Showing posts with label #festival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #festival. Show all posts

Add a little Flare to your Look

Style Theory: Flares are back, tired of the 'normcore' look of the last few years, the designers decided to mix things up for their Spring Summer 15 collections and flares were once more brought to the fore with a true 70s vibe.
Left: Tom Ford Right: Chloe
Although the fashionistas would like to herald this the end of the skinny, I disagree for the time being, there is still plenty of space in my Spring/summer wardrobe for my skinnies (especially when cropped at the ankle) But flares are spilling in to the high street and really do look fabulous worn on a night out with high, high heels and a soft, drapey shirt tucked in. In this post I am focussing on black flared jeans, they are super flattering and perfect for a glamorous evening look...

Here is how the streetstylers are styling them..
Paired back with a white tee shirt or a shirt black flares look chic and polished
Wear your flares with a tailored jacket and a small cross body bag for a true 2015 look.

images above via Pinterest

I bought these black, denim flares from H&M a few months ago - they are still available in store and online. They are super tight at the thigh and kick out at the knee, the most flattering flare.

Sweater: Cos similar here
Jeans: H&M £29.99
Bag: H&M £19.99
Shoes: Nine West similar here
Today I am wearing mine with a black sweater, leopard print heels...


I must admit I haven't worn black flares in years and years and it feels good to get back into them (also makes me feel old as I am seeing this trend come around for the third time!)

Here are the best black denim flares available on the high street now from the most expensive down to the least. I think with all jeans it is about the fit not necessarily the price. One of my main concerns in that the jeans do not go chalky white the first time I wash them..if anyone knows a solution to this I would love to hear? So far my best black denim jeans have come from J Brand, H&M and Oasis, no chalkiness, no bagging. If you do get the opportunity try on loads of pairs to find the best for your shape:
Mih Bodycon Marrakesh Flare Jean £225

Super flattering, super expensive. The bodycon element is stretchy so if you are going to invest go for as small as you possibly can as they do give a little when wearing.
J Brand Love Story Jeans @Asos £190

I have these in indigo and have had them for 8 years, they were an amazing investment, really keep their shape and wash well, a classic shape and look.

River Island Black was flare Jeans £42

I always read really good write ups on River Island jeans, if you are fan these will be fab, really good shape and a decent flare to make a statement. 

Topshop Moto Washed Black Tally Flares £40

If you prefer a more subtle 'kick flare' these ones are for you. They will lengthen your legs but do not have to be worn with such high heels as bigger flares.

H&M Black Flared Jeans £29.99
These are the jeans I am wearing above, good value, quite a flare and come up true to size.  

There is not a huge selection of black flares on the high street at the moment, probably because it is coming into summer, no doubt the high street will be flooded with them come Autumn.  However I do think they work in high summer, I love an all-black look, a camisole top or black slouchy shirt with black flares and tan sandals, it looks nonchalant and cool, I really think it is worth investing now to get lots of wear out of them....

Do you have any black flares lingering at the back of your wardrobe,  would you wear them in summer, how do you style yours?

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

The Khaki Summer Saviour...

Style Theory: The Khaki Jacket...the ideal layering item to throw over your vest tops and denim shorts on cooler summer evenings and days.

The khaki jacket is a cool alternative to a denim jacket, it looks as good over a casual denim dress as a smarter midi dress. It dresses down a dressed up outfit perfectly. Here are some styling ideas:
With leather shorts and a floaty top
Add a touch of glamour and colour with a beautiful bright statement necklace and beaded clutch.

The khaki jacket looks fab with skorts and a breton, dressed up with a beautiful pearl statement necklace.
Slung over a black maxi dress...note how fabulous a red bag looks with the khaki coloured jacket.
Just love everything about this look..especially the dress. 

All images above from Pinterest

If you have a khaki jacket in your wardrobe, pull it out to wear over your summer dresses, if not here are a selection of the best on the high street:
Topshop Lightweight Shirt Jacket £42
Zara Unstructured Jacket £69.99
Maison Scotch Jacket £68
Noa Noa Jacket £99
Asos Festival Drape Parka £65
Next Waterfall jacket £35
Tommy Hilfiger Camo Jacket now £70

New Look Khaki Check Lined Hooded Parka
Try a little festival chic and throw a khaki jacket over your shorts this summer for a cool and practical look.

MY STYLE:

Practising what I preach with my camo jacket over my Diesel frilled dress:
Camo Jacket: Primark
Dress: Diesel
Sandals: H&M
Bag: Topshop
For a picnic out at our local Nation Trust Park, possibly the calmest, most tranquil place near me, even with three boys tearing around it seemed really peaceful...
Top: H&M
Shorts: Gap
Sandals: Primark
Backpack: Jack Wills
For one of our very best friend's wedding blessing, it was a beautiful sunny day with a blessing at church then a lovely party in their back garden...

Lace Top: H&M
Skirt: Asos
Shoes:M&S
Finally for a day running around after the kids I wore my new Topshop dress that I picked up in the sales. I had tried it on full price and then bought my maxi dress instead, so when I saw it had been reduced to half price I could not resist!
Dress: Topshop
Bag: Topshop
Shoes: Russell and Bromley
So there is my round up of how to look cool on summer evening with a khaki jacket and a few of my summer outfits. What have you found to be your best throw on on cool summer eves?

Next time the Summer Little Black Dress (although I am sure there may be some Maxi dresses in the too!) Frances xx