Every Girl Wants to be a Ballerina....

Style Theory: There are times when you just want to feel feminine and pretty, with all the androgynous looks in fashion at the moment why not add a floaty, pleated skirt to your wardrobe to add some girliness..

These skirts have been around for a few years so you may already have one in your wardrobe here are some ideas of how to style the pleated skirt:

Team your pleated skirt with a slouchy denim shirt 

For a daytime look wear with trainers, slightly shorter pleated skirts look good with trainers.

Make your skirt Autumn appropriate by wearing it with a tonal jumper.

Wear your grey pleated skirt with snakeskin shoes and a white shirt for a chic look.

Wear a floor length pleated skirt with a slouchy shirt for a dressed up/dressed down look. 

Leather or faux leather skirts look chic and sophisticated, wear with heels for a flattering look.

All images above via Pinterest

These skirts are great for transitional dressing, they can be worn in the height of summer with bare legs, a t-shirt and a pair of pointed heels or flats and in Autumn/Winter with a fine wool sweater and a pair of knee high boots or trainers.

I have finally got my hands on a pleated skirt (after years of wanting one) This one is from Whistles, I used the 25% off from last week's Grazia to buy it. It is a great length and weight so it hangs beautifully. You cannot help but feel very feminine in it, the crystal-pink hue would look fabulous with such an array of colours..tan, turquoise, blues and black. 

Jumper: Topshop similar here
Skirt: Whistles £115
Shoes: Zara similar here

Another outfit idea...

Coat: Zara similar here
Sweater: Whistles £85 (this is gorgeous, I love it)
Watch: Storm 'Rizzy' £115
Skirt: Whistles As above
Bracelet: Alex Monroe £120

I know I will wear my skirt over and over again, here are a few other options available now on the highstreet:

Reiss June Pleated Skirt £135

Asos Premium Pleated Skirt £60

Asos Pleated Skirt in Leather look £60

Asos Pink Pleated Skirt £30

Zara Leather Effect Olive Skirt £39.99

Asos Pleat Front Bonded Skirt £40

Do you already have a pleated skirt in your wardrobe, do you team yours with trainers or heels, are you finding it a useful item for this warm Autumn?

 

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

Phs by LasCallesdeBarcelona

Workwear and tailoring perfection..

Style Theory: It is not often I am taken by an entire collection but after scrolling through Topshop's new Boutique Collection I think I have fallen for almost all of it.

For me it encapsulates this Autumn/Winter, the laid back, tailored look complete with a quirky twist. It has the most fabulous mix of stand out one off items and casual pieces that can be mixed and matched together. The skirts can be worn with grey marl t-shirts and trainers for a dress down look, or smartened up with a blouse and heels for work..

Here is my rundown of my favourite pieces and how I would style them:

Topshop Neat Leather Jacket £320

The soft green colour is so unusual, it would work so well with denim, black, blues, wines, think of it as a neutral colour that will pretty much go with anything, this season you can really mix colours up.

Silk Off the Shoulder Dress £75

A beautiful muted colour, this is the shape of the season, the off the shoulder looks delicate along with the fine silk material A difficult dress to wear, but it is stunning. I would team in the winter with opaque tights and black shoe boots, or animal print heels. 

Slouchy Jumper £60

The perfect slouchy jumper,  basic but a fabulous shape, wear with the skirt below and white trainers, pair with skinny jeans or leather leggings. Add a shot of colour with a pale blue scarf or wine coloured bag. 

Topshop Hybrid Pencil Skirt £90

This skirt looks so designer, I love the quirky pleats. wear with a chambray shirt and trainers for a street style look or with T-Bar courts and a slouchy blouse for a fabulous work-wear outfit. 

Topshop Hybrid Pleated £110

A perfect work dress with a twist, classic and so on trend. Wear with a camel coat thrown over the top and a pair of leopard print kitten heels.

Topshop Print Weave Top £65

This is a cute top and would look fab with a pair of black skinny jeans and trainers or heels depending if you want to dress down or up.

Artichoke Floral Print Dress Topshop Unique £195

Going off a bit of a tangent but how fabulous is this Topshop dress available to buy from the runway. I love the pattern, blue and wine colour thrown together, it works and packs a punch. It is a great styling tip to wear a fine poloneck of a contrasing colour under your floaty dressed to ensure you get wear out of them throughout the year.

Topshop Bloomsbury Dress £68

I saw this dress today in-store and it is gorgeously floaty on, would capture the AW14 70s vibe perfectly with tan knee high boots and a long camel or red coat.

Topshop Fliss Flatform Shoes £35

These are slightly leftfield, they are fabulous tributes to Stella McCartney's AW14 flatforms. I have ordered them, I will let you know what they are like. I intend to pair them with my denim dresses and skirts and sweaters. 

Aldo Bruscello Bag £50

This is not Topshop, I spotted it yesterday in Aldo and it is fab for this season, the colour is rich, it has a shoulder strap and I love the pom pom keyring. Although not leather it looks expensive and the purse in the front is an added bonus.

That completes my quick round up of my fave pieces in Topshop's boutique collection and a couple of other items that caught my eye in stores yesterday. I  love the muted palette mixed with accents of bold electric colours, there is a stunning bright blue fur coat in the Topshop collection that I was unable to find an image of, it is amazing but only for the brave..!

My Style

For an evening out in town for supper and drinks with friends I wore my &Other Stories off the shoulder dress and leather jacket. 

Dress: &Other Stories
Leather Jacket: Asos
Shoes: Nine West

And a very casual look, dropping the kids to school and then for a swim (hence very make-up-less!)..

Jacket: Zara
Dress: Asos
Trainers; Stan smith

What do you think of the Topshop collection, are muted colours going to be your go to this Autumn?

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

The 2014 Capsule Basics

Style Theory: Everyone's wardrobe requires some useful, practical clothes for everyday life....taking the kids to school or to chill out at the weekend, I do not claim my list of capsule basics are sexy but I can promise they are comfortable....

My Schoolrun Look:

Top: Petit Bateau
Jacket: Zara
Jeans: Topshop Baxter
Trainers: Adidas Stan Smith
Bag: TK Maxx

Here are a few basics for your wardrobe available on the highstreet now..

The Mighty Breton

Last year I bought a Petit Bateau breton, previously I had always bought cheaper ones but they did not wash well and the colours ended up running. I wanted one that was fairly thick and would not cling to my tummy, the Petit Bateau breton has come up trumps. It is pricey but has washed beautifully and looks just as good dressed up with trousers and heels as it does with my skinny jeans and trainers. Definitely worth it...

Petit Bateau £58

I really like the navy colourway, especially for the autumn, looks great with a navy blazer, boyfriend jeans and clashing patterned heels.

The Jumper

A jumper with some lovely details is always a good addition to your wardrobe, these Cos jumpers are a flattering fit with the slight puff shoulders, I have worn mine to death, both as a casual outfit with my baggy jeans and trainers and with my black skinny jeans and leopard print heels for a night out. I really like this navy one, it will be so useful to wear with blue skinny jeans and a pair of beautiful heels..

Cos Raised-Knit Jumper £49

The Jeans

Next on the list is a good pair of skinny jeans. To be honest I still do not think I have found my dream jeans that tick all the boxes required for a perfect fit, wash and details. The ones I always go back to are Topshop Baxter jeans, the wash is flattering, the fit is good and the price..pretty reasonable..

Topshop Baxter Jeans £42

These are a great colour and I am a big fan of a touch of distressing on jeans. These will look fab with a blouse (love this Warehouse one) and a pair of heels on a night out.

The Trainers

Every girl needs a good pair of trainers and I honestly love my Stan Smith trainers, they look just as cool with a dress or culottes as they are dashing up to school on the schoolrun..

Adidas Stan Smith Trainers £67 (neo white)

It is best to get the neo white trainers as they are slightly more worn looking and just look a bit cooler than the bright white Stan Smiths.

Or Zara has some fab white trainers..

Zara Perforated Leather Sneakers £39.99

The Jacket

A warm jacket is a must a weather turns colder, if you fancy a puffa style jacket (very on trend this winter) I tried this one on in Zara and just loved it on, it comes in khaki and black also but I love this yellow colour and even with my pale colouring I could just about get away with it..

Zara Short Anorak with Fur Collar £79.99

For a more classic but also really reasonable coat, you cannot go wrong with a camel coat and this one from Miss Selfridges looks really cute on and will go with everything..

Miss Selfridge Double Breasted Coat £59

A very neat looking coat, it comes up a little small so you may have to size up.

The Bag

For a chic bag that you can sling across you to leave your hands available for carrying school bags or shopping or if you are me normally both. This M&S one is very similar to the Mulberry Tessie Satchel but far less expensive..

M&S Leather Saddle Bag £59

This is a far better colour in real life, it is a deep wine colour and would look just as lovely with the yellow jacket as with the camel coat or a navy wool coat.

That is my round up of my most useful pieces in my 'Mum' wardrobe, what is your favourite run around outfit? What do you wear at the weekend, is a breton and jeans major building blocks in your wardrobe?

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

A Cinderella Moment....

Style Theory: Every girl likes a little bit of sparkle and what is better than a pair of beautiful, sparkly shoes. These shoes can dress up a casual outfit or make a dressed up style look that bit extra special..

Since the moment when SJP wore those iconic Manolo Blahniks in Sex in the City for her wedding, I have been dreaming of owning a pair. They are, however, out of my price range but luckily Dune have come up with some stunning heeled courts with a sparkly brooch and I can honestly say they are beautiful and flattering on...

Dune Breanna Shoes £89

Dune Breanna Shoes - Pink £89

Here are some more sparkly options for those that prefer the practicality of flats..

Russell & Bromley Jewelled Pointed Flat £225

Style these leopards like you would black or beige shoes, think of them as neutral shoes that you can wear with all colours, patterns (spots and stripes) they will work as well with black opaques and a dress shoes as they will with a stripe shirt and leather leggings/jeans. Mix up patterns and texture for a fresh AW14 look. 

Russell and Bromley Tiara Pointy Flat £195

Metallics are key this season and add an extra sparkle to an outfit.

Boden Jewelled Pumps £129

Wear these dressed down with distressed boyfriend or skinny jeans, a soft white shirt and an oversized beige wool cardigan.

Topshop Moon Slippers £32

Next Jewelled Bow Shoes (Navy or Beige) £30

A purse-friendly option, these look fabulous and expensive in the navy colourway.

New Look £19.99

We all like a little luxury in our life and jewelled pumps or heels give your outfit that expensive, sparkly look..

And for your little girl I adore these...

Zara Jewel Detail Pumps £29.99

Marks and Spencer Leather Lace up Glittery Shoes £14-£16

Too cute and leather..perfect girls party shoes!

My Style:

Over the last few days..quite unsparkly! I did indulge in the yellow wool skirt from Cos, it is cut well, really comfortable and has pockets..a detail I love...

Shirt: H&M
Skirt: Cos
Sandals: H&M
Coat: M&S

Mixing up my lace skirt with a jumper and trainers for a dressed down look:

Sweater: Zara
Skirt: H&M
Trainers: Adidas Stan Smith

Are you tempted by jewelled shoes, are you in the mood for adding a little bit of sparkle to your wardrobe?

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