Whilst I avoided making resolutions this year,  I did vow that 2016 would be the year I would embrace the sports-luxe look, not least because it is everywhere and the trend is set to continue through S/S 2016.

Always more comfortable in classic combos and more of a dressed up look, joggers to me were very much the preserve of Sunday afternoons on the sofa and more occasionally post workout wear.  However the idea has been stirring for a while to start incorporating as a wardrobe staple – it started with the purchase of these at the back end of summer.

Slim Fit Joggers, The White Company

I was drawn to them by the cinched in  ankles, zip pockets and the fake fly detail.  However I wasn’t quite ready to do anything other than pop to the local park in them, until I was inspired by a fellow stylist  – Helen Canning,  author of the blog- Coco Mama Style.  Her recent posts on sportswear are fab and show how you can still be smart in sportswear.  It gave me the push I needed, so I thought I would share the results with you.

The things that made it work for me?

• Picking a slim fit to  work with and flatter my pear shape, drowning myself in a baggy straight cut would kill the look dead.
• Keeping interest with details and textures (another of Helen’s tips) – I opted for this versatile pleather cut out detail jumper, layered over a sheer black top with gold detail.

• Retaining some of my signature style details such as jewellery with character (I normally always build an outfit starting with the jewellery) –  for this look I went with stacked bracelets and my new sporty looking O Clock watch.   Just because you try something new doesn’t mean completely losing those details that make up your style.

Stacked Bracelets from Accessorize and Alex and Ani

• Teaming with right outerwear – today because it was very wintery I opted for chunky knit scarf, Bobbl hat & my leather trim hooded blanket coat, equally I would wear with one of this season’s oversize coats in a great pattern.

• Ditching the trainers –  it had to be heels for me to even contemplate taking the jogger seriously.  For daytime I went for my trusty fur trim boots and for an evening cinema trip would swap them out for some leopard print courts.

By embracing this new look I have gained some interesting additions to my wardrobe that I have been overlooking all this time.  Next time you are having one of those “I have nothing to wear” moments ask yourself are there items you are dismissing because you only think of them in one context?  With a change in mindset you could find yourself with so much more outfit choice on your hands.

Fancy broadening your style horizons but don’t know where to start?  Get in touch to book yourself one of SYW’s styling services from a personal shopping session to a complete wardrobe edit – prices start from £75.