AW15 Coat Edit

Style Theory: One of the most important purchases of the season..the smart winter coat. It can instantly turn a casual outfit into a sophisticated look, get the colour, the fabric and the fit right and the winter coat will your wardrobe saviour.

In this blog post I will be talking about the 'smart' winter coat, I will look at Parkas, Puffers etc in a separate post. I am a huge fan of a dressy coat, for the last five years I have bought a bright coloured coat and I have worn them non-stop. They give me a signature look each season and it is amazing how good clashing colours look with them. This year I am on the hunt for a classic camel coat but throughout my search I have found lots of stunning coats on the high street..

The Red Coat

Jaeger 3 Button Coat £350

A little expensive but this coat looks amazing on, the collar looks great turned up and the colour is the perfect shade of a true red. This would look stunning clashed with a pink sweater and black skinny jeans and knee high black boots. Or wear over an all black outfit for a chic look. I also love a red coat with pale distressed blue jeans, a chunky black poloneck and trainers. This one is great for smaller ladies (like me) and is definitely on my list, in Elys in Wimbledon they were running a promotion with £100 off all Jaegar coats, not too sure if this is still going but well worth looking out for these promotions, it makes the price more palatable! 

The Forest Green Coat

&Other Stories £165

A beautiful fuzzy wool mix coat with gradient dye. This coat is a generous fit, wear with navys, pale denim blues, pale pinks, burgundys and add a red or orange bag for a striking pop of colour.

The Burgundy Coat 

H&M Studio Coat £139.99

A wool mix coat with gorgeous quilted detail. This is a modern take on a classic shape and will look stunning with camels, pinks greys, black and navy.

M&S Wool Blend Coat £139

This coat is such a beautiful, rich colour, one to try on as M&S coats normally come up a little big. I love the length and the collar, chic and sophisticated in this season's key colour.

The Grey Coat

The more I have researched this blog post the more I am loving the grey maxi coat,  I have tried lots of these but due to the fact I am 5ft 3 these are not an easy style for me to wear, for the taller ladies however this is THE coat to buy. It looks cool, nonchalant and so stylish.

Zara Handmade Coat £129

This may not be the warmest coat buy I always wear a uniqlo thin body warmer underneath mine and add an oversize pale grey scarf for a beautiful, tonal look.

Topshop Longline Slouchy Coat £89

This coat looks less 'dressing gown-y' in the flesh. It is this season's maxi length and would look perfect dressed down with skinny ankle length jeans and trainers. Add an oversized mustard scarf and you will look super chic.

Zara Coat £59.99

This coat is better if you are small, the perfect length, not too boxy and such a good price for a wool mix.  Again I would add a pale mustard oversize scarf to add a  touch of colour.

The Camel Coat

Lauren Ralph Lauren @ HoF £245

This is from a previous blog post but I really like this classic shape. This coat is 60% wool and is beautifully tailored.

Cos Rib Neck Wool Coat £175

This is the coat I think I am going to buy for this winter, it actually looks great on, it hangs beautifully in a swing shape and is flattering with a split at the back. It does not have a collar but will look fabulous with so many different colours of oversized scarves, deep reds, pink, navy, grey and black. This will look as good with my stan smith trainers as with a dress and heels.

I tried it on in Cos..not great photos but I do really like the coat.

I sized down on this coat, this is a size 8. The wool is quite flat/ felt -like which I wasn't sure of at first but actually I think it looks lovely, quite expensive.

Have you invested in your winter smart coat, what colour do you fancy this year? Or have you got a coat you use every year that is a classic and looks great year after year?

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

Outfit Post - Grown up shorts and Mary Janes

Style Theory: Grown up shorts and Mary Jane shoes, the "Back to School' items I have bought myself that strangely mirror the kids school clothes. I think all the time spent shopping for uniforms in Marks & Spencer and shoe shopping in Clarks had an adverse effect on my and I decided I needed new shorts and shiny pair of shoes....

Here is what I bought:

Jumper: Cos sold out in black but available in Navy and Red £55
Shorts: Cos £69
Shoes: Topshop £65
Bag: Marc Jacobs similar here

The Cos sweater is my most worn item in the Autumn/Winter, I love the puff sleeve detail plus it washes so well (I've had it for a couple of years and it still looks good). The shorts/culottes are a great length, so comfortable and can be styled with a grey poloneck and brown 70s knee high boots in the winter..here are the details..

Cos Sweater 

Cos Textured Knit Jumper £55

Cos Textured Knit Jumper £55

Adore this berry colour of the jumper - this is one for my shopping list, it will be the perfect addition to my Autumn Winter wardrobe. I love this colour with pink/navy/mustard and black.

Cos Chunk Knit Jumper £59

If you are looking for a black jumper, this Cos one is gorgeous alternative to the one I am wearing above. I love the shaping on the arms and the contrast knit, Cos are experts at this minimal, cool look.

Cos Roll Neck Neck £45

This roll neck is very fine knit so perfect under a larger jumper as a layering piece, if worn by itself you may need to wear a fine vest top underneath as it is see-through. The grey version is beautiful too.

The Shorts:

Cos Wool Turn up Shorts £69

These shorts, for me, are the perfect length just below my knee. They are so easy to wear, comfortable, practical and I think (although I think my husband disagrees) that they look stylish especially when worn with all black.

Mary Jane Shoes

Topshop Ginger Shoes £65

Love these shoes, especially the heels and where the ankle strap sits across the base of the ankle is really flattering. I find they fit true to size if a tiny bit big, but beware the ankle strap is small (I have it on the last hole) so definitely one to try on before buying if you can. I managed to walk in these all afternoon yesterday (not particularly comfortable but my feet survived!)

Oversize Bag

Topshop Oversized Holdall £36

I always find I need a an oversized bag if I am off out to meeting to carry everything (normally a pair of trainers, make up, purse, water etc) and this is is the perfect size.

So that was my little Back to School purchases..not for the schoolrun obvs but good for work and evenings out.

Have you treated yourself to any Back to School goodies..or is just the joy of the kids being back to school enough?! ;-)

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

The Spring Coat and Jacket Edit

Style Theory: Spring jackets, the answer to transitional dressing, can transform a basic outfit taking it smoothly from season to season whilst keeping you warm and protected from changeable UK Spring weather...

From khaki , to floral, to tailored to Trophy jackets I have tracked down the best on the high street now..

The Khaki Jacket

Hush Military Jacket £65

A bloggers favourite, this is a smarter Khaki jacket perfect for over jersey maxi dresses.

Next Khaki Soft Utility Jacket £65

A slouchy look, perfect for looking stylish for the schoolrun. Would look fabulous with a breton, denim shorts and superga trainers, add a pop of colour with an orange bag.

Topshop Utility Shirt Jacket £38

This jacket is super useful, can be worn as a jacket or as a shirt, would look great with denim cut off shorts/skinny ankle length jeans, a boho top and strappy sandals.

The Coat

Zara Linen Coat with Border £79.99

A great summer coat, this is fairly substanial lined, linen would be perfect for a wedding over a cream dress with gold accessories, or wear with a crisp white shirt and a pair of blue skinny jeans and flat tan strappy sandals.

Mango Wool Blend Candy Coat £99.99

As you know I do love a pink coat, I am still smitten with my M&S coat 2 years on, this would cheer up any cloudy spring day.

Zara Red Coat £89

A vibrant red, this coat is quite heavy and will be perfect for those really chilly Uk Spring days, it will see you straight through to the winter. I love clashing a red coat with a pink or turquoise bag for a cool look.
Trophy Jackets

Monsoon £99

This is slightly over the top with pom poms and jewels but I kinda love it. A cross between a jacket and a cardigan, perfect for the summer.

Monsoon £49

This cardigan/jacket is great if you are planning on taking a monochrome wardrobe on holiday, add splashes of colour with accessories. This would look great over a black jumpsuit for a chillier evening.

Marks and Spencer £59

A real statement jacket, keep the rest of your outfit simple, would look great with a grey tee, distressed jeans and flat tan strappy sandals.
Waistcoat Jacket
This is an surprisingly versatile piece to have in your wardrobe, can be worn alone or worn over a denim or leather jacket. 

Zara Long Waistcoat Jacket £39.99

Not sure I am really doing this coat justice in this photo, it needs to be worn with closer fitting clothes underneath, I would wear with a navy shift dress and tan heels, or a white blouse, blue skinny jeans and high strappy sandals.

Warehouse Sleeveless Wool Waistcoat £65

Marks and Spencer Tencel Sleeveless Mac £69

Blazers

Massimo Dutti £145

This is pricey but a really lovely tailored fit, a great length too..

Zara Roll up Sleeve Jacket £69.99

Miss Selfridges Cape Sleeve Jacket £45

A twist on the traditional blazer, the arms have been split for a cape look. Wear for an evening out over a black jumpsuit and heels or for a more casual look wear with a grey tee, distressed jeans and tan accessories.

Love, love this Cos Stores jacket, I am afraid I cannot find it online but it is most definitely in stores. It is a denim fabric and has the most fabulous draping cape detail at the back. Can be worn with jeans or dresses, would look great with cargos and heels..this is one I am buying!

Are you a fan of the Spring jacket, which one catches your eye. Obviously there are also trenches and denim jackets that I will cover next week. As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx

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Spotlight on...Cos

Style Theory: Cos Stores, the older, more grown up sister of H&M is a Swedish master of modern, simple shapes, innovative fabrics and unexpected design details. It is the kind of shop at first glance can look quite 'samey' but delve deeper and you will be seduced by the flattering dresses, gorgeous tops and beautifully cut skirts. 

Cos states it is 'Modern, Functional, Considered design' It is perfect for women who like to show they have a shape without wearing something that is too clingy (ie. me) After two babies my figure is full of lumps and bumps and I find Cos pieces skim over these due to the way the garments are cut and also the fabrics that are used; heavy cottons and thick linens to cover any tummy bumps, a twist towards the base of a shirt, razor pleats started just at the most flattering point, all these details are cleverly thought out by the designers and technicians to create pretty fabulous items. Cos is one of these stores you have to (if you can) go in sans les enfants and when you have a time to try, try, try lots of different pieces until you find the right ones for you.

I had a little trying on session today and these are my favourite items..

The Comfortable Holiday Dress

Contrast Panel Dress £55

A flattering, T-shirt dress, the poplin contrast fabric around the bottom of the dress is thick and pulls the jersey fabric out,away from any lumps and bumps on your body resulting in a super comfortable, easy wear dress. Perfect for holiday, wear with strappy tan sandals.

The Tailored Dress

Pleated Poplin Dress £69

The knife pleats on this dress make it pretty and flattering, amp up this dress with contrast sandals (orange or turquoise or the sandals below..)

Metallic Sandals £135

The Statement Coat

Gathered Detail Coat £135

A real statement piece, this coat would be fabulous for a wedding. It would look great worn as a dress with heels and you could also dress it down with distressed jeans and heels and a denim shirt..I love this coat!

The White Top with a Twist

Top with Folded Sides £45

My sister has this top and it looks beautiful on, from the front it looks like a basic white (non clingy) top from the back it has a slight cape like appearance, very cool..

The Wedding Guest Outfit

Stretchy Rib Top £59

Technical Mesh Skirt £79

This would, again, make a fabulous wedding guest outfit or I am thinking of buying this to wear for my daughter's Holy Communion in May and a wedding in June. The skirt is a mesh-type, slightly padded fabric so again it does not cling, I really like it's futuristic look. (looked good with my Boden Alice heels)

The Statement Skirt

Textured A -Line Skirt £79

Add a pop of colour to your wardrobe with this barbie pink skirt, cut to skim the hips, would look perfect with a navy t-shirt and a pair of navy/pink heels, I like the clash with the yellow coat. 

I could go on forever, it is fair to say I am a Cos fan. The prices are a little on the more expensive side so I treat myself to one or two pieces a season then buy a couple more pieces in the sale (you have to look out for it as things sell out quick but it is normally really good 40% - 50% off)

Are you a Cos do you like minimal shapes with a twist or does this collection look too shapeless to you? Have you bought items from Cos before, have they lasted the test of time? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xx