Style Theory: Sometimes something online or in the shops really catches your eye, this Matalan handbag caught my attention when I spotted it on a magazine website. It is from Matalan's Limited Collection range and looks unbelievably expensive, designer even..but is actually just £30..

Matalan Limited Edition Tote Handbag £30

When I spotted this bag online last week I ordered it immediately as I love the boxy design, the square handles and the size. I am always on the lookout for something reasonably priced to give my everyday outfits a little lift and this does the job perfectly. It is not real leather, but looks pretty good, it has a lined interior with a zip pocket and a pocket for your phone etc and the zip at the top to keep all your things confined and safe. I am not mad on the chain strap I think I will remove this and just use the handles but all in all I think it is pretty cool, inexpensive bag. 

Coat: Zara
Sweater: Cos
Jeans: Topshop
Ballet Pumps: Russell and Bromley
Bag: Matalan

It would hang on the handle on a buggy or pushchair and would make a stylish and inexpensive nappy bag (ok maybe not the most practical but then I am not very practical!) For me now it is perfect for shoving in the milllions of things I carry around with me including spiderman on a motorbike and a couple of Barbies!

Here are a few outfit ideas of how to style, I could imagine this bag slotting in perfectly to any of these looks...

It is the kind of bag that can be used in the summer as well as the winter, Miranda Kerr (above right) styles up a black tote beautifully with skinny jeans, simple black sandals and a panama..this is my inspiration..now to lose those winter lbs !!

Next time..as promised flat sandals, there are some beauties on the high street at the moment..

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments,  Frances xxxxx

BTW - Whilst in Matalan collecting my order I spotted some fab home bits and pieces, gorgeous cushions, frames, candle holders etc ..worth a look, I never usually go in there so I was pleasantly surprised! xx

The Classic Summer Staple..the Shirtdress

Style Theory: The Shirtdress, a classic, can be worn year after year and be easily dressed up or down. This year, the denim shirt dress reigns supreme but there are plenty more beautiful options available on the high street from chambray, to cotton to linen...

There were plenty of shirtdresses on the SS15 catwalks and the streetstylers have been fans of the classic style for years. It is such an easy dress to wear, here is some inspiration of how to style the shirtdress the 2015 way: 

Left: Altuzzarra SS15 Right: Ralph Lauren SS15

Left: Viktor and Rolf SS15 Right: Chloe SS15

The high street stores have shirtdresses year after year, here are a selection of my favourites available on the high street now and ideas of how to style:

Sonia by Sonia Rykiel @Asos £315

Extremely pricey but one I will be looking out for in the Asos summer sale. I love the mix of (silk) fabric, will be a beautiful dress to wear on holiday with tan, flat, strappy, gladiator style sandals.

Mango Safari Suede Dress £149.99

In keeping with the boho style this real, suede dress is a classic, wear with denim jacket thrown over the top, black pointed flats and a black fringed bag for a cool look.

Ralph Lauren @House of Fraser £135

I have this shape of dress, I bought it last year. It is so flattering and looks as good with high tan sandals as it does with flip flops or white trainers.

Warehouse Blue Belted Dress £48

A very classic, grown up shirt dress, I would pair with leopard print shoes and a long, beige duster coat for a gorgeous, laid back wedding/ first Holy Communion outfit.

YAS Malle Shirt Dress £55

A cute stripe dress, wear with a bright sandal for a pop of colour.

Mango Denim Shirtdress £19.99

A very basic shirtdress at such a reasonable price, leave it loose or wear with a tan skinny belt.

Zara Oversize Dress £25.99

This could have the look of a maternity dress, but how comfy does it look? To avoid the maternity look wear with a fitted denim jacket and keep shoes delicate, flat pointy ballet pumps would look great especially in a bright orange, or mix it up with a leopard print for style twist.

Uniqlo Ines Denim Long Dress £39.90

Not a great image but I love the look of this dress, very sophisticated, I would wear with my bright Boden Alice heels and a colour pop bag (picking up one of the colours in my shoes)

Topshop Hybrid Shirt Dress £40

This hybrid jersey will work hard for you in your summer wardrobe, wear now with opaques and boots in the summer with flat, tan sandals.

Topshop Moto D Ring Shirt Dress £40 

Finally a great, basic shirtdress from Topshop, Michelle from MyFashionable40s bought it recently and it looks fab on. Wear with trainers now and in the summer swap for gold sandals see SusieSoso's fabulous New Looks finds..they would look great with a shirtdress.. 

There are soooo many gorgeous sandals and shoes on the high street this year..my next post will be dedicated to them!

MY STYLE

My favourite shirtdresses from last year...I wore them non-stop, both on evenings out and for a casual daytime look..

Shirtdress:H&M
Trainers: Adidas Stan Smith

Left: Dress - Levis, Boots - Seven Boot Lane
Right: Dress - Asos, Jacket - Asos, Boots - Aldo

Are you a fan of the shirtdress, how do you style yours? I would love to hear your thoughts and comments and if you have found any gorgeous ones on your shopping travels? Until next time, Frances xxxxx

Pre-loved Designer Heaven...take a closer look..

Style Theory: Preloved designer clothes and accessories, expertly edited, authenticated and at affordable prices...sounds like heaven right?! EditSecondhand have it all wrapped up..

Editsecondhand, is a haven for all things designer, pre-owned but always in impeccable condition, each item expertly selected by the EditSecondhand team. I have always lusted after designer clothes but have never been able to afford them until now, I bought my Chloe culottes from EditSecondhand last year and wore them non-stop.

I have been avidly visiting the website and following them on Instagram (@Editsecondhand) to see what other designer treasures they have in stock. Last week, I was invited down to their beautiful shop in Cuckfield, West Sussex to have a browse. 

Editsecondhand Boutique Cuckfield, West Sussex

With a laid back, boutique vibe Editsecondhand is contemporary and cool. Rebekah, the owner, and her assistant are incredibly welcoming, they are experts in all things designer and let me look through all their new summer stock and style up my finds. They will only buy what they would be happy to have in their own wardrobe so the collection is stunning...here are a selection of my favourite pieces...

Blouse: DVF £60  (size 12)
Black Tailored Jacket: Ralph Lauren £165 (size 6 but fitted me size 8/10)
Bag: DVF £100
Shoes: Christian Louboutin £160 size UK6.5
(worn with my Topshop Baxter skinny jeans)

The Ralph Lauren jacket is beautiful on, tailored to perfection. It is longer at the back, creating a riding jacket look. The DVF bag is gorgeous, a fun statement bag at a really good price. 

Blouse: Alice Temperley £55 (online in a couple of weeks)
Trousers: J Brand Houlihans £60 (sold)
Clutch: Jil Sander £220
Sunglasses: Alexander Wang £160
(worn with my Next shoes £45)

This Alice Temperley blouse ticks the boho trend for this year and the Jil Sander clutch is classic and understated.

Blouse: Ralph Lauren (online soon)
Bag: Givenchy £850 (online next week)

We were all ooooo-ing and ahhh-ing over this bag, at £850 still a hefty investment but currently to buy this new it would cost £1350.00, it is a classic, timeless bag that you could keep forever..

Jacket: Mih £130
Bag: Anya Hindmarch £150

This jacket ticks the denim trend for this year, would look fab over a grey t-shirt with crop white/black jeans and trainers in the summer, the perfect throw on piece.

Sunglasses: The Row £160

The shape of the summer, these round sunglasses look amazing on, I am officially smitten with them.

This is only a selection of the beautiful pieces Editsecondhand had in their boutique and online, it is definitely worth having a look, see if there is something that catches your eye. As there is only one of each item you have to be quick... I could not resist the J Brand Houlihans, I have wanted a pair for years and when I tried them on they were so comfortable and flattering!

Let me know what you think, are you a designer fan, do you buy new or pre-loved items. As always I would love to hear your thought and comments..until next time, Frances xxxx

This post was written in collaboration with Editsecondhand, all opinions and views are entirely my own. 

Summer Inspiration....Let's go!

Style Theory: It is important that you get as much wear out of your clothes as possible, I like to start thinking about my summer style early so I can buy items that I can layer up and then start to shed the layers as the summer arrives. With this in mind, here are a few images that are inspiring me this Spring and a few ideas of how to create the look and start building your summer wardrobe...

The inspiration... in the summer I love a pop of neon, a sweater is a perfect choice when buying something bright, the colour reflects on your face giving you a glow. Wear now with skinny jeans, white trainers (H&M have some great ones) and a khaki jacket thrown over the top.

In the summer wear like this...

Sincerely Jules

Buy from the high street now to recreate the look.....

Boden Cashmere Crew Neck Jumper £69.30

OR

Zara Oversized Sweater £12.99

These bright sweaters are so useful, the cashmere sweater will keep your warm on cold summer evenings and the Zara knit is lightweight, perfect for taking on holiday.

Hush Denim Short £45

The wash of these Hush shorts is perfect, a fabulous pale, authentic colour and with a touch of distressing, they are a really good summer buy. You will be able to wear with everything with these from boho tops, to bretons to shirts, the choices are endless.

Topshop The Izzy Bag Marc B £49

A neutral bag that looks far more expensive than it's price tag. It is not leather but still looks super stylish, it will look as good with bright colours as with pastels.

Office Olivier Low Wedge Sandal £45

The gladiator is most definitely making a come back (again) due to the low straps this will be flattering on your leg. I love the tan straps with a touch of gold detail at the back.

Summer Inspiration no.2 - the logo tee with khaki shorts and aviators...a classic look..

Sincerely Jules

Here are some gorgeous items that you can buy now to layer up then recreate the whole look when it is warmer...

Mango Sequinned T-Shirt £14.99

New Look Khaki Shorts with belt £14.99

Topshop Alice Aviators £10

All classic items, all will last you for a few seasons. With the 70s having a moment aviators are back with a vengeance, so if you do not have a pair already these will tick the trend for £10.

Summer Inspiration no.3...A perfect Spring look below, for those days when there is a slight chill in the air, warm enough to bare your toes but cool enough to pull a sweater over the top...

Sincerely Jules

The key items I have found on the high street to recreate this laid back, look...

Zara Printed Sweater £35.99

Topshop Black Ripped Jamie Jeans £42

Dune Jolene Mules £49

Warehouse Leather Bag £35

How gorgeous is this bag? It is leather and for £35, love the simplicity of the design and the fringing on the zip..

Summer Inspiration no.4...the everlasting power of breton...

Sincerely Jules

This year I am after a new, red and white breton and this one looks like it will be perfect, I like a boxy breton that I can partly tuck in to my jeans.

Hobbs Haley Top £35

Levis CT @House Of Fraser £95

I have these jeans and love them, as I said in a previous post these do come up a little short so get a longer length if taller that 5ft 2. They are so flattering on your bottom, since having these I have remembered how much I used to love Levis 501s!

Palmairas Gold Leather £42

I have a pair of these sandals in neon orange. They are made from beautiful, buttery soft leather and come in fabulous colours, prints and stud details, and are unbelievable comfortable. Typically Spanish and so useful for the summer, the perfect holiday shoe.

Topshop Tapestry Poppins Tote Bag £28

A cute tapestry tote wear with your breton for a stylish twist, I love a pattern mix up and this is perfect!

Summer Inspiration no.3..the perfect white top...

Happily Grey 

I do love a touch of white in the summer and this top is so unusual, a mix of knitwear, broderie anglaise and cotton. Looks so beautiful with distressed jeans now and in the summer with denim shorts and tan sandals.

French Connection Effie Knits Dot Jumper £85

This is the top seen in the photo above.

Levis CT @House Of Fraser £95

DKNY Quilted Nappa Bag £88

I have been looking at this bag in my local House of Fraser for a while, it is a beautiful beige/cream colour and can be worn as a cross body or shorter double handled bag. Would look fabulous worn with white or with a beige trench coat in the spring.

There is my summer inspiration so far...I will most definitely be mixing these looks with boho vibes inspired by Chloe's SS15 range but all strictly from the high street at affordable prices..stay tuned for these looks...

MY STYLE

On the left: wearing my new Levis 501 ct for a meeting, mixing it up with a touch of leopard print.

On the right: on the schoolrun in monochrome and Stan Smiths.

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, have you thought about your summer wardrobe, or do you leave it (probably wisely) until there may be some chance of some sun?! Next time some utterly delicious designer goodies at a fraction of the original price...pure heaven. 
Frances xx