Looking Forward...

Style Theory: M&S are really upping their game next season and I wanted to share with you a few key pieces I fell in love with at their SS16 press show. I will be looking out for them as they tick theSpring/Summer 2016 trends, are practical and affordable....

My Star Pick

The Bag of the Spring

So Chloe-esque but actually faux leather (looks pretty good) so a fraction of the price (apologies I forgot to find out the price but it will be reasonable) This will arrive in stores and online in January so a perfect post Christmas treat? Or, for me, a birthday treat as it my Birthday in Jan (far too close to Christmas!)

The Dresses..

Per una Dress £75

I bought a similar dress a few years ago from &Other Stories in black and have worn it non stop through the summer, for weddings, dinner dates and evenings on holiday. I love the colour of this one and will be looking to buy this one for my summer holidays next year.

Limited Edition Dress £45 Brooch £19.50

This is one of those dresses than can be dressed up or down. It would look fab with a pair of pale tan strappy sandals, or clash the print with leopard print shoes or wear with Stan Smith trainers for a laid back vibe. The tie at the front will conceal a small tummy and the long sleeves makes it super flattering. I love the eye brooch, it adds a modern twist to a traditional dress. I can definitely see this working in my Spring wardrobe.

The Blouses/Shirts..

Frill Blouse £29.50

A subtle take on the Miu Miu blouse of this season. This is a shape I can really get on board, with a pair of blue skinny jeans and white superga trainers for a cute, on trend look.

As you know I am fond of a victoriana blouse and this one looks beautiful, almost antique with it's soft blush colour and gold details. I am afraid I do not have the price of this one but will update this when I find out.

The Skirt...

Autograph Skirt £199

A luxe leather skirt in the most divine forest green, I would love this to wear now with a black polo neck, black opaques and heels. The wrap 'utility' look is key for next season, wear in the Spring with tan heels and a simple tee. A pricey piece but when seen in real life it looks sumptuous.

The Smart Dungarees

Limited Edition Top £29.50
Limited Edition Dungarees: £49.50

Dungarees are now the norm, this elegant pair of dungaree will look great in the spring with pointed heels and a blouse. Simple but tailored, a relaxed look that is perfectly SS16.

The Shoes..

A beautiful warm khaki tone in faux suede, these have a mid heel and the tie details brings them perfectly up to date.

The Jacket

Indigo Collection Jacket £59

A soft, feminine take on the bomber jacket, pair with a grey sweater, boyfriend distressed jeans and a pair of Stan Smiths for a cool look.

The Bucket Bag..

Cute, faux leather bucket bags that will go with every outfit. Add the stripe one to an all black summer dress for a chic look.

A little sneak peak into what M&S has in-store next season, some really stunning pieces that I am looking forward to adding to my Spring wardrobe.

Back to the present now and a couple of my outfits from this week..

MY STYLE

For running around town for a day of Press Shows and meetings..

Coat: Zara similar here
Dungarees: H&M similar here 
Blouse: Zara sold out
Trainers: Footasylum 
Bag: c/o Dune

For work at the boutique..completely adore this scarf it is oversize, the most perfect shade of grey, 100% wool and so so soft and non itchy..

Scarf: Travelling Bazaar
Sweater: Zara old season
Jeans: Topshop
 Boots: Clarks  

Back to winter inspired fashion for the next few blogs and I have a few fabulous Christmas Gift blogs started, I haven't started my Christmas shopping yet, things have been super busy so next week I am focussing and the buying will commence!!

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, what do you think of the M&S SS16 edit, any pieces catch your eyes? Until next time Frances xxx

This Week's Fashion Fixes

Style Theory: Every week I will bring you a few ideas of items that have caught my eye and will bring your look up to date and see you through the next few seasons...

First Finery: I am slightly obsessed with this online store at the moment, their vision is 'to make modern, inspiring, sophisticated styling accessible, without compromise on quality' They keep to their promise, their range is beautifully tailored with a cool edge. Their prices are affordable and as this is not a hugely well-known brand at the moment (although I have no doubt it will be soon) you can be safe in the knowledge you will be the only one wearing it to an event. 

Here are my Finery top selection:

Carter Stripe Mixdaxi Dress £85

This is a beautiful, statement dress, perfect to wear to a wedding or summer event. The detailing is stunning and the peplum layer adds interest and also would detract from a mum tum. For a wedding I would wear with high black or nude shoes or for a more comfortable option wear with gold, flat, strappy gladiator style sandals. I have ordered this dress for my Brother in laws wedding this month.

I love these Whistles shoes

Tilla Point Mulle £150

These are the style of shoes you buy and can wear year after year with any type and colour of dress, jumpsuit, skirt or trousers, endlessly useful and so flattering on as they elongate your legs. My idea of high heel perfection.

Waveley Linear Scrawl Tie Waist Jumpsuit £65

Jumpsuits are now a must have in every womans wardrobe. Incredibly comfortable, practical and flattering, the midi length of this jumpsuit is perfect for 2015, the print is eye-catching and culotte style skirt has pockets.. I would style with my mango black strappy flat sandals (£18)..

Mango Strap Sandals £17.99

This dress looks extremely designer-esque. A timeless shirt dress style with edgy floral monochrome fabric. Wear with high strappy sandals or nude shoes for a chic wedding guest/ summer party look..

Wear with:

M&S Gillie Lace Up Stilletos £35 

These shoes are incredibly comfortable, leather and so on trend right now.

Finery Accessories

Clockwise from top left: Cheval Leather Ankle Strap Sandals £45
Bostall frame Handbag £99
Leyton Leather Spat Sandals £49
Lotus Leather High Heel Shoes £119

So different. all leather and neutral/metallic colours that can be worn day and night. These accessories will add that something different to your summer wardrobe, a 2015 update that will refresh your look.

The Blouse

French Connection Blouse £125

This is an investment piece for next season as 'bohemian, pretty romantic' blouses are going to be a key trend in AW15. Wear now with denim shorts and mango strappy sandals (above) wear in the winter with black skinny jeans/flares and knee high boots.

The Topshop Dress 

Topshop Ottoline Silk Dress £225 

This is a pricey dress but utterly beautiful. Perfectly styled by Alexa Chung with black pointed shoes, no accessories needed the dress does all the talking. Wear with black opaques and knee high boots in the winter. A dream dress and as I am about a foot smaller than Alexa it woud be a decent length on me! Out of stock at the moment online but I have been assured there is more stock coming in soon.

These are a few of the items that have caught my eye in the last couple of weeks and are on my shopping list that resides in my head and slowly I can make my way through it! What pieces have caught our eye this week, what are your fashion fixes this season? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx

The Essential Black Dress

Style Theory: When in doubt I often reach for the safety of a black dress for an event. They are always flattering, can be matched with any accesssories and always look chic and understated.

Images via pinterest

So versatile and timeless, the black dress is the perfect fall-back dress in your wardrobe and works for every season. Over the past 10 years my black dress hemlines have got longer but I always tend to buy ones with fairly high necks as they suit me shape better and I wear them again and again. 

Here is my selection of the best on the high street now:

&Other Stories Pom Pom dress £55

This is a great, light cotton, comfortable dress. It is one of those dresses that works just as well with flats as with heels. It does crush but as the fabric has a slight pattern in it you can get away with it crushing a little throughout the day. It also comes in cream, I know I will wear this non-stop and it hides my mum tum perfectly! Fits true to size.

This dress is a great cover up piece, I love feeling comfortable at an event, top arms covered, and legs..makes me feel unselfconscious...

&Other Stories Broderie Anglais £65

A beautiful, delicate but structured dress. I love the broderie look on the arms, will provide arm coverage whilst looking interesting and extremely pretty.

Zara Cape Sleeve Tie Neck Dress £69.99

The cape detail of the sleeve on this dress is very 2015, I would wear with high black/tan strappy sandals M&S ghillie sandals look fab on.

Mango Fringed Dress £49.99

Fringing is on trend this season and this dress is a perfect way to wear it. Would look amazing with the mango strappy, flat sandals, a cool boho look for holiday. Add a large straw bag and some fine gold jewellery and it will look beach to bar perfection.

Next Boho Dress £26

An easy to wear lightweight jersey dress. Great for throwing over a bikini/swimsuit on holiday.

Topshop Plunge Neck Dress £40

Balance out the midi length of this dress with a plunge neck. I had one of these from French Connection many years ago and it was so flattering. Pointed court shoes make this dress look super sophisticated.

M&S Sleeveless Maxi Dress £52

Chic and glamorous, the black maxi dress is endlessly useful. Dress up with chunky gold bangles piled high, gold boho drop earrings and high strappy tan or black sandals. By day wear with flat sandals and fine gold jewellery, add a coloured bag for a pop of colour.

Warehouse Gypsy Style Dress Midi Dress £28

An easy to wear, un-expensive dress, will make an impact when dressed up with heels and accessorised with gold/silver clutch bag.

H&M Embroidered Dress £59.99

This is a little short but I love the embroidery detail, it is stunning. A great holiday piece and wear in the winter with black opaque tights and knee high 70s style tan boots.

I could go on forever, I do love a black dress, I have kept all of mine (since I was 18) as I wear them again and again (the ones I can still squeeze into!)

Do you have a favourite black dress? Do you tend to go for the safety of black when attending a function? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, have a great hopefully sunny weekend Frances xx 

Spotlight on Marks & Spencer

Style Theory: Marks and Spencer's, tricky to navigate, their online photos are not particularly appealing but dig a little deeper and you will find some amazing, on trend, well priced summer pieces within it's vast collection.

I was in the Marble Arch M&S which undoubtably has the best edit and is one of the easiest of the stores to shop. 

Here is my edit of the pieces that caught my eye:

The Denim Dress

M&S Limited Collection Denim Dress £45 (today 20% £36)

How it looked on..

This reminds me of a dress I have always loved that Kylie Minogue wore a few years ago, obvs she looks amazing in it but you can have your own Kylie moment in it...

Love the dress teamed with red sandals, or wear with a victoriana blouse (River Island or Topshop have fab blouses) and of this season's flat strappy shoes or sandals.

The Jumpsuit

M&S Autograph V Neck Jumpsuit £65

Comfortable, made with soft lyocel- type fabric. The trousers have slight harem look. I think this would look best with strappy flat sandals for a cool evening holiday look, add a few gold bangles and some fine gold necklaces for a glamorous look.

The Statement Jumpsuit

Apologies, I cannot find this on the website but there were plenty of these jumpsuits in store, and cleverly I did not take a note of the price so all in all not very helpful but I did like it and when it appears online I will let you know, if not check out instore. I love the flared look of this jumpsuit, it is fairly long so shorties like me would have to wear with quite high heels. Great for a wedding or evening holiday outfit. Wear with fine gold jewellery and platform tan sandals for a 70s vibe.

The Suede Look Dress

M&S Limited Dress £49.50 (today £36.90)

Suede is having a moment and I was drawn to this grey/taupe suedette dress. I think it would look better on if I had fake tanned a little..not sure what do you think?!

This was a size 6 so farrr too small check out the bulging biceps (eek) I think in a size up this would work.

The Suede Skirt of the Season. 

M&S Suede Skirt £199

There were plenty of these left in store and all sizes available online today. It is a gorgeous suede and fabulous cut but more suited to the taller willowy lady, both of which I am not so I put this one back happily. However I have seen it styled fabulously on Instagram so if it suit your shape it will last season after season. The fact there are lots still available online and instore..maybe M&S has outpriced itself on this one? lets see if there are any left in the sale, may suddenly be so much more appealing..

The Frayed Ankle Length Jeans 

M&S Limited Cropped Girlfriend Jeans £35 (today £28)

These are the jean shape of the season, slightly flared, ankle length with frayed edge. I promptly purchased these jeans as they are so easy to dress up or down. A word of warning size down, I had to go down two sizes and they are still a little big!

The Sandals

Shoes are an area that M&S excel in year after after, I love their collection of non -expensive, trend based designs. These sandals have jewels, are comfortable and a reasonable price..perfect. The jewels are super sparkly and the straps hit your ankle at a super flattering point. I can no longer see these online but again have a little look in store as there were plenty in my local M&S.

The Heels 

M&S Gillie Lace Up Sandals £35

Brought to my attention by the queen of cool shoes PoppysStyle. I have just ordered these as I need a mid heel lace up shoe to wear with my last years M&S spotty dress for my daughters communion on Saturday. I am hoping these will work, I will let you know via Instagram (@Schoolrunmum)

There is a little round up of what has caught my eye in M&S obviously their underwear collection is still amazing! What is your opinion of M&S are you a fan or do walk in and walk out if it as it can be pretty tricky to shop...oooo I have so many ideas of how to improve it!! Until next time Frances xx