Spotlight on &Other Stories

&Other Stories

Style Theory: &Other Stories is looking good at the moment, I have spent many evenings stalking the website and have bought a few pieces over the last few weeks that I completely love. They excel in knitwear, do pretty amazing dresses and their shoes and trainers are gorgeous as are their bags and accessories. 

Here is my round up of my favourite things....

Frilled Merino Wool Knit £55

I have this jumper and love it. It is fine merino wool and really comfortable to wear, a twist on the basic grey jumper but equally as useful. I sized up to a medium as I like my knitwear to be generous especially around my tummy.

Frilled Merino Wool Knit £55

Loving the pink too, the frills look gorgeous in this colour, they seem to be a little bigger on this colour than on the grey which I love..

Suede Bag £65

I have been eyeing up this bag for a while, it looks amazing with grey (see the top image) and fab with pink. It is a great size, doesn't fit loads in but perfect for a purse, phone and keys - all I normally carry in my bags these days! 

Wool Sweater £39

A great colour and the perfect building block to a Spring wardrobe. This jumper will be as good now with a camel coat, jeans and boots as with a pair of denim shorts and white pumps in the summer.

Cashmere Knit Sweater £95

There is nothing better than a pale blue cashmere jumper and a tan, I love this colour with pale blue ankle length jeans in the summer and simple white trainers (supergas or these Stan smiths )

Wide Collar Sweater £45

This sweater sits beautifully on the neck and hips. The fabric is thick so it sits out against hips and with a pair of skinny jeans gives the illusion of a smaller bottom half. Dressing is all about proportions and this jumper is a basic that will flatter and look good with everything from jeans to tulles skirts to cigarette trousers for work.

Neon Knit £55

Sometimes your wardrobe just requires a bright sunshiney knit..this one is perfect, fling on with jeans wear with dark green parka at the moment in the summer clash up with jeans and pink trainers.

Dandelion Dress £65

This dress looks amazing styled as above with ankle boots to give it an edgy look. The perfect dress to take you from winter in spring into summer, in summer wear with tan heels..stunning. It does come up a little small so you may have to size up.

Frilled Black Dress £69

This is one of those easy throw on dresses with this season's must have 'the frill'!

Pearl Embroidered Dress £125

I nearly bought this last year and wish I had, it is fabulously 80s, insanely flattering (especially around the tummy area) It is one of those 'go to' dresses you can pull out of the cupboard for any party that will make you feel and look fabulous.

Leather Chelsea Boots £95

Gorgeous Acne style boots for a fraction of the price..

Suede Chelsea Boots £95

And in suede the perfect Spring boots..

Studded Chelsea Boots £125

These are amazing, look great with ankle length jeans and a black frill blouse - a fab going out look.

Stan Smiths £80

These are my favourite trainers at the moment, they are on my wish list for Spring. They are an almost painted leather and I love the pale pink details at the back. With tanned ankles these will look amazing.

Adidas Gazelle £80

These are the perfect white trainers for Spring, the rubber sole adds the perfect dimension, wear with pale blue ankle length jeans, a white broderie anglaise blouse and a biker jacket..a gorgeous look for Spring.

Flower Bucket Bag £95

The most gorgeous bucket bag, so many designer-esque features for a not so designer price.

Leather and Suede Bag £89

You cannot underestimate how useful a navy bag is, it immediately matches with darker denim jeans so you can go crazy with colours of shoes, tops and jacket or coat.

Love Gold Studs £17

So cute, these are gorgeous..

Crescent Moon Necklace £17

A gorgeous gift for a friend or for you, a perfect January pick me up!

So there is my shopping list for &Other Stories, sometimes shops just get it right other seasons they miss it, this season they are getting it right..now to ebay some things so I can get shopping!

Pink Cord Jacket...

Style Theory: You know when you spot something, buy it on a whim thinking that you will probably send it back but then actually love it?! Well, that happened with this Topshop jacket, the pink colour caught my attention. I used to have a similar (navy cord jacket in the early 90s - I loved it but only had it for a week then it got stolen from Ritzy nightclub cloakroom - never quite forgotten it..) So nostalgia, pink, cord and the fact that it is borg lined..all good but would it work..? In one word yes, it does, it is sooo fabulously 90s but in my mind the perfect Spring jacket, warm enough to keep you snuggly in the cool Spring days and night but also a light enough colour to make you feel sunshine-y and ready to embrace the new season.

This jacket looks perfect with jeans and a hoody - my outfit of choice always, but will also look fab over an all black look - black skinny jeans and a black crew neck with boots. In the summer it will work with pale grey t shirt, ankle length pale blue jeans and white trainers. In my eyes this is a winner and is staying put in my wardrobe...

Coat - Topshop £65

Jeans - Zara (old season) buy similar here

Hoody - Topshop (old season) buy similar here

Shoes - Gucci

The jacket is also available in denim, if pink cord doesn't float your boat..

Topshop £59

Also loving this denim one with embroidery..

Topshop £85

Or plain black  (in tall - ie. it would cover my bottom!)...

Tophop £65

The pink cord jacket is one of those items I know I will wear a lot. My 18 year old self would be sooo happy I have finally got my hands on another cord borg jacket!!

What do you think, does your wardrobe need an injection of colour, are you a fan of a srping jacket. As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, Fran xxx

Statement Sleeves

Style Theory: I love to dip into a trend and for me the Spring 2017 trend that is catching my eye is the 'Statement Sleeve'. I am a huge fan of a detailed sleeve, I am a sucker for a puff, voluminous sleeve and this season sleeves are the main focus with ruffles, fluting and proportions taking centre stage.

So admittedly not the most practical of trends but it is one I am buying into to add a little 2017 freshness to my winter and spring wardrobe....

This Topshop pink top ticks the boxes and as it is a bracelet length top, it is wearable and will not get in the way when carrying out day to day tasks!! With the statement sleeve trend it is best to keep the rest of your outfit simple and let your sleeves do the talking. This soft pink top is such a flattering shade and the grey scarf also from Topshop is such an amazing buy, completely oversized, looks great with so many colours (I love it with my camel coat). Add a pair of boyfriend jeans and heels and you have the perfect Spring going out outfit...

Top - Topshop £29

Scarf - Topshop £16

Jeans - Old - similar here

Shoes - Old season - similar here

Photos by Victoria Metaxas

For lots more Statement Sleeve ideas check out my latest article for Good Housekeeping online 

Gingham ruffles...

Images via Pinterest

Style Theory: It may be forecast snow and baltic outside but in my head I am looking ahead to sunnier times. I love the ruffles designer Caroline Constas created on all her clothes, now the style is starting to filter down to the high street so we can buy the look at the fraction of the price. Starting with frilled, gingham skirts my new obsession..

Asos £34

I have just ordered this skirt, love the look of it, uneven hems are going to be a big trend this summer as are ruffles so I wanted to get this before it sold out. For now I will wear it with a black cashmere sweater.. love the one below

Boden £99.50

And a pair of heeled ankle boots..these ones look amazing on..

&Other Stories £145

and a leather biker jacket..

River Island £100

in the summer wear with a white tee shirt, a Levis denim jacket (see below)

Levis at Asos reduced to £51

and some tan strappy sandals - I love these one although they are on the more expensive end of the spectrum..

Ancient Greek Sandals £140

Quite minimalistic but look so so chic on tanned feet.

A few more gingham skirts to choose from..

Asos £32

Loving the red, beautiful for the summer.

M&S - Skirt £35 (will be in stores in March)

This skirt caught my eye at the M&S SS17 Press show, it looks beautiful in the flesh, generous frills and a fab length.

Topshop Boutique £90

This is a less 'frou frou' option, probably be more flattering over hips..

Definitely a style of skirt that will popping up throughout the summer and into the Autumn so worth jumping on now... I have ordered the Asos one I will let you know how it looks on,

Until next time Fran xx

It's all about the Handknitted look

All images via Pinterest

Style Theory: Handknitted-style jumpers are having a moment. The more authentic the better and of course if you can knit yourself you are on to a winner. It is all about the chunky knit, in gorgeous colours, reds, pinks, greys and creams. I first fell in love with the pink Ganni jumper seen above on blogger Lucy Williams, it sold out in a flash so the search is on for a similar one. 

Handknitted-style jumpers look great with pale blue skinny, ankle length jeans and a pair of white trainers - next blog post will be on trainers. Add a hint of fine gold jewellery and you have the perfect Spring look..

Ganni £335

This is, for me, the dream jumper. The colour is perfect, the slight puff sleeves and cuffs, the shape, all knitwear perfection. Super expensive but utterly gorgeous! Also available in cream here

La Redoute was £59 now £39.40

A more reasonable hand knit look jumper, I have this sweater and can confirm it is super cosy. It is really chunky (fits under my parka but not my smarter coats) but is the perfect Winter/Spring jumper.

Yakshi Malhotra was £120 now £70

A new brand I have recently found via instagram. Yakshi Malhotra has the most fabulous knitwear, made in the UK. I love this sweater, it has a such a cool, laid back look with a designer edge at the same time. Perfect for throwing on with a pair of boyfriend jeans and leopard heels for a fab going out winer evening look.

Topshop £55

A nude/pale pink colour this knit will seamlessly take you from winter to summer, wear with a chunky scarf, black jeans and boots now and in the summer pair with pale blue skinny jeans and white superga trainers.

Topshop Unique £165

A burst of colour for winter, this yellow jumper will brighten up any look, just add a pair of jeans and clash up with some dark pink trainers for a cool, 2017 look.

Ganni was £280 now £196

This is the grey version of the pink (sold out) Ganni jumper I was obsessed with, it looks fab on, still on the pricey side but a wardrobe staple that would last for years.

American Vintage @TheDressingroom was £150 now £75

This is a beautiful oversized jumper, the palest pink, as soft as a cloud, the most snuggly piece of clothing. The sizing does come up huge, it is super oversized!

Topshop £34

Love the colour of this sweater, maybe not the handknitted look exactly but beautiful nevertheless, I think this will be making it's way into my wardrobe this season.

&Other Stories £69

Wear this jumper with leather leggings now and with denim shorts in the summer. The pointed details on the jumper flatter the figure making hips and legs look thinner by not cutting straight across the body.

Me+EM was £149 now £74

Me+Em knitwear is fab, really great quality and now at half price this is an amazing buy. A real classic, great length and a navy polo neck sweater will never date. 

Mango £49.99

New in, this cardigan ticks lots of boxes, pink, heavy knit, slouchy. Wear over a pale grey sweater with pale blue jeans and white trainers...stunning!

Miss Selfridges £35

An authentic hand-knit for a fraction of the price of others, this looks fab on.. I tried it on below..

Topshop £45

Just spotted this cardigan, the ruffle sleeves are fab, it would great over a grey tee, add a chunky grey scarf (I love this one from Topshop) and skinny jeans and boots..fab outfit for the rest of the winter and spring...

I am a sucker for a hand knit jumper, I used to have a few for my two kids when they were young and they looked amazing in them. I really really should learn to knit as I have so many ideas in my head of the perfect knitwear, it one of my favourite pieces of clothing.

As an aside if anyone does know any knitwear brands that would be interested in working on a small knitwear collection I would love to get in touch. I worked as a buyer for own brand for a major department store so know all the ins and outs of design and production..please do get in touch or if you do know anyone please drop me a line Thefashionlift@outlook.com, thanks so much xxx