Roses are red, violets are blue..Valentine's lingerie gifts that are perfect for you!

   The holiday of love is nearly upon us, which traditionally signals a flurry of chocolates, flowers, champagne and novelty card buying. One of my favourite aspects about Valentine's day is that it is the perfect excuse to treat a loved one (or yourself!) to a gift that can be appreciated for many occasions to come. 

   Buying lingerie for somebody else is no mean feat, so factoring in size and personal tastes is a 'must', along with considering the purpose of your gift - will the lingerie be wearable/practical/versatile or will the lingerie be confined solely to the bedroom? 

   Finding the perfect Valentine's lingerie gift for a fuller bust once seemed like an impossible task, but the D+ market is fast-expanding, bringing with it a wide range of fashionable and supportive bras, slips and babydolls to tickle your fancy! 

   If you're looking for inspiration this Valentine's day, these show-stopping pieces are sure to make anyone swoon!

   Curvy Kate 'Carmen' longline bra, £35 from Brastop

28-38, D-HH

The Curvy Kate 'Carmen' is everything your heart could desire this Valentine's day! This romantic and glamorous longline bra features half cups, for a knock-out, 'Marie-Antoinette' cleavage. The rose pink shade is offset by beautiful floral-embroidery and a pretty bow motif - you are sure to capture anyone's heart in this!

Lulu Tout Fleur Rose underwired bra (DD-H), £24 from Figleaves

30-38, DD-H

The 'Lulu Tout' Fleur Rose bra exudes seductive elegance and French charm. Exquisite rose embroidery adorns nude and black layered mesh cups, whilst the central gore is accented by a key hole detail and flirty bow. The Fleur Rose bra is sure to put romance on the cards this Valentine's! 

Pour Moi Addicted Half Cup in red, £28 from Figleaves

30-40, B-G

If you're looking to turn up the heat this Valentine's, then Pour Moi's strappy 'Addicted' bra is your perfect match! Its lipstick red shade, semi-sheer lace cups and racy strapping and tassel detailing will get anyone hot under the collar!

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Claudette Fishnet scoop neck bra, £57 from ASOS

30-36, A-G

Love is in the air! Be bold this Valentine's and 'wow' in bright pink! This gorgeous soft cup bra from Claudette features seductive, sheer mesh fishnet cups, accented by a retro trim of black velvet piping and finished with a velvet central bow. Prepare to be a knock-out in this..pink lingerie just got a whole lot sexier!

Figleaves Boudoir Carmen Babydoll, £55

30-36, C-E

Seductively suggestive and undeniably provocative, the 'Carmen' Babydoll from Figleaves is guaranteed to take your partner's breath away! Featuring sheer mesh underwired cups and unusual strapping detailing, support and sex-appeal are delivered in equal abundance! 

Hearts Amour Bra by Bravissimo, £34

28-38, DD-HH

Wear your heart(s) on your bra this Valentine's with this lightly padded half cup bra from Bravissimo. The fuchsia and black palette gives this bra a sophisticated appeal, whilst the black swirl and flirty heart embroidery are sure to make anyone fall in love in at first sight!

Gorgeous by Debenhams purple satin eyelash trimmed D-G cup balcony bra, £25.50

30-40, D-G

This purple, jewel-toned balcony bra from 'Gorgeous' by Debenhams is the ultimate in luxury for less this Valentine's. Its satin cups, black piping and pretty eyelash lace trim exude a glamorous vintage appeal that Dita Von Teese would be proud of! 

Playful Promises 'Lily' Open Cup Frilly Bra DD-F cups, £30

32-36, DD-F

Get pulses racing in this saucy open cup bra from Playful Promises, the brand's first bra to be extended to an F cup! This black satin number boasts sexy quarter cups and is completely open at the top - ideal for daring lingeristas who want to leave their loved one weak at the knees! Complete the look with decorative pasties or dare to bare!

Masquerade Athena plunge bra, £40 from Figleaves

28-38, D-H

Give in to seduction this Valentine's with the irresistibly enticing 'Athena' bra. Featuring eye-catching teal satin, mesh overlay and a sparkly bow and charm motif, this deep plunging bra delivers an enviable cleavage alongside opulent and sophisticated styling.

Gossard Retrolution Slip, £69

32-36, B-E

Ooze old Hollywood glamour in this retro-inspired Gossard slip! Featuring a deep plunge centre, cleavage-enhancing moulded cups and shaping side panels, this slip will flatter your figure whilst smoothing and contouring your silhouette. Its rich scarlet red lace, delicate bow detailing and detachable suspender clips will be impossible to resist!

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   What do you think of my lingerie picks? What lingerie will you be gifting or hoping to receive this Valentine's day?

Love,

Debenhams AW12 Lingerie Press Day

   As a blogger who is always on the look-out for great places to buy fuller bust lingerie, I am glad to say that my lingerie shopping needs are not solely limited to the internet. Whilst there are so many websites that I buy lingerie from, I have always championed the importance of going into a store and 'trying before buying'. This is where my love for Debenhams comes in! 

   Debenhams is well-known for their huge clothing and beauty departments, but their lingerie department is also brilliant. It stocks an impressive array of lingerie brands for A-DD and DD+, with designer ranges such as Janet Reger, J by Jasper Conran, Floozie by Frost French and Debenhams' own-brand lingerie. Debenhams sell some of my favourite fuller bust brands (e.g. Freya, Panache, Curvy Kate etc.) but also sell a 'Gorgeous' range which goes from 28-40 DD-J at very reasonable price points! (Great news for my lingerie addiction and 28FF bust!)

   I recently got the opportunity to attend a Debenhams press event to view the Autumn/ Winter 2012 collections. The event took place in one of the private apartments at 'The Soho Hotel' in central London and it was a very chic occasion indeed, with champagne, canapés and little lingerie-inspired cupcakes to enjoy whilst viewing the collections.. 

   Debenhams have some great treats in store for Autumn/Winter this year; from playful printed bras to vintage inspired shapewear to seductive 'special occasion' pieces such as basques and babydolls..there's a little something for everyone!

   Colourful patterns and quirky prints played strongly throughout the collections, with everything from floral print to butterfly print to polka dots and leopard print.. 

Reger by Janet Reger floral bra (£18.50) and knickers (£10.50) 

B by Ted Baker floral bra (£22.50) and briefs (£12.50) - This is a lovely quirky set from Ted Baker that looks very high end, thanks to its watercolour floral print and contrasting black lace.

B by Ted Baker grey butterfly printed balcony bra (£22.50) and knickers (£12.50) - Another beauty from Ted Baker, this balcony bra features a multi-coloured butterfly print with pretty grey piping and turquoise grosgrain bow and 'B' logo detail at the centre. (If only it went past a DD cup..!)

'Gorgeous' by debenhams floral polka dot bra (£24) and briefs (£9) - This set features a very unusual print combination of florals over red polka dots..but it works! 

'Ultimate' Debenhams pink polka dot bra (£20) - Just because Winter is coming, it doesn't mean that your underwear should fade into the background. This plunge bra looks set to add some colour to your bra-drobe and some great cleavage whilst it's at it!

'Gorgeous' Debenhams dark blue animal bra (£22) - Leopard print is set to stay and this blue mix bra is a fuller bust fashion must-have!

   Another theme was bright colours..red underwear in particular, with beautiful embroidery, lace and polka dots! It's the colour associated with passion and a colour synonymous with the Christmas season..what's not to like?

J by Jasper Conran red bra (£22.50) and knickers (£10.50) - this scarlet lingerie set oozes glamour and sophistication, plus the delicate embroidery and little centre charm give this set a luxe finish.

'Gorgeous' by Debenhams red and black lace trim bra - You can't go wrong with lipstick red and black piping, a bow and eyelash lace!

'Gorgeous' by Debenhams polka dot spot bra (£21) - Polka dots are back and how cute are the contrasting bows? A great fashion bra for the fuller bust!

Debenhams red polka dot maternity soft cup bra - Downsized polka dots, a lace trim and floral bows.. Debenhams keep things functional and pretty.

   Autumn/ Winter would not be complete without some sumptuous jewel tones. Take a look at these beauties...

Reger by Janet Reger green plunge bra (£22.50) and briefs (£10.50) - I love this emerald green tone - the lace overlay and bow really make this a special set.

Reger by Janet Reger purple plunge bra - Reger takes a luxurious purple hue and balances it with a subtle jacquard floral print and lace overlay.

'Ultimate' Debenhams bronze lace trimmed padded push-up bra (£20) - This satin push-up features a rose-bronze base and contrasting embroidered piping and lace for a girly but grown-up feel.

   There was one style of bra that I was particularly excited to see amongst the Debenhams A/W12 ranges and that was the longline! I have been a fan of longline bras for quite some time and it is great to see such a pretty array from Debenhams..

'Floozie' by Frost French longline bra (£20) and briefs (£8.50) - This bra features a quirky, graphic print of flowers, vines, swans and hearts. The black ruffles and satin buttons offset this design to keep it flirty and fun.

'Gorgeous' by Debenhams lace longline bra (£26) and thong (£8) - If you're fuller busted and love longlines, this bra ticks all the boxes..how pretty is the lace overlay and bow motifs?

'Ultimate' Debenhams dark pink mesh long line plunge bra - This dark pink longline will have anyone who sees it weak at the knees - the black polka dot overlay and bright pink trim give it added 'wow' factor!

   Debenhams' head buyer, Sharon Webb, mentioned that shapewear plays a key role in Debenhams' own  brand range for A/W12. Design and aestheticism are married to create pieces that sculpt the body and look good at the same time!

Debenhams shapewear body (£36) and high waisted knickers - I love the rich blue tone against the black panels - the lace trim makes it look very sophisticated too! 

Debenhams black invisible body shaping slip dress (£34) - this will be a secret weapon for your winter wardrobe! With its seamless design that smooths and shapes your body, it can be worn with your own bra underneath so it fits a range of sizes.

Debenhams black shapewear dress and high waisted low leg shapewear pants (£24) - The design is seamless and the fabric soft to the touch. The power mesh side panels have gorgeous floral embroidery for a touch of vintage elegance - great for streamlining curves in style.

   Last but not least, this brings me to talk about Debenhams' 'special occasion' lingerie pieces for AW12, which includes luxurious lace bras, basques and babydolls in rich but muted tones...

Reger by Janet Reger lace bra (£22.50) and briefs (£10.50) - This gorgeous vintage inspired balconette exudes 'Mad Men' appeal - the lace and piping make this bra very elegant and the little bow and rose motif at the centre is gorgeous too!

'Presence' white and black lace basque (£28.50) and thong (£5.50) -This lovely lace and mesh basque is both seductive and sophisticated - the mesh panels look really flattering too.

'Gorgeous' by Debenhams black bra - Never underestimate a black bra! This satin fuller bust option is classically gorgeous with its nude embroidery and ruffle trim.

'Gorgeous' by Debenhams blue and black lace bra - This midnight blue bra with black eyelash lace detailing is a real boudoir beauty!

'Gorgeous' by Debenhams fuller bust babydoll (£36) - If you're looking for a special lingerie piece this Autumn/ Winter and have a larger bust, this babydoll is perfect! The cups are underwired for support, whilst the body is made from soft satin and mesh. The ruffles, piping and bows are lovely finishing touches too!

'Floozie' by Frost French pink and black babydoll (£25) - This flirty pink and black number will certainly get hearts a-fluttering. Gathers, floral embroidery and a polka dot bow make this a girly but glamorous piece.

Reger by Janet Reger black lace babydoll - If you want something timeless that will take you through the seasons, then this babydoll is ideal. The satin and lace add to its decadent but understated appeal!

   As you can see, there is a lot to be excited about this Autumn/Winter at Debenhams, with many different prints and designs to tantalise lingerie fans of a range of cup sizes! Debenhams also recently scooped Lingerie Insight's award for "UK's Favourite Lingerie Retailer" and it is easy to see why they deserve this accolade. I am looking forward to viewing many of their new lingerie ranges in store very soon, but if you can't wait that long, keep your eyes peeled on their website for new additions!

Love,
Kitty xo

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Notes: Size ranges talked about in this blog post:

Floozie by Frost French: 30B-38DD

B by Ted Baker: 32A-38DD

Gorgeous by Debenhams: 28DD-40J

Presence: 32A-38DD

Reger by Janet Reger: 32A-38E

Ultimate: 30A-38DD

J by Jasper Conran: 32A-38DD

A toast to the Masquerade 'Capella' bra

   Last November, I was delighted to get the opportunity to attend the Panache Spring/Summer 2012 press day held at the Sanctum Hotel. As a lover of sumptuous lingerie and beautiful patterns, it comes as no surprise that 'Masquerade' by Panache had me head over heels at first sight and the press day only served to confirm this!

  I viewed the Spring/Summer 2012 collections of Panache Superbra, Cleo, Panache Swimwear and Masquerade and although all of the ranges had pieces that I loved, it was Masquerade that stood out by a mile!

   Discovering the Masquerade range was akin to entering an Aladdin's cave of lingerie and the pieces had strong influences from Arabian antiquities and Persian exoticism - something reflected both in the patterns used and the rich fabric choices.

  

   With my taste for luxury, it was only to be expected that the Masquerade 'Capella' caught my eye, with its soft champagne satin sheen and exquisite contrasting black lace print! Since the Press day, I knew that the 'Capella' had to be mine, so when New Year came around and I saw this beauty discounted at Debenhams, I snapped this bra up quicker than you could say "2012"! 

(The 'Capella' bra comes in sizes 28-38 back and cup sizes D-G, whilst the short and thong come in sizes 8-18.) 

   The 'Capella' is a stunning underwired and moulded bra that is crossed between a balconette and plunge bra, with a 'sweetheart' shaped neckline. It is an extremely stylish and sophisticated bra and its champagne colour would suit a range of complexions, whilst appealing to a diverse age range. The rich satin and lace combination makes this bra very luxurious and opulent looking, without the extortionate designer price tag. 

   The 'Capella' features all over satin in a breathtaking champagne gold colour. The rich satin cups are set off by a delicately embossed intricate black floral lace pattern, which adds to the decadent vintage feel of this bra. To top it off, the 'Capella' boasts quite narrow satin wrapped straps and a pretty little black lace bow which adorns the centre of the bra.

(Close up showing the lace print detail, with the champagne satin peeking through from underneath)

   The 'Capella' is very cleverly designed, with its soft satin fabric and unusual printed lace cups, which give the bra a smooth finish. As a result, the 'Capella' remains fairly seamless under tight clothing, which is quite rare for such a pretty and ornate bra! 

   I was very impressed with the fit of the 'Capella' and my usual 28FF size was spot on. The back band felt snug and supportive (characteristic of Masquerade by Panache bras) and the shape it gave me was uplifted, rounded and with a nice cleavage to boot! My one criticism of the 'Capella' is that the straps are only partially adjustable, meaning that the strap 'lifespan' of this bra is greatly reduced.

   I was amazed at just how comfortable the 'Capella' was and I could happily wear it as an everyday bra, without feeling any digging in or discomfort at the end of a day at work. When it comes to comfortable everyday bras, I am usually a Freya 'Deco' girl, but the 'Capella' and its moulded cups, supportive fit and beautiful design would definitely encourage me to wear this bra everyday, as well as for 'special occasions'.

   At £39, the 'Capella' is not cheap, but it is very good value for money given its rich, quality fabrics and fantastic support. What's more, if you're tight for cash, you can snap up the 'Capella' for £27.30 on Figleaves at the moment. The 'Capella' also comes with the choice of an elegant satin and lace print short or thong (depending on your preference!) 

   The 'Capella' has quickly become one of my 'go to' bras of the moment and I love how silky soft the satin of this bra feels against my skin. This bra definitely makes me want to crack out the champagne and propose a toast..

"To Masquerade's 'Capella', for delivering comfort, support and style in equal measure!"

Love,

Kitty xo