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

It's Going to be a Colourful Spring

Outfit Post: I love a splash of colour, especially if the colours clash. I find colour flatters and can 'lift' an outfit, as long as I can dress the look down with a pair of distressed jeans or trainers to balance the overall effect and avoid the outfit looking too shouty. My yellow Zara coat, orange H&M bag and new Boden shoes on paper shouldn't work..but I think they kind of do, especially on a beautiful Spring, sunny day...

Yellow coat - Zara 
Jeans - Gap similar here
Bag - H&M (old)
Top - Cos
Shoes - Boden £119

For the last few seasons Boden has had a stand out pair of shoes that encapsulates the mood and colours of the season. For Autumn/winter 2014 it was the beautiful encrusted, crystal flat pumps and this Spring it is these beautiful 'Alice' shoes. Mine were part of a gift from my sisters for my birthday (thanks girls xx) and I love the colourway. The shoes come in two heel heights and five different colourways, mine above and these..

Boden Alice Shoes High Heel £119
Boden Alice Shoes Mid Heel £119

Boden Alice Shoes High Heel £119
Boden Alice Shoes Mid Heel £119

The high heels are 8.5cms, the mid heels are a very walkable 6cms, perfect for a spring or summer wedding guest outfit. 

However, as I have only one wedding this year and any exciting events are few and far between, I have been looking for ways to dress down my shoes to make them more wearable for family lunches at the pub and evenings out at local restaurants with friends (not the schoolrun, trainers only for me chasing after the kids on their scooters acting like BMX bandits!)

 

Here are a few ideas of how I will be wearing my  Boden Alice heels..

Blouse - Zara £39.99
Dungarees - H&M £29.99
Cardigan - Boden £49
Shoes - Boden £119

Breton top - Petit Bateau £58
Blazer - Zara £49.99
Jeans - Levis 501 CT at House Of Fraser now £75
Shoes - Boden £119

Comfort with style is my fashion mantra, I would always rather be slightly dressed down as I do not work in an office everyday therefore I feel more comfortable this way. 

How about you, do embrace the opportunity to dress smartly, are you a statement shoe fan? Are you a shoe or bag person..which shoes are catching your eye this season? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, thanks so much for reading, 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