Posts Tagged ‘christmas shopping’

Knitting is back and it doesn’t care who knows it! Sales of wool has rocketed, and knitting clubs have sprung up again all over the country. Going to a knitting group with the girls is now thought of as a good – even cool – night out. Knitting has firmly shaken off its ‘granny’ image and it looks like the love affair with home knits and all things woolly will continue to grow. If you have yet to pick up your needles, why don’t you give it a try? It is cheap and it is a great way of de-stressing and switching off after a hard day at the office or a non-stop day with the kids. The end result is something wonderfully creative, that someone special will cherish.

If crafty pursuits are not for you, but you can still appreciate a great bit of knitwear, then you won’t have to look too far, as knitwear is big news this season. There is definitely a time and place when only knitwear will do. If you happen to work in a chilly office, you will need to look sharp, but you still need to be warm, so some smart close fitting knitwear is a must. Or if you are attending an outside event like a firework display or a Christmas market, a big slouchy jumper or knitted dress would both be great options. For a glam night out when you don’t want to spend the evening shivering in your sparkly vest, you need a long sleeved knit, with some glitter or sparkle.

Not so long ago, there was little choice for us Bravissimo girls, the only knitwear available for us on the high street was chunky, shapeless, boxy and unflattering. This would make our boobs seem ‘matronly’ and make us look two dress sizes bigger. Our very own clothing brand, Pepperberry has changed all that. Pepperberry’s knitwear is carefully designed, won’t add extra inches and you won’t find any big or bursting buttons. It is gorgeous and on trend too.

The Wrap Front Jumper would be great for the workplace, it is a v-neck wrap top with an empire line that highlights the narrowest area just under the bust, the tummy area is ribbed and fitted which also enhances the waist. This knit may be best worn with a cami and it is recommended that a plunge bra be worn underneath. The Wrap Front Jumper is available in black and purple.

The Sequin Shoulder Jumper is the glamorous option from Pepperberry. It is a fine knit with gorgeous sequin detailing on the shoulders. It has a v-neck which is super flattering for bigger boobs. This top will be a good choice with Christmas approaching and will look great with this season’s pencil skirt and black suede heels, or some tailored trousers.

The Boyfriend Cardigan is available in Mocha and is a lovely slouchy cardigan that is really versatile. It can be worn on warmer day with a classic white shirt underneath, or on a cold day worn with a fitted knitted jumper. Accessorise with the Vintage Lace Trim Scarf from Pepperberry and you have got a great layered look.

Since Bravissimo hit the high streets, there have been plenty of our bras that consistently receive fantastic reviews from fans and we feel they are worth shouting about, as they seem to have made such a difference to our ladies’ lives.

These bras stand out not only because they give amazing shape and make clothes look fantastic, but also because they are still comfortable and supportive which we all know is THE winning combination.

One of our superstar bras is the best selling Alana Bra by Bravissimo. This bra has been used by the one and only Gok Wan at one of his recent roadshows and we know how he feels about finding the right bra, before you even move on to the outfit! Our in-store Bravissimo fitters love this bra and probably use it the most during fittings because of the gorgeous shape it creates, plus the super fit and support. For an everyday bra it is pretty and is available in so many colours you will be spoilt for choice. The Alana, is an underwired balconette and in sizes DD-G cups it has a 2 hook fastening and in GG-L, 3 hooks. A selection of the positive comments about The Alana, have included, “The fit is true to size”, “It creates the best shape”, “Highly recommended for everyday wear”, and “Is very, very comfortable”“.

Another one of our amazing performers is the Deco Bra by Freya, because we know how much our Bravissimo ladies rave about this bra. This gorgeous bra is now newly available in graphite, with a pretty mother of pearl button detail, this is a perfect buy for autumn. It is a moulded plunge, which is perfect for close fitting tops. It also creates fantastic cleavage, so when you want to go for a sexier look with a lower cut top, maybe for an evening out, the Deco would be a great choice. This is some of the great feedback we have received about the Deco bra, “The Deco is absolutely the best moulded bra there is”, “I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to find it”, “It’s true to size, supportive and so comfortable!”, and “Fabulous fit-great cleavage”.

What more can we say, check out more of our bestsellers online or in-store.

According to the experts, our weather is on the turn again, hopefully we haven’t seen the last of the sunshine, but for now we can make ourselves feel better by looking forward to some fabulous new fashion. If you haven’t started to look for that autumn wardrobe, now is definitely the time.

A good place to start is ‘occasion’ wear, as it gets nearer to Christmas, the shops will start filling up with Christmas occasion wear and all things glam and sexy. Sometimes when we are invited to a swanky event or a posh do, our first thought is ‘Oh no, what am I going to wear?’ Pepperberry has some stunning new styles in that are real showstoppers and because the styles are black, you can count on them being real classics that will last you more than just one season.

The jumpsuit trend has come back this autumn/winter and they are surprisingly easy to wear, no worrying about what top you are going to wear with which trousers. Jumpsuits look stylish, are a great alternative to the dress, and are bang on trend. Pepperberry’s new Jersey Wide Leg Jumpsuit will be a valuable addition to your occasion wear, if you have a smart evening event coming up, this stylish jumpsuit will be perfect. It is available in black and is made from jersey so there is no ironing needed. The top is a wrap style, with draping over the tummy area, which is really good at hiding any lumps or bumps.

Another new addition is the very sexy Satin Bodice, just like our cami’s this bodice has an integral underwired bra, so you are fully supported. The bodice is boned, comes in stretchy satin, which makes it comfortable too, it also has adjustable straps. This bodice will look stunning teamed with some tailored trousers and a tuxedo jacket or it will look super sexy with a pencil skirt, killer heels and longer suit jacket.

The new Lux Mac is another big trend this year and this fabulous mac is the perfect accompaniment for any evening dress you have. This mac has a satin sheen, so it will look great with a sequin dress or satin dress in a vibrant colour, it is very versatile so also will look great worn with a classic white shirt and tailored trousers for the office. It comes in black and can be worn with or without the belt.

Invest in these classic black evening wear options and you will never again have that heart sinking feeling when you receive that special event invite.

Yet another glittering awards ceremony took place recently in Los Angeles, the 63rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. An evening that recognises and honours the television industry. There were a few predictable winners, namely hit US shows. Modern Family and Mad Men, but there was also some success for British shows and actors. The extremely popular and fast growing ITV drama Downton Abbey was a big winner as was its leading actress Dame Maggie Smith. Oscar winner Kate Winslet was honoured for her role as Mildred Pierce.

The A-List ladies were out in force and it really was a close call when it came to who really ‘wowed’ on the red carpet, but Christina Hendricks seems to exude glamour like nobody else, so hurrah! Another triumph for us big boobed girls. Her dress was by Johanna Johannsson and was a jewel encrusted sliver fitted dress with a fluted bottom, a deep-V which enhanced her wonderful cleavage and a sexy split. If she reminded us of anyone, well it was difficult to miss how much she resembled Marilyn Monroe.

The colour red was very evident at The Emmys in the fashion stakes, with actresses Lea Michele, Kate Winslet, Nina Dobrev, Adrianne Palicki and TV hosts Giuliana Rancic and Nancy O’Dell all plumping for it. None of them appeared to be ‘red faced’ that the others had turned up in the same colour, which tells us how on trend ‘the red dress’ is going to be this autumn/winter. Prepare to see the red dress popping up in stores near you and don’t be surprised if the office party at Christmas, is a blaze of red dresses. Luckily enough, Pepperberry are bringing out a red maxi dress, that will be available to buy from the 17th October. It is absolutely stunning and is very similar to the style of Christina Hendricks Emmy’s dress, but obviously in bold red. Keep your eyes peeled as it’s coming very soon and for anyone who can’t wait and wants a preview, the dress can be found on Pepperberry’s Facebook page.

Oh the trials and tribulations of us girls with big boobs. We have all been there, when out shopping for clothes. What should be an enjoyable experience, can turn into a steam coming out of ears, fighting with tops, struggling with buttons & zips nightmare. You know the scenario, you go home exhausted, empty handed and frustrated. Estimations suggest that 4000 British women every year may turn to extreme measures like breast reduction, because they are so unhappy with their boobs, but we know here at Bravissimo, step one is finding the correct fitting bra. This can solve the physical problems like back pain associated with big boobs and the right bra will also make clothes look a whole lot better on. Step two is finding those clothes that flatter and hug those curves, that aren’t tarty or shapeless, that will immediately help increase confidence.

So when you go on your next shopping trip, make a visit to Bravissimo a top priority, it will cut out a lot of unnecessary leg work. For those of you that don’t know, Pepperberry is a range of clothes designed especially for us, taking into consideration all of the common problems that us ladies encounter when buying clothes. You will be able to say goodbye to stretched fabric, buttons straining and gaping, tops riding up and ending up too short in the body. Our clothes are designed in standard sizes, but the clever bit is, you can buy them in Curvy, Really Curvy and Super Curvy, so there is a size to fit everyone. As we know all too well, that even if you have the same bra size as your best friend, your boobs are different shapes, so a Really Curvy may fit you and your friend may be a Super Curvy.

For a preview of what we have to offer in our autumn range from Pepperberry, have a look at some gorgeous new tops we have selected for you.

The Floral Twist Front Blouse is a pretty, casual top, it has a deep V neckline that will divide your boobs beautifully, and a V- neck will also give the impression of lengthening your torso. This top has a twisted detail at the front, which is very flattering and the print is a cute ditsy floral.
The Jersey Chiffon Trim Top, is not too low-cut but still incredibly sexy, (think less is more with this top) It has a slight sheen which makes it a perfect going out top, it is made of jersey and has a gorgeous ruching detail and chiffon trim around the neckline, and it is available in black.
The Ruched Jersey Top is pretty similar to the top above, but a more daywear option, it is available in grey marl, which is great for this autumn/winter, it is perfect for you sporty girls, but is still on trend. It has long sleeves and a panel of ruching at the front and is very roomy and super comfortable for your boobs.

Check out all of Pepperberry’s autumn range on the website…

We know it’s only Wednesday, but the schools are shut and this time of year is always extra busy, so the middle of the week is an acceptable time to start planning the weekend ahead.

There are many great towns and cities in Britain (outside London) that are perfect for a day’s shopping; Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Manchester, Cambridge and Brighton to name but a few. So why not indulge yourself and round up a couple of girlfriends and plan a day away? If you have children you could leave them with your partner (get him involved!). Sometimes school holidays can be more stressful and exhausting, so a break and a change of scenery to recharge your batteries will make you feel re-energized as you tackle the rest of the holidays. If you are single, just pick up the phone, your friends will be glad that someone has taken the initiave to organize something.

As its summer, let’s take a closer look at the city of Brighton and Hove on the south coast. Prince Regent made the area fashionable after his first visit in 1783; he fell in love with Brighton and went on to commission the building of The Royal Pavilion. In 1841 with the arrival of the railway, Brighton was more accessible to Londoners, it attracted many day trippers, the town was also known as a health resort, as the seawater was thought to bring many health benefits. Brighton is often known as ‘London by the Sea’, as it is just 50 minutes train journey from Victoria. Its population is made up of students from all over the world, young families and famously has a vibrant gay scene.

You will not get bored in Brighton, there is plenty to do. If you are there early enough you could have a delicious breakfast at Bill’s Produce Store (The Depot, 100 North Road), or for a traditional ‘greasy spoon’ you could go to Cafe Motu (6 Trafalgar Street), a no frills café that serves a fantastic English breakfast.

Then you could take a slow amble through the North Laines, and look at all the amazing independent shops selling vintage clothes, baby clothes, lovely homewear and beautiful jewellery. You could then book yourself in at The Treatment Rooms (New Road), a beauty salon and day spa. They offer all sorts of lovely treatments like a Swedish massage or an aromatherapy facial. You could then have a spot of lunch at Dermot O’Leary’s Fishy Fishy Seafood Brasserie (East Street).

After lunch you could pop into our Bravissimo store (North Street) and have a bra fitting from one of our experienced fitting consultants. If the sun is shining, and it usually is, there’s no better place to be. Give it a go this summer – and do pop in to our store to say hello!

Peeking outside the window, it doesn’t look much like the height of summer, it’s more like autumn. Let’s hope it brightens up again soon. Until then, now would be good time to start bringing your autumn wardrobe together, as the autumn collections are starting to appear on the high street. You could start by adding accessories to your current wardrobe and Pepperberry have three great bags that would be perfect for next season.

The Tassel Slouch Bag in coral is a great soft, slouchy bag, that has plenty of room for all that stuff, that us girls carry around with us. Coral is a big colour this summer and it will continue to be seen in autumn/winter too, as pastels will be mixed with soft greys and nudes. The Tan Leather Bag is a fantastic autumn bag, tan is a great alternative to black or dark brown when the sun is still shining, but there is a crispness in the air. This bag is made of real leather and will look great this summer worn with a tan skinny belt over a little floral dress with bare legs and gladiator sandals, and in autumn or winter with tights and boots. The Canvas Shopper Bag is another great bag from Pepperberry, ’shoppers’ have been on trend for a couple of years now, and this one is a real classic, with the contrast of the beige canvas with patent handles. This would look fabulous with a maxi dress and espadrilles for the rest of summer and when autumn comes, it will look super stylish with a pair of the new 70s style flared jeans, a checked shirt or white classic shirt, tucked in and belted and worn with a blazer, the look is Charlie’s Angels in the mid 70s.

All great bags, that will look great right now and will see you through the next season quite happily too. Look out for more on autumn wardrobe building in future Bravissimo blogs.

The world’s most famous & loved festival, Glastonbury, kicks off today. Started 41 years ago by Michael Eavis on his own land, Worthy Farm in Somerset. The first gathering only attracted 1,500 people, the ticket price was £1 and free milk was given out to all! Today the event attracts people of all ages from all over the world and the site is so big, it resembles a small town.

Whatever the weather at Glastonbury (last year very sunny, 2007 the wettest on record, this year starting wet, but will dry up, fingers crossed) the festival is THE place to do some people watching and it’s a fantastic opportunity to check out some amazing fashion. Looking good at a festival is an art, it has to look effortless and you have to be prepared for rain & shine.

So if our Bravissimo girls are heading to any of this summer’s festivals, here is your definitive guide to what to wear and what to bring. Pepperberry have some great festival fashion, the Crinkle Tiered Dress in orange is the perfect festival dress and will look great with a pair of posh Hunter wellies. Don’t forget your shorts, like Pepperberry’s Button Front Short in navy, they also look really cute with a pair of wellies, (and navy won’t show the mud). The Viscose Floral Scarf just screams Glastonbury, and a scarf is a pretty handy piece of clothing at a festival, it will keep your neck warm at night when there is a nip in the air, it will also protect you from the sun, if it gets too hot. The Long Shell Necklace has that hippy vibe and will complete your festival outfit.

Other Essential Items:
Long socks, (there is nothing worse than short socks disappearing into the depths of your wellies)
Hand sanitiser
Baby wipes
Sun cream
Toilet roll
Small purse or bag, that you can wear across the body
Wellies (don’t bother with any other kind of footwear)
Sun hat
Waterproof jacket with hood
And don’t forget your toothbrush (you never know who you might kiss)

Yesterday marked the summer solstice, the longest day and the start of summer. An estimated 18,000 people watched the sunrise at Stonehenge, at the annual pagan festival. The days now begin to get shorter, so we need to make the most of the lovely sunshine we have left. So Bravissimo ladies, get out there and enjoy every minute. To help you make the most of the summer months stylewise, here are a few wardrobe essentials from Pepperberry that you won’t be able to do without.

The Printed Wrap Dress comes in sunny yellow, which is on trend at the moment. Wrap dresses are hugely flattering for bigger boobs, so this dress really does create amazing cleavage. It is suitable for work, worn with a fitted jacket and heels, or a day out with the girls, accessorising with a cardi and a pair of wedges.

Everyone needs a maxi dress in their wardrobe, they are great for a holiday to make you feel a bit dressed up after a day in your beachwear, or for a wedding or day at the races. The Floral Print Maxi Dress is a beautiful, feminine and floaty maxi, it has a large, vibrant floral and is fully lined.

The Bandeau Strappy Top in fitted jersey, is a must have for every summer wardrobe, it comes in black, cobalt blue, lemon, orange and white, you can wear it as a bandeau, or with the strap as a halterneck, it has a integrated bra, so you can go braless too. This top is extremely versatile, you could wear it with wide palazzo pants, cropped tapered chinos, a fifties full skirt, or a great pair of shorts; which brings us nicely to the Button Front Short, they come in navy and white and look great with a vest, or a little cotton shirt and waistcoat for that smarter look.

Finally to finish off your summer looks, you need something fabulous on your arm, so check out the Canvas Shopper Bag, this bag is an excellent wardrobe staple and will look great with any of the above outfits.

Men can be very tricky to buy for at Christmas, whether it’s your other half, brother, Dad, friend, work colleague or other relative. So we’ve put our heads together and compiled a list of man friendly gifts for Christmas.

• Watch
• Leather belt
• Scarf
• Jacket
• Wallet
• Man bag
• Dressing gown
• DVDs
• After shave
• A bottle of their favourite tipple
• Diary
• Gig tickets
• A tangerine (only if he’s been really bad!)
• Coat
• Money towards a post-Christmas get-away
• CD
• Gadgets, men love gadgets, whether for the garage, kitchen or just for fun, a gadget will usually push all the right buttons with a fella. What gadgets, we couldn’t tell you, we’re women! So you’ll have to do your research!

These are all fairly standard Christmas gifts for men, but from what we know about men, they’re quite simple creatures and as Christmas is a time for many of their favourite things; eating, drinking, sitting in front of the TV, receiving a gift on top of this is a bonus! Plus, we think that men get most of their underwear and socks over numerous Christmases, goodness knows the kind of underwear men would be wearing if they didn’t receive a couple of nice pairs of boxers at Christmas. So, although socks and underwear as gifts for men is a little cliché at least they’ll have a couple more pairs of nice pants to keep them going until next year! But if you don’t want to buy him underwear, why not buy yourself some? A gorgeous new lingerie set that you can both benefit from, now that’s our kind of present!