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

Autumn/Winter Inspiration

Style Theory: Every couple of months or so in a season I need to refocus on the season's essentials, I get easily distracted by sparkles and sequins but always need to bring myself back to the the building blocks of my wardrobe and the looks I love.

Pinterest always re-focuses me and here are the looks I adore and inspire me for AW15...it is all looking pretty monochrome with a touch of animal print and metallics. This year I am loving huge woollen grey scarves to add a luxurious touch, black skinny jeans and oversize knitwear...



















All images above via Pinterest

The Parisian fashion bloggers and Instagrammers are leading the fashion looks at the moment, I adore the simple, minimal look, each item bought with huge consideration, with cut and quality of fabric being paramount. Basically, they dress opposite to me I love the thrill of the quick hit of throwaway fashion but I am trying to re-train my fashion habits to buy less and invest in some key timeless pieces! I have failed miserably today I have just bought the top below all the above rules at the window...but there is always tomorrow....and the top is soo pretty and sparkly!!

Asos Ultimate Sequin Top £60
I think this top will look great with my distressed boyfriend 501ct's and trainers, or with my jeans and Topshop Mary Jane black heels for an evening out. Not tres Parisian chic..but it is kind of monochrome?!

Are you are fast fashion fan or do you invest in beautiful items, or do you get the best of both and mix it up a little?
As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx

AW15 Coat Edit

Style Theory: One of the most important purchases of the season..the smart winter coat. It can instantly turn a casual outfit into a sophisticated look, get the colour, the fabric and the fit right and the winter coat will your wardrobe saviour.


In this blog post I will be talking about the 'smart' winter coat, I will look at Parkas, Puffers etc in a separate post. I am a huge fan of a dressy coat, for the last five years I have bought a bright coloured coat and I have worn them non-stop. They give me a signature look each season and it is amazing how good clashing colours look with them. This year I am on the hunt for a classic camel coat but throughout my search I have found lots of stunning coats on the high street..

The Red Coat

Jaeger 3 Button Coat £350
A little expensive but this coat looks amazing on, the collar looks great turned up and the colour is the perfect shade of a true red. This would look stunning clashed with a pink sweater and black skinny jeans and knee high black boots. Or wear over an all black outfit for a chic look. I also love a red coat with pale distressed blue jeans, a chunky black poloneck and trainers. This one is great for smaller ladies (like me) and is definitely on my list, in Elys in Wimbledon they were running a promotion with £100 off all Jaegar coats, not too sure if this is still going but well worth looking out for these promotions, it makes the price more palatable! 

The Forest Green Coat

&Other Stories £165
A beautiful fuzzy wool mix coat with gradient dye. This coat is a generous fit, wear with navys, pale denim blues, pale pinks, burgundys and add a red or orange bag for a striking pop of colour.

The Burgundy Coat 

H&M Studio Coat £139.99
A wool mix coat with gorgeous quilted detail. This is a modern take on a classic shape and will look stunning with camels, pinks greys, black and navy.
M&S Wool Blend Coat £139
This coat is such a beautiful, rich colour, one to try on as M&S coats normally come up a little big. I love the length and the collar, chic and sophisticated in this season's key colour.

The Grey Coat

The more I have researched this blog post the more I am loving the grey maxi coat,  I have tried lots of these but due to the fact I am 5ft 3 these are not an easy style for me to wear, for the taller ladies however this is THE coat to buy. It looks cool, nonchalant and so stylish.
Zara Handmade Coat £129
This may not be the warmest coat buy I always wear a uniqlo thin body warmer underneath mine and add an oversize pale grey scarf for a beautiful, tonal look.

Topshop Longline Slouchy Coat £89
This coat looks less 'dressing gown-y' in the flesh. It is this season's maxi length and would look perfect dressed down with skinny ankle length jeans and trainers. Add an oversized mustard scarf and you will look super chic.
Zara Coat £59.99
This coat is better if you are small, the perfect length, not too boxy and such a good price for a wool mix.  Again I would add a pale mustard oversize scarf to add a  touch of colour.

The Camel Coat

Lauren Ralph Lauren @ HoF £245
This is from a previous blog post but I really like this classic shape. This coat is 60% wool and is beautifully tailored.
Cos Rib Neck Wool Coat £175
This is the coat I think I am going to buy for this winter, it actually looks great on, it hangs beautifully in a swing shape and is flattering with a split at the back. It does not have a collar but will look fabulous with so many different colours of oversized scarves, deep reds, pink, navy, grey and black. This will look as good with my stan smith trainers as with a dress and heels.

I tried it on in Cos..not great photos but I do really like the coat.


I sized down on this coat, this is a size 8. The wool is quite flat/ felt -like which I wasn't sure of at first but actually I think it looks lovely, quite expensive.

Have you invested in your winter smart coat, what colour do you fancy this year? Or have you got a coat you use every year that is a classic and looks great year after year?

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

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