Style Inspiration to keep you on track

Style Theory: When the sales start it is tempting to buy random items of clothing just because they are half price. However, if you stay focussed and keep your style in mind for the next year ahead you can tailor your sales shopping accordingly and buy some key classic or on trend items that will 'lift' your existing wardrobe, giving you new, current look for less...

So with this in mind here are my favourite streetstyle looks I will be using as my inspiration when I hit the sales later on today.....

Cropped Flare Jean

The cropped flare is 'a thing' for 2016, expect to see a lot more of this look. I am planning to chop the bottom off my J Brand Love Story jeans for this effect..I will let you know how I get on.

Pink

Pink still has a big place in my heart and I will be searching out muted pink tones to add colour to my wardrobe. I adore the satin dress above and have my American Vintage cardigan from Quattro Rish as a starting point.

Stan Smiths

Still without doubt my most comfortable trainers ever and they make every outfit look cool..go for the 'Neo white' colour when buying them as they are slightly vintage looking.

The Classic but Modern Dress Shape

Pin from ~ The Yellow Dress Blog

I adore Anna Mason designs, she has such an eye for classic but at the same time contemporary looks. Her dresses and tops are so feminine and flattering and are made bespoke for each customer with a huge range of fabrics and colours to choose from for each design. An absolute investment piece (they are definitely not cheap but if you do want to buy a forever dress this is one for you) and if you choose the right fabric you can wear these pieces from the height of summer with strappy sandals and in the depth of winter with tan leather boots and a wool coat. 

The Gucci Mules

Mules are having a moment this year and these Gucci mules are leading the way. They look slightly weird but my love for comfort, practicality (well, kind of practical) makes these a winner for me. Love them worn dressed down with the muted colours above, so stylish, so cool, so 2016..

The Chanel Slingback

Another iconic shoe of 2015/16 no doubt the high street will be flooded with 'homages' to this design - normally Zara are quick off the mark and I will be on the lookout as I love this elegant shape and block heel but do not have the money to buy Chanel..the hunt is on. I will be wearing them with all black in the winter and pale ankle length blue jeans and frilled/pleated shirts in the summer.

Gorgeously Back to Basics..

Sometimes it is good to keep things simple, I love beautiful classic items, a soft, oversize grey scarf (love this one from Travelling Bazaar) A beautiful bag, a simple, navy cashmere jumper (&Other Stories have some gorgeous ones) Things like these additions to your wardrobe can elevate your look, making you look sophisticated without it looking fussy. 

For me my perfect wardrobe is all about balance, a few key investment pieces (bag, jumper, one piece jewellery) a few key, beautifully fitting basics (blue and black jeans, oversize scarf, camel/grey coat, cool pair of trainers) and some frivolous cheaper trend buys (colourful tops, a few pairs of crazy shoes, one slightly weird coat/jacket) et voila you have wardrobe happiness..it's easy!!

I hit the sales yesterday so will report back tomorrow on what I found, it was fairly manic so much busier than before Christmas but there were a few really fab bargains around.

Hope you are having a lovely Christmas and are managing to have a rest, ours has been fab, lots of time with the family, love spending lots of time with my sisters lots of laughter, drinking and food and more food! 

My AW15 Wish List

Style Theory: I love writing a wish list, it helps me work out what is realistic, what I should be saving for and puts a few frivolous items out there to gawp at. This season, accessories seem to be taking centre stage, with a dream coat and a couple of pieces of knitwear thrown in to add to my ever-growing list. This is a dream list and normally with these list I find similar on the high street, so here are the originals and I will work on the high street versions and follow up with an affordable version..in the meantime I am going to indulge in a little dream retail therapy.....

The AW15 Wishlist so far...

THE CROSS BODY BAG

Gucci Soho Disco Bag in Black £650

A classic, cool, practical bag. Now I can go out without a mountain of baby items (nappies, food, changes of clothes etc) this is the perfect cross body bag I would chose to replace all my old ones...

THE COAT

MaxMara Studio Ninetta Coat @Matches £448

A forever coat in a classic style. I bought a MaxMara coat when I was 22 at my first PR job..I took it back and bought three cheaper coats..err why?? Such an iconic coat..nothing ever quite matches up to it.

THE SWEATER 

Bella Freud @Net a Porter £270

I have said it before but I LOVE Bella Freud sweaters..so cool, would look fab with black skinny jeans and high, spiked heel black boots. 

THE LEATHER TROUSERS

Hush Leather Leggings £340

These would work hard in my wardrobe with oversize sweaters and chunky boots for the schoolrun or high heeled court shoes and blouses for an evening out.

THE DRESS

D&G @Net-a-Porter £2300

This dress looked amazing on the catwalk, perfectly tailored, full to the brim of style and elegance..a stand out piece.

THE SUNGLASSES

Tom Ford @John Lewis £206

So elegant and chic with a 50s vibe, these sunglasses would make the plainest outfit look cool. Tom Ford is the king of sunglass cool and I love the shape of these, they are so flattering on a round or square face.

THE BACKPACK/BUCKET BAG

Jerome Dreyfuss Alain Leopard Bag @Vestaire Collective £686.19

I am slightly obsessed with Jerome Dreyfuss bags and all things French at the moment. These are chic, understated, the pony skin is the perfect colour and looks amazing with an all black outfit and tux jacket.

THE EVENING SHOE

Miu Miu Shoes @Net-a-porter £515

Pink, glittery with a block heel....what is not to love about this amazing pair of shoes, wear all year round, in the winter for Christmas sparkle, in the summer with cute black summer dresses...absolutely gorgeous...here is how the shoes were styled on the catwalk

THE TRAINER

Nike Flyknit Trainers £130

A little bit of a marmite item but I love these trainers..the colours are gorgeous, the comfort factor is second to none and they look just as good with your little black dress as they would with boyfriend jeans and a sweater.

THE PERFUME

TOM FORD PORTOFINO @JohnLewis £130.50 (10% off price match)

Holiday in a bottle, smells like warm summer evenings abroad, a truly indulgent fragrance.

Portofino Italy via Pinterest

Summer already seems like a long time ago, I miss the holidays, the long light evenings but I do also love the idea of Autumn evenings in front of the fire with a glass of red wine or hot chocolate and I do prefer Autumn and Winter to summer, they are far more exciting!

So there is my AW lust list, a little splash of indulgence as the nights get longer and you feel in need of a little (or big) treat. The majority of these items will never reach my wardrobe but I do have my eye on the Gucci bag and trainers..I best get saving!!

Loafing around....

Style Theory: The perfect in-between shoe, the loafer. When you want to cast off your boots but it is not warm enough for sandals the loafer will be your style go to. Gucci loafers have been flooding the streetstyle scene and look amazing on, but you don't have to fork out the £500 for this style as there are plenty of beautiful loafers on the highstreet for a fraction of the price. For now lets just start at the top with a pair of delicious Guccis then I will move on to the completely affordable, beautiful, high street versions. Remember these loafer 'style rules' and you will never get it wrong, they look fabulous with dresses and shorts but when wearing with trousers/jeans/dungarees make sure your trousers are cropped to ankle length and you are showing a bit of ankle, they make them look less masculine and far more stylish...

Gucci Loafers £405

The original, buttery soft leather, super sleek. Seen on almost every blogger these loafers hit the fashion shoe world hard last year and have now filtered down to the high street. They look fab with ankle length jeans skinny jeans and slouchy/ silk tops.

Gucci Backless Loafers @Matches £380

I just adore gold shoes at the moment and if money were no object these would be mine, I love the gold tone and the backless look.

Gucci Horsebit Loafer £410

These are the dream, classic, chic and after seeing the image below on Pinterest last year I have been searching for this exact pair. Time to ebay my life away to save up to get a pair..

House of Spring £185

I have these bow loafers and absolutely adore them, they are designed in London, handmade in Portugal and are beautiful. They are the perfect mix of chic and on trend and are super flattering on, the leather takes a little wearing in but when you have you will wear these shoes for years and years to come. Wear them with all black below or like I did (also below) with bright coat and monochrome top...

Topshop have jumped on the bandwagon and have come up trumps with some stunning loafers, the ones I have selected below have leather uppers (I really do prefer leather shoes if I can afford them, they wear so much better and are better when not wearing socks)  and are a decent price.

Topshop Block Heel Loafer £56

I am a fan of a red shoe, they really make a statement and you can keep the rest of your summer outfit neutral like Olivia Palermo below..

Topshop Pointed Loafer £39

Love these, they are so Nicolas Kirkwood, are leather and such a good price, the perfect summer work shoe. They would add a hint of artistic flair to the most plain outfits. The look below is a fabulous work look with an edge..

Topshop Karter Loafer £65

Naturally I am obsessed with these loafers, not the faint hearted but I have ordered. I love the bright pink colour, they will look amazing with a denim dress, add a punch of colour to a black and white outfit or just wear with a pair of jeans and plain t-shirt.

Topshop Karter Loafer £62

 A luxury looking pair of black loafers at an affordable price.

Topshop Kube Loafers £59

A real classic, Spanish style loafer, these light tan loafers will flatter especially when worn with ankle length jeans, dresses or shorts, the nude colour elongates your legs. Made of leather these are for the classically, chic lady. 

Topshop Silver Mule £59

A fabulous alternative the full mule, these will be easy to slip on and go and look glamorous as you walk around in them. Wear them low key with jeans and tee or ramp up the metallic look and wear with a metallic skirt for a real statement outfit..

Office Dapper Loafers £65

For some true red loafers, these Office shoes are the perfect colour and shape. Let them do the talking keep your outfit simple.

I love the look of red shoes with a pair of jeans and white shorts, easy, chic and stylish.

Another trend that is both practical and cool, I love these easy to wear looks, so much better than stilletos being 'in'. The more I am looking at the pink Topshop loafers the more I think I need to order them, they look so much fun and I really believe fashion is about fun, taking little risks with your style and stepping a little out of your comfort zone, it always is worth it. Loafers are the perfect 'Fashion Lift' to add to your wardrobe.

Have you bought any loafers so far this year? Have you invested in the trend or are you going for the less expensive high street option. As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Fran xxxx