Add Spring to your wardrobe...

Style Theory: Stunning Spring outfits...dust off your 'capsule collection' clothes hanging in your wardrobe and pair them with a few gorgeous, thought out, 'on trend' items for fresh and Spring-like look.

Spring is most definitely in the air, the blossom buds are decorating the trees, the daffodils are starting to burst through the soil, the sunshine is making a much welcomed appearance.....and I am thinking about my Spring wardrobe!! It is so nice to be pondering that maybe, just maybe I can shed my thick heavy parka that has become like a second skin and instead wear something lighter, a lightweight parka, a bomber or my a pastel coat. The opportunities are endless.....!! So to start off here are a selection of the Streetstyle looks inspiring me this Spring:

The pink coat trend continues..

Pastel outerwear looks striking 

Pale blue shoes are having their season in the spotlight -  Zara has some beautiful versions.

Double denim still looks chic,  work a pale denim/chambray shirt on top with darker denim jeans for a flattering look.

The layered coat look is ideal for Spring the UK. 

Animal print slip ons are a Spring 'must have.'

Laid back cool look.

The black shift dress looks fabulous with the two colour brogues.

Isabel Marant gets it right every season, I love these trousers paired with the heels and delicately frilled top. 

Brogues feature for another year. 

A denim dress will last from spring (wear now with tights and ankle boots) through to Autumn. 

All images above via Pinterest

Here are some day outfit ideas for Spring, I have pulled together basic/ capsule collection pieces that I have in my wardrobe and added some new 'on trend' items in a new colour or shape to add a touch of SS14 to the look:

 SPRING PASTELS

The Capsule Item:
Skinny Jeans - Topshop Baxter Jeans £40

The 'On Trend' Items:
Coat - Similar @ Asos Vintage Cocoon Coat £110
Jumper - Topshop Bobble Jumper £75 
Bag - Topshop Suede Tassel bag £60
Shoes - Office

STRIPES vs CHECKS

The Capsule Items:
Trench Coat - Gap UK available in store £59.95
Breton Top - Boden £25
Skinny Jeans - Asos Ridley Jeans £32

The 'on trend' items:
Scarf - Topshop £18  similar here
Trainers: Urban Outfitters New Balance £60

THE DENIM DRESS

The Capsule Items:
Denim Dress - Topshop Moto Denim Dress £38
Leopard print pumps - KG for Kurt Geiger Lacey Shoes £110

The 'on trend' items
Lightweight Parka - Hooded Parka £60
Gold Cuffs - H&M £9.99
Backpack - New Look £19.99

CASUAL COOL

The 'Capsule collection' item:
Breton top -  Boden £25
Grey Jeans -Topshop Moto Super Soft Skinny Jeans £38
Navy coat -  Zara Wool Coat £69.99

The 'on trend' items:
Scarf - Accessorize £19
Bag - Zara £39.99
Trainers - Adidas Superstar £62

Now for My Style over the last couple of days, I haven't quite launched into Springwear yet but may have purchased a new spring like pair of New Balance trainers and a couple of the items above..more to follow!

For a trip to the London Aquarium with the littles..an amazingly beautiful day and a fabulous walk along South Bank..!

Jacket: Zara
Jeans: MiH
Polo neck: H&M
Trainers: John Lewis

Went out for drinks with University friends in London, it was a fab night and I loved wearing my new Primark bomber (it was £10 in the sale!) which the lovely Michelle from MyFashionable40s bought and I promptly copied!

Bomber: Primark (£10!)
Sweater: Whistles
Denim Jacket: Warehouse
Trousers: Topshop
Shoes: M&S

A night out for the last of my little sister's 30th birthday party's at the Farrs School of Dancing bar in Dalston, full of very cool, young trendy people, it is fair to say I stood out like a sore thumb..next time I need to think less is more..!

Shirt: H&M
Jeans: Gap
Shoes: M&S
Necklace: H&M

So there is my round up of Spring inspiration, outfits and my style....come on Spring we are waiting for you to truly arrive!

Next time..what to wear on a beautiful Spring evening, 

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, till next time Frances x

Can you live without the Boyfriend?....

Style Theory: The Boyfriend Jean..slouchy, relaxed, distressed, cool and comfortable.

The boyfriend jean is now a major player in the 'jean gang', after the reign of the skinny, the Boyfriend is racing up there grabbing at the heels of the skinny trying to steal it's crown. I think boyfriends are just fabulous, my husband hates them with a passion..maybe becaused I look like I am wearing his jeans but for comfort and style they cannot be beaten. They look great with sweaters and T-shirts but dress them up with a pair of heels, a silk shirt and a sharp jacket and you take them to a new level of cool.

Here are few ideas of how to style the Boyfriend jean:

The boyfriend, great with a breton and layered jackets

Wear with a sweater and dress up with a pair of nude heels

Fab pop of colour with the heels.

Clash your primary colours together and wear with the 'new neutral' leopard or snakeskin shoes.

Stripes, boyfriends and court shoes..a match made in heaven.

Wear in the summer with flat ballet shoes and dress up your tee with a sparkly statement necklace.

Boyfriends and brogues..stunning combination.

When the summer comes team your boyfriends with open toed shoe boots.

Shades of blue

Sienna Miller looking stunning in simple black sweater, boyfriend jeans and high platform sandals

casually stylish.

I adore this look, the trainers are gorgeous, boyfriends and baseball jacket, all super  cool.

Wear your boyfriends with this season's must have trainer..the slip on.

Look chic with a white shirt tucked into your boyfriends and a pair of black courts, simply elegant

Boyfriend jeans are so versatile, wear with a simple breton tee, a chambray shirt, a denim shirt or a silk blouse..anything goes...

Here are the best Boyfriend jeans on the high street:

Current/Elliot Boyfriend Jeans @Matches fashion £260
These are expensive, however the wash and level of distressing is perfect..but you can get boyfriends that look fantastic for a fraction of the price see below.

J Brand Aidan Boyfriend Jeans @Matches £250
These top all the fashionista lists of their favourite boyfriend jeans, I have not seen these 'in the flesh' nor could I spend this much on a pair of jeans but are an ideal shape, not too baggy therefore would be flattering on us shorter ladies and the wash is spot on.

MIH Pheobe Jean at Matches Fashion £195
Love, love these jeans, they are slightly more out there in styling but are just gorgeous, I really like the chunky turn ups and the wash, would look equally good with heels as with trainers...definitely on my wish list...

Isabel Marant Etoile @Matches £155
Not too expensive for a pair of designer jeans, they have a high waist so would hide a mum tum.

Gap 1969 Destructed sexy boyfriend jeans £49.95
Moving into a more affordable bracket, I love Gap boyfriend jeans they seem to fit me really well round the waist and the perfect' bagginess'.They are pretty reasonable and even better if you wait for Gap's 30% off they seem to have every couple of months.

Gap 1969 destructed sexy jeans - daybreak wash £49.95
This is my favourite Gap wash, I personally prefer the lighter wash and like a fair amount of distressing.

Topshop Moto Dark Vintage Hayden Jeans £42
These are good if you are looking for a high rise jean, they are quite short so if in doubt go for a slightly longer leg.

Topshop Moto Rip and Repair Jeans £42
These jeans are the same rise as above just more distressed and look really cool on.

River Island Light Wash ripped Eva girlfriend jeans £40
River Island are always a good go to destination for jeans but try them on as every style fits so different and you may need to up or down a size.

ASOS Brady Slim Boyfriend Jeans in Vintage Wash £38
These look pretty vintage, the wash is good and the level of distressing perfect.

Zara Ripped Boyfriend Jeans £29.99
A great spring/summer jean, the pale colour will look great with pale sandals or pastel heels.

Zara Ripped Boyfriend Jeans £29.99
These are a darker, dirtier wash and will look good paired with brighter colours.

H&M Skinny Boyfriend Jeans £24.99
The most reasonable of all the jeans, these are fairly skinny on the calf (too skinny for me ) but if you have lovely thin legs these would be perfect.

As with all jeans, you need to try on as many pairs as you can in order to get the correct fit. If you are smaller look for a skinnier leg, a less baggy option. Make sure that the base of the jean falls at the most an inch or two above your ankle for a more flattering look. I like the waist to be fairly generous so I can tighten it up with a belt and they hang a little more off my hips, but this is entirely a personal preference and with the emergence of the 'mom' jean (a higher waisted jean) then with these it is probably better to wear them more fitted at the top.

I hope this makes sense and may help you to fill a boyfriend jean shaped gap in your wardrobe.

Here is how I have worn my boyfriend jeans over the last couple of months:

My Style:

My boyfriend jean looks over the past 6 months..I live in them as sometimes you just need to be comfy and after two kids I feel super squashed in skinny jeans!

Casual Look
Left: Jumper Zoe Karssan
Coat: M&S
Trainers: Superstar Adidas Originals
Jeans: Gap
Right: Jumper: Boden
Bag: Topshop
Trainers: John Lewis

Left: Shirt: H&M
Shoes: Dune
Jacket: New Look
Right: Jumper H&M
Shirt: Gap
Bag: Topshop

Left: Coat M&S
Jumper: Whistles
Necklace: H&M
Right: Jumper: Topshop
Scarf: Primark

Left: Fur Gilet: Mango
Biker: Asos
Shoes: Zara
Right: Coat: Zara

There is my round up of the fabulous Boyfriend jean, it is my schoolrun favourite! Do you wear boyfriends, where are your's from?

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