Style Theory: A few key items in your wardrobe will update your look, refreshing your outfits and giving your Spring style a 'lift'. Here are my five key items for this Spring...

THE CAMO/KHAKI JACKET

One of the most useful pieces of clothing you will buy all Spring, this jacket covers all outfit eventualities from laid back weekend dressing to throwing over your going out outfit. It gives all outfits that cool edge, slightly nonchalant, a little rebelious and so very 2016. It works as th eperfect layering piece, wear under your bomber jacket or winter coat now and in the summer wear over your tee and denim shorts or boho white dress, buy one and I promise you will not regret it..

From Left to Right 

Hush Military Jacket £65

Topshop Camo Jacket £45

Topshop Lightweight Shackett £39

Bershka Cotton Parka £29.99

The Chic Blouse

The blouse can dress up any look in a flash, wear with jeans, fitted trousers, shorts, the blouse will see you through seamlessly from day to night. It looks chic and elegant and can be worn through every season. Definitely an item to invest it, it will work hard for you throughout the year..

From left to right

Maje @NetAPorter £175

Me+Em Crepe de Chine Blouse £148

&OtherStories Silk Blouse £65

H&M Lace Blouse £29.99

The Ankle Length Jeans

Such a good Spring jean, the cropped kick flare looks great with trainers, boots, ballet pumps or heels. The flared bottom really flatters your ankle making it look thinner and also balances out thighs and hips. I invested in the JBrand Selena jeans and have worn them non-stop. 

From left to right

J Brand Selena Jeans @VeryExclusive £220

Asos MiH Jeans £225

Whistles Crop Kick Flare £95

H&M Cropped Kick Flare £19.99

The Ballet Pump

The ballet pump is having a resurgence, it is such an easy little shoe to slip on, looks ladylike and delicate, flatters ankles and looks amazing with skinny or crop kick flares. If you are like me and have a habit of hoarding you will probably have quite a few pairs of ballet pumps stored in your wardrobe, if not here are a selection of my favourites..

From left to right

Russell & Bromley £155

KG Kurt Geiger £89

Boden Leather Flats £38.50

Asos Glamorous Pumps £20

The Comfortable White Trainer

The best trainer to wear with every outfit from boyfriend jeans to a denim dress to shorts. Stan Smith trainers are incredibly comfortable, they flatter sunkissed ankles and now there are so many versions on the high street. without a doubt my 'got to' trainer. I pop sheepskin insoles in mine for added comfort and warmth on the colder days..

From left to right

Stan Smith (white on white) @Office £99.99

Adidas Stan Smith @Asos £70

Adidas Stan Smith Red Pony detail @Asos £72

H&M Trainers £16

There are my 5 keys items for this Spring, you probably have quite a few of these, if not all already in your wardrobe, pair them together for a fabulous SS16 look, all are so versatile and can be mixed and matched with last year's trends along with wardrobe basics.

Do you have these items already, is there any of these your have not yet bought but have your eye on? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, Fran xxxx

Winter Capsule Wardrobe Must Haves.... STEAL vs SPREE

Style Theory: My capsule wardrobe items for this season, a simple palette of creams and greys, chic understated, practical and cool. Can be mixed and matched with colours such as navys, deep plums, reds to add depth and variation. A simple formula that will work for women of all ages..

I have created two versions, the first is 'Spree' expensive, luxurious, investment pieces that are made of the best quality fabrics and are high on my wishlist...

SPREE:

Coat - Gianni Malin Wool Coat £315
Jumper - Jigsaw Aran Cable knit £149
Jeans - MiH Breathless Jean £195
Scarf - The White Company Cashmere oversize Scarf £198
Bag- Gucci Soho Disco Bag £650
Trainers - Golden Goose £260

The grey coat is this season's colour of coat to have, it is beautiful, understated and will go with everything. Perfect for wearing with jeans or throw over a party dress for a chic look. Add a deep plum or mustard oversize scarf for a pop of colour. 

The winter white sweater, such a useful piece, I tried this Jigsaw jumper on recently, it is fab on really soft and cosy and a gorgeous fit and the roll neck sits perfectly.

I am officially obsessed with the Gucci Soho bag and am saving for one..red or black not sure..think it will be black as it is super practical.

Golden Goose trainers the ultimate super cool trainers, so expensive but look so cool on..

STEAL:

Coat - Zara £59.99
Jumper - Topshop £45
Jeans - Topshop £40
Scarf - Travelling Bazaar £40
Bag - Topshop (Leather) £38
Trainers - Stan Smith @Office £66.99

These are maybe not super cheap alternatives but are mid priced high street and made of good quality fabrics so they will last.

The coat is wool, I love the masculine shape it really will look fab over your shoulders with a glittery, shimmery Christmas dress. The scarf is 100% wool and gorgeously oversized but not so big that you are unable to wrap it round your neck, it sits perfectly. 

The Topshop bag is leather, a fab shape, very Gucci-esque and looks far more expensive that it's £38 price.

Stan Smiths are the comfiest trainers I have ever had, honestly if you buy them you will not regret it and get so much wear out of them.

My Style: 

For running around at the weekend..

Sunglasses- Spain
Jumper - Boden £89
Jeans - Topshop £40
Trainers - Footasylum £79.99
Bag - Aurora Willow Bag £64.50

Trying on the Jigsaw sweater in my Spree edit above..

Jigsaw Sweater - Link above
Zara - Biker Trousers - sold out
Stan Smith Trainers - Link above
Bag - Yosa Uk £19

So there are a few capsule wardrobe ideas for this season, I would love to invest in the Spree but unfortunately I am more on a steal budget!! Are you a fan of grey, do you already have any of these key pieces, what is your ideal style for this season??

Next time I will be finding the best Christmas Gifts for her under £100..or also known as my Christmas list ;-) Thanks so much for reading and as always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxxxx 

Summer Inspiration....Let's go!

Style Theory: It is important that you get as much wear out of your clothes as possible, I like to start thinking about my summer style early so I can buy items that I can layer up and then start to shed the layers as the summer arrives. With this in mind, here are a few images that are inspiring me this Spring and a few ideas of how to create the look and start building your summer wardrobe...

The inspiration... in the summer I love a pop of neon, a sweater is a perfect choice when buying something bright, the colour reflects on your face giving you a glow. Wear now with skinny jeans, white trainers (H&M have some great ones) and a khaki jacket thrown over the top.

In the summer wear like this...

Sincerely Jules

Buy from the high street now to recreate the look.....

Boden Cashmere Crew Neck Jumper £69.30

OR

Zara Oversized Sweater £12.99

These bright sweaters are so useful, the cashmere sweater will keep your warm on cold summer evenings and the Zara knit is lightweight, perfect for taking on holiday.

Hush Denim Short £45

The wash of these Hush shorts is perfect, a fabulous pale, authentic colour and with a touch of distressing, they are a really good summer buy. You will be able to wear with everything with these from boho tops, to bretons to shirts, the choices are endless.

Topshop The Izzy Bag Marc B £49

A neutral bag that looks far more expensive than it's price tag. It is not leather but still looks super stylish, it will look as good with bright colours as with pastels.

Office Olivier Low Wedge Sandal £45

The gladiator is most definitely making a come back (again) due to the low straps this will be flattering on your leg. I love the tan straps with a touch of gold detail at the back.

Summer Inspiration no.2 - the logo tee with khaki shorts and aviators...a classic look..

Sincerely Jules

Here are some gorgeous items that you can buy now to layer up then recreate the whole look when it is warmer...

Mango Sequinned T-Shirt £14.99

New Look Khaki Shorts with belt £14.99

Topshop Alice Aviators £10

All classic items, all will last you for a few seasons. With the 70s having a moment aviators are back with a vengeance, so if you do not have a pair already these will tick the trend for £10.

Summer Inspiration no.3...A perfect Spring look below, for those days when there is a slight chill in the air, warm enough to bare your toes but cool enough to pull a sweater over the top...

Sincerely Jules

The key items I have found on the high street to recreate this laid back, look...

Zara Printed Sweater £35.99

Topshop Black Ripped Jamie Jeans £42

Dune Jolene Mules £49

Warehouse Leather Bag £35

How gorgeous is this bag? It is leather and for £35, love the simplicity of the design and the fringing on the zip..

Summer Inspiration no.4...the everlasting power of breton...

Sincerely Jules

This year I am after a new, red and white breton and this one looks like it will be perfect, I like a boxy breton that I can partly tuck in to my jeans.

Hobbs Haley Top £35

Levis CT @House Of Fraser £95

I have these jeans and love them, as I said in a previous post these do come up a little short so get a longer length if taller that 5ft 2. They are so flattering on your bottom, since having these I have remembered how much I used to love Levis 501s!

Palmairas Gold Leather £42

I have a pair of these sandals in neon orange. They are made from beautiful, buttery soft leather and come in fabulous colours, prints and stud details, and are unbelievable comfortable. Typically Spanish and so useful for the summer, the perfect holiday shoe.

Topshop Tapestry Poppins Tote Bag £28

A cute tapestry tote wear with your breton for a stylish twist, I love a pattern mix up and this is perfect!

Summer Inspiration no.3..the perfect white top...

Happily Grey 

I do love a touch of white in the summer and this top is so unusual, a mix of knitwear, broderie anglaise and cotton. Looks so beautiful with distressed jeans now and in the summer with denim shorts and tan sandals.

French Connection Effie Knits Dot Jumper £85

This is the top seen in the photo above.

Levis CT @House Of Fraser £95

DKNY Quilted Nappa Bag £88

I have been looking at this bag in my local House of Fraser for a while, it is a beautiful beige/cream colour and can be worn as a cross body or shorter double handled bag. Would look fabulous worn with white or with a beige trench coat in the spring.

There is my summer inspiration so far...I will most definitely be mixing these looks with boho vibes inspired by Chloe's SS15 range but all strictly from the high street at affordable prices..stay tuned for these looks...

MY STYLE

On the left: wearing my new Levis 501 ct for a meeting, mixing it up with a touch of leopard print.

On the right: on the schoolrun in monochrome and Stan Smiths.

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, have you thought about your summer wardrobe, or do you leave it (probably wisely) until there may be some chance of some sun?! Next time some utterly delicious designer goodies at a fraction of the original price...pure heaven. 
Frances xx

Perfect Partywear..The Jumpsuit..10 of the Best

Style Theory: Jumpsuits, now re-established a chic partywear choice. Cool, comfortable and effortlessly stylish jumpsuits are a ready made, all in one outfit. Plain, lace, sparkly or patterned anything goes...

First some style inspiration..

All images above via Pinterest

The key is to let your jumpsuit do the work, keep jewellery simple, fine gold layered necklaces (see Z for Accessorize or HM for a wide variety of gorgeous, affordable fine jewellery) If wearing all black add a little sparkle with a clutch or statement heels. I love clashing printed or coloured jumpsuits with leopard print heels, or brightly coloured shoes, laid back but with a style twist.

Here are the best jumpsuits to wear to your Christmas drinks or on Christmas day available on the High Street now..

Whistles Lola Jumpsuit £206 (this weekend)

I am a big fan of the culotte jumpsuit, I would pair this with high black court shoes (no straps to ensure your legs are elongated) Go as high as you can bare with heels on this one, the higher the more flattering! Add a dark red bag for a punch of colour (see Sienna Millers shoes in the Pinterest photo above for the colour match) 

Whistles Wrapover Lace Jumpsuit £187 (this weekend)

This is a beautiful jumpsuit, the trouser part is slightly harem-ish and ankle length, so again I would wear high black, nude or dark red pointed court shoes and add a leopard print clutch to mix up textures (see &Other Stories for a fab leopard clutch)

Anthropologie £128 (take 20% off until Monday)

This pyjama style jumpsuit has been styled perfectly by Anthropologie, I love the belt and the shoes.... This is such a versatile jumpsuit, pair with white trainers at the weekend for a cool look.

Debenhams Ossie Clarke £149

This jumpsuit has beautifully flattering sleeves and I love the wide leg. Add a pair of pointy courts and a sparkly or animal print clutch for a chic and sophisticated Christmas party look.

Warehouse £68 (this weekend 25%) 

An alternative to black, this beautiful blue jumpsuit would look great with piles of gold bangles and a pair of gold courts to add some shine.

Warehouse £70 (25% off this weekend)

Red looks great with animal print, mix it up with leopard print courts and a gold bag.

Zara Low Cut Jumpsuit £69.99

Very AW14 with the cape detail, keep everything else simple, gold bangles and a high fine gold necklace.

Asos Jumpsuit £75 (20% off this weekend)

Next Aubergine Jumpsuit £55

A beautiful colour, would look great with a long camel coat over it for a Christmas night out..

Zara Fitted Jumpsuit £79.99

Basic and practical, I love Zara jumpsuits they are normally simple but flattering. I really like this with the white pointed shoes. I would throw a sequin jacket over the top and add a pair of leopard pumps and you are good to go!

My Style:

My new faux fur jacket from Topshop, (an early Christmas present from Mum and Dad thank you!xxx) After months of searching I think I have finally found one I feel comfortable in, it is faux fox fur and a little 'Dynasty' but is so warm, a good length and a beautiful soft colour.

Coat: Topshop
Top: Johnnie B at Boden
Jeans: Oasis
Bag: H&M
Trainers: Adidias Stan Smith

So are you a jumpsuit girl, what will you be wearing to your Christmas Party or on Christmas Day? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx