Tuesday 27 May 2014

A Touch of Daytime Lace

Style Theory: Lace is now a fashion staple and can look just as fabulous dressed down in the daytime as it does dressed up in the evening. A lace skirt can be easily inserted into your capsule wardrobe and worn with casual tops and flat sandals. Here's how:



This is my favourite lace skirt from H&M, I love wearing it with a breton, denim shirt or grey sweater as I think it looks better dressed down, somehow it makes it look more expensive.

Here is some more inspiration from Pinterest:

Wear your lace skirt with a grey jumper
Lace looks great with a chunky jumper
Such a luxurious look with muted khaki silk blouse and tan clutch.
Laura Fantacci of WIT blog wears hers with a J Crew grey sweater.


Add a grey tee for an easy and classic look
Love the structured crop top with the lace skirt.
White tee, denim shirt and a lace skirt an easy and stunning combination. 
Images above from Pinterest
The key is to dress down your top half to balance out the intricate detail of the skirt. If possible wear with a small heel as this is always more flattering on your legs, but if it is hot then I think a gold pair of strappy flat sandals would look just as good. Add some fine gold jewellery and keep accessories simple, a pop of colour looks great, you can add a block colour handbag/clutch in orange or red.

The best lace skirts on the high street:
Topshop Cut Out Rose Lace Skirt £38 (also in white)
New Look Pink Embellished Lace Pencil Skirt £29.99
Warehouse Blue Stripe Lace Skirt £50
Oasis Lace Midi Skirt £35
Oasis Geo Lace Skirt £35
Wear with:
Petite Bateau Breton £58

Or:


Gap Western Denim Shirt £34.95


Gap Contrast Trim pocket Tee £22.95
Or:

Jigsaw @John Lewis Cashmere Raglan Sweater £149
Or:

Asos Pocket Jumper £13.50

Wear with:


Dune Ladies Carosel £79


OR

Dune Ladies Khloe Sandals £69
Or mix it up with:

Primark Courts £14 (found in store) - a small Sophia Webster 'homage'?!
I hope this inspires you to add a little lace to your wardrobe for this spring/summer..if it ever comes?!

My Style:
When it was a little sunnier over the weekend, going on walks, swimming and out for dinner, all outfits very casual and comfortable!

Shirt: H&M
Jeans: H&M
Bag: H&M
Shoes: Birkenstocks 
Sweater: Whistles
Jeans: Diesel
Leather Biker: Asos
Bag: H&M

Shirt: Gap
Leggings: Zara
Bag: H&M
Denim Jacket: Tied round waist Warehouse
Shoes: Birkenstock
The sunshine seems a distant memory....so today I am in tracksuit bottoms..come on summer we are ready for you!! xx

Do you have a lace skirt or top, do you find now it is easy to wear for daytime too?

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time, Frances xxx

Thursday 22 May 2014

Simple Summer Inspiration

Style Theory: Sometimes you just need to keep the formula for summer dressing simple, unfussy and cool. Here are a few ideas for some easy and stylish summer outfits and the inspiration behind them.


Streetstyle images from Pinterest

THE SIMPLE BOHO DRESS
Throw over a bikini, wear over short denim shorts or by itself
Mango Beaded Embroidered Dress £49.99
Or:
Mango Embroidered Dress £34.99
Wear with:

Steve Madden @Dune Sandals £65
THE SIMPLE STRIPE DRESS & LIGHTWEIGHT PARKA
Year after year a classic, can be dressed up to look Riveria chic, or dressed down for beachwear, looks fab with a lightweight parka thrown over the top..
Dune Lutney Slip ons £75
A SIMPLE CHAMBRAY SHIRT AND DISTRESSED JEANS
Another casual, easy to wear outfit, looks great with flat gold sandals during the day then put on some stappy heels and a few fine gold necklaces and you are ready for a night out.
Gap Fitted Boyfriend Oxford Shirt £29.95
Zara Ripped Boyfriend Jeans £39.99
Next Ankle Strap Sandal £28
DKNY at John Lewis £158
Love this little handbag, it had a little loop to put your hand through at the front to carry like a clutch.
SIMPLE WHITE BOHO TOP AND DENIM SHORTS 
Another summer classic look, I love a sleeve as I am now at that age when I am not too keen on showing the rather large tops of my arms, add a little embroidered bag for a pop of colour.
H&M Embroidered Tunic £29.99

Gap Boyfriend Shorts £29.95
Dune Jolene Black Sliders £49

Accessorize Portobello Slouch Bag £45

THE PERFECT WHITE SHIRT
I love the look of distressed jeans with a crisp white shirt and blazer and some animal print courts, simple but effective!
Zara Soft Blazer with Zips £69.99
Next White Shirt £22
Zara jeans as above
Aldo Sunglasses £10
My Style: Easing myself into my summer wardrobe slowly, I always find the summer transition the most difficult!

Top: H&M Exclusive Conscious Collection
Cardigan: Gant
Jeans; MiH
Slip ons: H&M
 For a weekend break by the seaside with the family, it was just amazing weather and a beautiful beach, we were walking along the beach to a seafront restaurant, heaven!
Jumper: Cos
Jeans: Oasis
Shoes: Russell and Bromley
Necklace: J Crew
How I started in the morning before changing into denim shorts and my Mango frilled sleeve top,
Breton: Petit Bateau
Jeans: Gap
Knitted Jacket Henri Lloyd
Sliders: Dune
Bag: H&M
So there is my first real dip into summer outfits, there are lots more to come... How is your transition to your summer wardrobe going are you well and truly immersed or like me wondering what you wore all last summer and where has it all been put?!
Until next time, Frances xxx