Style Theory: In my mind there is no better trend than the trainer trend. It is possibly the most practical and comfortable trend in years (closely followed by the UGG boot trend from the 00s - I know you either loved or hated them but there was no doubt they were the ultimate in comfort) The humble trainer still reigns supreme, I have been wearing my Stan Smiths non stop for the last few years, I have dabbled in Adidas Superstars, indulged in Golden Goose and now I have a new obsession..... the Nike Cortez.

Images above via Pinterest & Chiara Ferragni Instagram 

Completely old school, I had a pair of Nike Cortez at university and, of course, Tom Hanks sported them as Forest Gump in 1994! (mmm I am really selling them to you?!) but...they are the trainers for Spring 2016 and do look pretty cool on.....

They will look fab with crop kick flares, boyfriend jeans or with a denim skirt or dress. The gold cortez would be perfect to wear to work (even just to look slightly edgy on a daily commute then change in to heels at work) 

I am slightly obsessed with both the white and the gold colourways below but I think the white may just have the edge for casual-wear, thinking forward to summer, with little summer dresses, or denim shorts. They look cool and fresh and I for one will be jumping on the bandwagon for this trend..

Nike Cotez @Office £61.99

Nike Classic Cortez Bronze @Office £71.99

Now looking at the bronze I think I like these equally as much. Anyway, suffice to say this style of trainer is gorgeous and will be the most fabulous addition to a Spring/Summer wardrobe.

Are you a trainer wearer, which styles are your favourites? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments until next time, Frances xxxx

The Little Red Bag...

Style Theory: The little red bag is the perfect accessory to instantly lift an outfit or add a new twist. It is eye catching and at the same time classic, wear with camel, navy, black or pink to add a little vibrancy to your look...

Bag - Village England Mini Cranleigh £125
Coat - Maje £284.70 (in sale)
Breton - Boden £25
Jeans - Topshop (old) similar here 
Shoes - M&S (old season) similar here

This Village England Mini Cranleigh bag is beautiful, made of full grain leather (my favourite), gorgeously soft but structured. The attention to detail and design is that of a far more expensive bag, it has the feel of something really very special to be treasured. I love the subtle Village England branding, the brass medal on the side of the bag, the flap over top with magnet fastening, less fiddly than buckles, it is deceptively spacious and the cross body strap makes it perfect for running around town.....all in all a gorgeous Christmas bag....

From winter to summer the red bag will work to add a pop of colour to your wardrobe..these are the looks inspiring me....

Images via Pinterest

I can see the bag working just as well with my white and black sundresses as with faux fur and jeans now, the possibilities are endless...

Have you got a bag on your Christmas list this year, what is your wish list? The Christmas panic is starting to set in, I think I have done about half my shopping, no Christmas cards have as yet been written and the kids break up tomorrow..feeling a little behind as usual. I hope you are a little more organised than me!! As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx

*Mini Cranleigh bag was gifted but I was under no obligation to write about it, it just is gorgeous so I wanted to let you know about it..

Back To School Bags for Grown Ups

Style Theory: A beautiful bag can elevate your look, add a cool twist and make your outfit look 'put together'. Whilst I would love to have a wardrobe full of designer bags, at the moment I cannot afford them so it is high street all the way for me and to be honest I think the high street do a pretty good job. I love a big bag (I always, always take a change of shoes in it if I am forced to wear heels), I really like it to be leather but can live with pleather if it looks good and also I am rather partial to a backpack for the schoolrun so here are my favourite bags on the high street now.

The Cross Body Bag

Zara Leather Messenger Bag £79.99

Quite Mulberry-esque but for a fraction of the price. I love this leather bag and the chestnut colour is the perfect neutral. It is a timeless classic that will never date. Quite small so no room for spare shoes but great for a an evening out or shopping trip in comfy shoes!

Whistles Brandt Soft Saddle Bag £175

Slightly expensive but such a gorgeous leather and colour. The saddle bag is the bag of the season, sling across your body for a 70s look, wear with flared jeans, heels and a camel coats. Alternatively this bag would look good dressed down with a camo/navy jacket boyfriend jeans and trainers.

Vivienne Westwood @House of Fraser £110

I am slightly Vivienne Westwood obsessed at the moment, I think it is the 90s trends that are making me fall in love with all things Viv again. A really simple understated bag with the iconic Westwood badge, such a classic bag that would look fabulous year after year.

Urban Outfitters Saddle Bag £46

A real 70s look to this bag, the price is pretty good for a suede bag, it ticks all the boxes for trends this year and will see you seamlessly into Spring/Summer 2016

Mango Chain Suede Bags £69

More than a Chloe-esque hint about this bag, Mango are on fire this year with their accessories, their bags range is amazing. Love the chain detail on this bag, it looks designer without the designer price tag.

Dune @John Lewis £59

Leopard print is back again this a/w and this is a beautifully ladylike bag that would be perfect for an evening out, it has a chain strap and would look stunning with an all black outfit.

Bucket Bags

Topshop Leather Duffel Bag £35

Small but perfectly formed this beautiful bucket bag is in the colour of the season, team with navy, camel, pink or grey this bag will immediately bring your look up to date.

Mango Leather Bucket Bag £79.99

I love the tassel detail on this Mango leather bag, perfectly slouchy for a nonchalant, cool look.

Whistles at House of Fraser reduced from £280 to £84

An amazing price for this bag, soft tan leather, this would look stunning worn over a trench with clue skinny jeans and white trainers.

Mango Leather Bucket Bag £89

Slightly obsessed with this bag and I may have to add to my shopping list. These bags look fab for daytime with a denim shirt, black skinny jeans and black lo converse. In the evening wear black silk blouse, black tux jacket, boyfriend jeans and black heels.


Backpacks

Kipling Yartezi Lea £229

The ultimate in practicality, the backpack is my bag pf choice for the schoolrun, shove it on both my shoulders and off we go. I have this backpack in pale blue and love it, it is easy to find things in, beautifully lined and the leather is buttery soft. The tan colour is a fabulous neutral and will go with everything.

Asos Smart Front Backpack £28

A grown up, smart backpack perfect for dashing around town to meetings, it is practical but has a stylish edge. This is not leather but I love the styling of it as it does look expensive.

Urban Outfitters Suede Pocket Plum Backpack £49

Beautiful plum colour, this backpack would look striking work with a pink coat (if you have your still from a few years ago) I like the mixture of the suede and leather to give the bag an extra dimension.

Mango Suede Backpack £69

A true, slouchy boho backpack, fab for those (dry) autumn days with slouchy jeans, am oversized shirt and stansmith trainers.

Mango Black Backpack £39.99

A good basic backpack, non-fussy, practical and cool.

John Lewis Kin Gia Backback £39

After seeing the streetsyle photo above I had to find a silver backpack, I love this worn with the pastel colours, pinks, pale blues and greys.

My Style

From Left: Oversize Sweater Traffic People, Skorts (old season) Backpack just seen c/oKipling Trainers - Superga
Dungarees - last season love these ones ,  Blouse - Zara, Shoes - Isabel Marant love these ones,  Bag - H&M Old season
Sweatshirt - Selfish Mother, Bag as above, Jeans - Levis 501ct, Trainers Stan Smith
Top - zara (old season) Jeans - Levis 501ct, Shoes - Palmairas, Bag c/o Kipling

Cross body bags and backpacks are the two bags I use most, they mean I have my hands free to pull scooters whilst carrying shopping etc etc..all the glamour!
Are you a bag girl, do you invest in designer (I have my eye on the Gucci Soho Disco bag - one day!) or do you like high street. What has been your best bag buy and which bag would you have if money were no object?

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

Outfit Post - Grown up shorts and Mary Janes

Style Theory: Grown up shorts and Mary Jane shoes, the "Back to School' items I have bought myself that strangely mirror the kids school clothes. I think all the time spent shopping for uniforms in Marks & Spencer and shoe shopping in Clarks had an adverse effect on my and I decided I needed new shorts and shiny pair of shoes....

Here is what I bought:

Jumper: Cos sold out in black but available in Navy and Red £55
Shorts: Cos £69
Shoes: Topshop £65
Bag: Marc Jacobs similar here

The Cos sweater is my most worn item in the Autumn/Winter, I love the puff sleeve detail plus it washes so well (I've had it for a couple of years and it still looks good). The shorts/culottes are a great length, so comfortable and can be styled with a grey poloneck and brown 70s knee high boots in the winter..here are the details..

Cos Sweater 

Cos Textured Knit Jumper £55

Cos Textured Knit Jumper £55

Adore this berry colour of the jumper - this is one for my shopping list, it will be the perfect addition to my Autumn Winter wardrobe. I love this colour with pink/navy/mustard and black.

Cos Chunk Knit Jumper £59

If you are looking for a black jumper, this Cos one is gorgeous alternative to the one I am wearing above. I love the shaping on the arms and the contrast knit, Cos are experts at this minimal, cool look.

Cos Roll Neck Neck £45

This roll neck is very fine knit so perfect under a larger jumper as a layering piece, if worn by itself you may need to wear a fine vest top underneath as it is see-through. The grey version is beautiful too.

The Shorts:

Cos Wool Turn up Shorts £69

These shorts, for me, are the perfect length just below my knee. They are so easy to wear, comfortable, practical and I think (although I think my husband disagrees) that they look stylish especially when worn with all black.

Mary Jane Shoes

Topshop Ginger Shoes £65

Love these shoes, especially the heels and where the ankle strap sits across the base of the ankle is really flattering. I find they fit true to size if a tiny bit big, but beware the ankle strap is small (I have it on the last hole) so definitely one to try on before buying if you can. I managed to walk in these all afternoon yesterday (not particularly comfortable but my feet survived!)

Oversize Bag

Topshop Oversized Holdall £36

I always find I need a an oversized bag if I am off out to meeting to carry everything (normally a pair of trainers, make up, purse, water etc) and this is is the perfect size.

So that was my little Back to School purchases..not for the schoolrun obvs but good for work and evenings out.

Have you treated yourself to any Back to School goodies..or is just the joy of the kids being back to school enough?! ;-)

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx

Spotlight on...Cos

Style Theory: Cos Stores, the older, more grown up sister of H&M is a Swedish master of modern, simple shapes, innovative fabrics and unexpected design details. It is the kind of shop at first glance can look quite 'samey' but delve deeper and you will be seduced by the flattering dresses, gorgeous tops and beautifully cut skirts. 

Cos states it is 'Modern, Functional, Considered design' It is perfect for women who like to show they have a shape without wearing something that is too clingy (ie. me) After two babies my figure is full of lumps and bumps and I find Cos pieces skim over these due to the way the garments are cut and also the fabrics that are used; heavy cottons and thick linens to cover any tummy bumps, a twist towards the base of a shirt, razor pleats started just at the most flattering point, all these details are cleverly thought out by the designers and technicians to create pretty fabulous items. Cos is one of these stores you have to (if you can) go in sans les enfants and when you have a time to try, try, try lots of different pieces until you find the right ones for you.

I had a little trying on session today and these are my favourite items..

The Comfortable Holiday Dress

Contrast Panel Dress £55

A flattering, T-shirt dress, the poplin contrast fabric around the bottom of the dress is thick and pulls the jersey fabric out,away from any lumps and bumps on your body resulting in a super comfortable, easy wear dress. Perfect for holiday, wear with strappy tan sandals.

The Tailored Dress

Pleated Poplin Dress £69

The knife pleats on this dress make it pretty and flattering, amp up this dress with contrast sandals (orange or turquoise or the sandals below..)

Metallic Sandals £135

The Statement Coat

Gathered Detail Coat £135

A real statement piece, this coat would be fabulous for a wedding. It would look great worn as a dress with heels and you could also dress it down with distressed jeans and heels and a denim shirt..I love this coat!

The White Top with a Twist

Top with Folded Sides £45

My sister has this top and it looks beautiful on, from the front it looks like a basic white (non clingy) top from the back it has a slight cape like appearance, very cool..

The Wedding Guest Outfit

Stretchy Rib Top £59

Technical Mesh Skirt £79

This would, again, make a fabulous wedding guest outfit or I am thinking of buying this to wear for my daughter's Holy Communion in May and a wedding in June. The skirt is a mesh-type, slightly padded fabric so again it does not cling, I really like it's futuristic look. (looked good with my Boden Alice heels)

The Statement Skirt

Textured A -Line Skirt £79

Add a pop of colour to your wardrobe with this barbie pink skirt, cut to skim the hips, would look perfect with a navy t-shirt and a pair of navy/pink heels, I like the clash with the yellow coat. 

I could go on forever, it is fair to say I am a Cos fan. The prices are a little on the more expensive side so I treat myself to one or two pieces a season then buy a couple more pieces in the sale (you have to look out for it as things sell out quick but it is normally really good 40% - 50% off)

Are you a Cos do you like minimal shapes with a twist or does this collection look too shapeless to you? Have you bought items from Cos before, have they lasted the test of time? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xx