The one thing I wear the most....The Hoody...

Style Theory: I was thinking today as I shoved on my hoody for the millionth time, that it was the item I wear most in my wardrobe. From taking the kids to school, to meetings, to as soon as I get back from London on goes my hoody and pjs bottoms. Hoodies are comfy, cosy and thanks to the freezing conditions at New York fashion week this year are deemed pretty cool. 

I love a hoody styled with straight or ankle length kick flare jeans, heels (block heels work best) and a tailored coat, add a cross body bag and you have a laid back, cool and practical outfit. I promise you the hoody will be your 'go to' piece of clothing from deepest darkest winter to cool summer evenings..

Here are the best on the high street now....

Topshop Longline Hoody £29

This hoody is a gorgeous colour it would look great under a khaki, camel or navy tailored coat. As it is longline it is the perfect sweater to wear with leather leggings, will hit your legs in a flattering place just add a pair of stan smith trainers, a coat and a short cross body bag in a contrasting colour (red would look great) or go for a neutral and you have a cool look.

Topshop Oversized Super Soft Hoodie £26

I am a huge fan of green at the moment and this hoody would look fab under a black leather biker or shearling jacket with ankle length jeans and stan smith trainers (especially if they have the green logo at the back)

Topshop Basic Oversize Hoody £26

Adore this vibrant pink, it looks gorgeous under a tailored camel coat with jeans and gold shoes or boots, add a black cross body bag with gold hardware..perfect.

Topshop £38

This is similar to the NYPD one I am wearing below that I live in. I think I will have to buy this one too, love it, the quality is fab, I would wear it with my faux fur coat, a red cross body bag, jeans and my gold gucci shoes (although I would love some gold stiletto boots - a new obsession I will blog about tomorrow!)

Topshop £38

The hoody I spend my life in, I love wearing it with my pink coat, jeans and heels - see below..

Or with faux fur and 'my never off my feet but I agree they are quite naff' Uggs! 

My basic uniform..
Faux Fur Jacket  - Topshop
Jumper - Topshop
Jeans - J Brand @The Outnet
Uggs - John Lewis

Asos Oversized Hoody £25

A brilliant buy, a black hoody is just a useful basic, wear under a tailored check or camel coat or under a coloured faux fur for a cool street style look without the effort!

Jack Wills £59.95

There is no doubt Jack Wills produce a good hoody, I have a few that have stood the test of time, well worth the investment. This berry colour will work beautifully with a pink coat or bag, clashing is good, the bigger the clash the better.

Hush Cashmere Hoody £200

The most beautiful cashmere hoody, completely and utterly indulgent but gorgeous under a biker jacket with cropped kick flared or straight jeans and heels.

Do you indulge in hoody wearing, I love the fact that it is now acceptable and even regarded as cool by the fashion set! I shall continue wearing my hoody with pride and not just with my pjs bottoms (although that is exactly what I am wearing as I sit here writing!) 

Thanks so much for reading, until the next time Fran x

The Best Trousers Ever...

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

Fabulous February Finds

All images above via Pinterest

Style Theory: This month always feels suspended in mid air, cold and wintery with that summer feeling a long way away. So what better time than to buy a little 'pick me up', a piece of clothing that will fill the sunshine void, add a little colour/sparkle or shine to your wardrobe..

Here is my edit of my fave February finds.....

Topshop £42

I bought this jumper after seeing it with the silver trousers in the new Topshop campaign. It is the perfect Spring jumper, will look fab with pale blue jeans and silver supergas in the summer. At the moment I am wearing it layered up with a vest top underneath and a coat over the top..

Coat  - Jaeger 
Jumper - Topshop
Jeans - J Brand at The Outnet
Shoes - Gucci
Bag - Laura Ashley (old season)

Next, I think this silver skirt below would work with the pink jumper above. I tried it on in Barcelona but it was more expensive than in the UK so at the end of this month I am ordering it as it is strangely easy to wear. Wear now with a grey sweater (see street style photo at the top of the blog) and in the summer with a white tee and Stan Smith trainers.

&Other Stories £145

The silver skirt has sold out online but try stores for stock. 

&OtherStories £95

Because a chic, pale blue cashmere jumper and silver is a match made in heaven.

Baukjen £115

This is a timeless jumper with a twist, wear with everything and add a touch of magic to the school run.

Pull and Bear £9.99

Spotted this on Noholita (photo at top of blog post) and tracked it down... for £9.99 this is fab little jacket, adds a little winter/spring glitter to my wardrobe, wear over everything to add sparkle..

River Island £30

For a more affordable take on the Gucci Loafer trend, these faux leather loafers fit the bill perfectly and at a more palatable £30.

River Island £28

Since silver seems to be a bit of a theme for me at the moment, these also caught my eye in River Island, more than a hint of Miu Miu and a fraction of the price. Wear with ankle length jeans and an oversized black (or pink) sweater above and a biker to toughen the look.

Zara £29.99

I have been looking at this spotty dress for a while and when a girl walked past me in London yesterday wearing it with flat black shoes and opaques I decided it has to be added to my shopping list. It is one of those easy throw on but look pretty cool at the same time dresses.

Lightening bolt Earrings - Cabbage White England £30

Love these, the perfect Bowie tribute earrings..

So there is my edit of my favourites pieces in the shops at the moment, I may have bought a few pieces whilst writing the blog..hazard of the job!!

What have you bought in Jan and Feb? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments until next time Fran x

Unboxing the Ultimate Capsule Wardrobe Item with Jaeger

Style Theory: There is such an exciting rush when something you have bought online arrives, something special you have spent your well earned cash on and it is even better when that item arrives beautifully gift wrapped. Some brands, like Jaeger, have got this down to fine art, a thoughtfully wrapped item in chic packaging is the ultimate luxury and feels that little bit extra special...

Jaeger recently launched their Spring Summer 17 knitwear collection alongside some new, chic packaging, a luxury match made in heaven. As expected from a stylish, heritage brand like Jaeger the packaging is cool and sophisticated, knitwear comes wrapped in layers of tissue paper encased in a sunshine yellow and grey box, understated and elegant. It was such a joy to unbox, that quiet two minutes you have to yourself in a manic day when you can savour opening the box and seeing your new purchase...bliss....like the time out in the old Cadbury Caramel Bunny adverts, grab yourself a cuppa and 'take it easy' unboxing your new capsule wardrobe piece..

This wool cashmere sweater, is my idea of jumper perfection. A laidback, slightly oversized cut in a mid grey marl made of the softest wool with a dash of cashmere to make it a must have in a capsule wardrobe. It a real investment piece, so easy to wear it falls in with every item in my wardrobe, from jeans to party skirts to trousers, I guarantee once you put it on it is hard to take off.

This is my ideal outfit, it is elegant and grown up without looking too old and is so so comfortable, add a pair of trainers and I would wear this every day if I could. Jaeger's new knitwear collection is all about carefree style and I am all about that, with a hint of gold, glitter and pink of course, well, I wouldn't be dressed like me if not!

Grey Wool Cashmere Sweater - Jaeger £125

Scarf - Cos £49

Wool Cashmere Boyfriend Coat - Jaeger £350

J Brand Selena Jeans - The Outnet £105

Belt - Gucci 

Shoes - Gucci 

Necklace - Chambers and Beau

Photos by Victoria Metaxas 

Here are a few a my favourite pieces from the Jaeger knitwear range.....camels to pinks and grey everyday classics with a design edge.....

Wool Curved Hem Sweater £150

Wool V Neck Slouchy Sweater £142

Wool Cashmere V Neck Sweater £142

Wool Cape Back Sweater £150

Cut Open Sleeve Detail Sweater £150

All these pieces of knitwear are chic twists on classic cuts that would seamlessly slot into any wardrobe and last season after season.

So, I will be wearing my grey jumper today (again)! What are your favourite pieces of knitwear, what items do you reach for again and again? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Fran xxx