Style Theory: It is coming up to the season of weddings, summer balls and summer holidays and it is so nice to own one gorgeous, slightly different dress to wear to these occasions. With the 70s trend gaining momentum I am loving all things maxi. I also love mixing fabrics, textures and colours to create a slightly statement look without looking over the top.

Some inspiration from Streetsylers..

Images via Pinterest

Best on the High Street now: 

I have selected my top maxi dress finds that would be perfect for a summer occasion and also can be dressed down for a summer holiday evening. I really prefer maxis with a sleeve, this mainly down to the fact that I am not too mad on my arms any more (getting old!) but also because they look more authentic 70s boho with sleeves....

Sister Jane at Asos Galaxy Dress £72

The star print on this layered maxi dress is eyecatching, it would be perfect for a summer wedding with high strappy black/tan sandals or add a pop of colour with orange strappy sandals. Wear a longline tux style jacket over the top and a sparkly clutch for a gorgeous look. Dress down with flat sandals (the Mango flats I have featured in previous posts) and a boho slouchy tan bag.

Free People @ Asos £128

The button through detail on this dress means you take the split as high as you dare. Again, a perfect dress for a wedding with strappy high/low sandals (love the ones on the model) and perfect for the those warm summer evenings on holiday.

BA&SH @Asos £195

A little pricey but I adore the print and shape of this dress, wear with tan accessories and let the dress do the talking. This is one to look out for when Asos has their summer sale..

Pepe Jeans Maxi Dress @Next £90

Love the slightly see through fabric with the underdress, wear this with metallic accessories and for a smart event with high strappy metallic sandals (see Cos for a gorgeous pair of silver high sandals) 

Mango Blond Gown £89

Completely left-field but I adore this dress, the colour of the season, 70s styling. Definitely one to try on but would make a real statement.

Mango Premium Striped Dress @John Lewis £34.99

More of a casual look, wear this with Stan Smith trainers and an oversize denim jacket for a cool summer look. It is ribbed jersey, would also look fab thrown over a swimsuit for the beach.

Free People Bonnie Dress £138

More of a midi dress but utterly boho cool, wear with strappy sandals to bring it into 2015 and give it an edge.

H&M Maxi Dress £29.99

I tried this on below and love it, I sized down to make it more fitted as I think this style needs to be fairly neatly cut to your figure to flatter. I am 5ft2 and found the length perfect (with heels) A gorgeous, reasonable dress, perfect for wedding, I would team with tan sandals and perhaps an orange large clutch.

I find maxi dresses really comfortable and easy to wear at parties as they are so elegant and also you don't have to worry about your legs being super toned and tanned...

Are you a fan of the maxi dress? Do you like the 70s boho look this year? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xx

Summer Sandals - the cream of the crop

Style Theory: Flat sandals, your summer holiday 'must haves', this year it is all about straps and ties and the high street have come up trumps. With the boho trend eclipsing all other trends this year sandals are laid back, flat, true boho chic. So whether it is tan, black or jewelled just make sure your sandals are strappy..

Here is a little outfit inspiration:

As you can see this style of sandal is incredibly versatile and whilst being practical looks effortlessly chic. Pair with maxi dresses, dungarees, summer dresses and denim...every which way these work..

Here are the best strappy sandals on the High Street now:

Starting with Office that seem to have a fab range of strappy sandals at the moment AND Grazia have 25% off Office this week so worth buying them now..

Office Oakley Strappy Mule Sandal £35

I tried these on they are super comfy, the leather is really soft, great little holiday sandals with a pair of cut off denim shorts and white boho top (they also look fab in gold here)

Office Odessa Lace Front Sandal £38

The gladiator style sandals are a big trend again this year, these would look lovely with ankle length blue jeans and a crisp white shirt.

Office Oscar Cut Out Low Wedge £42

I love an ankle strap and a slight wedge, the small amount of height is really flattering on legs and makes them look slimmer.

Office Olivier Low Wedge £45

Great little basic sandal, the mix of tan and gold is beautiful, the best of both worlds.

Now onto Next who have the most fabulous shoes this Spring Summer..

Next Strippy Ankle Wrap Sandals £30

Leather straps, tie ankle and only £30..will look amazing with a long black, floaty maxi dress (chloe style) and fine gold jewellery.

Next Lace Up Sandals £24 

These are also leather and come in a beautiful tan colour too.

Tan Lace Up Sandals £38

Not flat but not too high either, these are fabulously Chloe-esque and completely gorgeous..I will track them down to see what they are like on. Not leather uppers but for that price and such cool styling I think they are fab.

The best of the rest..

Topshop Fig Lace Up Sandals £39

These also come in black a fab gladiator/lace up hybrid.

KG Kazoo Black Sandal £85

A little more glamorous with gold details and a slight wedge heel, these look even better in 'real life'.

These are one of my favourites and at such an amazing price, I have bought these for the summer, they come up slightly big (half a size so if in between sizes size down) and are quite a slim fit. They also come in tan and snakeskin, all are fabulous but I plumped for the black as I think they will look good with my off the shoulder, black Other Stories dress from last year.

There are so many stunning sandals to chose from this year..so much better than last year, I think I may have to buy a couple of pairs..

My Style:

For a day out with the family, you just never know how warm or cold it is going to be at the moment (normally colder than you think) so I have taken layering to the extreme..

For a meeting about an upcoming project, I wore my Levis 501CT jeans. I have definitely renewed my love for 501s after a 20 year break. And of course the Boden shoes are fab, now I have got used to walking in them..

Are you starting to think Summer clothes yet or am I completely jumping the gun by looking at sandals? I have heard that April will be warm so you never know..fingers crossed!

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

Breton Brilliance...

Style Theory: The Breton Dress, a wardrobe staple, classic, simple and versatile. A new but much longed for addition to my summer wardrobe...

And with lace detail and exposed zip detail at the back to add a little twist...

Ex Crew Clothing Breton Dress c/o Highstreetoutlet.com £16.75
Denim Jacket:Warehouse similar here
Shoes: H&M £39.99
Bag: TK Maxx similar here

The dress has filled a huge gap in my Summer capsule wardrobe and only for £16.75! 

I was sent this Ex Crew Clothing Co. dress by a website called Highstreet Outlet which buys surplus clothing from labels such as Topshop, Crew Clothing Co.and Boden, snips out the labels and pops the items online for less than half price...it really makes sense...I know as an ex-byer for John Lewis, stock is frequently cancelled when buying budgets are cut so it is all out there and is perfectly good, well made stock.  Everyone likes a good, familiar brand for a bargain price, especially when buying classic pieces.

They also stock kids clothes little J was delighted with her Ex Mini Boden play suit:

Jess: Boden Playsuit c/o Highstreet outlet £8.99
Converse @John Lewis £25 

I love a bargain and will be visiting the Highstreet Outlet website regularly to see what fab stock they have hitting over the summer, autumn and winter!

Are you a fan of a bargain highstreet label , do you have any hidden gem websites you know about? I would love to hear about them x

If you do fancy ordering the Breton dress I would size down as this definitely comes up on the larger side.

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

My Style - The Preppy Look

Style Theory: The Preppy look, timeless and sophisticated but with a 2014 twist. Think blazers, cricket jumpers brought up to date with distressed jeans and heels.

I have been a fan of the Preppy look for years, dipping in and out of it throughout the year. It is a style that makes me feel a little more 'put together', smarter than my usual casual, schoolrun uniform. When Henri Lloyd, the original British sailing brand, sent me this gorgeous Caralyn Knit Blazer and Beverley Cable V-neck cricket style jumper I was sold. My love for all things Preppy was re-ignited but to make it 2014 I paired it with my distressed 7 for all Mankind jeans and tan sandals.

I have had a small obsession with cricket jumpers since Kate Moss wore one in early 2012 and after buying a few over the last few years this Henri Lloyd is my favourite more affordable than the Rag and Bone cricket 'Talia' jumper and it fits beautifully.

The Details:

Jumper: c/o Henri Lloyd Cable V Neck Knit £75

Knitted Blazer: c/o Caralyn Knit Blazer £95

Jeans: 7 For All Mankind similar here (my jeans are naturally distressed due to wear!)

Sandals: H&M £39.99

The knit blazer has been so useful, it is a fabulous for layering underneath heavier jackets or a trench on colder days or by to smarten up a pair of jeans.

Trench: H&M similar here
Blazer: c/o Henri Loyd Caralyn Knit Blazer £95
Shirt: H&M similar here
Jeans: Oasis £40
Shoes: Zara similar here

Appropriate for the schoolrun and trotting up Kings Road, I do love a touch of the preppy look and think I will be indulging in it for the next few years to come, that mixed in with a bit of boho this summer!

Are you a fan of the preppy look, what are your 'must haves' you bring out year after year?

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

Easter City Break...In Pictures..

Style Theory: A break away with the Husband and kids to beautiful Barcelona to see my two sisters and their families...pure heaven.....

Here's a look at the long weekend in pictures...I could have stayed for weeks!:

 

Barcelona Zoo

La Pedrera by Gaudi Paseo de Gracia

 

Barrio Gotico the Gothic Quarter

 

Cupcakes in the Barrio Gotico

 

Barceloneta beach Paseo Maritimo

 

W Hotel Barceloneta

 

Salt Bar Barceloneta

 

Gava Mar

 

Monjuic cable car ride up to the castle

My Style: For a city break with kids....

Practicality was the most important factor when I was packing, I knew we would be doing a fair amount of walking and the weather would be mixed. So first, comfy footwear..my reliable New Balance trainers were a must and for my clothing light layers with a touch of cashmere thrown in for luxurious warmth. I overpacked for the kids (as usual...with them you just never know what will happen day to day) so my space was fairly limited so  my selection of clothing was all basic in a palette of navy, cream, black and denim so it could all be mixed and matched. I will blog this week on packing a stylish, capsule wardrobe so keep a look out....

My Outfits:

For travelling and first day:
Jeans: MiH Paris jeans £190
Jumper: Whistles cashmere jumper similar here
Shirt: H&M £14.99 similar here
Trainers: New Balance similar here

Day 1..it was the hottest day so my jumpsuit and sandals were perfect:

Jumpsuit: River Island similar here
Sandals: Dune similar here
Bag: H&M £19.99

Day 2: A day of walking round Barcelona seeing the beautiful sights (sandals were swapped for trainers mid afternoon!)

Jacket: Pull and Bear @Asos £21.50
T-Shirt: H&M similar here
Jeans: Topshop Baxter £40
Bag: H&M as above
Sandals: H&M £39.99

Day 3: All black and snakeskin shoes!

Jumper: Cos £49
Jeans: Zara £39.99
Bag: H&M as above
Watch: Fossil £125

It was the most fabulous Easter weekend, Barcelona is truly a beautiful city, small enough to cover the most gorgeous areas in a weekend and of course my sisters being there makes it extra special.

If you fancy planning a City Break with or without kids check out my sisters blog Las Calles De Barcelona  - it is a London girls insider's guide to Barcelona...she has impeccable taste and knows all the best places to go from hotels to restaurants to bars to amazing rooftop terraces...

Next time: The Denim all in one...love them or hate them they are big for summer...I lovvve them!

Until next time, Frances xxx