Style Theory: Shoes for autumn/winter are a major player in your capsule wardrobe. They need to be practical, comfortable and able to see you through all sorts of weather this country is likely to throw at us....the pointed loafer has come to the rescue...

This year the pointy loafer/brogue is most definitely my shoe of choice. Slightly masculine, but worn with the right outfit can look so chic. With the platforms of SS15 (see Stella McCartney below) becoming the norm next year, these pointy loafers seem positively tame and understated in comparison. 

Here are some ideas of how to style the pointy loafer..

Victoria Beckham SS15

Stella McCartney SS15

This style of shoes looks gorgeous with cigarette trousers.

A flash of ankle makes these shoes more ladylike

The Celine loafers

All images above via Pinterest

The most flattering way to wear these is to keep the bottom half of your outfit slimline. They look great with ankle length skinny jeans, leather leggings or shorter skirts. It is best to bare your ankle if you can as it gives them a more feminine look. In the winter wear with 60s dresses and thick, black opaque tights.

Here are my selection of the best on the High Street:

Somerset By Alice Temperley at John Lewis £125

These are without a doubt my favourite, the black and navy colourway makes them so versatile and the buckle adds a tougher edge. I have not seen these in the flesh but hope to try on tomorrow so I will let you know what they are like via Instagram (@schoolrunmum)

Clarks Hotel Chic Shoes £65

These look fabulous on, I saw them being worn by Luisa from AStylishSomething on instagram (@astylishsomething) and they looked great and have the added bonus of being super comfy!

Topshop Fleetwood Monk Shoes £32

Again, these were worn by blogger Adrienne from Thatsmymum on instagram. They looked great and are such a great price, they are not leather but if you fancy 'dipping your toe' in the trend these are a good buy! 

Mango Croc-Effect Slippers £39.99

The closest I have seen to the beautiful Celine loafers that are wayyy out of my price range. These are chic and elegant and would look stunning with black skinny ankle length trousers and a black blouse.

Mango Penny Loafers £44.99

Office Trixie Loafer Nude £55

Wear these with a cream shirt and skinny paler blue ankle length jeans for a chic Autumn look..

Next Pointed Loafers £28

These would look fab with a double denim look - a denim shirt and skinny blue jeans.

French Connection Giovanna Shoes £100

These shoes are monochrome perfection, would look stunning with an all black outfit.

I am loving this style of shoe, so practical for us mums and flattering at the same time.

MY STYLE:

Back to the school run this week, so the trainers have been worn non-stop..this is why I need a pair of pointed loafers!

Sweater: Zara
Jeans: Gap
Trainers: Stan Smith Adidas
Bag: Spain

Out for lunch with the family...

Coat: M&S
Top: H&M
Cardigan: Topshop
Jeans: Topshop Baxter
Shoes: Zara
Bag: Spain

So are you convinced by the pointy flats, do you think they will make a practical and stylish addition to your Autumn wardrobe? 

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

What I wore....

Style Theory: After years and years of skinny jeans I feel it is time to shake things up a little and bring back a flared shape. It is amazingly flattering for legs making them look longer and slimmer especially when worn with heels..so back to the 70s I go....

Last autumn/winter it was all about pink, this year I am loving all tones of blue. Navy being my 'safe' colour, I always feel comfortable in an all navy outfit, with the addition of some fine gold jewellery to add a little bit of shine and a pale blue or camel coat.

Blue Coat: Marks and Spencer £110
Shirt: H&M similar here
Jeans; J Brand Lovestory £160
Bag: TK Maxxsimilar here
Sandals: H&M 

I wore this outfit to the opening of the new J Crew store hosted by the stunning Laura Fantacci WIT blog. It was a lovely evening full of cava, shopping, meeting lots of lovely bloggers, readers and of course lots of shopping....

If you fancy taking a plunge with the 70s flared look and are willing to by-pass the skinny jeans for an evening or two here are the best on the high street.
I do think these jeans look better and are more flattering in a darker wash, so I have selected all in indigo wash:

J Brand - Love Story Jeans £161

Mih The Marrakesh Jean £185

MiH Bodycon Jeans £215

These MiH jeans are expensive jeans but I have been told by my local boutique these are the most flattering jeans and will pull you in in all the right places without looking like a sausage in sausage skin! I will try on when they get them in and let you know if they do!

Zara Skinny Mermaid Jeans £39.99

A subtle take on the bell bottom look from Zara.

Topshop Clean Cut Flared Jeans £40

Oasis Emily Flared Jeans £45

So there are few options if you fancy dabbling in the flare jean look..I know it is not everyones cup of tea and those skinny jean devotees may take some major persuasion!!

Next Time my Schoolrun essentials...

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

Tailoring the Autumn/Winter 2014 Way..

Style Theory: Tailoring was featured heavily on the A/W14 catwalks. Suits in fluid fabrics, tailored trousers and jackets dressed down with black/grey t-shirts or cashmere jumpers. This season, it is all about mixing tailoring with casual to create a laidback but sophisticated look...

SS15

Here are a few ideas how work the tailored look:

Tomato red is a huge colour this season, throw a tailored coat over your shoulders when wearing a dress for a structured look.

Trousers look great with a simple white tee 

Adore this Zara jumpsuit, works just as well with heels as it does with converse.

A white blazer, a tailored, timeless classic.

A smart jacket looks great with leather shorts or skirt.

Just adore everything about this J Crew look, the shorts, the jacket, the jumper..perfection.

So elegant with a white blouse.

All images above via Pinterest

Now for the best on the high street:

Asos Peg Leg Trousers now £21

These are the trousers I am wearing below as recommended by Alex from The Frugality, she wears them beautifully dressed down with trainers or sliders, adds a cool edge. They do come up large so size down.

Mango Soft Tailored Jogger £34.99

I have been looking for a tailored jogger that I can wear with heels, these Mango ones look perfect, wear with statement heels in the evening and a grey t and tailored black jacket, comfort and style!

Asos Cigarette Trousers in Crepe £28

Cigarette trousers always look sophisticated and these are crepe so would hang well and such a good price.

J Crew Collection Wool Shorts £138

Adore, adore these shorts.....

Zara Fitted Blazer with Pleated Sleeves £69.99

Zara Blazer with gathered sleeves £49.99

These Zara blazers are great basics, wear with boyfriend jeans, a breton top and heels for a laid back going out look.

Topshop PU Asymmetric Skort £36

These skorts would look great with a long camel coat, black tee and flat pointed shoes.

Zara Trousers £29.99

Zara Epaulette Top £39.99

These tailored trousers and top really caught my eye in Zara, the colour is beautiful and a with a pair of nude pointed courts create a very 'put together' outfit.

Zara Button Jumpsuit £79.99

Me trying on the jumpsuit, love but will have to wait until next month to buy fingers crossed it doesn't sell out!

My Style:

Having lived in jeans for the past 7 years it is so nice to get back into trousers, they are surprisingly comfortable in comparison to my normal thigh-squeezing skinnies and can be dressed down so easily. This is a dressed up look, I be wearing these trousers dressed down for the schoolrun, follow me on Instagram @schoolrunmum for daily outfit ideas....

Blue Coat: M&S
Trousers: Asos
Shoes: Zara
Jumper: Cos
Sunglesses: Mango

I am officially converted to a slightly more tailored look, not sure how long it will last before I am back to my sloppy best! Are you swapping your weekend jeans for trousers?

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