Showing posts with label #springfashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #springfashion. Show all posts

Monday, 20 April 2015

Grown Up Denim Dungarees

Style Theory: Dungarees are slowly (slowly) becoming an acceptable garment for a 'grown up' to wear and since I have worn my black H&M non stop I thought I would dive into it a little further with blue denim dungarees..

Denim dungarees can be tricky, they are slightly harder to wear than the black tailored version as they can veer towards the Huckleberry Finn look fairly easily. I wanted to style these Asos ones with a grown up twist to hopefully avoid the overgrown baby look, so I paired them with a denim shirt, my trusty navy Zara blazer and sandals. They are, I agree, a complete love them or hate them item, I kinda love them as they are so comfortable (I love having no waistband digging in to my stomach) and pretty versatile. They look just as good with trainers as with heels. The wide leg look ticks this season 70s trend but does need to be worn with heels so as to elongate my legs.


These are from Asos and have a rather large (really bad on me) rip across the thigh. In my opinion it is completely unneccassary and will be patched up when I have a second to no.1) read SusieSoSo's guide to patching up jeans (Sue is seriously amazing at tips and tricks and finding fab high street finds) and then secondly getting my needle and thread out and do it.
Shirt: H&M
Blazer: Zara
Bag: H&M
Sandals: H&M
These are a most definitely a "flash trend', they have been bubbling around for the last few years with the trend really coming to the fore this year but I do not see it having much longevity so I would buy non-expensive and wear lots now.

Here are my favourites from the high street now:
Moto Boyfriend Dungarees £48
A fairly baggy slouchy dungaree, would look fab with a tailored shirt and heels.
LA Redoute Boyfriend Dungarees £59
These are a really soft, comfortable, light denim with a little stretch. Perfect for summer holidays, wear with a vest top and sliders for a cool, laid back look.
Asos Denim Full Length Dungaree £45
The description of these state that they are 'full length' but they look ankle length to me. These will be a flattering dungaree as they are a neat fit with a slim leg.
Mango Denim Dungarees via Asos £54.99
The plain styling at the front of these dungarees will flatter, as with all clothing it is a matter of trying on different styles of dungarees to see which ones are cut right for your body shape.
Asos Denim Dungaree with thigh rip £45
These are my dungarees in the photos above, at 5ft2 these are the perfect length with heels for me (if a teeny bit long) They fit true to size and are super comfy, just need to patch up that rip!

Are you in the love them or hate them camp? Have you divulged in the dungaree trend as yet? I must admit I have tried on so many pairs to find a pair that fit me properly, some are too long on the body, too tight, too loose on the leg so if you are wanting some try, try and try again with different styles you will find your perfect pair!

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, I read everyone and really love hearing your opinions. Until next time Frances xx

Monday, 13 April 2015

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

Thursday, 5 February 2015

Dungarees...really?!

Style Theory: Dungarees....denim, tailored or shorts have been back 'in' for a few years now,  a marmite item of clothing you either love or hate them.  I am in the 'love them' camp and have been further convinced of their coolness by bloggers such as Atlantic Pacific, The Frugality and Musings of London Mum who all style them beautifully. I tentatively dipped my toe in the dungaree water a couple of years ago (a bit wary as I am a bit in the old side for them!) with a grey, summer pair but got such stick from the husband I retired them to the back of the wardrobe never to be worn again. Well, I am trying again, completely inspired by Alex from The Frugality who was wearing these dungarees on Instagram. They looked fab and when I walked past them in my local H&M I couldn't resist...


Dungarees: H&M £29.99
Leather Biker Jacket: Asos similar here
Blouse: Zara £29.99
Clutch: &Other Stories
Trainers: Stan Smith Adidas £67

I can report back these dungarees are incredibly comfortable made with a soft, elastane denim. They are stretchy but keep their shape and as Alex rightly said they are a 'grown up' dungaree. I really think I may be pushing it age wise with these but I just thought I would go for it anyway as they are such a good fit and will look fab with heels.

I also bought this top from Zara, this is the perfect blouse to add a little 'fashion edge' to your wardrobe.
It was pretty reasonable and will look fab with kick flares and skinny jeans in the Spring. It comes in a few different fabrics I tried on them all apart from the gingham..
Top: Zara £29.99 (as above)
A useful little top, a word of warning, it is quite short, ok for us vertically challenged but not so good for you supermodels out there! 

So there is a round up of my little birthday money spending spree, along with my Zara yellow coat which I have a feeling I will be wearing a lot. I am a huge fan of buying a couple of items at the beginning of the season which give my current wardrobe staples a little fashion lift and I think the dungarees, blouse and yellow coat with refresh a few looks.

Where do you stand with dungarees..for toddlers only? What are your fashion lift pieces this season? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time, Frances xxxx

Monday, 5 January 2015

Let's Get Started 2015!

Style Theory: The magazines are full of ideas of what to wear for the new season, the stores are trying to shift their winter stock at discount prices so what to buy now that will last you through Winter, Spring and Summer and onto next winter? I have a few ideas of things that have caught my eye and will be on my shopping list over the next few months...

Lets begin with a cool Winter/Spring look...

A chunky sweater, distressed black jeans, and pointed black boots are a winter staple.... switch up a black or grey sweater for forest green for a 2015 look. Wear this now with black jeans, wear in the evening with black skinny leather trousers and black /leopard print heels..
Jeans: Topshop Black Ripped Jamie Jeans £42
Jumper: Topshop £36
Boots: Urban Outfitters £85
Shoes:Topshop Mules £78


RING IN THE CHANGES IN RED AND PINK

Feeling the need to brighten up your wardrobe, these photos of Leandra Medine from Man Repeller and Atlantic Pacific inspired me and Mango came up with the highstreet clothing..

This outfit from the high street can be mixed and matched and will add some much needed colour to any winter wardrobe...

Jacket: Mango £59.99
Top: Mango £29.99
Jeans: Topshop Hayden Jean £42
Trainers: £65 Adidas Stan Smith
Shoes: Office £65
Bag: KG £49
I know my wardrobe needs a little colour after months of greys and beiges. Here are a few of my outfits from over the Christmas/ New Year holidays..

MY STYLE:
Adding a splash of colour with my &Others Stories Sadie Williams skirt..
Fine Wool Top: Cos
Skirt: &Other Stories X Sadie Williams
Boots: Russell and Bromley
Leopard Clutch: &Other Stories
Very similar to the outfit I have featured above..adore this Topshop jumper (link above), in fact, I think I wore it most of Christmas!...
Coat: Zara
Jumper: Topshop
Jeans: Oasis
Boots: Russell & Bromley
Bag: H&M
For ultimate comfort, my knitted suit, comfort level 10*......
Coat(in arm): Zara
Jumper and Trousers: Zara (in the sale now)
Bag: Aurora Living
Boots: Aldo
For a walk in woods...decided to add a bow to the neck of my dress with a piece of black jersey, this season for me it is all about bows...it was muddy so wellies were essential..
Coat: Zara
Dress: Asos
Wellies: Hunters
The Spring stock coming into the stores and online is looking pretty good this year, I am looking forward to a year full of new ideas, timeless classics and lots of inspiration all from the high street. I really hope you can join me for the ride....

Thank you again for your support throughout 2014 and here's to a stylish 2015..

Until next time, Frances xxxx

Saturday, 12 April 2014

The 2014 Boho look......

Style Theory: Summer Boho.... Romantic, laid back, neutral colours in fluid fabrics, clothes that are comfortable and look cool. Think broderie anglais, gentle frills, natural fabric.....

The boho look had been around forever, re-surfacing in the 90s with Kate Moss and Sienna Miller leading the renaissance at 90s Festivals and parties. This year Boho on the high street is heavily influenced by Isabel Marant. Slouchy, laid back tailoring in pale pinks, nudes and whites, tops have transparent panels and feature lace and frills, skirts are no longer ankle length but shorter, cuter fluted edges. These fluid looks are to be worn with distressed jeans/jean shorts and add an edge with a pair of killer heels or statement sandals. Like winter and spring it is all about juxtaposing the slouchy with tailored.

Here is some inspiration from the Streetstylers:












All images above from Pinterest
As we get nearer the summer there will be more and more beautiful boho inspired tops and dresses on the High Street but here are a selection of my favourites so far....
Free People Cutwork Top £138
Zara Romantic Lace Blouse £29.99
Mango Ruffled Slub Top £19.99

FP One Paisley Dress £98

FP Embroidered Eyelet Blouse £98

Zara Top with Lace Front £39.99
Jack Wills Leckwith Top £49.50

River Island Blue Chambray Lace Insert Top £20

River Island Cream Metallic Embroidered Top £22
The tops above would look great with a pair of distressed skinny jeans and some cool, statement sandals see the H&M ones below...
Zara Dress with chain shoulder £35.99
Zara Cotton Poplin top 

&Other Stories Cotton Maxi Dress £45
Jack Wills Ellingdon Dress £39.50
I would wear the dressed with a pair of tan statement sandals, I love and have just bought these:
H&M Leather Sandals £39.99
They are super flattering on the ankle and are the softest leather, a really reasonable price too!

There will be lots more on my wishlist for summer, I am feeling after dipping my toe in the boho vibe last year I will be going for it this year! 

My Style this week:

It has been a week of contrasts...I wore these outfits to a couple of press days at the beginning of the week and the rest of the time I have been out with the kids, picnics, Chessington etc:

Shirt: H&M
Jacket (Under trench): Henri Lloyd
Jeans: Zara
Shoes: Zara
Trench: H&M
Jacket: Emu AW14 collection
Biker Jacket (just seen): Asos
Blouse: H&M
Jeans: H&M
Shoes: M&S
Outfit as above
Bag: Marc Jacobs
Another week left of Easters holidays so it is all go round here at the moment!

Have you started buying for summer yet or are you sticking to jumpers for the time being as the weather cannot make up it's mind! Will you be wearing the Boho look?

As always I would love to hear your comments, til the next time Frances x