bag @Vestaire Collective £686.19

I am slightly obsessed with Jerome Dreyfuss bags and all things French at the moment. These are chic, understated, the pony skin is the perfect colour and looks amazing with an all black outfit and tux jacket.

THE EVENING SHOE

Miu Miu Shoes @Net-a-porter £515

Pink, glittery with a block heel....what is not to love about this amazing pair of shoes, wear all year round, in the winter for Christmas sparkle, in the summer with cute black summer dresses...absolutely gorgeous...here is how the shoes were styled on the catwalk

THE TRAINER

Nike Flyknit Trainers £130

A little bit of a marmite item but I love these trainers..the colours are gorgeous, the comfort factor is second to none and they look just as good with your little black dress as they would with boyfriend jeans and a sweater.

THE PERFUME

TOM FORD PORTOFINO @JohnLewis £130.50 (10% off price match)

Holiday in a bottle, smells like warm summer evenings abroad, a truly indulgent fragrance.

Portofino Italy via Pinterest

Summer already seems like a long time ago, I miss the holidays, the long light evenings but I do also love the idea of Autumn evenings in front of the fire with a glass of red wine or hot chocolate and I do prefer Autumn and Winter to summer, they are far more exciting!

So there is my AW lust list, a little splash of indulgence as the nights get longer and you feel in need of a little (or big) treat. The majority of these items will never reach my wardrobe but I do have my eye on the Gucci bag and trainers..I best get saving!!

What are your designer loves, do you 'do' designer or do you prefer the high street? As always I would love to hear your thought and comments, until next time (with the more affordable versions of the items above..off to search them out!) Frances xxx