The Sales Edit

Style Theory: The sales are on and there are some amazing bargains to be had. Look for classic pieces to use as building blocks for your wardrobe and add a few less expensive trend led styles for a little fashion twist, ready set..go..

Here is my edit of the best of the High Street sales:

Whistles Masie Waisted Jumpsuit was £120 now £60

A jumpsuit is a now regarded as a capsule wardrobe item. They are endlessly useful, wear this jumpsuit now with wedge espadrilles and in the winter wear with an blouse underneath and heeled pointed court shoes.

&Other Stories Scuba Denim dress was £95 now £47

Scuba is definitely a 'trend' fabric but the cut and colour of the dress is quite classic. Scuba is incredibly forgiving, it skims over lumps and bumps and look pretty spectacular on. A perfect dress for an evening out with flat tan strappy sandals and a tan bag.

See by Chloe @Asos was £240 now £168

A little pricey but this playsuit caught my eye, so cute, gorgeous colours and perfect for holiday..I am sooo tempted to buy this one, I always like to have one stand out piece in my holiday wardrobe and I think this may be it..

&Other Stories Nautical Sweater was £39 now £19

You cannot beat a breton especially when it is half price. This sweater would look great paired with denim cut off shorts and tan strappy sandals in the summer, in the winter pair with skinny flares and a pair of heels.

Zara Embroidered Tunic was £35.99 now £25.99

A classic beachwear item, sling over your bikini or swimsuit for a stylish stroll down to the beach.

Topshop Sheer Pom Pom Top now £25

Zara Embroidered Top was £29.99 now £15.99

It is always good to have a couple of black tops on holiday, they look fabulous against sunkissed skin and can be worn with denim shorts, patterned skirts or trousers, or rock a sleek all black look with black skinny trousers and black strappy sandals.

Asos House Of Harlow Top now £30

Crochet is such a key look this season, this top is beautiful and girly, toughen it up with denim cut off shorts and strappy tan sandals.

Mango Striped Shirt now £20

A cool classic shirt is a hardworking piece in your wardrobe, looks great with chinos, denim shorts or tucked into a fitted short skirt.

Gant Rugger Shirt Skirt was £85 now £42

A trend led piece, this skirt will add a fashion edge to your wardrobe, wear with a white vest top or a shirt as in the image.

Free People @Asos was £128 now £70

The white dress is now as important as the black dress and this floaty dress will be fabulously cool and stylish on a summer day.

There you have a few of the summer items that are on my shopping list, the sales are looking good this year and seem to come earlier each season! Have you bought much in the sales, what is your best buy so far? Would love to hear any ideas, I am off on holiday in a few weeks and have realised my summer wardrobe is looking a little sparse!

My Style:

For the schoolrun today, a cool denim dress is an easy item to throw on with a pair of strappy sandals..

Denim Dress - Whistles similar here
Sandals: Next 

Styling a shoot for the fabulous EditSecondHand comfort and practicality was key:

T-Shirt - Travelling Bazaar
Dungarees: H&M 
Sandals: Palmairas 

As always I would love to hear your thought and comments and your best buys in the sales..Until next time Frances xxx

Quick Dress Idea

Style Theory: Sometimes a simple dress with a unusual detail can be a real stand out piece in your wardrobe. When I was in Cos yesterday this dress caught my eye...

Cos Sheer-Hem Dress £69

A simple T-shirt dress in soft, medium weight jersey with sheer panel detailing at the bottom, interesting and elegant. This is the kind of dress I love, easy to wear, skims over my tummy and lumps and bumps but looks a little quirky, has a slight edge to it.

Cos Sheer-Hem Dress £69

The dress would work gorgeously either dressed up or dressed down. Perfect for a Wedding guest outfit, pair with silver shoes and silver accessories for a sophisticated look..love these Whistles shoes in the sale

Whistles Tilla Point Mule was £160 now £80

Add a clutch..

Accessorize Silver Leather bag now £12.50

If you have a chance check out the Accessorize sale, the clutch bags, real suede fringed bags and beach bags are all 50% off and the Z for Accessorize gold plated jewellery is also 50% off and is now so inexpensive perfect for accessorising your look on holiday.

Or wear the dress with tan sandals...

Topshop Radio Cut Away Sandals £58

Add a tan leather clutch and gold statement jewellery

Asos Leather Clutch £55

Pile up some brass chunky bangles on your wrist and you will look stylish and understated..

Or pair with these flat tan sandals for a cool, holiday evening look..

Topshop Hilt Sandals £26

Add a bright oversize clutch for a pop of colour..

Accessorize Clutch was £39 now £19.50

I am ordering the dress for my holiday, I have left it too late as it would have been perfect to wear to my Brother in Laws wedding in London tomorrow..I think it will be a maxi dress instead.

Are you a fan of easy wear dresses, where do you like to buy yours from? as always I would love to hear your thought and comments, until next time Frances xx

Luxe, Laid Back Tailoring with Fenn Wright Manson

Style Theory: Elegant, luxurious and beautifully cut, Fenn Wright Manson is the epitome of beautiful, British fashion.  With digital prints, sharp graphics and painterly brushstrokes on chic, expertly cut fabrics the look is both classic with an updated twist.

Fenn Wright Manson Orlaya Dress £169

No expense is spared on fabrics with sumptuous crepe de chines, lace,  silks and the Orlaya white Irish linen dress is no exception. On the hanger the dress looks slightly shapeless but as soon as you put it on the cut of the dress skims your curves, with beautiful details like a button at the back to pull it in and slightly shape it at your waist, a longer curved hem at the back and pintucks down the front ensure that the lines and details of the dress flatter.

The Orlaya dress has a cotton underslip that is connected with small poppers so the straps do not slip off your shoulders. It is a dense, Irish linen so hangs beautifully and you can unbutton the nemline as high as you dare. On warm summer holiday evenings, roll up the sleeves, slip on a pair of strappy tan sandals and add a boho inspired coloured clutch for a laid back look . This is a beautiful, luxurious dress and as soon as you slip it on you will feel comfortable, chic and extremely elegant.

Fenn Wright Manson Linnea Dress £118

If you are looking for a lightweight, silk dress perfect for a day at the races, a wedding or for work,  the Linnea Linnea shirt dress fits the bill. It is 100% silk and light as feather, incredibly comfortable and again cut beautifully with a slightly longer back which is incredibly flattering on your legs. The blue and black geometric print makes for a striking look and can be worn with a huge array of accessories from black to navy to orange for a pop of colour. The fact this doesn't crush is a huge bonus to an lazy ironer like me! I paired the dress with nude heels to elongate my legs and the Magnolia jacket for a dressed up look.

The Magnolia Jacket is simply and beautifully cut, with 3/4 length sleeves and shaped at the waist for a clean, crisp outline. I love the fact it can be worn both with a smart look and casually with distressed jeans, a grey tee and some animal print heels for a laid back, going out look. The smart casual look works for me every time, completely in my comfort zone!

Fenn Wright Manson Magnolia Jacket £149

When you put on an item of clothing that has been cut well and made with beautiful fabric you just feel, well, a little more sophisticated and grown up and this is exactly how I felt when I put on the Fenn Wright Manson pieces. Admittedly these are pricier than I would normally wear but for a special occasion it is sometimes worth pushing the boat out as you can wear the pieces time and time again.

Thank you to Fenn Wright Manson for the working with me on this piece and giving me the opportunity to wear these fabulous items.

Do you have luxurious items in your wardrobe that make you feel quite grown up and sophisticated, what items do you feel it is important to spend a little more on, or are you an accessories girl? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xx

Instant Wardrobe Update - The Off the Shoulder Dress

Style Theory: Have you been inspired to show a little shoulder? Chic, elegant and effortless the Off Shoulder dress, requires minimal accessories, the simpler the look the better, let the dress do the talking...

images above via Pinterest

My Style:

I find these dresses surprisingly flattering, they show off the shoulders and fall over any tummy/thigh area. I love this Mango dress, is a cheaper version of the Alexa for AG jeans dress (see below). It is a super lightweight fabric and has pockets which, in my mind are always a bonus!  It is the kind of fabric that creases easily so will need ironing and does crease a little when wearing it. I found it true to size I ordered a 10 online (inside the dress the tag says Medium) and it fits well. As I am a vertically challenged (5ft2ish) it is a good length just above my knees....

Mango Dress £34.99
Sandals: Next £24
Bag: Spain
Sunglasses: Primark

A comfortable, reasonable dress, perfect for holiday or wear with gold high heels and gold accessories for a glamorous wedding guest look. 

Here are a selection of my favourite off the shoulder dresses on the high street now..

Topshop Jersey Lace Dress £46

This dress is beautiful lace, I would keep accessories to a minimum wear with flat tan sandals or gold gladiators for a stunning laid back holiday evening look.

Topshop Embroidered Bardot Dress £50

A beautiful orange/red dress, this will show off your shoulders and the double layering of the top is incredibly flattering. Again add gold accessories, small gold hoop earrings and gold strappy flat sandals for an eye catching look.

Topshop Glamorous Off Shoulder Printed Dress £35

I am a huge fan of printed off the shoulder dresses, this would look amazing over a black bikini with a pair of tan strappy sandals for the beach. 

Asos Sister Jane Dress £56

The double ruffle at the top of this dress is beautiful and a real statement. 

Asos Pull and Bear Dress £25.99

Adore a white dress on holiday and this one would look as good over your bikini as it would for an evening out. Add some gorgeous sea green jewellery, I love these bangles from Black & Sigi for a real statement holiday piece..

Black & Sigi Gold Hemingway Bracelet £29

Black and Sigi are a British brand that handmake their beautiful jewellery, all unique individual pieces that sit beautifully with the boho look of the off the shoulder dress.

Asos Dress £28

I am a huge paisley fan, this is a beautiful print and again would look fabulous with fine gold jewellery and flat leather sandals.

Asos Denim Dress £40

Super modern, super cool , this dress ticks so many trends, denim, off the shoulder and a midi length. Love it styled with the clog shoes (see Topshop so some fab options) 

Mango Ruffled Dress £34.99

This is a lighter coloured version of my dress, actually this is the colour I thought I had ordered but obviously got it wrong. I love both colourways, this one would look stunning on sunkissed skin.

There is my round up of some of the best off the shoulder dresses on the high street, I could go on forever as there are so many stunning dressses about at the moment, they will be my dress style of the season.

Are you a fan, have you bought into the trend this year? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time, Frances xx

Thrifty Summer Updates - all under £20

Style Theory: Inexpensive items that will lift your current summer wardrobe outfits, giving them a current twist and a cool 2015 look all for under £20...

Next Lace Halter Top £18

The boho vibe is a key look this year, with lace and crochet details being a vital part of this trend. This vest top is easy to throw over a bikini with denim shorts on your summer holiday or layer up with a biker jacket, skinny, blue ankle length jeans and a pair of Stan Smith trainers for a perfect summer 2015 look.

Zara Top with Frilled Hem £17.99

This top would be fabulous if you carry any weight around your middle, again pair with denim shorts and the black sandals below, or for a chic evening look wear with black skinny ankle length trousers and black or tan strappy sandals the Mango clutch below for a sophisticated monochrome look. For colder evenings throw an oversized denim jacket over the top.

Mango T-Shirt £16.19

As I said in my last post the off the shoulder top is the top of the summer, this top is an inexpensive way to try out the trend. It is slightly cropped so for smaller ladies it will be a good length, for taller ladies I would wear with a high waisted denim button through midi skirt and strappy heels.

H&M Shirt £19.99

Not a major trend but I love the look of a shirt with a pair of shorts, this linen one is perfect for the summer and the colours are soft and flattering. Wear with blue denim shorts and natural colour majorcan sandals for a cool laidback vibe, I am wearing my Palmairas Sandals below, they are honestly like slippers and flattering on your legs as the colour is the same therefore the shoe elongates your legs.

Top: H&M (same in cream)
Shorts: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Palmairas Sandals
Bag: Spain

H&M Shorts £14.99

This season I am loving these shorts, I am not too sure whether it is my age or that I have a hunch (sound like Colombo..obvs is my age) that this length is going to be the length of shorts to wear. I have these and have chopped off the turn ups so that they are slightly frayed, not so neat looking. The photo below is pre chop! I like to wear these with pointed shoes and shirts or sweaters.

Jumper: Cos
Shorts:H&M Shorts £14.99
Shoes: Next Similar here
Bag: Aurora Living 

H&M Beach Dress £9.99

A fabulous, inexpensive cover up. Here is Alex from The Frugality wearing it, it looks fab on.

The Frugality

Mango Sandals £17.99

I have worn these sandals the most this summer, whenever there is the hint of sunny day I wear them,with dresses, jeans or shorts.

Boilersuit: Topshop
Bag: H&M
Shoes: Mango Sandals £17.99
Jacket: Primark similar here

Very Pom Pom Straw Bag £15

My wardrobe seems to be quite monochrome this year and I love this cute bag with the red pom pom detailing. Pom Poms are the thing to have on your straw bag this year so this Very bag is spot on. 

Mango Ethnic Clutch £17.99 

This is a really generous sized clutch, much bigger in real life than you imagine which I really like. You could fit your purse, phone, keys and make up in there easily, gorgeous for a holiday bag.

Accessorize Z Tash Tassel Earrings £12

I am a huge fan of Accessorize Z collection, each piece is gold plated, beautifully designed and amazing prices. I love these tassel earrings, they would look fabulous with a little black dress.

Accessorize Z Eternity Hoop Earrings £10

Love the design of these little subtle earrings, hoops are big this season but this is how I will be wearing them.

Alice Wonders Triple Coin Necklace £9

Alice Wonders is a little treasure trove of reasonably priced fine and statement jewellery, well worth taking a look as the collection is huge and all jewellery under £20.

Apologies for the extreme close up, but this is the Alice Wonders necklace, it sits perfectly under shirts adding a touch of glamour. 

A few summer pieces that will update your current wardrobe bringing it up to 2015. What are your key, frugal buys so far this summer? Mine are without a doubt the Mango sandals. As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx