Summer Inspiration

Costa Blanca

Style Theory: I am in need of some Summer Inspiration, I have looked at last years clothes and think they need a styling refresh so here are a selection of my favourite outfits and images from Pinterest that I will use to inspire my summer style this year..

Stripe Dress

Black Dungarees

Round Sunglasses

Levis Shorts

Stan Smiths 

W Hotel Barcelona 

Adidas Superstar trainers & baggy distressed jeans

Button through denim skirt

Denim dungarees with sandals

Light blue flared jeans 

Salt Bar Barcelona

Aigua Blava, Costa Brava

Distressed white jeans and striped shirts

Dark denim flares and heels

White boho tops and levis 501s

White boho dresses

White boho tops and short

Yellow tops, strappy sandals and hoop earrings

My summer inspiration in a nutshell, it is going to involve a lot of white boho tops, denim in it's many forms (dungarees, shorts, button through skirts and jeans) and strappy sandals with a touch of yellow thrown in to add a splash of colour and of course and big dose of Barcelona and Costa Blanca...

How is your summer wardrobe shaping up? What styles are catching your eye, who is your summer inspiration?

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

ph via Pinterest, LasCallesdeBarcelona, Sincerely Jules, Pandora Sykes, Happily Grey

Add a little Flare to your Look

Style Theory: Flares are back, tired of the 'normcore' look of the last few years, the designers decided to mix things up for their Spring Summer 15 collections and flares were once more brought to the fore with a true 70s vibe.

Left: Tom Ford Right: Chloe

Although the fashionistas would like to herald this the end of the skinny, I disagree for the time being, there is still plenty of space in my Spring/summer wardrobe for my skinnies (especially when cropped at the ankle) But flares are spilling in to the high street and really do look fabulous worn on a night out with high, high heels and a soft, drapey shirt tucked in. In this post I am focussing on black flared jeans, they are super flattering and perfect for a glamorous evening look...

Here is how the streetstylers are styling them..

Paired back with a white tee shirt or a shirt black flares look chic and polished

Wear your flares with a tailored jacket and a small cross body bag for a true 2015 look.

images above via Pinterest

I bought these black, denim flares from H&M a few months ago - they are still available in store and online. They are super tight at the thigh and kick out at the knee, the most flattering flare.

Sweater: Cos similar here
Jeans: H&M £29.99
Bag: H&M £19.99
Shoes: Nine West similar here

Today I am wearing mine with a black sweater, leopard print heels...

I must admit I haven't worn black flares in years and years and it feels good to get back into them (also makes me feel old as I am seeing this trend come around for the third time!)

Here are the best black denim flares available on the high street now from the most expensive down to the least. I think with all jeans it is about the fit not necessarily the price. One of my main concerns in that the jeans do not go chalky white the first time I wash them..if anyone knows a solution to this I would love to hear? So far my best black denim jeans have come from J Brand, H&M and Oasis, no chalkiness, no bagging. If you do get the opportunity try on loads of pairs to find the best for your shape:

Mih Bodycon Marrakesh Flare Jean £225

Super flattering, super expensive. The bodycon element is stretchy so if you are going to invest go for as small as you possibly can as they do give a little when wearing.

J Brand Love Story Jeans @Asos £190

I have these in indigo and have had them for 8 years, they were an amazing investment, really keep their shape and wash well, a classic shape and look.

River Island Black was flare Jeans £42

I always read really good write ups on River Island jeans, if you are fan these will be fab, really good shape and a decent flare to make a statement. 

Topshop Moto Washed Black Tally Flares £40

If you prefer a more subtle 'kick flare' these ones are for you. They will lengthen your legs but do not have to be worn with such high heels as bigger flares.

H&M Black Flared Jeans £29.99

These are the jeans I am wearing above, good value, quite a flare and come up true to size.  

There is not a huge selection of black flares on the high street at the moment, probably because it is coming into summer, no doubt the high street will be flooded with them come Autumn.  However I do think they work in high summer, I love an all-black look, a camisole top or black slouchy shirt with black flares and tan sandals, it looks nonchalant and cool, I really think it is worth investing now to get lots of wear out of them....

Do you have any black flares lingering at the back of your wardrobe,  would you wear them in summer, how do you style yours?

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

Mellow Yellow

Style Theory: On the Spring/Summer 2015 catwalks, Burberry Prorsum, Acne and Michael Kors to name but a few championed this sunny hue. From amber to saffron to gold to lemon, there is a shade to suit everyone and every skin tone, it is just a matter of trying on and you will find your perfect piece of sunshine clothing.

I love a touch of mustardy yellow, it does not necessarily complement my skin tone but with a little help from some fake tan I can just about get away with it. This Zara yellow coat has brightened up the last few cold, rainy months and now fits perfectly with sunny days...

Coat - Zara similar here
Dungarees - H&M similar here
Scarf - Uniqlo similar here
Trainers - Stan Smith £67 
Bag - H&M £19.99

My newest yellow purchase is this yellow top from H&M I featured in my last post. I spotted it on the utterly cool Pandora Sykes, she styled it with some little denim shorts and Chloe sandals, as I am probably double her age and no where near as cool, I styled it with my jeans and new mango sandals with a little touch of leopard thrown in...

Top - H&M £29.99
Jeans - Asos £35 (I have chopped the bottom off these to make them ankle kick flares)
Sandals - Mango £19.99
Bag - &Other Stories similar here

A big, blouson-y sunshine top to match the sunny day (although in these photos it doesn't look it!) I could sail away with the arms on it, but it is the kind of top that is fabulous to throw on on holidays in the evening with a pair of shorts for a stroll down to dinner. Super easy to wear, non clingy and a gorgeous colour.. 

*In this month's Elle (May 2015) they have a 20% off H&M card (to be used in store only) they have some fab summer pieces in their this season so it worth having a look..

Are you a fan of yellow or do you steer clear? Have you been seduced by all the gorgeous mustard and lemony colours available on the high street this season?

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

Summer Sandals - the cream of the crop

Style Theory: Flat sandals, your summer holiday 'must haves', this year it is all about straps and ties and the high street have come up trumps. With the boho trend eclipsing all other trends this year sandals are laid back, flat, true boho chic. So whether it is tan, black or jewelled just make sure your sandals are strappy..

Here is a little outfit inspiration:

As you can see this style of sandal is incredibly versatile and whilst being practical looks effortlessly chic. Pair with maxi dresses, dungarees, summer dresses and denim...every which way these work..

Here are the best strappy sandals on the High Street now:

Starting with Office that seem to have a fab range of strappy sandals at the moment AND Grazia have 25% off Office this week so worth buying them now..

Office Oakley Strappy Mule Sandal £35

I tried these on they are super comfy, the leather is really soft, great little holiday sandals with a pair of cut off denim shorts and white boho top (they also look fab in gold here)

Office Odessa Lace Front Sandal £38

The gladiator style sandals are a big trend again this year, these would look lovely with ankle length blue jeans and a crisp white shirt.

Office Oscar Cut Out Low Wedge £42

I love an ankle strap and a slight wedge, the small amount of height is really flattering on legs and makes them look slimmer.

Office Olivier Low Wedge £45

Great little basic sandal, the mix of tan and gold is beautiful, the best of both worlds.

Now onto Next who have the most fabulous shoes this Spring Summer..

Next Strippy Ankle Wrap Sandals £30

Leather straps, tie ankle and only £30..will look amazing with a long black, floaty maxi dress (chloe style) and fine gold jewellery.

Next Lace Up Sandals £24 

These are also leather and come in a beautiful tan colour too.

Tan Lace Up Sandals £38

Not flat but not too high either, these are fabulously Chloe-esque and completely gorgeous..I will track them down to see what they are like on. Not leather uppers but for that price and such cool styling I think they are fab.

The best of the rest..

Topshop Fig Lace Up Sandals £39

These also come in black a fab gladiator/lace up hybrid.

KG Kazoo Black Sandal £85

A little more glamorous with gold details and a slight wedge heel, these look even better in 'real life'.

These are one of my favourites and at such an amazing price, I have bought these for the summer, they come up slightly big (half a size so if in between sizes size down) and are quite a slim fit. They also come in tan and snakeskin, all are fabulous but I plumped for the black as I think they will look good with my off the shoulder, black Other Stories dress from last year.

There are so many stunning sandals to chose from this year..so much better than last year, I think I may have to buy a couple of pairs..

My Style:

For a day out with the family, you just never know how warm or cold it is going to be at the moment (normally colder than you think) so I have taken layering to the extreme..

For a meeting about an upcoming project, I wore my Levis 501CT jeans. I have definitely renewed my love for 501s after a 20 year break. And of course the Boden shoes are fab, now I have got used to walking in them..

Are you starting to think Summer clothes yet or am I completely jumping the gun by looking at sandals? I have heard that April will be warm so you never know..fingers crossed!

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