Instastyle - My heatwave outfit looks..

Style Theory: That dreaded moment when it gets hot and you find you have no summer clothes, the thoughts of what on earth did I wear last summer and why have I eaten so much and not exercised?!. So it appears for this transitional phase, the khaki pieces in my wardrobe are working hard and boyfriend jeans provide the right balance between keeping cool enough and covering my legs, add to that a white top, some fine gold jewellery and we have the basis of what I know will be my 2016 summer wardrobe solutions...

Boyfriend Jeans

Size up and wear loose, they will be your coolest option for jeans this summer, they look fab with flat sandals or dress up in the evening with statement heels (love these from Miista). Where possible keep your top as neat fitting as possible to balance out the bagginess of the jeans.

Top: H&M £29.99 (similar here )
Jeans: Gap old season (love these ones)
Bag: H&M old season (similar here)
Shoes: Miista 

Shoes: Miista
Jeans: Gap (old season)

Khaki 

Khaki is featuring heavily in my summer wardrobe, it is such a good neutral colour and is softer against the my skin. I have worn my Hush jacket non stop, so good for throwing over any outfit and my J Brand jeans have been worth every penny. 

Jumper: Me +Em
Jacket: Hush
Jeans: J Brand
Trainers: Golden Goose
Bag: SayWhatYouC

Khaki Playsuit

So this is about as summery as I get at the moment, this is possibly the most comfortable, easy outfit I have bought so far this season. The jumpsuit is from Quattro Rish £79 (they will post out to you if you give them a call on 01737 235468) As last year my Menorcan sandals will be my go to for basic day summer shoes, super comfy and the neutral colour is flattering on my legs, these ones are from Varca Shoes. A pop of colour from my surprise buy my Laura Ashley huge tote bag (not leather) but fab for chucking everything in when I am out and about!

Playsuit: Quattro Rish
Shoes: Varca Shoes
Bag: Laura Ashley (old season)
Jacket: Primark (similar here)

The Boho White Top

I didn't know if I should buy this top (I already have a few) but it has been so useful. I love the fact it covers my arms and looks just as good with denim short as with jeans. I got these J Brand houlihans preloved from EditSecondHand, I have wanted a pair for years and buying them pre-loved made them affordable.

Top: H&M (available in store)
Trousers: Edit Second Hand
Shoes: LK Bennett (old Season)
Bag: Topshop (old season) similar here

So it looks like Khaki will be king in my summer wardrobe along with my trusty white tops and denim. The heatwave, which I think has now gone and we will be back to sweaters in no time, gave me a short sharp wake up call to sort out my clothes, I have so many I do not wear and really need to focus on what will be an easy, workable summer wardrobe and also that I seriously need to start exercising!

What have you been wearing over the last week, do you find it easy to go straight into summer mode? Have you found any summer gems? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Fran xxx

Shady Lady...

images via Pinterest

Style Theory: Sunglasses are not only practical but can add the finishing touch to your look. From designer to cheap as chips high street, there is a pair to suit every face shape and every budget. Keep it classic with neutral frames or have fun with colours to clash up with your outfit, play it safe, go bold..do both..

Here are a selection of my favourites starting with expensive going down to high street 'could be designer' looks...

Fendi @VeryExclusive £270 (take 30% discount off with code)

I love these ones, they are perfect for my square/round face the angular cats eyes pull my face up making it look less square.

Sunglasses - As Above
Earrings - Cabbage White England
Necklace - Anna Lou of London
Jumpsuit - Quattro Rish

If you fancy investing some designer sunglasses, Very Exclusive UK have 30% off at the moment with the code K936L so a really good time to snap them up (the discount code lasts until midnight 10th May and has some restrictions)

Chloe @Very Exclusive £250 (take 30% off with code)

For a boho, cool look these Chloe sunglasses are sensational. The metal fine frame gives them a 2016 look whilst still giving off that 70s vibe. Perfect for angular faces, these sunglasses will look cool year after year.

Mango at Asos £19.99

Almost identical to the Chloe ones but £19.99 - these are a fab buy!

Chloe @VeryExclusive £210 (use code for extra 30% off)

I have a thing for clear frames, they look so chic, so understated, so Italian. These sunglasses are beautiful, they are not shouty but subtly knowing, pure rivera style.

LE Specs @VeryExclusive £40

Cute pink sunglasses from Le Specs, I love the Le Specs range they look like designer sunglasses for a fraction of the price.

Quay Australia @Asos £35

Another brand I an a huge fan of Quay Australia. These sunglasses have sporty look, will be perfect with a sports luxe look of hoody, biker, tailored trousers and heels.

Le Specs @Asos £49

These look so designer, I like the finer gold arm it makes them not too heavy. A true chic look.

RayBan Wayfarer £125

I love a red frame and these Ray Ban wayfarers tick all the boxes for me. Add a pop of colour to your look, match them with you bag or your shoes for a cool look.

Topshop £18

Loving these, I have just broke my red frame sunglasses so may have to buy these ones!

I like to have one pair of really good sunglasses, I find they are more effective in the sun, I have a pair of old prescription ones that I actually use loads when I cannot be bothered to wear contacts and then I love a couple of fun cheapy sunglasses to add a little 'fashion lift' to my looks.

Are you a designer sunglasses fan or do you prefer cheap and cheerful? There are sooo many fab frames to choose from this year, it was hard to narrow it down! As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, hope you are enjoying this glorious sunshine..it is just heaven!! Until next time Fran xxxx

What to wear when it gets hot...here's some ideas..

Style Theory: If you are like me, when the weather suddenly turns, I discover I have nothing to wear. I cannot remember how to style my summer wardrobe and I need some outfit inspiration to show how to rework classics and add in a few new items to 'lift' my look. So to get us all in the right frame of mind and give us some style inspiration here are a few of my favourite streetstyle looks....

Images above via Pinterest

I always tread quite carefully at the beginning of seasons, I stick to simple monochrome colours with a touch of khaki, grey and leopard print thrown in. I tentatively add the colours of the season into my looks with fashion 'lift' items, a red bag and pair of sparkly shoes (I am loving the ones above with the dress) by the end of the season I always tend to be braver and normally multi-coloured!

For the heatwave we have hitting us this week I will be wearing boyfriend jeans, breaking out the tan majorcan sandals, getting out my white tops from last year and adding a few camisole style tops and boyfriend cardigans for a slouchy look. Key items are blue jeans, silk blouses (plain or with a bow or ruffle detail), slouchy trousers (Zara have some great ones) a navy blazer or a biker jacket and Gucci-esque loafers - your Spring Summer 2016 look in a nutshell...

My Style:

For today, it was a little warmer so I wore black?!

Jumper - Cos (in sale in stores)
Jeans - Levis 501ct
Shoes - Isabel Marant (sold out)

I popped into my favourite local boutique Quattro Rish and fell for this top. It is one of the tops you put on and it instantly flatters all the parts you need it to flatter, it covers my arms and my tummy and hangs beautifully. It is very light fabric and would be amazing on summer holiday over a bikini with Levis shorts and black flat strappy sandals.

Top - Quattro Rish £79 (call 01737 235468 - to mail order) 

I bought this little jumpsuit below from Quattro Rish and I love it. It is from a brand called Reiko, they cut their clothes so they flatter and fit well. I am not super keen on my arms at the moment so this covers them perfectly but it is still cool and easy to wear. The fabric is a good weight so it hangs beautifully, I think with a little bit of fake tan and my tan majorcan sandals this will be a super useful summer item (just need to work on those legs!!)

Jumpsuit - Quattro Rish £79 (details as above)

So there is, I hope, a little inspiration for the impending heatwave, for me it is always baby steps at the beginning of the season leading to giant, bold slightly random leaps at the end!! 

Have you sussed your look for the Spring/Summer what outfits do you like, feel comfortable in? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Fran xxx

Double Trouble...

Style Theory: I find having my photo taken pretty awkward but when it is a shoot with a friend it is so much more fun. Joanne The Stylist and the Wardrobe and I had a fab afternoon hanging out in Wimbledon Village, all photos shot by Victoria Metaxas.

I naturally went for a super comfy option, I have been looking for a pair of baggy khakis for a while and these Zara trousers fit the bill perfectly. They are almost harem in style, incredibly comfortable and will look fab in the summer with a camisole top and Majorcan style sandals. For the spring I styled my khaki trousers with a lace detail victoriana top from H&M (sold out online but available instore), my M&S Alexa Chung blazer (size down) and my hardly-ever-off-my-feet Gucci shoes (I am getting my money's worth out of them!) I threw my M&S pink coat over the top and my navy radley bag, I always need structure against a baggy item of clothing it balances out the look.. 

This is my comfort zone, I love a smart/casual look, juxtaposing baggy and tailored. To pull my outfits together I always make sure two items are the same colour (my blazer and my bag) You can wear any range of colours, throw them together as long as two colours match on your outfit, it can be a small as the piping on an item of clothing with an accessories, I always think that these are the two pieces of string that tie your outfit together..just think two and you will always get it right.

Joanne looked gorgeous in J Crew trousers (similar), Topshop shoes and Zara blazer ..

Victoriana Top: H&M £29.99 (sold out online available in store)

Trousers: Zara £29.99

Blazer: Marks and Spencer £49.50

Shoes: Gucci £530 (high heel version)

Sunglasses: Fendi @VeryExclusive £270

Coat: M&S (old season)

Bag: Radley similar here

*Photographs by Victoria Metaxas

I know I will be living in these trousers in the summer, they are so lightweight and will look fab with sandals and a tee shirt, just need a little sun now. The blazer has definitely been a suprise, I wasnt sure whether to keep it but have worn it so much, I love the 80s feel of it and the oversize look, it looks great with skinny jeans and tailored trousers. Have you invested in khakis so far this year, how are you wearing yours? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments

Check out Joanne's blog The Stylist and the Wardrobe, she has such a cool, impeccable style. And thanks to super talented photographer Victoria Metaxas , such a fab photographer (some of these photos were shot in the freak snow we had the other day!)xxx

I hope you are all having a fab Bank Holiday weekend, thanks so much for reading, until next time Fran xxx