Time for Khaki..

Style Theory: Khaki in spring summer 2015 is definitely one for the girls, no longer a military look this season it comes in elegant, fluid forms, think flowy dresses, slouchy shirts and tailored trousers. The colour is considered a neutral and can be combined with almost any colour in the rainbow, but this season keep it chic and simple layer up different shades of green from dark forest to pale khaki, or wear all one colour with black accessories, clean and straightforward..

From left: Marc Jacobs SS15 (photos 1 & 2) Chanel Spring 15 Ready to Wear

From left: Sacai SS15 Sonia Rykiel SS15 Ralph Lauren SS15

Here is streetstyle inspiration on how to style the khaki trend..

A really grown up way to wear khaki, chic and stylish.

Smarten up a khaki coat with a skirt and heels

Boilersuits and jumpsuits continue going strong through 2015

Wrap a belt around your trench so a chic look.

ALL IMAGES ABOVE VIA PINTEREST

Khaki is an easy trend to wear, it is a soft flattering colour, looks great with olive skin or try a splash of fake tan to enhance the colour on paler skin tones..here are the best khaki clothing on the high street now..

Topshop have this look pretty much covered, pair your khaki items with black skinny jeans and black accessories for the winter, as the Spring approaches add some pale pinks and reds in for a fresh look.

Topshop Grungy Lofty Ribbed Sweater £36

I have this sweater and have worn it non-stop. It is so soft and comfortable, looks great with faux leather leggings and a fur coat for a statement look. Or pair it with a black leather pencil skirt and heels for a chic outfit.

Topshop Drape Front Blouse £36

A sophisticated take on the khaki trend, toughen this blouse up with distressed skinny light blue jeans, a biker jacket and pointed snakeskin heels.

Topshop Hybrid Jersey Shirt Dress £40

An easy to wear dress, wear now with tan knee high 70s style boots and a camel or navy coat. Wear in the summer with tan sandals.

Topshop Moto Khaki Ripped Jamie Jeans £42

A fabulous pair of basic jeans, they look great with pink sweaters and stan smith trainers. In the summer pair with delicate white 70s tops and tan, flat sandals.

Relaxed Utility Trousers £36

I have these trousers and they are unbelievably comfortable, however as they are not denim the rips do get bigger and bigger so wear with caution, not the best for scrabbling around on your knees with the kids. They look fab with leopard print heels and an oversize sweater or navy blouse.

Topshop Borg Lined Short Padded Jacket £78

This is a great transitional jacket, the black faux fur adds a touch of luxury. 

Miss Selfridge Khaki Utility Playsuit £45

Chic, sophisticated and so easy to wear. This playsuit would make a fab summer holiday buy, I would wear with tan , flat strappy sandals and fine gold jewellery.

H&M Quilted Bomber £29.99

Kate Moss has been wearing her Louis Vuitton bomber jacket in a true 90s way this season (see image below) I really like this one, would look fab layered with a black skinny roll neck and denim jacket, add black skinny jeans, pointed boots and a pair of cat eye black sunglasses (see Mango for some fab reasonable ones) and you will look like one stylish Mama

New Look Long Sleeve Military Shirt £22.99

This is much softer and more slouchy looking in real life, would look great tucked into a black leather midi skirt and delicate high black heels.

Miss Selfridges PU Midi Skirt £31.50

Adore the colour of this reduced skirt from Miss Selfridges, wear with a fine denim/chambray shirt and high tan boots now.

My Style:

Here are a few of my outfits with a nod to the khaki trend....

For an easy day around the house..

Cashmere Sweater: Whistles
Breton Top: Petite Bateau
Cashmere scarf: Uniqlo
Trousers: Topshop (link above)
Trainers: Stan Smith Adidas
Watch: Storm
Lipstick: Mac Lady Danger
Perfume: Chanel no.5

Shirt: New Look
Sweater: Topshop (link above)
Leggings: Zara
Shoes: M&S
Bag: TK Maxx

Sweater: Cos
Scarf: Burberry
Pink Coat: M&S
Trousers: Topshop (link above)
Shoes: Uterque

I do love a spot of khaki and have amassed quite a few items over the last few years. Are you a fan, is it a colour you like wearing, do you consider it to be a neutral?

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

2015 Spring Summer Stripes

Style Theory: The classic stripe once again dominated the catwalks for spring summer 2015, from deckchair style stripes on tailored suits, to appliqué ribbons, through to bold red and black looks, stripes are officially the way forward...any which way...

From top left: Victoria Beckham, Christian Dior, Altuzarra, Tibi.

Image via Pinterest

This season wear matching stripes or play with variations, mix fine stripes with wider stripes or try mixing stripes with florals and patterned tops..anything goes...

Here are the best striped items on the high street to add your capsule wardrobe now and wear all year..

Zara Stripe Textured Blazer £79.99

Wear now with all black or greys, add a yellow or orange soft, oversize scarf for a pop of colour, in the summer mix with coloured stripe tops and pale blue skinny jeans and brightly coloured Tods style driving shoes for an on trend, preppy look.

River Island Cropped Draped Jacket £60

A statement jacket, very cute will work throughout the year, layer under a fur coat now with a fine knit poloneck.

Mango Fine Knit Sweater £34.99

Love the colour combination of pink and red, really striking and the perfect look to brighten these dark winter days..

Topshop Striped Draped Blouse £38

Wear now with distressed black jeans and pointed ankle boots, in the summer wear with a button through a line denim skirt/ denim shorts and tan, strappy, flat sandals.

Topshop Pleated Bardot Top £25

Maybe one to squirrel away until summer, so cute would look fab with a pair of high waisted black, wide leg trousers and flats.. Wear now with blue high waisted skinny jeans, pointed courts and a longline black blazer, tie a patterned silk scarf on your neck for a bardot-esque, chic look.

Zara Striped Shirt £25.99

This is one of those blouses that hangs beautifully, it sits perfectly on the neck, wear with layered fine gold necklaces and skinny jeans for a feminine look. If you get a chance try on a few of the same size, I always tend to do this in Zara as the cut is always slightly different and you will find the most flattering one on your body shape.

Zara T_shirt with Shoulder Detail £19.99

A breton style t-shirt with a twist.

Zara Striped Crop Top £29.99
Zara Striped Skirt £39.99

Stripe this one out, these two pieces look striking together, or wear as separates, the options are endless.

Topshop Stripe Print Bootcut £42

Really 70s, I must admit I haven't had a chance to try these on but will let you know what they are like. I love the colours and would wear with them with a skinny poloneck and heeled pointed ankle or boots or mix it up with these gorgeous snakeskin boots..

Asos Oversize Stripe Scarf £20

Wear this as a scarf over a black long coat for a chic, french look. Wear with a chambray shirt, white jeans and trainers on cooler summer days.

MiH @ Asos Breton Dress was £185 now £80

A classic dress reduced to a decent price, this is a classic that you can wear year after year. Pair with white superga's for a chic, preppy look.

My Style:

Wearing my Zara blouse (link above) for a few meetings last week..

Blouse: Zara
Jacket: Asos
Bag: H&M
Faux Fur Coat: Topshop
Trainers: Stan Smith Adidas

 For lunch with the family before my birthday party..

Jumper: Topshop
Jeans: H&M
Shoes: Nine West
Bag: H&M
Coat: Topshop

Finally for my 40th Birthday party last Saturday, it turned out to be the most fantastic night with lots of family and friends, it turns out turning 40 is actually really good!

Jumpsuit: Whistles
Shoes: Dune
Necklace: H&M

So are you a stripey girl? Will you be sporting stripes this winter? I am really looking forward to wearing slouchy, stripey jersey dresses in the summer..more details to come.

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

The Great Dress Debate

Style Theory: As you may know, It's my 40th party this weekend and I am really not sure what wear?!! As usual I have left everything until the last minute, I really should have been on the ball when all the sales started in December but with Christmas and the fact I really was not too keen to be 40, I was somewhat distracted!! 

So here is what I have ordered so far, starting from my least favourite to what I think is the one I will feel most comfortable in. Apologies for the pale, generally uncared for and out of shape body, sock marks etc..these shots were taken manically before running up to get the kids. I am getting a spray tan today so hopefully should cover over everything and make me look slightly less pasty!

Needle and Thread @Asos Embellished Mesh Dress now £105

I love the net skirt on this and the sparkle but not so much the shape of the top (especially on my untoned arms), feel like this would look great if I was 25!

Needle & Thread @Asos Willow Embellished Midi Dress now £140

Really love the colours on this dress and the net and lace sleeves..this almost works but not quite..

Needle & Thread @Asos Giselle Ballet Midi Dress £95

Love this, it is really floaty and comfortable would be perfect for a summer birthday party..this one is a keeper to put in my summer stash of clothes!

DKNY @Net A Porter now £205

I had big hopes for this dress, it looks lovely from the back but not so flattering from the front! I think the grey would look good on olive skin...kind of love it but not quite right for me..

Needle & Thread @Asos Willow Maxi Dress £250

If I was going to ball, this would be perfect (although at 5ft2 I would have to get it taken up a foot!) I do love a maxi dress, perfect for winter party and covers up all sorts of Christmas indulgence. However as I am having my party in a bar this is a little too much..

Whistles Wrapover Lace Jumpsuit was £250 now £80

This is the one I am going to go for, as you may know I tried this on before Christmas and it just happens to fit me quite well. It is definitely made for us shorties and I had to size down a size. It is comfortable and dressy enough for my party. Covers my arms and legs..tick, tick and has pockets...another tick...I will have a spray tan this eve and all will be good! I will add some sparkle with jewellery and I am ready to party!

Although I really wanted something bright and statement I have gone for the opposite..but now I am a bit older I really think comfort rules (arghhh how old do I sound?)

So what do you think? What did you wear or what do you imagine you would wear for your 40th did you go for something statement or play it safe like me?

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, next time on Schoolrunstyle I will be starting to look at the SS15 trends and the best buys on the high street that see you through this cold winter into the Spring and Summer..

Thank you for reading, Frances xxxx

Treat yourself to a little Pampering...

Style Theory: Us ladies all deserve a little treat once in a while and a blow dry and style is the perfect pick me up before a special occasion or night out. In London, blow drys are the norm after work before going out, but as kids and life take over, treating ourselves takes a back seat. So the week of my 40th birthday I went to John Carne Hairdressers in Guildford, Surrey to be pampered and experience their Schoolrun blowdry; a hairwash, treatment, blowdry and style...heaven!

John Carne Hairdressers is situated in the centre of Guildford, one of the most beautiful places to shop, with a huge array of stores from Anthropologie to Donna Ida to fantastic independents such as Me&Em so well worth a visit..be pampered then shop and lunch a perfect day out!

You are in very safe hands in John Carne, a cool hairdressers with a luxurious, comfortable and an extremely welcoming ambiance with a fashion edge. Having worked backstage on numerous fashion shows the stylists are en pointe with all the new hairdressing techniques and trends and use their expert knowledge to create a gorgeous look.

This is my BEFORE photo:  Fine, Frizzy not soo nice..! (apologies in advance of all my extreme face close ups..eek!)

And the AFTER: the lovely Elz working on my hair after a luxurious hair treatment and head massage..

Tea, biscuits and magazines galore..in the afternoon clients are treated to champagne and strawberries..

Curls galore..

My hair kept it's curl for two days, would have been longer but I wash it every two days so sadly had to wash the curls out..

For all those who live in the Surrey/ London area and need a little 'lift' before a special occasion or night out or anyone who fancies making a special shopping/pampering trip to Guildford, John Carne are offering a deal until 1st March..I highly recommend it! Check out John Carne's fab website, blog and instagram account (@johncarne) for hair and fashion inspiration.

Thank you to John, Finnley, Elz and the lovely team at John Carne for a fabulous morning, I was so pleased with the result and will be back again for sure x

Are you a fan of a little pampering, do you ever get the time? What would be your idea of the ultimate day of pampering?

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

 My schoolrun blowdry was complimentary however all views and opinions expressed in this blog post are entirely my own.