The 2014 Boho look......

Style Theory: Summer Boho.... Romantic, laid back, neutral colours in fluid fabrics, clothes that are comfortable and look cool. Think broderie anglais, gentle frills, natural fabric.....

The boho look had been around forever, re-surfacing in the 90s with Kate Moss and Sienna Miller leading the renaissance at 90s Festivals and parties. This year Boho on the high street is heavily influenced by Isabel Marant. Slouchy, laid back tailoring in pale pinks, nudes and whites, tops have transparent panels and feature lace and frills, skirts are no longer ankle length but shorter, cuter fluted edges. These fluid looks are to be worn with distressed jeans/jean shorts and add an edge with a pair of killer heels or statement sandals. Like winter and spring it is all about juxtaposing the slouchy with tailored.

Here is some inspiration from the Streetstylers:












All images above from Pinterest
As we get nearer the summer there will be more and more beautiful boho inspired tops and dresses on the High Street but here are a selection of my favourites so far....
Free People Cutwork Top £138
Zara Romantic Lace Blouse £29.99
Mango Ruffled Slub Top £19.99

FP One Paisley Dress £98

FP Embroidered Eyelet Blouse £98

Zara Top with Lace Front £39.99
Jack Wills Leckwith Top £49.50

River Island Blue Chambray Lace Insert Top £20

River Island Cream Metallic Embroidered Top £22
The tops above would look great with a pair of distressed skinny jeans and some cool, statement sandals see the H&M ones below...
Zara Dress with chain shoulder £35.99
Zara Cotton Poplin top 

&Other Stories Cotton Maxi Dress £45
Jack Wills Ellingdon Dress £39.50
I would wear the dressed with a pair of tan statement sandals, I love and have just bought these:
H&M Leather Sandals £39.99
They are super flattering on the ankle and are the softest leather, a really reasonable price too!

There will be lots more on my wishlist for summer, I am feeling after dipping my toe in the boho vibe last year I will be going for it this year! 

My Style this week:

It has been a week of contrasts...I wore these outfits to a couple of press days at the beginning of the week and the rest of the time I have been out with the kids, picnics, Chessington etc:

Shirt: H&M
Jacket (Under trench): Henri Lloyd
Jeans: Zara
Shoes: Zara
Trench: H&M
Jacket: Emu AW14 collection
Biker Jacket (just seen): Asos
Blouse: H&M
Jeans: H&M
Shoes: M&S
Outfit as above
Bag: Marc Jacobs
Another week left of Easters holidays so it is all go round here at the moment!

Have you started buying for summer yet or are you sticking to jumpers for the time being as the weather cannot make up it's mind! Will you be wearing the Boho look?

As always I would love to hear your comments, til the next time Frances x

Next Bomber Jacket - 6 Ways - 6 Bloggers

Style Theory: The Bomber Jacket, the outerwear shape this Spring and Summer. It is cool, laidback and edgy, either in florals, silk, denim or jersey, the bomber is a versatile jacket that can be dressed up or down. It is fabulous for flinging on for the schoolrun, can be layered on top of a biker or denim jacket or in the summer can be worn over dresses to add an urban edge.

The Challenge: Next sent 6 Mum Fashion Bloggers a jersey bomber jacket to style their way and this is how we styled them:

1 - What Lizzie Loves
2 - Avenue 57
3 - Me (obvs!)
4 - SchoolGateStyle
5 - Poppy's Style
6 - My Fashionable 40s
We could choose either red or grey and as you can see all had a different take on the bomber, showing that it looks just as great with heels as it does with trainers...

I chose the red jacket, the fabric is a mid weight, quilted jersey so it really lends itself to layering, I wore my denim jacket and a grey sweater underneath, and paired it with black ankle length jeans and my trusty Adidas Superstar trainers. This is my comfort zone, I had a busy day of running around after the kids, parties, swimming etc so practicality reigned supreme as usual.
Bomber Jacket: c/o Next 
Denim Jacket: Warehouse similar here
Sweater: Zara similar here
Jeans: Oasis
Trainers: Adidas
Sunglasses: RayBans Wayfarers
It is a great alternative to the traditional cardigan, the red is a beautiful vibrant shade so looks good paired with greys, denims and black.

I was a little slow off the mark with the bomber jacket trend but I am now a convert and do tend to wear them instead of my usual cardigans/coats.
Next Quilted Bomber Jacket £38 
Next Quilted Bomber Jacket £38
Are you a fan of the bomber jacket, did you jump on board the trend a bit quicker than my slightly late arrival?! Or do you prefer a more tailored look?


Click on the links under the photo of the other Mum fashion bloggers to see the details of their styling and other fashion ideas.

I would love hear your comments as always, till next time, Frances x

Launching into Sandals - My Style

My Style: Spring is here today, I felt warmth from the sun, the blossom is falling making way for beautiful red buds and nature has sent the sahara dust over our way!

I took this as a sign that I could break out the sandals I have had in my wardrobe courtesy of Emu for the last couple of weeks. So paired with a breton top from Boden, distressed jeans and a bomber jacket I set off for a day of schoolruns, playdates and a delicious lunch with friends:



THE DETAILS:
Sandals: Emu (gifted) €159
Breton Top: Boden Johnnie B £16
Jeans: Topshop Baxter £40
Belt: Primark similar here Next £14
Jacket: Pull and Bear @ASOS reduced to £21.50 
As you may or may not know heels are not my strong point and I am pleased to report I spent the whole day in these sandals as they are super comfortable and a wedge heel makes them easy to walk in and the leather straps are soft, I have a feeling they are going to get a lot of use!

So have you swapped to sandals yet, no doubt tomorrow I will be back to boots, you just never know.

Till next time, Frances x

Sports Luxe

Style Theory: Sports Luxe, one of the biggest looks for Spring/Summer 2014, think sports clothing shapes in luxe fabrics worn with heels, or mixed with sharp tailoring. This is not an 80s shell suit look, this is grown up, glamorous sportwear with a luxurious elegant twist.

Here is how the designers introduced Sportsluxe on SS14 catwalk:
Balenciaga SS14
Gucci SS14
Gucci SS14
Marni SS14
DKNY SS14
Now for some sports luxe streetstyle:









All images above via Pinterest
The rules to follow whilst wearing Sports Luxe clothing are as follows:
Luxe fabrics are key, sporty jogging bottoms look great in silk or crepe fabric.
Wear luxe slouchy jogging bottoms with heels.
Mix up sporty tops with midi skirts and heels.
The key is to not wear the sporty look head to toe.
Wear trainers with pleated skirts and denim shirts.
Keep fabric luxe but simple, plain block colour fabric looks best, I prefer neutral, soft tones worn together for an elegant look.

Now for the best on the high street:

Jigsaw @JL Quilted Bomber Jacket £69
Mint Velvet Georgette Jacket £89
Layer a t-shirt and denim jacket under a bomber jacket for a warm,stylish look. Wear with skinny jeans and metallic sandals or low heeled pointed court shoes. 
Warehouse Silk Cropped Shirt £50
Zara Sweater with Sheer Stripes £45.99
Sheer panels create a sporty look, this Zara top would look great with a lux bomber jacket, distressed boyfriend jeans and pointy flat metallic shoes.



Oasis Burnout T-Shirt £20
Mango Broderie Anglais Top £29.99
H&M Jersey Slub Top with Print Detail £14.99
Topshop LA Patch Sweatshirt £30
Cos Silk and Wool Mix Jumper £49
Grey fine wool jumpers look lovely paired with lux jogging bottoms and heels, a chic and super stylish look.

Cos Pocket Detail Shirt Dress £59
Zara Knee Length Fine Pleat Skirt £45.99
H&M Leather Look Culottes £14.99
H&M Dressed Sweatpants £29.
Topshop Cupro Relaxed Joggers £30
Topshop Leather Peg Leg Trousers now reduced to £100
Topshop Luxe Woven Joggers £38
Topshop Premium Leather Backpack £80
Topshop Clean Pocket Backpack £34
New Look Beige Leather Look Backpack £17.99
River island Leather Look Backpack £30
Sportluxe is easy to wear, all thoughts of 80s tracksuits are banished, instead it is chic and grown up and perfect for every occasion from the schoolrun to an evening out. For the best trainers on the high street have a look at my earlier posts for Skater Shoes or trainers

MY STYLE:
Last week I was delighted to be asked, as the Fashion Columnist of the Local Guardian and blogger, to open the re-furbished Shapers Gym.



I was really impressed by Shapers gyms, they have an incredibly positive, energetic vibe and are full of caring, attentive staff who are focused on the members enjoying fitness whilst getting incredible results. The fact it is a women's only gym means that the members feel relaxed and comfortable in what can sometimes be a daunting environment. It was a fun morning, meeting lots of fantastic ladies and drinking champagne, admittedly I didn't have sportswear on so couldn't try out the machines...but have signed up so I will be attempting to shape up a little for my holiday!

Shapers have 5 gyms in the South East and prices memberships are about £30 - if you live in the area and fancy some motivation for the summer click here for more info.

Are you into the sports luxe trend or do you think sports clothing should be just for the gym? I have just ordered the Topshop leather trousers above so I will let you know what they are like 'in the flesh'
As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, till next time Frances