blogleaves

Dive into Miami swim

2009-07-16T00:28:17-07:00

Calling all swimwear fans: the biggest week in the swimwear calendar kicked off yesterday, as press, buyers and designers converged in Miami for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2010. There's lots to look forward to, including a show by figleaves.com favourite Vitamin A later on this week; in the meantime, here are some pics of the first day to get us in the mood.

Trends so far? Well, it looks like cutaways, maxis and kaftans might be here to stay.

pics: image.net

Britain v Italy: the underwear round

2009-07-15T08:48:34-07:00

"Dear Brits, we’ve beaten you at everything and it’s time you realised it," proclaimed Italian newspaper Il Giornale (part of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's media empire) the other day. When it comes to tourism, fashion, crime and even football, we are in a sorry state compared to our Italian friends, they say.

But how do the two nations stack up when it comes to underwear?

In the Italian corner: the wonderful La Perla, of course (find Malizia in our Designer Outlet), for women; and an array of fabulous designer names for men. Emporio Armani, D&G and Diesel are all worth shouting about.

And in the British: well, you can't beat British brands like Fantasie, Freya and Panache when it comes to style and comfort in DD+ sizes, but the likes of Made by Niki and Mimi Holliday show that we are no slouches on the fashion front either. And for men? Paul Smith's classics with a quirky twist take some beating.

Too close to call? Let us know what you think.

David and Ange: it's a no

2009-07-14T12:58:11-07:00

Sad news today: it looks as though the rumoured Emporio Armani underwear ad campaign starring David Beckham and Angelina Jolie was just a rumour after all.

Beckham has denied it, says Us Weekly: "I don't think that's true! I definitely don't think that's true. I think it's something put out in the press," he's reported to have said.

Something to file under wouldn't-it-be-nice, then, but in the meantime, Emporio Armani has kindly released a nice behind the scenes video of the David and Victoria underwear shoot. Enjoy.

Can soft cup bras be sexy?

2009-07-14T00:28:21-07:00

The Sunday Times Style magazine's wardrobe mistress had an interesting query this week: "Where can I find a non-wired bra that actually looks like lingerie?" asked a reader who despaired of finding a soft cup bra that was neither a maternity bra or a sports bra.

The magazine recommended Princesse Tam-Tam's Toquade bra, £39 - "no hint of sporty there".

Alternatively, try Made by Niki, Calvin Klein, or Huit for wire-free bras that also look beautiful in the boudoir.

Trend: high summer florals

2009-07-10T08:27:52-07:00

Here's a cheery trend to take us into the weekend: big, splashy florals for high summer. Just arrived on figleaves.com and looking fresh as a daisy are this sunny yellow Elle Macpherson Intimates set (how cute is that culotte-style shorty?) and this Calvin Klein chemise, part of its new Dolce Vita range that also includes a bra, thong and brief.

Left, Elle Macpherson Intimates bra £40 and shorty £25; right, Calvin Klein chemise £42.

Latest press: Closer, Now, Woman's Own and Cosmopolitan

2009-07-09T09:00:51-07:00

Lots of lovely figleaves.com products in the press this week, so let's get cracking.

Figleaves Swim in Closer

It's the press pick of the season: our one shouldered one-piece, £35, racks up yet another magazine appearance.

Scarlet Rose in Now

Get celeb beach style with this Scarlet Rose kaftan, £35, as seen in Now.

Figleaves Swim and Lepel in Woman's Own

"These bathing beauties will up your body confidence," promised Woman's Own. This red Figleaves Swim bikini (top £20, bottoms £16) and Lepel dotty set (top £20, bottoms £14) were both recommended for flattering a pear shaped figure.

Spanx in Cosmo

Finally, Cosmopolitan was singing the praises of our old friend Spanx. "They really are the best thing to give you the sexiest silhouette ever," raved Cosmo.

Feeling haute

2009-07-08T08:31:33-07:00

The autumn/winter 09 haute couture shows have been taking place in Paris this week, so here's a pic of the Georges Chakra catwalk to get us in the mood. What's news? The Christian Lacroix show - possibly his last - was an emotional affair, says the Wall Street Journal; and of interest to all us lingerie fans was the Christian Dior runway. It was a riot of lingerie influences, reports the Daily Telegraph, with suspender-style straps adorning even the shoes.

If all this has given you a yen for some vintage-style lingerie, then fear not; figleaves.com has plenty. Check out our suspenders; or treat yourself to this rather couture-like Aubade set, complete with retro waist cincher.

Couture image: Julien Hekiniman/Image.net

In Her Majesty's Secret Speedos

2009-07-07T10:48:26-07:00

"Licence to wear Speedos", "A spy in Speedos"... the recent news story about the wife of John Sawers, the next head of MI6, posting pictures of her husband in his Speedos on Facebook has been a gift to headline writers everywhere.

The Telegraph was not impressed: "Sorry Sir John, tight trunks are a terrible look," it said. But, given that they look very like the trunks worn by Daniel Craig in Casino Royale, we reckon that every spy should be issued with a pair - even if they don't all have a James Bond body.

Fancy playing at secret agents on the beach this summer? Check out our Speedo selection at figleaves.com.

Vitamin A in Time Out

2009-07-06T08:31:21-07:00

We're not the only ones who have been dispensing wise swimwear advice recently - Time Out magazine had a good swimwear guide in last week's issue, with top tips for every kind of body shape. This Vitamin A bikini was recommended for anyone who is "flat-chested (and would like a bit more of a bust)". Sound like you? Here's what Time Out had to say:

The padded cups and foam inserts help shape and enhance your bust, while the twisted centre creates an illusion of fullness. Smaller busts can also pull off strapless styles with ease."

Sold? Vitamin A bikini top £60; brief £56.

Get a Yummie Tummie this summer

2009-07-03T00:43:00-07:00

There's a new star on the shapewear shelves this summer - yes, the much talked-about Yummie Tummie has arrived at figleaves.com (and just in time for any high summer soirees you might be attending in a body-conscious dress).

Yummie Tummie is the brainchild of designer and celeb stylist Heather Thomson, who has worked with P Diddy, Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez on their own fashion lines. With credentials like that, it's little wonder that her smoothing and shaping underwear, made from sweat-wicking microfibre and designed not to ride up, has rocketed to the top of the stars' must-have lists.

Left, strappy camisole £62. The range also includes a slip, £78, and nursing cami, £69.