Simple Summer Inspiration

Style Theory: Sometimes you just need to keep the formula for summer dressing simple, unfussy and cool. Here are a few ideas for some easy and stylish summer outfits and the inspiration behind them.

Streetstyle images from Pinterest

THE SIMPLE BOHO DRESS

Throw over a bikini, wear over short denim shorts or by itself

Mango Beaded Embroidered Dress £49.99

Or:

Mango Embroidered Dress £34.99

Wear with:

Steve Madden @Dune Sandals £65

THE SIMPLE STRIPE DRESS & LIGHTWEIGHT PARKA

Year after year a classic, can be dressed up to look Riveria chic, or dressed down for beachwear, looks fab with a lightweight parka thrown over the top..

Great Plains Pocket Breton (also available in a white background) £50

Dorothy Perkins Hooded lightweight parka £45

Dune Lutney Slip ons £75

A SIMPLE CHAMBRAY SHIRT AND DISTRESSED JEANS

Another casual, easy to wear outfit, looks great with flat gold sandals during the day then put on some stappy heels and a few fine gold necklaces and you are ready for a night out.

Gap Fitted Boyfriend Oxford Shirt £29.95

Zara Ripped Boyfriend Jeans £39.99

Next Ankle Strap Sandal £28

DKNY at John Lewis £158
Love this little handbag, it had a little loop to put your hand through at the front to carry like a clutch.

SIMPLE WHITE BOHO TOP AND DENIM SHORTS 

Another summer classic look, I love a sleeve as I am now at that age when I am not too keen on showing the rather large tops of my arms, add a little embroidered bag for a pop of colour.

H&M Embroidered Tunic £29.99

Gap Boyfriend Shorts £29.95

Dune Jolene Black Sliders £49

Accessorize Portobello Slouch Bag £45

THE PERFECT WHITE SHIRT

I love the look of distressed jeans with a crisp white shirt and blazer and some animal print courts, simple but effective!

Zara Soft Blazer with Zips £69.99

Next White Shirt £22

Zara jeans as above

Aldo Sunglasses £10

Dune Alfa Court Shoes £69

My Style: Easing myself into my summer wardrobe slowly, I always find the summer transition the most difficult!

Top: H&M Exclusive Conscious Collection
Cardigan: Gant
Jeans; MiH
Slip ons: H&M

 For a weekend break by the seaside with the family, it was just amazing weather and a beautiful beach, we were walking along the beach to a seafront restaurant, heaven!

Jumper: Cos
Jeans: Oasis
Shoes: Russell and Bromley
Necklace: J Crew

How I started in the morning before changing into denim shorts and my Mango frilled sleeve top,

Breton: Petit Bateau
Jeans: Gap
Knitted Jacket Henri Lloyd
Sliders: Dune
Bag: H&M

So there is my first real dip into summer outfits, there are lots more to come... How is your transition to your summer wardrobe going are you well and truly immersed or like me wondering what you wore all last summer and where has it all been put?!

Until next time, Frances xxx

My Style - The Preppy Look

Style Theory: The Preppy look, timeless and sophisticated but with a 2014 twist. Think blazers, cricket jumpers brought up to date with distressed jeans and heels.

I have been a fan of the Preppy look for years, dipping in and out of it throughout the year. It is a style that makes me feel a little more 'put together', smarter than my usual casual, schoolrun uniform. When Henri Lloyd, the original British sailing brand, sent me this gorgeous Caralyn Knit Blazer and Beverley Cable V-neck cricket style jumper I was sold. My love for all things Preppy was re-ignited but to make it 2014 I paired it with my distressed 7 for all Mankind jeans and tan sandals.

I have had a small obsession with cricket jumpers since Kate Moss wore one in early 2012 and after buying a few over the last few years this Henri Lloyd is my favourite more affordable than the Rag and Bone cricket 'Talia' jumper and it fits beautifully.

The Details:

Jumper: c/o Henri Lloyd Cable V Neck Knit £75

Knitted Blazer: c/o Caralyn Knit Blazer £95

Jeans: 7 For All Mankind similar here (my jeans are naturally distressed due to wear!)

Sandals: H&M £39.99

The knit blazer has been so useful, it is a fabulous for layering underneath heavier jackets or a trench on colder days or by to smarten up a pair of jeans.

Trench: H&M similar here
Blazer: c/o Henri Loyd Caralyn Knit Blazer £95
Shirt: H&M similar here
Jeans: Oasis £40
Shoes: Zara similar here

Appropriate for the schoolrun and trotting up Kings Road, I do love a touch of the preppy look and think I will be indulging in it for the next few years to come, that mixed in with a bit of boho this summer!

Are you a fan of the preppy look, what are your 'must haves' you bring out year after year?

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

The 2014 Boho look......

Style Theory: Summer Boho.... Romantic, laid back, neutral colours in fluid fabrics, clothes that are comfortable and look cool. Think broderie anglais, gentle frills, natural fabric.....

The boho look had been around forever, re-surfacing in the 90s with Kate Moss and Sienna Miller leading the renaissance at 90s Festivals and parties. This year Boho on the high street is heavily influenced by Isabel Marant. Slouchy, laid back tailoring in pale pinks, nudes and whites, tops have transparent panels and feature lace and frills, skirts are no longer ankle length but shorter, cuter fluted edges. These fluid looks are to be worn with distressed jeans/jean shorts and add an edge with a pair of killer heels or statement sandals. Like winter and spring it is all about juxtaposing the slouchy with tailored.

Here is some inspiration from the Streetstylers:

All images above from Pinterest

As we get nearer the summer there will be more and more beautiful boho inspired tops and dresses on the High Street but here are a selection of my favourites so far....

Free People Cutwork Top £138

Zara Romantic Lace Blouse £29.99

Mango Ruffled Slub Top £19.99

FP One Paisley Dress £98

FP Embroidered Eyelet Blouse £98

Zara Top with Lace Front £39.99

Jack Wills Leckwith Top £49.50

River Island Blue Chambray Lace Insert Top £20

River Island Cream Metallic Embroidered Top £22

The tops above would look great with a pair of distressed skinny jeans and some cool, statement sandals see the H&M ones below...

Zara Dress with chain shoulder £35.99

Zara Cotton Poplin top 

Topshop Broderie Anglais Trim Midi Dress £40

&Other Stories Cotton Maxi Dress £45

Jack Wills Ellingdon Dress £39.50

I would wear the dressed with a pair of tan statement sandals, I love and have just bought these:

H&M Leather Sandals £39.99

They are super flattering on the ankle and are the softest leather, a really reasonable price too!

There will be lots more on my wishlist for summer, I am feeling after dipping my toe in the boho vibe last year I will be going for it this year! 

My Style this week:

It has been a week of contrasts...I wore these outfits to a couple of press days at the beginning of the week and the rest of the time I have been out with the kids, picnics, Chessington etc:

Shirt: H&M
Jacket (Under trench): Henri Lloyd
Jeans: Zara
Shoes: Zara
Trench: H&M

Jacket: Emu AW14 collection
Biker Jacket (just seen): Asos
Blouse: H&M
Jeans: H&M
Shoes: M&S

Outfit as above
Bag: Marc Jacobs

Another week left of Easters holidays so it is all go round here at the moment!

Have you started buying for summer yet or are you sticking to jumpers for the time being as the weather cannot make up it's mind! Will you be wearing the Boho look?

As always I would love to hear your comments, til the next time Frances x