The Fashion Lift

Shoes - Dune was £75 now £30
Chair - Made.com £599

Style Theory: A whizz around the high street shops checking out what is new in, what is in the sale, clothes worth buying and how they fit - the key things you need to bear in mind when ordering as all shops annoyingly produce clothes which are all sized and cut differently.

This will be a weekly blog post, with the videos on my Instastories on Instagram, hopefully it will be useful...I can try on the clothes so you don't have too - the only danger is end up buying loads!!..

Topshop Tee £16

This is a super soft, long sleeve tee, a really useful buy for now under coats and the spring with jeans and trainers. This is a size 10, it fits true to size although is a little short so best worn with high waisted jeans.

Topshop - £29

This is my perfect blouse, high neck, frills and pink. It does come up a little big, this is a size 8 and fits me well (I am normally a 10) It is 100% polyester so super static..I normally find spraying things with hairspray makes them less static or some brilliantly suggested wearing a tumble drier sheet in your bra strap apparently it takes all the static away and you smell nice too!

Topshop £34

Love the vibrant colours on this top, again it is short (and quite low cut) so I would wear with a black body/vest top underneath to save me flashing my tummy. This is a size 10 it comes up slightly generous but I think I would stick to my normal size it looks better not too clingy.

H&M £17.99

This shirt has sold out online but I have seen it in a few stores, I love it, it looks far more expensive than it's £17.99 price tag. It fits true to size (this is a size 10) it is a little tight across the top of my arms but I can just about get away with it..a beautiful, beautiful shirt. It would look great with black trousers and heeled boots for a smarter look. I would wear nude vest top/body underneath.

Jumper - H&M instore
Skirt - H&M £24.99

H&M are good at skirts, they are flattering and always well. This one it a faux wrap skirt with a zip at the back so it sits perfectly at the front. I am wearing a size 10 it is quite tight across the tummy and waist so I would maybe go up a size - although it could be down to all the mince pies I have eaten over the past month. Wear the skirt in the colder months with a black jumper tucked in a little, opaque tights and ankle boots and in the summer wear with a logo tee and trainers or sandals..the perfect all rounder skirt..

Trousers - H&M £9.99 (sale)

I am on the constant search for good faux leather trousers, these ones are fab and for such an amazing price too! They come up small across the tummy and waist I was squashed into these (they are a size 10 my normal size) so I would size up. I have turned them under at the ankle to make them a good length..really useful pair of trousers for £9.99!

&OtherStories - £59

This is a great little blouse, it is the perfect shape for covering over tummy rolls (just stick a vest top underneath to cover over the bottom popping out!) This is a size 36 I would say it is true to size.

&Other Stories - £69

The top of this jumper is scuba fabric so it keeps it's shape perfectly and the bottom, navy part is the softest cotton/wool mix, a perfect jumper for the weekend, cosy and cool.

&Other Stories £69

A little strange and kind of jester-like, but I love this dress, one of those statement dresses that can be worn now with black opaque tights and black ankle boots and in the summer tan high heeled sandals..love the pockets..

Ganni @Irisfashion - £295

This silk dress is expensive but is just so gorgeous on. It is quite oversized (this is a 36) and feels as light as feather on. It is the kind of dress you can wear now - again with opaque tights and black ankle boots and in the summer with flat tan sandals - I am soo tempted to invest in this for my birthday as it would be one of those dresses you I could wear year after year.

A quick round up of the piece that have caught my eye - there are so many nice pieces flooding in the shops at the moment, bring on the Spring!!!

Thanks so much for reading, until next time Fran xx

Style Theory: I have a feeling blue is going to feature heavily in fashion this year..it is sometimes a tricky colour for people to wear..memories of school uniforms..matronly colours but if you get the right blue it can look so striking..

I do love a blue top with pale, blue jeans then just add a pair of trainers , it looks Scandi cool, pulled together but laid back, the perfect 2018 look.

Here are my favourite blue items on the high street now..

&Other Stories £59

&Other Stories knitwear is always the best, this jumper will look fab with light blue, boyfriend jeans I am a little obsessed with Frame jeans below..they are reduced but still super expensive..sooo tempted though seeing as I wear jeans every day and Frame jeans are the perfect fit...

Frame were £276.38 now £182

Not sure what size I would order - I am normally a size 10 so would maybe order size 27 (squash myself in!) or size 28?? If I do order them (for research purposes only;-) - I will let you know!)

&Other Stories £59

Because a breton is a classic and a New Year wardrobe can always use a fresh new breton!

&Other Stories £49

Love the "Back to School" vibe of this sweater..would look cool with ankle length jeans and white stan smiths and a leopard print faux fur coat thrown over the top.

Topshop £65

With dark red/wine coloured knee highs boots this would look amazing, just throw a faux fur over the top for Sarah Jessica Parker look..

Topshop £30

Topshop always nail this type of easy wear 'going out' top... love spots, love navy, just pair this with high waist jeans (the Frame ones above would be amazing!) and a pair of dark red pointy sock boots and a slick of dark red lipstick.

Topshop £79

Feeling the love for this navy shearling biker jacket, it looks pretty expensive and the navy is so flattering.

Topshop £16

There is nothing more useful than a slogan tee, wear it under blazers now and in the summer wear with ankle length jeans and white trainers.

H&M £29.99

This H&M top came home with me today, it is a super easy, useful top, I love the 'pouffy' sleeves and the drapey fabric.

Preen Line was £407.48 now £285.23

The perfect dress to take you from winter to spring to summer. Wear now with dark red boots, in the summer with high tan or mustard sandals..perfection.

Iden Denim - Due to Launch March

The blouse I will be ordering in March, it is stunning, quite expensive (I can't remember how much- sorry) but one I will be saving up for!

Tabitha Webb £245

This fine cashmere, baby blue jumper is the dream, super soft, super fine and so cosy, the perfect cashmere to throw on now over a vest top with jeans and in the summer over denim shorts.

Olivia Rubin Rainbow Skirt £220

I saw this skirt at Olivia's pre SS18 launch, it is one of those skirts it is hard to get out of your head, it is stunning (especially in the wool crepe) The detail is incredible, the colours so vibrant. For now I would dress it down with a black poloneck and black boots, in the summer I would pair with a denim shirt and tan sandals..so many ways to wear it, it is stunning!

Ganni was £100 now £55

I tried this top on at the beginning of winter but didn't have the money to buy it, at £55 it is such a good buy, I think I may have to treat myself to it to wear on my birthday in a couple of weeks! I sized down I tend to find Ganni comes up a little big.

Soooo many gorgeous things on the high street, I am so so excited for 2018!! A new year, a new season, so much to look forward too..and the sun..the sun will be here again soon!! For now I will hopefully give you a few ideas of what to wear now with a view of being able to wear these things in the summer too as I do believe in getting my wear out of clothes!!

Happy New Year to you all, thanks for joining me for 2018 and heres to lots of fashion ideas and inspiration!!

Lots of Love Fran xxxx

The Fashion Lift

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The Humble Hoody

New Year - it's Shopping with Fran time..

Feeling Blue...