Style Theory: Farfetch has hit my shopping radar over the last year, it is my 'go to' website for all things luxe, for those occasions when I have a little birthday money to spend or just to browse the newest designer labels or those Scandi pieces I have been lusting after. I recently bought my new pair of Golden Goose trainers from Farfetch when I was trying to find the exact style I wanted, I find they have the best selection from each brands and are great at introducing new, cool brands.

I was recently treated to a gorgeous brunch at The German Gymnasium at Kings Cross (if you do get a chance to go there it is beautiful) with Farfetch then taken to one of their boutiques The Shop at Bluebird on Kings Road.

The Shop at Bluebird 

The Shop at Bluebird is beautiful, a gorgeous curated collection of fabulous brands along with a Blink spa as part of the boutique and you can pop in to the Bluebird next door for lunch as well. I made a beeline for Ganni my fave (affordable-ish) brand, this jumper is one of the most pricey pieces but I have linked below to the other pieces I have my eye on at the moment. Also what about those earrings...statement is an understatement!

Jumper - Ganni £355
Belt - Gucci £220
Jeans - J Brand (Similar Here)
Espadrilles - Castaner (Similar Here)
Bag - Victoria Beckham 
Earrings - Katerina Makriyianni £130

These are the items I have on my Christmas/Birthday shopping list, starting with Ganni..

Ganni £105

I live in sweaters at the weekend and actually most of the week, this would look fab with jeans and trainers but also with a long floral skirt (with a touch of red in it) and chunky boots (see the Chloe boots below for inspo)

Ganni £250

Obsessed with red and this year it has got to be a puffer over a dress, love this one, perfect length and looks great on.

Ganni £198

I saw this dress on a Scandi blogger with black converse and a red puffer jacket..perfect (this is see through so a black slip is needed underneath) such a useful dress.

Ganni £440

Pricier, but such a classic piece, this leopard print dress would see you through season to season, wear with red/black tight ankle boots and a biker jacket for a chic, edgy look.

Jumpsuit £140

Again, love the touches of red in this jumpsuit, great with the red puffer above and trainers for a daytime look, or red heels and a trench for a smart, stylish evening outfit.

Now on to my absolute dream list of luxe items..

Chloe £715

These Chloe Harper boots are the dream boots this season, they are quite DM like but the thick laces give them a feminine touch. Great in the winter with maxi dresses and a puffer for a completely cool, very 2017 look that is also pretty practical!

Chloe £945

For a luxe, knee high boot, I love these buttery soft leather boots, the gold buttons give them a stylish twist..so so beautiful.

Gucci Loafers £540

The ultimate classics, love these loafers, timelessly elegant.

Chloe Faye Bag £1664

Ahh the Chloe Faye bag, so elegant...love it in tan too..

Chloe £1280

The tan Chloe faye looks great with a trench, jeans and white stan smiths, effortlessly cool.

I adore the Levis Re/done range of denim and Farfetch is the online store with the biggest collection I have seen..

Re/done £336

Definitely worth a look, although I do wish I would have kept all my Levis from the 80s and 90s (which I bought on Kings Road vintage at that time) they would have been worth a fortune by now..

I could go on, I have kept to fairly classic items as I do think that if I am going to 'splurge' it is worth investing in something that will not date, but there are so so many gorgeous items to browse. Farfetch sells on behalf of boutiques in the UK so you get a broad spectrum of designers such as Balenciaga, Missoni and Jacquemus, and can quite often find items that have sold out elsewhere and if you live in London they can deliver within 90minutes, luciky I don't otherwise it could be dangerous!!

There is my little delve into the world of luxe, it's lovely to have a peak in every once in a while. Next time to the other extreme ..waterproof coats..the search is on for the best, thank you to you all for your suggestions, they are fab..blog post coming up this week,

As always thanks for reading, until next time Fran xxxx

It's all about the Handknitted look

All images via Pinterest

Style Theory: Handknitted-style jumpers are having a moment. The more authentic the better and of course if you can knit yourself you are on to a winner. It is all about the chunky knit, in gorgeous colours, reds, pinks, greys and creams. I first fell in love with the pink Ganni jumper seen above on blogger Lucy Williams, it sold out in a flash so the search is on for a similar one. 

Handknitted-style jumpers look great with pale blue skinny, ankle length jeans and a pair of white trainers - next blog post will be on trainers. Add a hint of fine gold jewellery and you have the perfect Spring look..

Ganni £335

This is, for me, the dream jumper. The colour is perfect, the slight puff sleeves and cuffs, the shape, all knitwear perfection. Super expensive but utterly gorgeous! Also available in cream here

La Redoute was £59 now £39.40

A more reasonable hand knit look jumper, I have this sweater and can confirm it is super cosy. It is really chunky (fits under my parka but not my smarter coats) but is the perfect Winter/Spring jumper.

Yakshi Malhotra was £120 now £70

A new brand I have recently found via instagram. Yakshi Malhotra has the most fabulous knitwear, made in the UK. I love this sweater, it has a such a cool, laid back look with a designer edge at the same time. Perfect for throwing on with a pair of boyfriend jeans and leopard heels for a fab going out winer evening look.

Topshop £55

A nude/pale pink colour this knit will seamlessly take you from winter to summer, wear with a chunky scarf, black jeans and boots now and in the summer pair with pale blue skinny jeans and white superga trainers.

Topshop Unique £165

A burst of colour for winter, this yellow jumper will brighten up any look, just add a pair of jeans and clash up with some dark pink trainers for a cool, 2017 look.

Ganni was £280 now £196

This is the grey version of the pink (sold out) Ganni jumper I was obsessed with, it looks fab on, still on the pricey side but a wardrobe staple that would last for years.

American Vintage @TheDressingroom was £150 now £75

This is a beautiful oversized jumper, the palest pink, as soft as a cloud, the most snuggly piece of clothing. The sizing does come up huge, it is super oversized!

Topshop £34

Love the colour of this sweater, maybe not the handknitted look exactly but beautiful nevertheless, I think this will be making it's way into my wardrobe this season.

&Other Stories £69

Wear this jumper with leather leggings now and with denim shorts in the summer. The pointed details on the jumper flatter the figure making hips and legs look thinner by not cutting straight across the body.

Me+EM was £149 now £74

Me+Em knitwear is fab, really great quality and now at half price this is an amazing buy. A real classic, great length and a navy polo neck sweater will never date. 

Mango £49.99

New in, this cardigan ticks lots of boxes, pink, heavy knit, slouchy. Wear over a pale grey sweater with pale blue jeans and white trainers...stunning!

Miss Selfridges £35

An authentic hand-knit for a fraction of the price of others, this looks fab on.. I tried it on below..

Topshop £45

Just spotted this cardigan, the ruffle sleeves are fab, it would great over a grey tee, add a chunky grey scarf (I love this one from Topshop) and skinny jeans and boots..fab outfit for the rest of the winter and spring...

I am a sucker for a hand knit jumper, I used to have a few for my two kids when they were young and they looked amazing in them. I really really should learn to knit as I have so many ideas in my head of the perfect knitwear, it one of my favourite pieces of clothing.

As an aside if anyone does know any knitwear brands that would be interested in working on a small knitwear collection I would love to get in touch. I worked as a buyer for own brand for a major department store so know all the ins and outs of design and production..please do get in touch or if you do know anyone please drop me a line Thefashionlift@outlook.com, thanks so much xxx

Next time, the best trainers on the high street, I live in trainers and have seen the most fabulous ones hit the shops for Spring, until next time Fran xx

It's all about Palazzo Pants...

Style Theory: The Palazzo Pant, released every year but is having a real moment this summer...perfect for warm summer evenings, floaty, cool and undeniably comfortable.  

After a spring in skinny and boyfriend jeans there is a need for something cooler, a trouser that is loose but still looks good and not like pyjamas, step forward the palazzo pant. I love the fact you can wear these trousers during the day, perfect for a picnic, comfy to sit in and you can pull the trouser leg up to catch a few rays but do not have to bare your legs whilst walking around if you are not so keen on your legs like me...

Here are a few ideas from the catwalk (palazzo trousers were seen dominating the autumn/winter 2014 catwalks) and from the street stylers:

STYLE TIPS:

As palazzo pants are very loose and flowy you need to keep your top close fitting and structured - 

A top in a scuba/neoprene fabric works well as it holds it's shape and is extremely structured.

Or a top with a structured detail at the top:

Zara Halter Top £25.99

Or buy a palazzo pant jumpsuit..easy to wear, no matching needed.

Add a denim jacket or a tailored blazer that fits in at the waist and sits at the top of your hips to keep the silhouette of the trouser long and lean.

Wear with heels if possible, they will elongate your legs.

Now for the best on the high street:

Zara Flowy Studio Trousers £39.99

Zara Silver Flounce Top Jumpsuit £49.99

Zara Long Sheer Jumpsuit £49.99

Ganni Nalini Jumpsuit @Anthropologie now £102.85

Anthropologie Jody Crossed Jumpsuit £138

Topshop Folk Print Wide leg Trousers £50

DP Lily Palazzo Trousers £26

Warehouse Multi Palazzo Trouser now £25

H&M Wide Satin Trousers £14.99

H&M Wide Trousers £29.99

MY STYLE:

Me in my Zara jumpsuit (as above), it is so comfortable, loose and cool. I think I am going to have to get it taken up to wear with flat gold sandals on holiday as it will be more practical for catching Jack when he makes a run for it out of a restaurant, but before that I am wearing it with heels at it is a more flattering look:

 And with a denim jacket and my trainers...not as flattering but far more practical for chasing after the kids..will be visiting the dry cleaners soon to get them taken up.

So are you finding the Palazzo pant a perfect summer trouser? Do you already have some hidden in your wardrobe?

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