Archive for February, 2012

Shopping for clothes isn’t always an enjoyable experience. What looks lovely on the hanger doesn’t always look great ‘on’. We don’t always know what suits us and relying on our friends opinions may not be the solution, as sometimes they tell us what they think we want to hear, rather then the truth. So wouldn’t it be great if we could shop for clothes feeling confident that what we pick for ourselves will look good on us, maybe even fabulous. Well now ladies, you can. Pepperberry, have just introduced a Body Shape Styling Service, where you can be your very own stylist. We have discovered three main body shapes, Straight, Balanced, and Shaped. Using our flow chart online, you can identify your own.

As a quick guide, Straight means your shoulders are equal to or wider than your hips and you have little or no waist definition. When you gain weight, it shows around your middle.
If you are Balanced, your hips are in line with your shoulders and your waist is well defined. When you gain weight, it will show evenly all over your body.
And lastly, if you are Shaped, your hips are wider than your shoulders and you have a well-defined waist, with fuller hips and thighs. When you gain weight, it shows on your hips, thighs and bottom.

Another great way to find your body shape is to dress in leggings and a close fitting t-shirt or vest and ask a friend to take a picture of you from the behind. If a friend is not available, try standing in front of a mirror and take a picture of yourself, you should be able to see the back of your figure in the reflection in the mirror. Don’t try to work out what shape you are from the front, as your bigger boobs will make it difficult to trace the line of your body.

After you have identified what body shape you are, there are three examples of each shape using our lovely members of staff, they are all wearing a different piece of Pepperberry clothing, which is perfect for their particular body shape. We have also listed some top tips for styling, whether you are Straight, Balanced or Shaped. And, if that’s not enough, you can then click at the bottom of the page and start shopping for Pepperberry clothes that are most suited to you.

So ladies, what are you waiting for… A future without fashion mishaps and style mistakes. Try our online guide and discover that stylist within.

Well low and behold, just when we were all getting used to the bitter winds and wet days, we get two beautiful warm (very nearly balmy) days back to back. There hasn’t been a warm spell like this in February since 1989.

The warmer weather made people hunt for the waterproof picnic rug in the garage, head for their nearest park and discard their coats. There are rumours some were even brave enough to go without tights! The warmer weather definitely put a spring in the nation’s step and our outfit choices may have been a bit brighter, lighter and more spring like then usual. Even the lingerie we chose reflected the sunnier weather. Maybe you bypassed your usual blacks or neutrals and opted for something bright and beautiful. So if your lingerie drawer is looking more winter than spring, you might want to introduce some pretty prints and some mouthwatering hues from Bravissimo. We have some fabulous lingerie sets and some brand new additions available now. There’s no better time to spring into action and give your lingerie a makeover.

The Paige Bra by Miss Mandalay is back and now available in delicious violet/aqua for spring. This set is partly sheer and certainly has the cute factor with its contrasting trims and bows and frills, this set is so pretty that you will want to show it off. The bra is an underwired balconette, creates a gorgeous shape but still offers fantastic support. This bra comes with matching briefs or a matching thong, which is absolutely adorable.

This really pretty and feminine Ditsy Blossom Bra by Bravissimo will immediately make you feel like it really is spring. The tiny floral print is contrasted with delicate embroidery and organza bows. It is a underwired balconette and again, offers great support and comfort. It is available in navy/print and comes with matching briefs or thong.

The Sherbet Stripe Bra by Bravissimo is a perfect spring bra, available in gorgeous candy stripe print in violet, which is a much softer colourway for spring. The stripes are contrasted with orange lace and mint bows finish off this set. This bra is an underwired balconette and creates a lovely rounded shape. We have had great reviews for this bra, for its comfort and support. There are matching briefs and a thong to buy too.

For more gorgeous spring styles like this, check out Bravissimo.com.

London Fashion Week comes to an end tomorrow, there were some wild and wacky shows as usual and quite frankly some wild and wacky members of the audience (Yes you, Kitty Brucknell, former X-Factor contestant…take a look online). Here are some of highlights from one of the biggest events in the fashion calendar.

Mulberry took their inspiration from the delightful children’s book, Maurice Sendak’s Where The Wild Things Are, with huge Yeti like creatures standing either side of the runway.

The clothes were equally hairy and monster-like. The catwalk was filled with Mongolian fur coats in chocolate brown and black, shaggy gilets and skirts (that we think you may have to blow dry, rather than iron). The hues used were burnt orange, tangerine, caramel and dark browns. An amazing collection (shame about the real fur used) but we all know Mulberry for their luxury bags, and they launched their new Mulberry bag called the Del Rey, named after the American singer Lana Del Rey, the bag was a bit like a 1950’s bowling bag but with that Mulberry classic styling too.

Another designer known for her gorgeous bags is Orla Kiely, her show was based on an ‘afternoon tea dance’. Models and professional dancers were all choreographed as they waltzed around the dance floor, to music played by a live swing band, there was even a glitter ball and cafe. Her collection was pretty and girly, with dresses that looked very vintage 1950’s, in pale ditsy prints and cream and black striped dresses with huge bows, she accessorised her tea dance collection with gold t-bar dance shoes and glittery short socks.

Sarah Burton, the new designer for Alexander McQueen, produced a great collection for the diffusion line McQ. Since designing that very famous wedding dress (for The Duchess of Cambridge) Sarah has carried the McQueen brand on beautifully. A large part of the collection had a military theme with smart stiff tailored coats and jackets clinched in by wide patent belts, some coats patterned with heavy floral embroidery and some without. But Sarah also showcased some huge ball gowns that were absolutely stunning, the upper of some, in all over lace with lace long sleeves and the full skirts adorned with large embroidery, some were made from tulle and some were in deep red velvet. These dresses seem to be inspired by Charles James, who was actually the late Alexander McQueen’s fashion hero. As usual the show was filled with theatre, fun and among all creativity and that’s what London Fashion Week always does best.

The weekend is here…Phew!

If you have five minutes this weekend and you are sitting down with a cuppa and something sweet or savoury and you have access to the internet, search for Adele’s performance of ‘Rolling In The Deep” at The Grammys 2012. Whatever is going on during your weekend, this will give you an instant feel good moment.

Adele pretty much cleaned up at The Grammys scooping a whopping six awards. She won, Best Short Form Music Video, Song Of The Year, Best Pop Solo Vocal Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Record and Album Of The Year.
Considering she is only twenty-five and has recently had throat surgery, she stormed the performance, holding the whole audience, (including some of the most respected people from the music industry) in her hand…not bad for a girl from Tottenham!

Adele is a real inspiration, she doesn’t come from a privileged background, and her Mum brought her up alone and worked two jobs to support them. If you also listen to Adele’s charming and enthusiastic Grammy acceptance speech, you will see how unaffected by stardom she is and how completely down to earth she is too. She is always true to herself no matter what situation she is in and that’s a rare quality to have in this celebrity age. She is also a great role model for young girls, she has achieved success against the odds. She is a beautiful, regular girl, and she is not skinny and has never tried to slim down and does not flash the flesh, which is a breath of fresh air. She looked stunning at The Grammys, wearing a long black Armani dress, gorgeous honey blonde curls and 1940’s style make-up. For a similar dress, try Pepperberry’s Cowl Back Jersey Maxi Dress, a simple long cowl neck dress that is true understated glamour, perfect for a rising star or just your average girl.

It’s nearly Valentine’s Day. For some of us we ignore it, for others in a new relationship, it’s a big deal. For the recently single we dread it and for us that have been with our partners a long time, it’s just another day. But whether you are happily paired up or not, we could put a different spin on Valentine’s Day altogether and instead of making it about swooning loved up couples, this Valentine’s Day could be about treating the one you love. A thank-you for a best friend, or another excuse to tell your mum how much you love her, or something for that amazing person staring back at you every morning in the mirror. We feel slightly guilty if we are spending on money on ourselves, but in order to feel good, confident and feminine, it really doesn’t hurt to spend a bit of our hard earned cash once in a while. So for a special Valentine’s treat for the one you love, whoever that is, take a look at Bravissimo’s Top Five Valentine Sets.

Coming in at Number Five, is the Moulin Rose Bra by Bravissimo. This bra is an underwired and a lightly padded half cup, it creates a lovely rounded shape. The print is a black lace print on pale pink satin, with a contrasting fuchsia pink velvet trim, as the name suggests, this set could be straight off the stage at The Moulin Rouge, Paris.

At Number Four is the Capella Bra by Masquerade. An utterly glamorous Valentine set, the bra has a sweetheart plunge neckline and a moulded cup that offers amazing shape. It is available in champagne, with a fine lace jacquard pattern covering the cups.

At Number Three there is the Vava Bra by Miss Mandalay. This set certainly does have va va voom! Like the Moulin Rose, this is also is a lightly padded half cup which creates that fabulous rounded shape, but still offers fantastic support. The animal print is right on trend and it is available in jade animal and graphite animal, which is contrasted with a cute fuchsia rose and black ribbon.

We couldn’t do a Valentines Blog without featuring Number Two, the Demi Diva Bra by Bravissimo. This will give you enviable cleavage and incredible fit and even though it’s a half cup, it will still provide great support. This bra is available in sexy pillarbox red and is contrasted with leopard print bows.

Number One could only be the Luxe Heart Bra by Bravissimo. This set will make your heart go all of a flutter, it is an underwired balconette and is available in plum satin with black trim and gorgeous heart embroidery. We have had fantastic feedback about this bra, it is very comfortable, a great fit, very flattering and supportive.

All of these stunning bras come with matching briefs, thongs and shorts. Treat yourself ladies, you deserve it!

Snow is still covering most of the country, and according to the weekend weather forecast it’s going to be with us for some time. The funny thing about snow is, it is magical and wonderous at its best, then once it starts to thaw and turns to ice and slush, we all decide we have had enough of winter and spring can’t come fast enough.

So if the bitter weather is dragging on a bit for you, let us offer some light relief, and little glimmer of sunshine. Pepperberry’s brand new spring collection is online now and there are some gorgeous pieces that you can get really excited about. There are some great coloured jersey dresses, fabulous floral printed tea dresses, some cute fitted cardis and not forgetting bright and brilliant spring accessories and much, much, more.

Some of the highlights of the collection include…

The Bright Stripe Dress in multi stripe. This is a gorgeous fifties inspired cotton dress, in candy stripes of fuchsia, brown, turquoise, white and purple, it is fitted at the waist then flares out with soft pleats. A perfect versatile day dress.

If you didn’t think tea dresses could be sexy then you haven’t seen our Printed Tea Dress. This dress encompasses sexiness and femininity, it is a super flattering style, because it makes the most of the waist and boobs, but hides the tummy area. It is made from soft jersey and is available in this great bright coloured spring floral. This dress could also be worn with tights, knee high boots and a knit, if you can’t wait till spring.

Every spring wardrobe needs a Classic Denim Jacket, so now you have found ‘the one’, what can we say about this wardrobe must-have? Well, it goes with absolutely everything, including the two dresses above. It will also will look great with the Polka Dot Scarf, another item that you won’t know how you lived without. This scarf will liven up any plain outfit, it is navy with a white spot, with a fine fringing on the bottom.

For a sharp and smart piece of workwear for the spring, take a look at the Statement Seam Workwear Dress in a lovely soft grey. It follows the sexy, fitted, tailored look, that has been on trend for a while now, with designers like Victoria Beckham making it big news. This dress is made from a wool mix fabric and it hugs the body beautifully, it also features cute pockets as an extra design detail and vertical seaming, which gives the appearance of lengthening the body.

More gorgeous spring buys to come in later blogs…until then wrap up warm and keep smiling.

It’s Saturday. When you woke up this morning were your toes slightly colder than usual? Did you have to crank up the heating another few degrees? And were you reluctant to get out of bed at all? If any of these ring true for you, take a peek out of the curtains as it’s ffrreeezzing! Britain is covered in ice, snow or a combination of both. Temperatures in the UK plummeted to below zero and the white stuff is expected to fall in most parts of England, Wales and Scotland over the weekend. Weather reports have predicted extreme conditions and consequent travel chaos up and down the country, so if you are going out today, be extra careful when travelling.

If you haven’t got anything planned, probably the best idea is to stay inside and have a duvet day, watch an old black and white film or the last episode of Downtown Abbey that you’ve been meaning to watch since Christmas. You could even make some soup with those forgotten vegetables in the drawers of the fridge. If you had planned to visit the high street today, to check out some end of sale bargains and your plans have been scuppered by The Big Freeze, then don’t worry, we have it covered, curl up on the couch and let us bring those bargains to you.

At Bravissimo.com we still have some great sale items, there is some fabulous lingerie items in the sale. The Karina Bra by Cleo is a really fun set in aqua/lemon and available in melon, it is available in this really cute star print. This bra is a plunge bra and creates great cleavage and fabulous uplift. There are matching adorable shorts or briefs.

The Lyla Bra by Freya is a gorgeous bra available in bold amethyst, with aqua floral embroidery. It is a pretty set, but also sexy too, with its sheer fabric cups. This is an underwired balconette, which has been designed lower at the front, so is perfect to wear under a lower neckline. Also available are matching shorts or briefs.

And if just looking outside is making your teeth chatter, you will need something warm and cosy to wear. The Softest Hooded Robe by Bravissimo in cream is also in the sale, it has had great reviews for being extra snuggly. It is made from microfleece fabric, which makes it extra soft and for extra warmth and comfort there is a hood, it is very lightweight too, so if it really is sub zero outside, you could even wear it to bed.

So wrap up warm, look out for your neighbours if they’re elderly, stay at home if you can, but if you are travelling make sure your mobile is fully charged and if you do venture out…enjoy the snow!