Archive for May, 2010

If you’re new to Bravissimo or usually shop online, why not pop in to see us at one of our stores. The Bravissimo experience is about getting women like yourself into the underwear that you want to wear without compromising on fit or style. Our trained fitters are there to offer you guidance and advice for finding your true size. We strive to give you gorgeous and properly fitting underwear, swimwear, nightwear and clothing that will help you to make the most of your figure and most importantly make you feel fantastic!

If you come for a bra fitting, our trained fitters will do their best to make you feel relaxed and comfortable as we understand that some women feel more self-conscious of their boobs than others. They will talk through what styles you like and get you to try some bras on to find your true size. We fit bras the Bravissimo way, i.e. no tape measures as we understand that boobs come in all different shapes and sizes and all bras fit different. Many women are shocked with the difference in size from when they came into store to when they leave, but rather than getting too preoccupied with numbers, we want to make sure that you are happy with the fit and styling of your new underwear. Sometimes if you have been wearing a back size that is too big, your new bra might feel a little firm, this will take some getting used to but wearing a bra that’s back size is too big won’t give the right amount of support therefore it’s important to give your body chance to get used to the new size. We won’t ever push you into buying something you’re not completely happy with and are there just as much to give you advice and pass on our expertise as we are to sell underwear.
So if you usually shop online or are new to Bravissimo, why not visit us in one of our stores to find out what we’re really about!!

See here to find your nearest Bravissimo store.

Luxe Linen Jacket

Keep your cool this summer with some luxe linen pieces that work just as well in the office as they do dressed up for the evening or dressed down for those lazy summer days (we’ll hopefully be having sometime very soon!)

Our Luxe Belted Linen Dress in bold red is perfectly tailored to accommodate your boobs whilst its simple shift style, cap sleeves and pleat detailing make it an easy wear staple for your summer wardrobe. The contrasting black patent belt will also help to define your waist and its length makes it suitable for the office, yet add heels and this dress is sexy enough for an evening out too! Wear with black patent courts and matching handbag to complete the look.

Searching for the perfect summer jacket? Then look no further, our cropped linen jacket in neutral brown will keep you cool with its short sleeves and is versatile enough to be worn smart or casual. The tailored lines will flatter the bust whilst defining the waist and with plenty of room for your boobs, there will be no gapping button holes in sight!

Shorts are a must this season, short, long, smart, casual, cotton or silk its hard to know where to start. If you like the idea of this seasons hottest trend but aren’t sure what style to go for, try our long linen shorts. In staple black, they’re a flattering length and will see you through summer holidays and hot sunny days. Give your shorts a fashion twist by wearing them with embellished sandals and a loud print top.

40s Inspired Hair

A new hair style can take you from glum to glam in a matter of minutes and is a much cheaper and less painful way to change your looks than other more drastic procedures! Don’t underestimate the effect a great hair cut can have, getting the right style to suit your face and colour for your skin tone could be all it takes to make you feel like a whole new woman! For example, a fringe will frame your face very differently, curls, layers and colour can also change your appearance quite dramatically. If you are thinking about changing your hair, make sure you take the time to go for a proper consultation, this way you can be sure of what you want and will make you feel fantastic!

Plus, sleeping on the idea of having a new style before you go for the chop, especially if it is something quite different, can be a good idea. Anyways, it will always grow back if not!

Hair colour is about as loud and proud as it’s ever been so why not try being a braver shade? Purples and reds are very popular at the moment and work well for most skin tones. However, if you are very pale, these tones are best avoided as they are likely to be too harsh against your skin colour. So if you’ve always fancied being a red head, then go for it, you never know unless you try and that’s why they make semi-permanent hair dye! If you prefer not to colour your hair then why not try changing your style, by simply adding curls to naturally straight hair or straightening curly hair, you can achieve something very different. 1950’s style ringlets will give a glamorous sexy edge, you could also match you’re make-up to this era with a matte complexion, defined eyebrows and red lipstick. 50s style lingerie will help complete your theme and make you feel extra sexy and glamorous. Alternatively, try an up do to make a change if you’re used to wearing your hair down you could even add a hair accessory for a special event. The key with hair is experimentation and not getting stuck in a hair style rut!

Utility Chic

As cargo pants and military styling make a come back we tell you how to do the utility look and keep it flattering and feminine. The key piece to this look are the trousers, but when we say cargo pants, we don’t mean combat trousers à la the All Saints girls, we mean stiff woven cotton trousers in sophisticated neutrals. Khaki, beige, ivory, nude and grey tones work best for this look, plus crisp white to brighten the neutral colours. Pair your trousers with simple cotton basics for easy utility chic or dress them up with heels and an evening top for the glam factor. Our casual twill trousers in stone are the perfect pair for easy utility. The large pockets add just enough military detailing without being over the top and the tapered hem adds a modern fashion spin. Wear these with a basic tee for casual days or contrast the textures with a silk top and heels for an evening out.

Utility style shorts make an alternative to trousers and will help to keep you cool when summer really kicks off. Shorts can suit everyone it’s merely a case of finding the right shape for your figure. If you’re conscious of your tummy, opt for a high waist pair, these will cover your middle and define your waist. Be careful however not to wear a top that is too tight with anything high waist, this will draw too much attention to your boobs. Instead wear a loose fitting top in a light fabric such as silk or jersey to get a soft draping effect that will flatter your figure. If it’s your hips you’re concerned about try a longer pair, they will skim past your hips and thighs to create a flattering silhouette. Long shorts will also help to balance out a top heavy figure.
If cargo pants and utility shorts just aren’t your thing then get the utility look into your wardrobe with our classic everyday shirt. The button detailing and slight puff-ball sleeve of this shirt make it a modern classic. And with sizes from curvy to super curvy, you won’t find any gapping button holes here!

G.I. Jane eat your heart out!

Anyone for tea?

Afternoon tea is one of those simple pleasures in life that doesn’t cost a lot but is nevertheless very enjoyable. There’s just something civilised and oldy worldy about sitting down with friends and having tea and nibbles. Many people are now choosing afternoon tea for their wedding reception and at parties over sit down meals and hitting the bar. It’s a sophisticated alternative and hopefully won’t result in a distant relative embarrassing themselves and you when they wind up having ‘a bit too much’ of the bucks fizz! That’s not to say that alcohol can’t be enjoyed at a tea party, a little tipple such as a glass of wine or a pitcher of Pimms will turn the party into a grown-up tea party. We are well aware that the English have a cliché for drinking tea, but why not celebrate this tradition we have, as it is one of very few. Afternoon tea is moving away from its rather elderly image and is fast becoming an occasion in itself. Well we do love the finger sandwiches, mini cakes and best of all, a freshly baked scone with cream and jam! Yum! So next time you’re arranging a party or get together why not make it a grown-up tea party? Or better still go out for afternoon tea, minimum effort, maximum pleasure.

Something extra special

We ♥ a love story with a twist, so here’s our pick of the top three love stories, or be that, stories about love at the cinema right now. Besides, we’re a little bored of the happy ever after style films, it’s about time there were more ‘real life’ endings to films.

Date Night
This rom-com starring Steve Carell and Tina Fey, as Phil and Claire
Foster, begins with the couple cheekily stealing a table reservation of a no-show couple at a hot Manhattan restaurant. What they didn’t know however was that the couple who’s table they took are being hunted by a pair if corrupt cops. Cue a case of mistaken identity which results in the Fosters fighting for their lives. With plenty of laughs and a comedy genius coupling of Carell and Fey, this film really is a great watch.

Dear John
John (played by the gorgeous Channing Tatum) whilst on leave from the Army, meets Savannah (equally gorgeous Amanda Seyfried), a college student. They fall head over heels for each other (obviously) but can their love survive the distance that the Army is putting between them? We think this one could be a real tear jerker, so better pack the tissues ladies for this film!

I Am Love
Tilda Swinton plays the mother and wife to a wealthy Milanese family however a chance meeting sets to disturb Emma’s regimented world and brings with it passion and a journey of sexual awakening. (Italian with English subtitles). Tilda Swinton is amazing in this film, we love her!

Our bras are designed to fit you perfectly and give you the support you need. It is important however, that you take care of your underwear, swimwear and clothing so that it will look after you and stand the test of time so that you can enjoy wearing it for as long as possible. Here’s a guide to help you take care of what you wear;

Underwired bras and bikinis
All bras and bikinis with underwires should be hand washed, as washing machines can damage the wires or cause them to come out of the garment completely. This could make the garment unwearable and wires in washing machines can cause lots of damage too.
Wires can also be damaged by direct heat such as radiators/tumble dryers, so we recommend that you dry your garments away from these sources of heat.

Lingerie
Delicate fabrics like lace, silk, elastic or embroidered fabrics should be washed by hand in cool water as hot water or a machine wash could harm the delicate nature of these fabrics. The colour of your garments will also remain more resilient against fading, or greying for whites, when washed in cool water.

Swimwear
Prolonged exposure to chlorine, perspiration and sun tan lotion can all affect the longevity of your swimwear. In order to keep your garments in tip top shape always rinse with cool water straight after use. We also recommend that fabric conditioner is not used when washing these items as it can break down Lycra and cause your swimwear to loose its shape and so, its support.

Clothing
Each garment will come with its own specific care label, the instructions should always be followed to ensure that your clothes are kept in their best condition possible.

We guarantee our lingerie, clothing, nightwear and swimwear for 6 months, so long as the proper care instructions are followed.

Happy wearing!

Grace Style Swimsuit

She was one of the style icons of the 50’s, a successful actress who went on to be a Princess, the stuff of dreams (or of a Hollywood script). But Grace Kelly remained grounded despite her fame and will be remembered as one of the darlings of the 1950’s. Her impeccable dress sense will long be admired by women everywhere and as we consistently revisit the 50’s for style inspiration we know we can rely on Kelly to remind us how to dress with style.

How to get the Grace Kelly look;

1. Keep things understated with not a drop of bling in sight, this look is classy not flashy.
2. Embrace your curves with hour glass silhouettes and high waist skirts and trousers. The classic A-line shape will also help to balance a top heavy figure. Get the look with our classic floral dress, spot print dress or striped cotton dress, perfect for summer parties.
3. Cropped trousers and chinos are making a come back, wear yours the Grace way with an oversized shirt tucked in and a pair of espadrilles for easy summer days.
4. Be careful with your colour choices and when wearing a bold colour ensure it’s the centre piece and not a mismatch of other colours and prints. This 50’s icon would probably stay well away from this season’s graphic print dresses but might wear the trend as a silk scarf instead for a more subtle adaptation of the trend.
5. And finally, a pair of great sunglasses for ultimate Hollywood Glamour, just add a smattering of red lipstick and you’re good to go!

Grace Kelly’s classic looks and amazing wardrobe are now being celebrated in an exhibition at the V&A museum London. The exhibition is on now until the 26th September go to www.vam.ac.uk for more details.

Choice, Choice, Choice

We women should think ourselves lucky that we have so much choice when it comes to fashion. Because lets face it, men’s fashion isn’t anywhere near as exciting. Men usually turn to their friends, girlfriends or worse still their mums for fashion advice. This is why we appear to have an epidemic of men wearing checked shirts. It will have started with a man admiring his friend’s shirt, so he got one himself, which another man liked, so bought one and so on and so on. An now all we see at the weekends is a sea of check, honestly a little individualism goes a long way (fellas take note). On the other hand, the metrosexual male is different. This man enjoys fashion, likes to wear things his own way and isn’t afraid of the odd grooming product/razor blade every once in a while. Men’s fashion is no longer a boring and simple choice between which jeans to wear with which tee-shirt or which suit/shirt/tie combo to wear today. Men now have the choice of skinny jeans, slim fit suits and cardigans, not to mention the wider acceptance of men’s accessories, we no longer flinch when we see a man carrying a ‘man bag’, nor do we squirm if we see a guy wearing jewellery or sporting an interesting hat. This is partly thanks to a number of celebrities leading the way for fashion forward men everywhere;

• Justin Timberlake
• Kanye West
• Jude Law
• David Beckham

And if our men are trying to imitate these gorgeous guys then we’re not complaining! So ladies, celebrate being both the fairer sex and the sex that gets the best choice of fashion too! Oh, and next time you’re out of an evening, count the number of men you see in a checked shirt, you’ll be surprised!

Funky Flats

Now that we’ve packed up our winter boots, we need some practical, yet fashionable footwear to see us through spring. We’re not quite ready for full on sandals yet so instead, we’ll be wearing pumps. Flat, funky and very fashionable flats that are as important style wise as the rest of our outfit. Right now we’re loving;

Fun flats in bright colours to uplift our outfit. Embellished pumps are also big news this season as well as metallic and floral prints to add interest to your footwear. Also try a peep-toe pump for the in between season shoe solution, not quite a sandal not quite a pump (a sump? A pundal? I think we’ll stick with ‘peep toe flats’). Go for the tribal theme with a pair of animal print flats, wear with khaki tailored trousers and tribal print top to complete the look.

Brogues. Probably the coolest and most comfortable shoe of the season, the classic brogue style has been reinvented this spring, much to our delight. They provide a smarter alternative to a pump and give a sophisticated but quirky edge to an outfit. Wear yours with a floaty floral dress and denim jacket for one of the hottest looks this season.

Low wedges, they’re more comfortable and less dangerous than their sky high counter parts. The more practical version of the wedge, than sessions gone by, give just enough of a height boost to wear with our summer dresses and skirts but won’t leave us scared stiff of wobbling over on an uneven surface.

Dressed up flats. Shoes we can wear all night long and not feel like the balls of our feet have turned into bricks half way through the night! A fancy pair of flats can look just as good if not better than heels on a night out. So why not give your feet a break and put on a pair of flats on your next night out.