Style Theory: Tis the season to add a little sparkle and shimmer to your wardrobe....

Jumper and Leggings: H&M
Coat: Zara

It is only November so without going overboard I have looked at ways you can weave a little sparkle into your day wardrobe or add a little shimmer to an evening look. Here are a few day time looks from the Streetstylers to show you how it is done...

 

 

Images above via Pinterest

So it is possible to add a little winter sparkle to your outfits without looking like a Christmas decoration, the key is to play down the rest of our outfit.

SPARKLY JUMPERS: When wearing a sparkly jumper keep your bottom half low-key, ie: wear with a pair of distressed jeans (I still love boyfriend jeans) and trainers.

For an evening look wear your sparkly jumper with a pair of black or blue skinny jeans and non-sparkly heels (I like leopard heels that clash with the sparkle). Looks fab with a long camel or black coat thrown over the top. Keep jewellery to a minimum, fine gold jewellery works well, let the sparkly details on the jumper do the talking...

Here are a selection of sparkly jumpers available on the high street now:

Boden Embellished Sweater £99

A very subtle nod to sparkle, this Boden sweater is definitely not relegated to Christmas wear only. Wear for a christmas eve out with ankle length skinny black jeans and a pair of black courts for a stylish, sophisticated look. I would buy a size or so bigger so it is a slouchy look rather than tight.

Boden Sequinned Jumper £279

So stunning, soooo expensive, I thought I would add this as it is a gorgeous sweater but just on the highly expensive side!

Boden Embellished Collar Jumper £99

This jumper looks fab on, wear it at christmas with full-on gold sequin or embellished skirt and before and after christmas with your jeans a trainers for a chic and laid back look.

Topshop Necklace Jumper £46

A great basic sweater with a gorgeous sparkly detail around the neck. Again I would think about going with a bigger size rather than smaller as this will look lovely with jeans and looks better slightly slouchy-ish with a tulle skirt for a Christmas 'wow' look!

Topshop Scatter Necklace Jumper £46

Topshop Double Embellished Jumper £46

Zara Sequin Applique Sweater £45.99

Subtle sparkly jumpers can be worn through Spring too...

Warehouse Star Bead Jumper £42

Wear with a pair of leather leggings or leather skirt and pointed black shoeboots.

SPARKLY TROUSERS AND SKIRTS

Now for a look at sparkly trousers and skirts. When wearing these keep your top simple, think chunky jumpers (if you go somewhere where you will not overheat) or marl grey t-shirts or try Uniqlo for some great fine, merino jumpers that look great on but are not as warm as wooly knits. I love sparkly trousers with white trainers particularly Stan Smith trainers, it just takes a little bit of bravery to wear this look out in the day but try it, it  works!!

H&M Trousers £29.99

Ankle length trousers, wear now with a cream chunky sweater and trainers and wear for Christmas with a black fine knit and high black/leopard print heels.

Next Black Shimmer Harem Trousers £26

Again, I would wear these with a fine black sweater and heels for a cool look.

Topshop Quilted Metallic Joggers £35

Only for the brave, I saw these in Topshop yesterday and they are quite striking. Will try them on when I am next in and let you know what they are like on.

SKIRTS..

Next Midi Skirt £45

Wear with a fine merino sweater and black heels..

French Connection £120

Wear this with a chunky black sweater and knee high boots for a stunning lunch look..

H&M Skirt £24.99

Very similar to Alexa Chung's skirt above in the streetstyle images, like Alexa wear with a grey chunky knit and black heels.

H&M Embellished Skirt £49.99

Love this skirt, looks great with knee high boots and a black sweater, chic and sleek.

H&M Skirt £24.99

Not so subtle but a really stunning skirt, would look great with a chunky black sweater, black opaques and shoe boots.

MY STYLE

I was shopping in town looking for shimmer and sparkle inspiration. This Sadie Williams collection for &Other Stories really stood out. I adore this dress and skirt..it mostly sold out online but available in small sizes in-store in Oxford Street (the skirt was a size 8 and if I hadn't eaten so many mince pies over the last couple of weeks I would have bought it, it was just too tight across my ever expanding tummy..I still may go back for it as it was a stand out item)

Skirt £95 (I think)
Dress £125 (I think?!)

Trying out the double jumper look following Stella McCartney's gorgeous knitwear for AW14..

Roll Neck Sweater: Mango
Sweater over shoulders: Zara
Leggings: Zara
Skate Shoes: Primark

Just a little dip into all things Shimmery and Sparkly today..more full-on Christmas looks coming up on the blog later this month including my top 10 christmas dresses. Also some cheap and cheerful Christmas home ideas...all coming soon..

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, have you indulged in a little sparkle yet? Until next time, Frances xxx

Shades of Green

Style Theory: Over the last few weeks I have been drawn to all different shades of green, from khakis to bottle greens. Green looks great worn with my two colours of the season navy and berry, add green into the mix for Autumn/Winter colour perfection..

This Mulberry ad made me realise this was the colour I was missing from my wardrobe. I have now have a berry bag and am now searching for a bottle green sweater to go with it. 

Green looks great with berry, navy, camel and greys, it is such a versatile colour, here are a few options available on the high street now which will make people 'green' with envy..

Me + Em Fine Stitch Box Jumper £88

A super fine sweater, this would look great with skinny jeans and a pair of berry, heeled red ankle boots and bag to match...

These boots would fit the bill.. 

River Island Boots £85

This Mulberry-esque bag from M&S is a cheaper alternative to the bag in the Mulberry above but is really gorgeous leather quality and would look lovely with a green poloneck.

M&S Across Body Bag £69

Some alternative sweaters and blouses..

Whistles Padded Neck Jumper £115

Zara Lace Collar Shirt £19.99

This is a beautiful dark green colour, I would tuck into a pair of skinny flares and wear with pointed heeled, berry boots.

H&M Knitted Jumper £19.99

This would suit my Autumn/Winter uniform perfectly, long jumper, leather leggings and trainers. Sling a berry bag across for a AW14 look.

Mango @John Lewis £19.99

I prefer a baggier poloneck than super tight as they are more flattering on me, I like the tight collar of this but the wider cut of the jumper. Sling this on with a pair of black skinnies and some slouchy beige boots.

H&M Frill Jumper £59.99

I know I have already featured this jumper but it is still an obsession and I am going to try to track this down in store with 20% off discount card (on December's Glamour magazine to be used in store only)

Zara Crepe Dress £39.99

Simple but stunning this crepe dress is an ideal alternative to the LBD, wear with black opaque tights, black pointed flat shoes and a deep berry coat for a stunning Autumn/Winter look.

Traffic People ALine Skirt £61

Wear this gorgeous A-line skirt with a navy poloneck and berry knee high boots.

Topshop Ripped Utility Trousers £36

I have been looking for an alternative to jeans for the schoolrun and I think these could fit the bill. Wear them with trainers for the schoolrun, then for an evening out pair with a navy cashmere sweater and a pair of leopard print heels.

Zara Hooded Checked Wool Cape £89

This check cape would add drama to any outfit.

Zara £29.99 - In store only

I found these in my local Zara this week, they are a fab khaki colour and look so gorgeous on. Unfortunately, these were a size too small..I am still searching!

MY STYLE:

For the schoolrun, a meeting them a quick run around the shops..

Sweater: H&M
Breton: Petite Bateau
Jeans: Topshop Baxter
Shoes: Zara
Bag: Coccinelle

This weekend involves lots of playdates, birthday parties and hopefully a quick trip to the shops for those cargo trousers that will make my weekend that bit more comfy..as weekend-wear should be!

Would love to hear your thoughts and comments on shades of green, do you have a need for a little emerald in your wardrobe?

Until next time Frances xxx

Time to Tuck....

Style Theory: AW14 is officially the season of the jumper/sweater. It is all about chunky, cosy knits mixed with smarter skirts/culottes/jeans in contrasting fabrics, think leathers, tweeds and embellishments. In her AW14 show, Isabel Marant's models sashayed down the runway with their sweaters nonchalantly tucked into their trousers and skirts and where Isabel Marant goes most of fashionland follows...

Isabel Marant AW14 images via Pinterest

So it seems it's back to the early 90s and tucking in your sweater is 'the thing'. Fashionistas are doing it and here is my take on the trend...

Sweater: Zara similar here

Faux Leather Skorts: Zara similar here

Shoes: Marks and Spencer £29.50

Bag: Coccinelle similar here

Being a bit on the small side this trend is right up my street, it means I can wear these oversize sweaters without drowning in them. This tucked in look is fab when wearing tailored bottoms but when wearing my leather leggings and anything less tailored my jumper stays out..I don't think anyone is ready for the sight of me in a jumper tucked into leggings!!!

Here are a selection of my favourite cosy knit jumpers to pair with skinny jeans or tailored skirts & culottes - available on the High Street now:

Zara Oversize Sweater £35.99

Topshop Shoulder Embellished Jumper £46

Zara Oversized Poloneck £35.99

Boden Textured Off Duty Jumper £89 (take 25% off at the moment!)

H&M Polo-necked flounced Jumper £59.99

A complete love it or hate it sweater..I love it, with leather leggings and slouchy boots..or 'tuck' it in a little to your skinny flares and heels for a laid back evening out look.

Topshop Stretch Knitted Jumper £42

Wrap an oversized, tonal grey scarf over this jumper for a chic look.

H&M Textured Jumper £14.99

H&M Long Poloneck jumper £14.99

I have this jumper and have worn it loads, it is exceptionally long but I just tend to hoick the very bottom up and tuck a little into my trousers and there is so much knit it is still long enough to wear with leggings. Alternatively stick on with a pair of brown ribbed tights and brown knee high leather boots for a cool jumper dress look.

Atterley Road Black Issa Roll Neck £55

Cos Split Sleeve Mohair Jumper £59

This is a cute 'going out' jumper, would look great paired with culottes and heels, or an embellished midi or net skirt with heels.. I really like this but will check out the mohair-ness in the flesh as anything too fluffy is too itchy! I will report back! 

Cos Pleated Back Roll Neck £59

Gorgeous detailing on the back of this Cos jumper, I would tuck in the front leave out the back. A very elegant take on the roll neck, it also comes in Olive green which looks lovely too. Wear this with skinny black kick flares and spiked heels, or a little leather skirt (love this one) thick tights and slouchy flat boots.

That is my round up of my favourite, reasonably priced knits on the high street. Are you feeling the love for chunky knits this season? Will you be going back to the 90s with the jumper tuck?

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