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

Perfect Partywear..The Jumpsuit..10 of the Best

Style Theory: Jumpsuits, now re-established a chic partywear choice. Cool, comfortable and effortlessly stylish jumpsuits are a ready made, all in one outfit. Plain, lace, sparkly or patterned anything goes...

First some style inspiration..

All images above via Pinterest

The key is to let your jumpsuit do the work, keep jewellery simple, fine gold layered necklaces (see Z for Accessorize or HM for a wide variety of gorgeous, affordable fine jewellery) If wearing all black add a little sparkle with a clutch or statement heels. I love clashing printed or coloured jumpsuits with leopard print heels, or brightly coloured shoes, laid back but with a style twist.

Here are the best jumpsuits to wear to your Christmas drinks or on Christmas day available on the High Street now..

Whistles Lola Jumpsuit £206 (this weekend)

I am a big fan of the culotte jumpsuit, I would pair this with high black court shoes (no straps to ensure your legs are elongated) Go as high as you can bare with heels on this one, the higher the more flattering! Add a dark red bag for a punch of colour (see Sienna Millers shoes in the Pinterest photo above for the colour match) 

Whistles Wrapover Lace Jumpsuit £187 (this weekend)

This is a beautiful jumpsuit, the trouser part is slightly harem-ish and ankle length, so again I would wear high black, nude or dark red pointed court shoes and add a leopard print clutch to mix up textures (see &Other Stories for a fab leopard clutch)

Anthropologie £128 (take 20% off until Monday)

This pyjama style jumpsuit has been styled perfectly by Anthropologie, I love the belt and the shoes.... This is such a versatile jumpsuit, pair with white trainers at the weekend for a cool look.

Debenhams Ossie Clarke £149

This jumpsuit has beautifully flattering sleeves and I love the wide leg. Add a pair of pointy courts and a sparkly or animal print clutch for a chic and sophisticated Christmas party look.

Warehouse £68 (this weekend 25%) 

An alternative to black, this beautiful blue jumpsuit would look great with piles of gold bangles and a pair of gold courts to add some shine.

Warehouse £70 (25% off this weekend)

Red looks great with animal print, mix it up with leopard print courts and a gold bag.

Zara Low Cut Jumpsuit £69.99

Very AW14 with the cape detail, keep everything else simple, gold bangles and a high fine gold necklace.

Asos Jumpsuit £75 (20% off this weekend)

Next Aubergine Jumpsuit £55

A beautiful colour, would look great with a long camel coat over it for a Christmas night out..

Zara Fitted Jumpsuit £79.99

Basic and practical, I love Zara jumpsuits they are normally simple but flattering. I really like this with the white pointed shoes. I would throw a sequin jacket over the top and add a pair of leopard pumps and you are good to go!

My Style:

My new faux fur jacket from Topshop, (an early Christmas present from Mum and Dad thank you!xxx) After months of searching I think I have finally found one I feel comfortable in, it is faux fox fur and a little 'Dynasty' but is so warm, a good length and a beautiful soft colour.

Coat: Topshop
Top: Johnnie B at Boden
Jeans: Oasis
Bag: H&M
Trainers: Adidias Stan Smith

So are you a jumpsuit girl, what will you be wearing to your Christmas Party or on Christmas Day? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx

Easter City Break...In Pictures..

Style Theory: A break away with the Husband and kids to beautiful Barcelona to see my two sisters and their families...pure heaven.....

Here's a look at the long weekend in pictures...I could have stayed for weeks!:

 

Barcelona Zoo

La Pedrera by Gaudi Paseo de Gracia

 

Barrio Gotico the Gothic Quarter

 

Cupcakes in the Barrio Gotico

 

Barceloneta beach Paseo Maritimo

 

W Hotel Barceloneta

 

Salt Bar Barceloneta

 

Gava Mar

 

Monjuic cable car ride up to the castle

My Style: For a city break with kids....

Practicality was the most important factor when I was packing, I knew we would be doing a fair amount of walking and the weather would be mixed. So first, comfy footwear..my reliable New Balance trainers were a must and for my clothing light layers with a touch of cashmere thrown in for luxurious warmth. I overpacked for the kids (as usual...with them you just never know what will happen day to day) so my space was fairly limited so  my selection of clothing was all basic in a palette of navy, cream, black and denim so it could all be mixed and matched. I will blog this week on packing a stylish, capsule wardrobe so keep a look out....

My Outfits:

For travelling and first day:
Jeans: MiH Paris jeans £190
Jumper: Whistles cashmere jumper similar here
Shirt: H&M £14.99 similar here
Trainers: New Balance similar here

Day 1..it was the hottest day so my jumpsuit and sandals were perfect:

Jumpsuit: River Island similar here
Sandals: Dune similar here
Bag: H&M £19.99

Day 2: A day of walking round Barcelona seeing the beautiful sights (sandals were swapped for trainers mid afternoon!)

Jacket: Pull and Bear @Asos £21.50
T-Shirt: H&M similar here
Jeans: Topshop Baxter £40
Bag: H&M as above
Sandals: H&M £39.99

Day 3: All black and snakeskin shoes!

Jumper: Cos £49
Jeans: Zara £39.99
Bag: H&M as above
Watch: Fossil £125

It was the most fabulous Easter weekend, Barcelona is truly a beautiful city, small enough to cover the most gorgeous areas in a weekend and of course my sisters being there makes it extra special.

If you fancy planning a City Break with or without kids check out my sisters blog Las Calles De Barcelona  - it is a London girls insider's guide to Barcelona...she has impeccable taste and knows all the best places to go from hotels to restaurants to bars to amazing rooftop terraces...

Next time: The Denim all in one...love them or hate them they are big for summer...I lovvve them!

Until next time, Frances xxx