Style Theory: Every girl dreams of owning that Chanel bag, a Burberry trench, but unfortunately, for most of us, buying investments purchases like that is not a reality. However, all is not lost, you can still get the look for a fraction of the price on the high street..

Here are my some of my classic, high street purchases that have that designer look but without the price tag..

Trench: Topshop
Scarf: Zara
Bag: Jaeger
Scarf: Zara
Leather skirt (just seen): Zara
Boots: Aldo

Here are the best luxe looks and oh so classic items on the High Street now...

The Burberry Mac £1195

High Street Equivalent

Massimo Dutti Long Raincoat £125

OR Cheaper option..

Gap Trench £59.95

The Chanel Bag

The Chanel Bag £3075

DKNY Black Quilted bag @Harvey Nichols £190

OR more reasonable...

Asos Black quilted bag £20

The Louis Vuitton Stephen Spouse scarf..

Louis Vuitton Scarf £510

An affordable but still absolutely luxurious option..

Hush Cashmere Leopard Shawl £150

A cheaper option....

Asos Oversized Scarf  £18

The Classic Louboutins

Christian Louboutin £425

For a more reasonable but equally chic look..

LK Bennett Kid Leather Point Toe Shoe £195

This is a fabulous alternative, a little lower heel therefore easier to walk in and a great price for a leather shoe...

M&S Leather Pointed Toe Stiletto £45

The Chanel Ballet Pump

Chanel Ballet Pump from £385

The gorgeous alternatives..

Russell and Bromley Ballet Pump £155

I have had these pumps for a few years and they are the shoes that just keep giving! They a classic style that does not date, look fab in the summer with dresses (this year with a denim dress) and tanned legs. I would highly recommend..

Or for a less expensive option..

Office Ballet Pumps £56

There are so many pros and cons for both the cheaper options and investment buys. There is no doubt that the investment buys are made with superior quality materials and are cut to fit beautifully therefore they really do last the test of time. They do tend to increase in price each year (the Chanel bag being an example of this) however it is the name you are paying for, the quality is good but in no way equivalent to the price tag. In my mind the middle options are always a good way to go when you really do not have cash to splurge. The fabric is normally of a good standard and it made to last. 

Having said that I still have my goal set on a Chanel handbag, I have my name down on every dress agency there is for a second hand one (new is completely out if my price range) I did get the most stunning diamond ring from my Husband for my birthday that I just adore and lots of other gorgeous gifts..it turns out turning 40 is not so bad after all. Thank you all for your lovely birthday wishes xxxx

Next time translating the Spring/Summer 2015 trends....

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, I know that quite a few of you are already the proud owners of these gorgeous investment buys but now as Mums etc, where do you get your key classic buys? Until next time, Frances xxxxx

Thank you to one of my lovely Instagram followers for suggesting this post..good idea xx

Winter to Spring Layering...

Style Theory: Winter clothes always become a little boring this time of year, jumper, jeans and boots on repeat. The way to overcome this is to layer, take some summer items mix them with your winter staples, like leather leggings and a roll neck, add a few colour clashes and voila a whole new look...

Polo neck: Esprit £24.99
Skirt: Topshop similar here
Coat: Marks and Spencer similar here
Leather Bag: Aurora Living 'Willow' bag £59.50
Shoes: Hobbs Betty Court £69

There are plenty of layering items on the high street that will keep you toasty in the colder months. It is all about the keeping the under layer as neat as you can to not add too much bulk...

H&M Breton top £12.99

Wear your breton under a thick poloneck with the sleeves pushed to show the stripe details..

Or layer skirts over leather look leggings like I did above...

Next Leather Look Trousers £28

 For a chic look keep colours neutral mixing blacks and grey and textures, fringes and faux leather....

Get the 70s vibe with a skinny poloneck, this can be layered underneath a large chunky sweater or under a tunic dress..

Topshop Fine Gauge Roll Neck £32

Or layer under a khaki shirt for a pure Spring/Summer 15 look...

New Look Khaki Long Sleeve Shirt £22.99

To create a look like this...

Finally pop a fur gilet over your jacket to keep you extra toasty..

New Look Faux Fur Gilet £45

This faux fur gilet looks so much more expensive that £45. Wear now over a biker jacket or denim jacket and as the weather turns a warmer wear with a blouse underneath and skinny flares for a cool 70s look...

Add colour to you outfit with a deep plum coloured bag clashed with a pink scarf..or go for an orange bag with a leopard print scarf..the options are endless..

Are you a little bored of your winter clothes yet, are you layering up to add a little interest during this cold January? 

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, next time I am beginning the search for a dress for my 40th birthday party (it's my birthday on 13th eek!) I am thinking maxi or maybe a jumpsuit but would love to go through the options with you to see what you think..thank you so much for reading and as always I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions, Frances xxx

The Luxe Edit

Style Theory: Turning 40 in a couple of days has made me re-think my wardrobe. I am most definitely an impulse buyer, driven by trends more than saving for that all important investment piece. I really wish I could tell my 20 year old self not to buy so many cheap items but while I had some money hold out and invest in a few key pieces that I would still be wearing 15-20 years on and more. So here is my dream investment item list with a little outfit inspiration thrown in...

Chanel Classic Flap Bag £3075

So expensive, so timeless, so elegant, I am so never going to own one of these but a girl can have it on her dream list.

It looks good on..

Next the iconic Burberry Mac..

Burberry Classic Westminster Trench Coat £1195

My sister was bought a Burberry trench this Christmas by her lovely husband, so I had a trying on session.. It is just gorgeous, a real classic, timeless coat. She bought it in the stone colour and a slightly shorter version as we are all a little small in our family and the shorter version suited her petite frame. It is so beautifully made, the cut is outstanding and fabric sits perfectly...

Next  a Louis Vuitton Stephen Sprouse Leopard print scarf. Leopard print is now a neutral in the fashion world, this scarf would go with any coat, wear in the winter or in the summer as a sarong. It is oversized and a gorgeous mix of cashmere and silk...

Louis Vuitton Leopard Stole £510

These scarves have been around since 2006 and are a classic. Of course you can find fabulous tributes on the high street and I think, for me, a tribute of this is good enough..

Christian Louboutin Pigalle pumps, slick, stylish and forever cool. These shoes, as long as you take care of them, will see you through season after season...

Christian Louboutin at Net A Porter £425

These are so flattering on your leg and look as good with an evening dress as with distressed boyfriend jeans.

Chanel pumps, a timeless, elegant item of footwear that will not date..

Chanel Ballet Flats from £385

Wear summer or winter (dry days only) wear with dresses or jeans, always chic!

That little turquoise box from Tiffany's always excites and contains little treasures..I love this gold bracelet, understated but elegant..

Tiffany T Narrow Wire Bracelet £895

Or look for something vintage, I am looking for a beautiful vintage ring, I adore large, cocktail style rings that will stand the test of time. Try independent jewellers or John Lewis has a fabulous range of vintage jewellery (normally better in store than online)

John Lewis Vintage Brooch £105

 Finally Chanel costume jewellery..this is my favourite and utterly timeless range..

Chanel Diamante Signature Jewellery from £255

I had a pair of these earrings when I was younger, I lost them as I do with all my earrings..so now I have one.. 

Of course I could go on with my list, Max Mara camel coat, Celine coat, Isabel Marant trainers, Chanel Jacket, Chloe bag etc etc it is quite endless but the items above are my top buys if could I turn back the clock to my working days when I just had myself and my rent to pay for..however there is still time to reign in the impulse buys and focus on the classics!

Do you have any investment items you adore, what would be your top 5 classic buys?

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

Let's Get Started 2015!

Style Theory: The magazines are full of ideas of what to wear for the new season, the stores are trying to shift their winter stock at discount prices so what to buy now that will last you through Winter, Spring and Summer and onto next winter? I have a few ideas of things that have caught my eye and will be on my shopping list over the next few months...

Lets begin with a cool Winter/Spring look...

A chunky sweater, distressed black jeans, and pointed black boots are a winter staple.... switch up a black or grey sweater for forest green for a 2015 look. Wear this now with black jeans, wear in the evening with black skinny leather trousers and black /leopard print heels..

Jeans: Topshop Black Ripped Jamie Jeans £42
Jumper: Topshop £36
Boots: Urban Outfitters £85
Shoes:Topshop Mules £78

RING IN THE CHANGES IN RED AND PINK

Feeling the need to brighten up your wardrobe, these photos of Leandra Medine from Man Repeller and Atlantic Pacific inspired me and Mango came up with the highstreet clothing..

This outfit from the high street can be mixed and matched and will add some much needed colour to any winter wardrobe...

Jacket: Mango £59.99
Top: Mango £29.99
Jeans: Topshop Hayden Jean £42
Trainers: £65 Adidas Stan Smith
Shoes: Office £65
Bag: KG £49

I know my wardrobe needs a little colour after months of greys and beiges. Here are a few of my outfits from over the Christmas/ New Year holidays..

MY STYLE:

Adding a splash of colour with my &Others Stories Sadie Williams skirt..

Fine Wool Top: Cos
Skirt: &Other Stories X Sadie Williams
Boots: Russell and Bromley
Leopard Clutch: &Other Stories

Very similar to the outfit I have featured above..adore this Topshop jumper (link above), in fact, I think I wore it most of Christmas!...

Coat: Zara
Jumper: Topshop
Jeans: Oasis
Boots: Russell & Bromley
Bag: H&M

For ultimate comfort, my knitted suit, comfort level 10*......

Coat(in arm): Zara
Jumper and Trousers: Zara (in the sale now)
Bag: Aurora Living
Boots: Aldo

For a walk in woods...decided to add a bow to the neck of my dress with a piece of black jersey, this season for me it is all about bows...it was muddy so wellies were essential..

Coat: Zara
Dress: Asos
Wellies: Hunters

The Spring stock coming into the stores and online is looking pretty good this year, I am looking forward to a year full of new ideas, timeless classics and lots of inspiration all from the high street. I really hope you can join me for the ride....

Thank you again for your support throughout 2014 and here's to a stylish 2015..

Until next time, Frances xxxx