Some seriously stylish slacks

edits styling notes

I honestly think that at the moment pretty much any trouser shape goes. Skinny, culotte, wide leg, sports luxe, tapered, cropped, cuffed. So how do you find a style that suits you and is going to last the test of time?

Firstly it is down to taste, what ever floats your boat and fits into your wardrobe seamlessly. In other words you can wear with lots of tops/shirts/knitwear you already own.

Secondly you have to take into account body and leg shape, and what suits you. For example I love skinnies in the winter with an oversized jumper and a masculine coat. But wearing them with a cropped top in the summer, makes me come out in cold sweats - it's just never going to happen!

So this summer I have been drawn to more looser, sports luxe styles and been obsessing over finding the right ones for me and my wardrobe. As I normally live in jeans all year round want these trousers to add something new into my wardrobe and even though I'm buying them in summer I want to be able to wear them in Winter too.

They create a very modern silhouette whilst being ridiculously comfortable and fit perfectly, but I can't guarantee that they will go with every top in your wardrobe. I have found that plain or stripe jersey tops are the best, shirts and in the winter I will pair with smart knitwear. You can't wear them with printed tops unless you want to clash with the stripe down the side or with sweaters, unless you want to look like you are going to the gym. Here is some style inspiration to check out and follow my pinterest board here - slacks 2016

Here is how I have styled my sports luxe trousers -

To shop for your own pair of sports luxe slacks, check out my top 5 picks of the high street right now -

Top 5 sports luxe trousers

1. Zara jogging trousers £25.99

2. Me + Em contrast piping trousers £129.00

3. Finery London contrast panel trousers £55.00

4. Topshop satin cuffless joggers £45.00

5.  Zara jogging trousers £25.99

what to buy in the sales

I have to admit that I really don't like the sales. Never have and suspect I never will. It gives me chills seeing all those lovingly produced garments, designed by someone, made by someone, fitted by someone, approved by someone to be sold in the store, to then be squashed and racked together looking old, knackered and past it's sell by date! I hate to break it to you, but it probably is past it's sell-by date and that's why I don't buy in the sales.

But if I do buy, I have some good reason's and some rules.

Here are my reason's for buying in the sales-

1. If I have had my eye on an outfit for an occasion such as a wedding or a party and cost per wear is higher then I will buy it knowing that I got it for a bargin and I will wear it to said occasion that's coming up.

2. The piece is a wardrobe icon - the investment piece. For example a leather biker jacket, a pair of black boots, a blazer jacket, that bag you love - something that you will wear time and time again and goes with everything in your wardrobe.

3. A summer holiday trend purchase that I know I will wear on the beach, with the kids in the holidays and if it's ruined after the season ends I know I have got my money out of it.

When it comes to sale shopping I am on it like a rocket when there is something that I want and I've had my eye on. I will not break. I have my sales rules and I stick to them.

Here are my rules when sales buying-

1. Would you buy it if it was full price? Be true to yourself!

2. Buy it if you can see yourself wearing it now, not next season but now.

3. Buy less! I only ever buy 2-3 things in the sale as the rest is just not worth the money.

So it is as simple as that. Change your mindset, sales are not about bargins, it's still about spending your money wisely whilst investing in your wardrobe.

With that in mind, having brought my outfit for the wedding I have coming up, I am now focusing on the 1 or 2 pieces I would like to add in for the summer holidays.

So here are my top pick's from the sales that you should be buying to wear now for the summer season -

1. Zara embroidered dress - was £39.99 now £25.99

2. &other stories off the shoulder top - was £65 now £33

3. Whistles stripe logo tee - was £45.00 now £30.00

4. Mango printed jumpsuit - was £59.99 now £29.99

5. Sophie Hulme pink Barnsbury cross-body bag - was £350.00 now £245.00

What did you buy in the sales? Share with me here or on social media.

Is it stylish to wear white jeans?

edits styling notes

I have a style dilemma that is playing on my mind...

...is it cool to wear white jeans?

But this isn't the only question I am asking myself. Questions such as; Am I too old to wear them? Will they just get dirty all the time? Has Liz Hurley ever been a fashion icon for wearing white denim jeans? Are they better for evening wear?

There is no doubting that the white jean is back! It's the denim shade that often gets a bad rap for being hard to pull off. But I'm starting to think it's universally wearable, as long as you ditch the visions of that mutton look and style them to look effortlessly cool.

Here are some styling ideas for white jeans as an outfit

1. Wear white on white

2. Wear with a classic breton stripe

3. Keep it monochrome

4. Tone them down with a tomboy shirt

5. Wear with a simple sweater

6. Take inspiration from fashion icon Alexa Chung who seems to be able to style hers with everything

For more styling inspiration follow my pinterest board - White jeans 2016

Are you slowly coming round to the idea of white jeans in your wardrobe now? It seems like they can work with a variety of tops, colours and looks (perhaps just not kids mucky fingers!). I am currently looking to buy a skinny ankle skimming pair that has rips on the legs to wear in the daytime.

Here are my top 5 edit of white jeans to buy now

1. French Connection white denim jeans £80

2. Mango Skinny elektra jeans £35.99

3. Topshop MOTO white raw hem jeans £42.00

4. Madewell high rise white skinny jeans £96.55

5. River Island busted knee white skinny jean, asos £42.00

the holiday edit - what to pack for your summer holidays

The level of excitement in our house is reaching fever pitch as we are about to go on our Summer holiday! I'm glad everyone else is getting excited as I still have the daunting task of packing for everyone- three boys, one husband and lastly, little ole me! There is nothing more I love than enjoying a well earned sunny break but sometimes the planning it takes to get there can make it quite stressful. But over the years I've honed my packing skills and I feel like a bit of a pro packer, the key to it all is planning your outfits and making a list. One of the most common mistakes made whilst getting ready for a holiday is packing too much into your suitcase. Not only is it often not necessary to take so many clothes and accessories, but it can also cost you money if your suitcase ends up weighing more than your allocated luggage allowance.

Not my suitcase -obviously!

One of my stead-fast rules is don't pack anything you wouldn't wear at home, which is why I try on everything before I pack to ensure that year on year it still fits or it still fits into my holiday wardrobe. Making my holiday wardrobe work together is slightly harder as you are so limited to space than in your wardrobe at home. I try and pack in outfits for the evening or any daytime trips we have planned. I lay everything out and try and make items work with two different pieces that I am taking. At the last point before packing the bag, I always take 2-3 items out as they will never see the light of day.

But every year there are always a couple of things I like to buy new for my holiday, whether they are on trend, I need to update or I just have to have it...here are my 5 holiday must-have's.

1. The Jumpsuit

I am so in love with this chambray denim jumpsuit that it's been on my 'have to have' list for a couple of weeks now. It's from French brand Sezane, who function entirely online and ship around the world. This jumpsuit is not the only thing I love on their website, they have some gorgeous printed shirts, elegant dresses and some great casual tops for your daily wardrobe - I urge you to check it out as they sell out fast.

Sezane Jeanna Jumpsuit 135 euros

2. The cutwork dress

I have to confess, my cutwork dress that I did buy a few weeks back from &other stories has sold out and this is what they have replaced it with. I did buy it in black, even though a white cutwork dress is the biggest trend right now, I just thought I would get more wear out of a darker colour. I can't wait to wear mine with a denim jacket, bright coloured sandles and a fab clutch bag for evening and daytime with my hat, sunglasses and beach bag slung over my shoulder. So versatile and I will definitely be wearing back at home too!

Cut-out embroidery dress £95.00

3. The shorts

Unless you're under the age of 25 hot pants aren't really going to cut it and with the choice being so limited in the short department, finding a suitable pair that look good, are stylish and give you the coverage you need can be really difficult and frustrating. I've spent a lot of time recently researching options for clients who don't want to have half of their bottom hanging below the hemline of their shorts (!) and so far, this style from Boden offers everything you might be looking for. They come in a range of colours but the best thing about them is you can choose what leg length you want: 4", 6" and 9". Size wise they start at a 6 and go up to a 22.

Boden chino shorts £42.50

4. The Hat

If you don't fancy wearing your sun hat at the airport, make sure you pack it with the inside full of something like lingerie or socks to help it keep its shape. I have been wearing a hat in the UK for a number of years now so it's worth purchasing and having one for those random hot days we have here! This year I decided to treat myself to a new one, and at £20 I couldn't resist the price of this Oliver Bonas fedora hat with the bright yellow stripe.

Oliver Bonas neon Rosie fedora hat £20.00

5. The bag

I am a sucker for a good bag, a good beach bag to hold EVERYTHING you could possibly need it in...the list is endless with kids right? This one from Madewell ticks so many boxes and is a perfect size for trips to the beach, lunch at the bar and day trips out. I'm not sure I'll need to buy a new one ever again. It also comes in a red and cream option.

Madewell Amalfi Jacquard Tote £37.86

Lastly, always take a pair of sunglasses with you! Mirrored lenses, cat-eyes and tortoiseshell styles are all hits for summer. Remember to pack in your hand luggage so when you step off the plane you are holiday-ready. Boom.