Perfect Partywear..The Jumpsuit..10 of the Best

Style Theory: Jumpsuits, now re-established a chic partywear choice. Cool, comfortable and effortlessly stylish jumpsuits are a ready made, all in one outfit. Plain, lace, sparkly or patterned anything goes...

First some style inspiration..

All images above via Pinterest

The key is to let your jumpsuit do the work, keep jewellery simple, fine gold layered necklaces (see Z for Accessorize or HM for a wide variety of gorgeous, affordable fine jewellery) If wearing all black add a little sparkle with a clutch or statement heels. I love clashing printed or coloured jumpsuits with leopard print heels, or brightly coloured shoes, laid back but with a style twist.

Here are the best jumpsuits to wear to your Christmas drinks or on Christmas day available on the High Street now..

Whistles Lola Jumpsuit £206 (this weekend)

I am a big fan of the culotte jumpsuit, I would pair this with high black court shoes (no straps to ensure your legs are elongated) Go as high as you can bare with heels on this one, the higher the more flattering! Add a dark red bag for a punch of colour (see Sienna Millers shoes in the Pinterest photo above for the colour match) 

Whistles Wrapover Lace Jumpsuit £187 (this weekend)

This is a beautiful jumpsuit, the trouser part is slightly harem-ish and ankle length, so again I would wear high black, nude or dark red pointed court shoes and add a leopard print clutch to mix up textures (see &Other Stories for a fab leopard clutch)

Anthropologie £128 (take 20% off until Monday)

This pyjama style jumpsuit has been styled perfectly by Anthropologie, I love the belt and the shoes.... This is such a versatile jumpsuit, pair with white trainers at the weekend for a cool look.

Debenhams Ossie Clarke £149

This jumpsuit has beautifully flattering sleeves and I love the wide leg. Add a pair of pointy courts and a sparkly or animal print clutch for a chic and sophisticated Christmas party look.

Warehouse £68 (this weekend 25%) 

An alternative to black, this beautiful blue jumpsuit would look great with piles of gold bangles and a pair of gold courts to add some shine.

Warehouse £70 (25% off this weekend)

Red looks great with animal print, mix it up with leopard print courts and a gold bag.

Zara Low Cut Jumpsuit £69.99

Very AW14 with the cape detail, keep everything else simple, gold bangles and a high fine gold necklace.

Asos Jumpsuit £75 (20% off this weekend)

Next Aubergine Jumpsuit £55

A beautiful colour, would look great with a long camel coat over it for a Christmas night out..

Zara Fitted Jumpsuit £79.99

Basic and practical, I love Zara jumpsuits they are normally simple but flattering. I really like this with the white pointed shoes. I would throw a sequin jacket over the top and add a pair of leopard pumps and you are good to go!

My Style:

My new faux fur jacket from Topshop, (an early Christmas present from Mum and Dad thank you!xxx) After months of searching I think I have finally found one I feel comfortable in, it is faux fox fur and a little 'Dynasty' but is so warm, a good length and a beautiful soft colour.

Coat: Topshop
Top: Johnnie B at Boden
Jeans: Oasis
Bag: H&M
Trainers: Adidias Stan Smith

So are you a jumpsuit girl, what will you be wearing to your Christmas Party or on Christmas Day? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx

Top 10 Christmas Dresses

Style Theory: A dress, your partywear in one garment. Add a pair of animal print heels and a faux fur and you are ready to party..simple and effective!

Here are my top 10 Party dresses available on the high street now. I have chosen ones that are not too sparkly, I like to wear sequin embellishment on casual clothes (sweaters, shirts etc) and like to use accessories to add sparkle to a Christmas dress....however, no doubt as it gets nearer and nearer to Christmas my need for over the top sparkly dresses will grow and more will be featured....here are my favourite dresses so far....

Oasis Leila Lace Dress £85

I would pair this dress with some leopard print heels and a sparkly or black Chanel-esque quilted clutch. A black drapey, long trench would look spectacular over this dress.

Asos Black Scuba Dress £95

Scuba fabric is all forgiving, the peplum hem will be really flattering on your legs. I love the deep plum colour, I would pair with black opaques and black heeled courts for an extra leg-lengthening look.

Me & Em Pleat Front Swing Dress in Deep Peacock £148 (fur snood separate)

A heavy fabric that hangs beautifully. This dress can be easily worn casually or dressed up with a sparkly, statement necklace and heels.

Whistles In Smoke Dress £195

A beautiful, floaty midi dress, this again I would wear in the winter with opaques and black heels and in the summer with bare legs and strappy gold sandals, beautiful for year round wear.

Topshop Brocade Paisley Shift Dress £65

Not everyone's cup of tea but I really like the 60s vibe going on with this dress, it is a great layering piece and would look cool for a Christmas lunch with a fine black polo neck underneath, black opaque tight and some flat, black, pointed shoes. Or add grey ribbed tights and silver shoes for a cool, quirky look.

Zara Studio Dress £69.99

A beautiful, whimsical dress, perfect sheer coverage on the arms, I haven't seen it in store so not sure of the length and whether it would be a little too short, but with opaques you can definitely get away with taking hemlines up a little. 

Zara Cape Sleeve Dress £45.99

I was looking for a cape dress everywhere last year and here we have one at a reasonable price. Simple and chic, just add extra sparkly shoes and clutch.

Comptoir des Cotonniers £170

A sweater and sparkly skirt combination in a dress..perfect! 

& Other Stories £79

These structured dresses are always flattering, pick one of the colours in the print to match to an oversize slouchy, suede/leather clutch to (bright pink or electric blue would look striking)

Miss Selfridges Black and Lace £55

Very elegant, lace and a hint of sparkle and shine...no accessories necessary for this dress...

MY STYLE:

Over the last few days, a trip down to Winchester with my very best friends for champagne, mulled wine and Christmas Markets...

Coat: M&S
Gilet: Primark
Scarf: Becksondergaard
Jeans: Topshop
Trainers: Adidas Stan Smith

 For a dinner out with friends..my summer maxi dress layered with a jumper over the top and worn with my knee high tan boots

Dress: Topshop
Jumper: Topshop
Bag: H&M
Boots: Russell and Bromley 

This week so far has not been a roaring success I am currently in with the little one on the third day of two ear infections and super high temperature...still the good news is he still wants to play every minute of the day (arghhhh)..so far this morning we have completed a 150 pce puzzle, built 20 different combinations of a marble run, built three lego sets, plus a train track whilst watching Planes...ahh the joys! Starting to panic about the very smart Christmas do I have next week, three days in eating mini mince pies and a family selection of Waitrose Christmas biscuits is not helping my ever-expanding waistline..still there is always spanx!

I would to hear your thoughts on your perfect Christmas dress, are you a low key or spangly kind of girl? 

Next time perfect Christmas jumpsuits and separates..

Frances x

Top 10 Frugal Buys to Brighten up your Weekend

Style Theory: It is that time of the year when Christmas shopping truly begins but in amongst the present shopping why not sneak in a little something to brighten up your weekend? We all deserve a little treat now and then so here are a few ideas you can pop into your Christmas shopping quietly and enjoy wearing on the run up to Christmas or add to your Christmas list...

TOP 10 BUYS THIS WEEKEND

Accessorize Fedora Hat £29

This beautiful dark berry fedora will look chic with a camel, pink, pale blue or navy coat. It can take a normal outfit up a notch and make you look super stylish with an air inner confidence.

*** 25% off all Monsoon and Accessorize full price items with this week's Grazia..

Z for Accessorize
Gold Plated Cut Out Triangle Ring: £10 (£7.50 with Grazia reduction)

Delicate Arrow Earrings £10 (£7.50 with Grazia reduction)

I adore this Z for Accessorize collection, it is stunning and incredibly reasonable. I am a huge fan of fine jewellery especially when it is gold plated as this entire range is, try layering up rings or necklaces for a cool, boho vibe.

Next Leather Leopard Print Clutch £22

Going out for drinks..add a little interest to a chic, all black outfit with this cute leopard print, leather clutch.

Topshop Gingham Print Scarf £18

Wrap this cosy, soft scarf around your coat to look chic on a winter walk. It is oversized so looks far more luxurious than the price tag suggests and such a neutral colour will go with any colour coat..

Jigsaw Wrist Warmer £19

I tried these on when I was wearing my pink coat last week and loved them, they are fairly impractical but look great on, are so soft and would add a cool edge to your winter jacket, I think I 'need' them.

Jigsaw Pom Pom Keyring £19

Pointless...a little, cute...very! All those in the 'know' have one of these faux fur pom poms hanging of their bags (yes, Susie So So and Fashion40ish..thats you!) , coordinate or clash with your leather bag, it is kinda like having a little pet without the hassle..

Topshop Glitter Mary Jane Shoes £30 Black

Topshop Glitter Mary Jane Shoes £30 Gold (also come in silver)

Super cute little dancing shoes for when your Christmas heels feel too uncomfortable, these are the perfect little party shoe. Or wear to Christmas drinks with ankle length skinny jeans and a chunky knit..cold ankle mandatory (and maybe splash a little fake tan on them ;-))

Adidas Stan Smith £67

Ok, these are officially not cheap but if you were to buy one thing that would take you seamlessly through winter (extreme weather permitting) to the summer and further these are your guys..They are undeniably comfortable and look great, pair them with skinny jeans, culottes, wide legged trousers and midi skirts, they are without a doubt my 2014 wardrobe saviour..

M&S Letter Mug £8

For your first cup of coffee in the morning, your own letter mug. Savour those couple of moments of peace before the manic weekend dashing around starts..

These are the little treats I would like to buy this weekend..I have a feeling some may pop into my Christmas shopping tomorrow, along with a pink Mac lipstick I have my eye on...any little shopping treats your are hankering after?

As always I would love to hear your thought and comments, have a great weekend, Frances xxx

Tasteful Christmas Jumpers....

Style Theory: Christmas jumpers can go from the sublime to the ridiculous. If you want a slightly more subtle, cool, 'nod' to the Christmas jumper rather than an all singing, light up Christmas snow scene sweater (see Primark one below and I do strangely like this too!!) then here are a few gorgeous, snuggly winter sweaters and styling ideas that will see you through the Christmas period and beyond...

How to style the fairisle look...

Looks fab with boyfriend jeans and shoe boots for a laid back going out look

Add a touch of colour to a monochrome fairisle with a bright scarf

Slightly obsessed with this sweater..love it but cannot find similar..yet

A fabulous look on the ski slopes

I am a fan of the subtle Christmas jumper look, I love a touch of fair isle in the winter and also want to be able to wear my sweaters more than once or twice. 70s trends are becoming more prevalent this season with skinny flares having a moment so there is no better time to go for it with a retro sweater and rock the 70s ski holiday look....

Here is my take on the look...

Sweater: Topshop £36
Jeans: J Brand Lovestory £175
Shoeboots: Marks and Spencer £29.50

Here are my selection of the best 'tasteful' Christmas sweaters available on the high Street now:

Plumo Samsoe Sweater £98

I am a huge fan of the online store Plumo, this is on the pricey side but can be worn year after year. The colours are beautiful would look lovely with skinny jeans and shoe boots for a stunning Christmas look.

Topshop Brushed Fairisle Jumper £48

Zara Jacquard Sweater £45.99

Fat Face @John Lewis £45

Mango Jacquard Sweater £44.99

Gap Fair Isle Stripe Wool Sweater £39.95

Gap has matching scarf for a really cute, coordinated look. 

Topshop Fairisle Yoke Jumper £36

This is the jumper I bought I sized up one size as I prefer sweaters a little on the bigger side. It is quite a short sweater, I wore with my J Brand jeans which are a little higher waisted that my skinnies so I would recommend higher waisted jeans for a sleeker look.

M&S Retro Jumper £29.50

I spotted this in my local store, it is a stunning sweater and great for the price (20% off with M&S vouchers at the mo) It is low stock online but worth trying in stores.

Primark £14 (In store only)

Cheap and cheerful and subtle from Primark!

I saw this jumper in Primark and couldn't resist taking a photo..it has flashing lights!! Not so tasteful but good fun..

And of course the kids love a Christmas jumper..here are my two childrens off to school on Christmas Jumper day..too cute!!

Primark: £8- £12

Are you a fan of the subtle Christmas jumper or do you like the all-singing, all-dancing version? Will you be wearing yours on Christmas Day? I must admit I am loving my Topshop one and will also be wearing it with black skinny jeans and my Emu boots for a cosy Sunday look!

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