Outfit: Gridlock.

Photo credit: Denivev

Dress: C/O Oh Polly* (buy here) | Coat: Lavish Alice C/O BANK Fashion* (buy here) | Boots: Primark | Bag: Mango C/O House of Fraser* (old) | Hat: Primark | Sunglasses: Primark | Scarf: Zara (old) | Watch: Tommy Hilfiger C/O Shadestation (buy here)*

 

Those of my regular visitors with a keen eye may recognize this grid print beauty from my wishlist a couple of weeks ago. Well fate called and it turns out it was meant to be, the coat of my dreams made its way in to my life thanks to the lovely ladies over at BANK Fashion. Duster coats are my top choice of outerwear for this season; they are tailored enough to make you look like you mean business but oversized and boyish enough to give you an effortlessly cool vibe. Not to mention that when teamed with an on-trend grid pattern and contrasting sleeves, they can be quite a statement piece! Put together with my beloved Zara scarf and my rekindled love for white lace via Oh Polly, I think we have a go-to monochrome outfit; my favourite colour palette for fall!

 

Are you a fan of duster jackets?

 

Frances x

 

*DISCLOSURE: Starred items are PR samples.

Event: BANK Fashion Warrington Relaunch #itsagirlthing

It isn't often that Warrington is pinned on the map as a location for events; in fact, it was pretty unheard of until yesterday, when BANK Fashion opened their second ever women's only store (after the Liverpool store, which I blogged about here) in my understated home town. It was a breath of fresh air not having to catch a train to another city for a change!

 

As usual, BANK were celebrating the relaunch of their store in style, with stunning super blogger and model, Nada Adelle, cutting the ribbon and introducing the ladies of Warrington to a brand new shopping experience filled with cake pops, champagne, a DJ and the option to take a rest from their shopping with a complimentary manicure.

Cake pop in one hand and champagne in the other (and my camera slung around my neck in true blogger style), I re-familiarised myself with the store, which looks bigger, brighter and a lot more organised inside following its refresh. BANK is one of those retailers that I think has really improved over the years- Back in my high school and college days I never stepped foot in the store except for when Paul's Boutique handbags were all the rage (cringe), but now I even find myself regularly visiting their website for a browse through their many stylish brands, including Blonde & Blonde (those fringed loafers though), John Zack and Pink Soda, amongst many others. Also, how much have Ellesse stepped up their game recently? I love their take on pastels with their tennis print sweater!

 

Do you shop at BANK? What are you favourite brands?

 

Frances x

Wishlist: Tailored.

Duster Coat: Lavish Alice, £60
Tres Chic Clutch Bag: Miss Selfridge, £16
Black Collarless Cape Blazer: Lavish Alice, £54
Pink Satin Longline Culottes: ASOS, £45
Mustard Roll Neck Cropped Sweater: Lavish Alice, £28
Black Crossover Wrap Culottes: Lavish Alice, £48
Dogtooth Suit Blazer & Cigarette Trousers: Topshop, £116

I'm sorry about posting two wishlists so close together my lovelies, but I'm just trying to keep the ball rolling on my blog whilst I am struggling to get hold of somebody to take my outfit photos for me (single lady problems). Lately, I have found my style evolving again. Whilst beanie hats, oversized flannel shirts and chunky heeled boots are what dominated my Autumn/Winter wardrobe and defined my sense of style last year (don't get me wrong, all three of these will still be making appearances all Winter long), AW14 seems to have found the more "mature" side of me.

 

Monochrome palettes with a subtle hint of colour, clean lines, just a little less skin than usual (I am partial to a good suit/midi skirt and crop top combo) and a bit of androdgyny if you will; I love the simplicity, versatality and timelessness of smart, tailored pieces. Lavish Alice gets my pick of the moment, as they are currently killing it with sophistication and a touch of edginess this season (that cape blazer, though). I'm not sure if my new-found love for matching suit co-ords, culottes, cigarette pants and midi skirts this year is a sign that I'm getting old or whether it's just a little heads up that the laid-back, oversized-sweatshirt-loving Frances can indeed scrub up well ;) (doesn't mean I won't pair a smart blazer with a pair of boyfriend jeans every now and again- see my last post here).

 

Are you in to the more tailored look this season?

 

Frances x

Event: BANK Fashion Liverpool Relaunch with Michelle Keegan.

Yesterday afternoon I hopped on a train to a very rainy Liverpool for the #itsagirlthing relaunch of one of my favourite stores, BANK, which saw it become BANK's first women's only store. To be attending the launch was special guest Michelle Keegan, showing off her gorgeous new Lipsy Collection, and hundreds of her hardcore fans were already waiting outside the store when I arrived an hour before it was due to open to the public (turns out celebrity endorsements really work!).

Unfortunately, Friday evening traffic meant that Michelle was delayed by an hour, so I took this as an opportunity to check out the store, fill up on cake pops and prosecco and catch up with my fellow bloggers, Clare (tweet) and Nada (Nada Adelle). At first I thought it was a little odd that BANK were relaunching as a women's only store; surely that would halve their demographic of customers? However, after having a browse around, I realise that it has only made room for even more of their gorgeous women's items (that sunflower co-ord... Hello!) and the new layout of the store makes it easier to find each of the many brands that they stock, meaning us ladies are in for a much more pleasant shopping experience; guys don't care for it anyway, right?! ;)

Michelle finally arrived to the store at around 5:30PM, and the whole upper levels of Liverpool One were scattered full of people trying to get a glimpse of the action. She spent a while outside taking selfies and signing autographs for her devoted fans, many of whom were young girls who had been waiting at the barriers in the rain since between 7-9 in the morning (crazy!)! She then came back inside for a brief press photo call in front of her collection; a selection of dresses, jackets, tops and skirts which have been injected her personality and signature look, with elegant and tailored numbers including the sleek tuxedo suit that she was sporting to the event (LOVE).

Just before I had to dash, I was able to have a quick photo opportunity with Michelle and I can gladly report that she is super lovely and absolutely stunning... I have mega hair envy right now!

Were you at the BANK Liverpool launch? I would recommend checking it out if you're about! :)

Frances x

Outfit: Rude Boy.

Vest: Fenchurch C/O BANK* | Trainers: Converse via Schuh | Socks: Primark | Hat: C/O Fashion Union* | Necklace: Forever 21 | Wrist cuff: C/O Fashion Union* | Anchor Bracelet: C/O tinyWishes* | Rings: Primark

When I styled together this outfit it only felt right that I took advantage of the graffiti'd walls around the corner from where I live as a backdrop to complete that urban feel. I really like how the photos came out- Well done, Warrington. I do love a bit of sports luxe and street style at the moment- Half the time I don't think I'm cool enough to pull it off, but if it means that I can parade around in tracksuit bottoms or a sports jersey then that's great by me, I mean, a basketball vest with matching red lipstick and knee-high socks is as close to Michael Jordan as I am going to get, isn't it (yeah, exactly...)? Fenchurch have recently launched a women's range at BANK and they have got urban style down to a tee- I'm currently lusting over these leopard print leggings- Think I could pull them off?

What do you think of urban fashion?
Frances x

*DISCLOSURE: Starred items are PR samples.

Outfit: Seems I've Done Nothing Lately But Pull Petals Off Of Daisies.

Blouse: Glamorous C/O BANK* | Shorts: Topshop | Socks: Topshop | Shoes: New Look | Floral Headband: Primark | Hummingbird Ring: C/O Jana Reinhardt* | Flower Ring: C/O Little Trinkets*

It's February and she's already dusting off the floral everythings- What can I say, I'm excited for the Summer! Loose-fitting, boyfriend-style blouses seem to be hitting the stores big time this season, and I can see many of them hitting my wardrobe, also! This floral number from BANK is the most recent addition to my collection and I love the flashes of yellow, blue, purple and pink that brighten up the monochrome pattern without it being too in-your-face. I can see myself getting a lot of wear out of this one over the next few months, especially during festival season (I'm already tapping in to that, aren't I?) - Eeee, hurry up, sunshine!

What Summer trends are you looking forward to?

Frances x

*DISCLOSURE: Starred items are PR samples.

Outfit: #DaretoBare

Skort: C/O BANK* | Jumper: C/O AX Paris* | Blouse: Primark | Socks: Topshop | Shoes: Glamorous | Collar Tips: Republic

It's safe to say that I have officially lost my mind. And the feeling in my legs. Actually, I blame the ladies over at Sunkissed and BANK because they dared me to get my legs out for this blog post as part of their #DaretoBare campaign. Equipped with a goodie bag* containing all the essentials for flawlessly golden legs, I braved the cold weather in my little tartan skort from BANK... All in the name of bronzed pins!

If you're feeling brave, bare legs don't just have to be saved for the Summer, get ahead of the weather and head over to Sunkissed, pick up some of their tanning mousse (fantastic stuff, I'm a fake tan noob and I made it out streak-free with a subtle glow!) and show off those assets- Just make sure you wrap up up top!

Make sure you join in the conversation and tweet a picture of your best leg-baring outfits to Sunkissed with the hashtags #PerfectPins and #DaretoBare!

Have your legs made a cheeky appearance this Winter?

Frances x

*DISCLOSURE: Starred items are PR samples.

Outfit: Frendli

T-shirt: C/O Original Attire* | Gilet: C/O BANK* | Disco Pants: C/O She Likes* | Boots: Dr. Martens | Hat & Bracelet: C/O Fashion Union* | Watch: Michael Kors | Necklace: Forever 21*

With my rather sad sense of humour I do love myself a good play on words, especially when it's on a t-shirt. At the moment, brands seem to be hopping on the trend wagon of word play with luxury and designer brand slogans; "Féline" being my personal favourite. Original Attire have come up with a couple of good ones of their own- As well as this "Frendli" t-shirt I love their "My Name's Not Chloé" print.

My Blonde & Blonde gilet from BANK is also quite a recent addition to my wardrobe, too- I had never seen them as being at all stylish in the past but when I got mine I didn't want to take it off. It's perfect for slipping on for a quick trip to the shops when it isn't cold enough to wrap up in one of my huge coats.

Are you loving the slogan tees trend at the moment?

*DISCLOSURE: Starred items are PR samples.