Style Theory: Whenever a friend asks what trousers I would recommend for work, smart occasions or just generally a fab pair of trousers as an alternative to jeans I always tell them to try Me & Em. You know when you find a brand that fits your shape, are cut so they hide the fat bits and make you look slimmer and taller, well they are like gold dust.. I was talking to a friend last night and she said she finds Next a perfect fit for her, as we are all shaped differently with different proportions then when you finally find the elusive 'perfect fit' it is worth buying into, even if they are a little more expensive, it is worth the investment.
Embroidered Trim Boxy Blouse - Me & Em £185 Grosgrain Stripe Man Trousers - Me & Em £135 Two in One Cross Body Clutch - Me & Em £249 Boots - &Other Stories reduced to £35 in sale (in store only)
I was asked (alongside Chloe) to pop up to the Me&Em pop up store in Elizabeth St, London for a quick catch up, a little photo shoot styling up the new SS17 collection and try out a few looks for London Fashion Week. Naturally I made a bee line for their trousers, I love the side stripe, I am 5ft 3 - a slightly big size 10 - (I seem to be the only blogger who is actually putting on weight the longer I blog for?!!) and these trousers seem to shrink my width and elongate my legs - win win. They are expensive but the fabric and cut, the fact they are so comfortable to wear and can be dressed up and dressed down makes them worth it. This check top is a winner for me, perfect with jeans and I completely love it with these cropped stripe trousers, slip on a pair of loafers for a super comfy and practical look.
Check Top - Me & Em £149 Two in One Cross Body Clutch - Me & Em £249 Grosgrain Stripe Slim Crop Trouser - Me & Em £119 Gucci Princetown Loafers - Selfridges Photos by Dina
A few of my other fave pieces from the SS17 collection...
What is your 'go to' brand for clothes you know fit you? I would love to know, it so good with you find 'the one'!!! Have a wonderful evening, I am off to my sisters 40th birthday party and am already scared about how hungover I will be tomorrow (it is with all our very lovely friends from teenagers to university) so no doubt will be so much fun and involve lots of wine and dancing..too excited!!! Until next time Fran xxxxxx
Style Theory: Every so often you come across a brand that not only fits but flatters and makes you look slimmer than you actually are. Step forward Me+Em, honestly I would not say this if I didn't truly mean it, but the way they expertly cut their clothes, the high quality fabric they use and the flattering designs all result in the most the beautiful collection of clothes.
They are more expensive than the likes of Zara etc, but the quality is absolutely worth it, if you are working on cost per wear Me+Em would win every time. If you are smaller, like me, the cropped trousers fit on the ankle perfectly and the longer ones need to be taken up or worn with heels but either way they look pretty amazing!
Me+Em have just opened a pop up shop in Elizabeth Street, literally 5 mins away from Victoria Station, so I popped in today to check out their latest collection and fell in love with so many pieces..
Firstly, sports luxe the grown up, flattering way..
Top - Me+Em £83 - was £119 (size down)
Trousers - Me+Em £135
Shoes - M&S £29.50 (20% off at the moment with the code OCT16A16)
These trousers are incredibly comfortable on, they have an elasticated waistband (high five!) and just skim the floor when I wear them with heels. They are made from a heavy pointe fabric which hangs beautifully resulting in a flattering silhouette (I sized down one size). I love them smartened up with this pussybow swing top, currently in the sale, it would look just as good with skinny jeans and trainers for a day time look. I will also wear the trousers with a cashmere sweater and heels for a laid back, 'going out to the pub look'..
The dream 'forever' coat....
Military Coat - Me+Em £299
Lace Layering Top - Me+Em £79
Button Slim Crop Trousers - Me+Em £135
Shoes - M&S £29.50 (20% off at the moment with the code OCT16A16)
This coat is definitely a 'forever' coat, the military style transcends trends, it is a classic and can be worn year after year. As soon as I put it on it felt amazing, structured but not stiff, expensive fabric that flatters and falls perfectly. I sized down one size as it was a little big across the shoulders, it really is a fabulous coat, tailored to perfection. It would take an everyday look of a sweater, jeans and trainers up a notch and would look just perfect over an evening dress for a Christmas night out.
The Button hem slim crop trouser are a fab fit, skimming over lumps and bumps with a flat front that covers a tummy. Just as good with Stan Smiths as with heels, these trousers are classics that will last.
The Slouchy but chic Sunday Jumper..
Slouchy Stripe Turtleneck - Me+Em £149 Half Leather legging - Me+Em £399 Shoes - Zara (old season - similar here) Ps - I was talking when taking this photo, not pouting!! ha!
The ultimate in breton luxury, this merino, cashmere mix sweater is slouchy, sweater heaven, quite long so perfect for skimming over my bottom and thighs and great paired with leather leggings. I would wear with trainers or slouchy ankle boots with this look. The leggings are incredibly flattering, they are a huge investment but if you are looking to invest these are the best of the bunch...
The Sophisticated Tux..
Forever Tux Jacket - Me+Em £249
Lace Trim Silk Tunic - Me+Em £165
Trousers - Me+Em £135
Shoes - Gucci Marmont
The most chic Tux that would last literally forever.. all pieces can be worn separately and are beautiful in their own right but together they make a dream evening out combination.
A few other items I have my eye on..
Me+Em - Cable Weekend Jumper £149
Because a winter white jumper always looks amazing with skinny jeans and trainers, chic, minimal and super classy.
Pleated Collar Layering Shirt - Me+Em £99
A great top to wear by itself - also comes in black which I find a little more flattering than white,but this would be great under jumpers and jackets..
Swing Lace Dress Me+Em £135
The perfect Christmas Day dress, eat as much as you like, no one would know, it is heavy fabric that hangs beautifully annddd it has pockets.. I bought a Me+Em swing dress a couple of years ago and still wear it every Christmas.
Have you invested in any luxe staples, where do you shop? Have you bought from Me+Em before what do you think? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Fran xxxx
Style Theory: When clothes are tailored well they are so flattering, skimming your lumps and bumps and making you look slimmer and just a little taller (I need help with both). I fell in love with Me+Em tailoring a couple of years ago when I bought a swing dress for Christmas Day, it hung perfectly, was made of beautiful fabric and was incredibly flattering..I was smitten. So here is my edit above and below of my favourite Me+Em pieces....
I am slightly obsessed with the stripe trousers above, they fit the 'sports luxe' trend perfectly and are so flattering. They are made from beautiful fabric that hangs perfectly, I have a tummy and they amazingly disguise this. The perfect work to weekend trousers, they can be worn with heels or trainers, they will work hard for you. The silk blouse is pure indulgence, the bow makes a statement and the colour is subtle and calm. Both the blouse and the trousers are a size 10 (my normal size), I sized down on the Alexa M&S blazer to a size 8 as it is pretty oversized.
Dress - Me + Em (sale)
Bag - Aurora London
Trainers - Superga
Camo Jacket - Primark (old season)
Sunglasses - Fendi @Very Exclusive
This dress is currently in the Me+Em sale, it is made of silk crepe de chine, hangs beautifully and does not crush. It can be worn during the day, styled with a casual jacket (I went for my camo jacket) and sneakers or in the evening wear with tan high sandals and a contrasting bag for the perfect wedding outfit. I sized down on this as it does come up a little big, this is a size 8.
Jumper - Me + Em
Jeans - J Brand Selena Kick Flare
Lace Blouse - &Other Stories (in store in sale)
Bag - Zara (in store)
Shoes - Zara
The perfect pink sweater, in a swing shape so keep bottoms tight and fitted. It is the most beautiful shade of pink, it is a fine knit so can be tucked into the front of jeans (perfect for hiding a tummy like mine) I will be wearing it with my cut off denim shorts and flat tan sandals in the summer and dressing it up wearing it with my stripe trousers above and heels for a smarter look.
This season tailoring is working for me, good tailoring is always a little more expensive in which case I make it 'work' hard for me, dressing it up with heels or dressing it down with a pair of trainers, a tee and a khaki/camo 'shackett'. I really believe in not keeping best clothes for 'best', I wear the items again and again from random trips to the park to press events, I need to get value and time goes too quickly to keep something to only wear once (apart from at home where I live in PJ bottoms!).
What are you tailored must-have's? Do you tend to keep nice clothing aside for special occasions or do you wear them whenever? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Fran xxxx
