There's a new trainer in town...

Style Theory: In my mind there is no better trend than the trainer trend. It is possibly the most practical and comfortable trend in years (closely followed by the UGG boot trend from the 00s - I know you either loved or hated them but there was no doubt they were the ultimate in comfort) The humble trainer still reigns supreme, I have been wearing my Stan Smiths non stop for the last few years, I have dabbled in Adidas Superstars, indulged in Golden Goose and now I have a new obsession..... the Nike Cortez.

Images above via Pinterest & Chiara Ferragni Instagram 

Completely old school, I had a pair of Nike Cortez at university and, of course, Tom Hanks sported them as Forest Gump in 1994! (mmm I am really selling them to you?!) but...they are the trainers for Spring 2016 and do look pretty cool on.....

They will look fab with crop kick flares, boyfriend jeans or with a denim skirt or dress. The gold cortez would be perfect to wear to work (even just to look slightly edgy on a daily commute then change in to heels at work) 

I am slightly obsessed with both the white and the gold colourways below but I think the white may just have the edge for casual-wear, thinking forward to summer, with little summer dresses, or denim shorts. They look cool and fresh and I for one will be jumping on the bandwagon for this trend..

Nike Cotez @Office £61.99

Nike Classic Cortez Bronze @Office £71.99

Now looking at the bronze I think I like these equally as much. Anyway, suffice to say this style of trainer is gorgeous and will be the most fabulous addition to a Spring/Summer wardrobe.

Are you a trainer wearer, which styles are your favourites? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments until next time, Frances xxxx

Which Trainer Tribe are you?

Style Theory: Cool, comfortable and can look pretty edgy, trainers are a day to day staple for us busy ladies. Wear them to the office to make travelling easy, perfect for the schoolrun or chasing round toddlers, trainers are a trend we can all get on board with. I am a huge fan and I think cross a few trainer tribes as for me pretty much any trainer goes..

Trainers can be worn with pretty much any outfit, the perfect item to tone things down making an look effortlessly cool..so lets start with the Trainers Tribes..

The Luxe Tribe

Money is no object, the name is key but best if it is subtle..the creme de la creme of the trainer world..

Gucci @Net a Porter £435

Wear with crop, black kick flare jeans and a forest green silk shirt for a glamorous, grown up look.

Golden Goose @Matches £250

My favourite luxe brand, these are my style of choice, I love the leopard print details and the worn in look. These with go with everything from your little black dress to boyfriend jeans and sweater.

Saint laurent @Net A Porter £380

The star details makes these trainers stand out, would look simply chic with a black trouser suit and white tee and delicate gold jewellery.

The Sporty Tribe

Trainers in their true form..the sports trainer or running shoes, use them in the gym, wear them out in the evening either way these look pretty cool..

Nike Flyknit Racer Trainers £130

Super cool, I love the mix of the turquoise and gold, great with an all black outfit.

Nike Air Max Thea @Office £84.99

These have been the trainers 'to have' over the past few years and now are classics. They look chic and cool and again can be worn with everything, love them with the dungarees and white tee in the streetstyle photo above. 

Nike Air Max @Office £96.99

These are super chunky but are amazingly flattering on legs, the depth of the trainers make legs look thinner. Love the grey and bronze colours, these will add interest to any look.

The Retro Trainer Tribe

Adidas Stan Smith £67

I live in my Stan Smith trainers, they are the comfiest trainers I own and I have worn them throughout the Summer, autumn and winter. They are, in my opinion, the ultimate all- rounder trainer. I love the neo white colour (the more worn yellowing colour as seen in the photo above).

Adidas Superstar @Office £61.99

These trainers have stood the test of time, I had my first pair at university 20 years ago (yikes!) and completely treasured them then. I still have a pair from 15 years ago and believe it or not they look as good as new. Love them with black skinny ankle length jeans and a grey coat (see photo above)

Adidas Gazelle @Office £66.99

For those preferring the understated trainers this is for you. It doesn't shout but just shows that you have your eye on the trends and subtlety is your thing.

New Balance £67

A sugary take on a classic. The colours bring this retro New Balance trainer up to date and would make a cute outfit with blue skinny jeans, white shirt and huge oversize beige scarf.

The Metallic Tribe

Golden Goose @Net A Porter £270

Luxuriously glittery, utterly over the the top but so gorgeous. I love, love these, keep the rest of your outfit paired back to black, neutrals, let your feet doing the talking...

Adidas Superstar £79.99

I have just ordered these, I spotted them on Its.Reb instagram feed and fell in love with them. She was wearing them with black, ankle length jeans and a white shirt and bomber and looked amazing..

Superga @John Lewis £50

I have these and again have worn these so much, if I want to look a little smarter but still be super comfortable I wear these with a black dress or my dungarees and a smart blouse. 

I think I cross most of these tribes and am now dipping my toe in the metallic tribe..not sure I will pull them off but I will try! Here are some of my trainer looks from the past couple of months..

My Style

I am a huge trainer fan and live in them every day!

Which trainer tribe are you in, or do you, like me, dip into all of them? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx

Summer Inspiration....Let's go!

Style Theory: It is important that you get as much wear out of your clothes as possible, I like to start thinking about my summer style early so I can buy items that I can layer up and then start to shed the layers as the summer arrives. With this in mind, here are a few images that are inspiring me this Spring and a few ideas of how to create the look and start building your summer wardrobe...

The inspiration... in the summer I love a pop of neon, a sweater is a perfect choice when buying something bright, the colour reflects on your face giving you a glow. Wear now with skinny jeans, white trainers (H&M have some great ones) and a khaki jacket thrown over the top.

In the summer wear like this...

Sincerely Jules

Buy from the high street now to recreate the look.....

Boden Cashmere Crew Neck Jumper £69.30

OR

Zara Oversized Sweater £12.99

These bright sweaters are so useful, the cashmere sweater will keep your warm on cold summer evenings and the Zara knit is lightweight, perfect for taking on holiday.

Hush Denim Short £45

The wash of these Hush shorts is perfect, a fabulous pale, authentic colour and with a touch of distressing, they are a really good summer buy. You will be able to wear with everything with these from boho tops, to bretons to shirts, the choices are endless.

Topshop The Izzy Bag Marc B £49

A neutral bag that looks far more expensive than it's price tag. It is not leather but still looks super stylish, it will look as good with bright colours as with pastels.

Office Olivier Low Wedge Sandal £45

The gladiator is most definitely making a come back (again) due to the low straps this will be flattering on your leg. I love the tan straps with a touch of gold detail at the back.

Summer Inspiration no.2 - the logo tee with khaki shorts and aviators...a classic look..

Sincerely Jules

Here are some gorgeous items that you can buy now to layer up then recreate the whole look when it is warmer...

Mango Sequinned T-Shirt £14.99

New Look Khaki Shorts with belt £14.99

Topshop Alice Aviators £10

All classic items, all will last you for a few seasons. With the 70s having a moment aviators are back with a vengeance, so if you do not have a pair already these will tick the trend for £10.

Summer Inspiration no.3...A perfect Spring look below, for those days when there is a slight chill in the air, warm enough to bare your toes but cool enough to pull a sweater over the top...

Sincerely Jules

The key items I have found on the high street to recreate this laid back, look...

Zara Printed Sweater £35.99

Topshop Black Ripped Jamie Jeans £42

Dune Jolene Mules £49

Warehouse Leather Bag £35

How gorgeous is this bag? It is leather and for £35, love the simplicity of the design and the fringing on the zip..

Summer Inspiration no.4...the everlasting power of breton...

Sincerely Jules

This year I am after a new, red and white breton and this one looks like it will be perfect, I like a boxy breton that I can partly tuck in to my jeans.

Hobbs Haley Top £35

Levis CT @House Of Fraser £95

I have these jeans and love them, as I said in a previous post these do come up a little short so get a longer length if taller that 5ft 2. They are so flattering on your bottom, since having these I have remembered how much I used to love Levis 501s!

Palmairas Gold Leather £42

I have a pair of these sandals in neon orange. They are made from beautiful, buttery soft leather and come in fabulous colours, prints and stud details, and are unbelievable comfortable. Typically Spanish and so useful for the summer, the perfect holiday shoe.

Topshop Tapestry Poppins Tote Bag £28

A cute tapestry tote wear with your breton for a stylish twist, I love a pattern mix up and this is perfect!

Summer Inspiration no.3..the perfect white top...

Happily Grey 

I do love a touch of white in the summer and this top is so unusual, a mix of knitwear, broderie anglaise and cotton. Looks so beautiful with distressed jeans now and in the summer with denim shorts and tan sandals.

French Connection Effie Knits Dot Jumper £85

This is the top seen in the photo above.

Levis CT @House Of Fraser £95

DKNY Quilted Nappa Bag £88

I have been looking at this bag in my local House of Fraser for a while, it is a beautiful beige/cream colour and can be worn as a cross body or shorter double handled bag. Would look fabulous worn with white or with a beige trench coat in the spring.

There is my summer inspiration so far...I will most definitely be mixing these looks with boho vibes inspired by Chloe's SS15 range but all strictly from the high street at affordable prices..stay tuned for these looks...

MY STYLE

On the left: wearing my new Levis 501 ct for a meeting, mixing it up with a touch of leopard print.

On the right: on the schoolrun in monochrome and Stan Smiths.

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, have you thought about your summer wardrobe, or do you leave it (probably wisely) until there may be some chance of some sun?! Next time some utterly delicious designer goodies at a fraction of the original price...pure heaven. 
Frances xx

The Chic Spring Trainer..Superga

Style Theory: Superga has so far alluded my trainer love-in. For years I have been wearing trainers but due to never trying on Superga in the right size I have never had a pair. However, as from yesterday that all changed, I was invited to visit the new stand alone Superga store in Guildford, Surrey and instantly fell in love with the entire range...it seems the celebrities have been fans for a while... 

Chic, stylish and oh so Italian, this footwear can be worn with skirts, jeans, shorts or dresses. As they are less 'clumpy' than other trainers they are so much more flattering on the leg and are gorgeously comfortable. 

SupergaUK 3 Market St, Guildford (it is on a hill, just off the high street hence the wonky photo)

The new Superga store in Guildford is a treasure trove, filled with every style, colour and size. From gorgeous pinks to berry to khakis and greys and, of course, my favourites whites and metallics.

Superga Classic 2750 - £45

Superga Classic 2750 - £45

From the palest baby pink to dark berry, the perfect colours for this Spring and Summer, entirely on trend and can be beautifully blended with this season's denims, whites and pinks.

Superga Classic 2750 - White £45, Silver and Leopard print £50

These are my three favourite styles, very classic, wearable, understated and chic. I chose the silver as it will look great with a summer tan and the white dresses I have earmarked for my summer wardrobe.

Superga Flatforms 2790 - White £50/ Green £55

I love the flatform style, I bought the white flatforms as they will be flattering on my legs, elongating them (much needed!) - I am imaging wearing them with a button through denim skirt and they will also work under a pair of flared jeans. 

The green spotted style are a beautiful colour with a blue sheen creating a mermaid-like appearance would look fabulous with (fake) tanned legs and a denim, fitted shirt dress.

They also have an amazing array of kids Superga, utterly gorgeous, I bought my son a pair of the green velcro trainers...perfect for summer with little red and blue checked shorts and a navy polo shirt.

From top: Superga Junior Velcro 2750 £30Superga Junior Cotton 2750 £30Superga Junior Cotton Boot £35

Bottom: Superga Baby Velcro £25

The Manager of the branch Tors and sales assistant Hannah were both incredibly helpful and have wealth of knowledge about the brand and fit. Whilst I was in there I spoke to customers, mostly my age who were Superga superfans, it seems once you are a Superga wearer it is hard to change and they were after more  colours to add to their collection. I must admit I am quite smitten with my silver ones and Tors kindly offered to post my white flatforms to me when they get stock next week of my size...I am officially a convert.

If you live in the Guildford, Surrey area it is definitely worth visiting the branch as they have such an extensive range and stock. Full and half sizes (perfect for me being a UK6.5) are available, these sizes aren't stocked in the concessions and Tors and Hannah can guide you on the new styles, colours, the most popular and the style to suit your foot. A really lovely shopping experience.

MY STYLE

I styled up my silver Supergas today in a classic way, with breton, blues and distressed jeans, perfect for the schoolrun or a stylish lunch with friends (it was cold so camisole vest and pop socks were worn too..attractive!)

Coat: M&S
Bag: Spain
Breton: Petit Bateau
Jeans: Topshop Baxter
Trainers: Superga

Are you a Superga fan which colours do you own? Do you have other trainers that are your Spring summer must haves? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions, until next time, Frances xxx

I was gifted the silver trainers and green junior trainers by SupergaUK (I bought the flatforms, I may buy the baby pink too!) all opinions and views are my own, I only review products I would and do buy myself.