Can you wear converse with everything?

edits styling notes

This humble sneaker has long been owned by many of us and considered as one of our wardrobe staples. But should it be elevated to 'hero' due to it's ability to multi-task within our wardrobes? No longer a sports shoe, the classic Chuck Taylor has made it's way into the fashion mainstream. The timeless all-white sneaker is all the rage — again. Actually I don’t think it ever really went away. And just like denim jeans and the classic white shirt, the white sneaker is also ageless, classless and timeless. Just what every woman needs!

Last week Alexa Chung was seen on the beach with hers, gone are the Birkenstocks of last year, her old faithfuls went on holiday with her this year.

For several years now, a younger fashion set have ditched their predecessors’ love of stilettos for more sensible footwear — mostly sneakers — a trend coined as “normcore”. Needless to say the fashion industry, which often takes its cues from the street, has in recent seasons featured more athletic-inspired and the very on-trend sports luxe looks on the runways. As a consequence the traditional sports shoe has transformed into more contemporary versions and is being paired with everything from couture to casual.

So to prove how versatile they are, I set myself the challenge of whether my white converse high-tops can be worn with everything in my wardrobe, read on for the outcome....

1. Dungeree's + Converse = A timeless duo

2. Jumpsuit + converse = Will never go out of style

3. Jeans + sweater + converse = Relaxed weekend look

4. Trousers + converse = Sports luxe look

5. Flowery dress + converse = A match made in heaven

6. Tailored masculine pieces + converse = Most stylish at the office

7. Skirt + converse = A modern and stylish look

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

3 ways to wear the statement sleeve

All hail the statement sleeve! Roll up your sleeves girl and show some serious shoulder this season as this trend will dominate 2016...

The weather's finally warming up, which means its time to shed the layers and show some shoulder in this season's newest trend. Whether they're puffy, frilled, bell off the shoulder or cut-out, it's all about fancy sleeve styles for Spring; sleeves become the focus of the outfit. Bare shoulders and collarbones are proving to be the most popular erogenous zones in fashion right now.

The great thing is it's a trend you can get on board with now and wear with ease daily. It’s sexy without going overboard, head-turning but wearable, fresh and new but also good for any age.

Inspiration as has come from the SS16 catwalks such as Roksanda Ilincic, Erdem and Jonathan Saunders (seen below).

Roksanda Ilincic

Erdem

Jonathan Saunders

There have been many fashionista's, models, actresses and style icons wearing this trend out and about attending the numerous fashion weeks or award ceremonies recently that we can take inspiration from.

Street style

Caroline Flack

Street style

Liv Tyler

Stella McCartney

Laura Whitmore

Dermot and wife Dee

Off duty model

But how does one make a statement with such an unusual part of the outfit?

By choosing sleeves big and even bigger, playing with bare shoulders or contrasting volumes, and by making sure we see the sleeves immediately. This new top silhouette is sure to instantly kick up the coolness factor of your Spring wardrobe. 

A bold full-on volume style on top calls for a subtle bottom half, so balance out the oversize proportions by pairing it with skinny jeans, cropped trousers or a midi skirt. My approach is that there really can only be one hero to an outfit, a ruffle sleeve for example needs to be completely played down by a streamlined outfit. See my 3 wears to wear this trend below and let me know which one you think you would adopt yourself...

1. Shirt from Marks and Spencer £29.50 - BUY NOW HERE

2. Top from Whistles £50.00- BUY NOW HERE

3. Top from Topshop £42.00 - BUY NOW HERE

For more inspiration and clothes to shop then check out my pinterest board - Roll up your sleeves

The week that was the skirt challenge

I must confess I don't have alot of skirts in my wardrobe. Infact at the last count there were a very lonely two! With them being one of the hottest items this season, I thought it was time to dust them off and pull them out!

All season I have been tempted to buy a new one. Perhaps a leather one, a fringed one, a pleated one or even a sequin one. So this week with the festive season and lots of evening's out in mind I have taken the plunge and brought a new skirt! But it got me thinking, I don't want to limit my now three skirts to evening-wear so how can I get my money's worth and wear them more often?

So this week I set myself the challenge of wearing all three skirts in one week and to prove to myself that they are versatile enough to wear in the daytime just as much as evening.

Just because it's winter doesn't mean you have to give up wearing skirts. With the help of a cosy scarf, classic coat or leather jacket, some warm tights and boots, you can look stylish and be ready to face the cold.

Scroll down to see how I did this week with my challenge, which look do you like the most?

1. Appointment with potential client. Wearing black leather pencil skirt @topshop with burgundy polo neck @zara and fedora hat @fcuk. Warm black tights and chelsea boots finished the look.

2. JCrew Sloane sqaure party in London. Wearing forest green pleated skirt @zara with flamingo motif sweater @thisiswhistles. Burgundy brogues from Carvela @kurtgeiger and bag from @sophiehulme

3. Personal shopping in London with a client. Wearing Bright yellow skirt from @topshop with classic breton stripe tee @gap, @thisiswhistles leather biker jacket. My new @jcrew check scarf and navy velvet jewelled flats from @kurtgeiger.

For more inspiration follow my pinterest board here - AW15 skirt inspiration