blogleaves: fashion inspiration, style news, and all that's new in the world of figleaves.com

Looking good, almost naked

2010-02-02T21:32:00+00:00

At figleaves.com we never know where the time goes. Tuesdays come around so fast that no sooner than we’ve added Gok’s treats to our basket from last week, we’re faced with a whole lot more of lingerie temptation showcased by the latest of Mr Wan's How to Look Good Naked girls.

Calvin Klein’s Perfectly Fit Flirty t-shirt bra is a must have everyday piece with a flirtatious, lacy twist. Comfortable, stylish and smoothing. One of our customer reviews called it their favourite Calvin Klein bra yet. Find out for yourself and tell us what you think.

For crafting that enviable silhouette we spotted the Flexees by Maidenform Firm Control Long Torso Shaper. You’ve told us it’s shaping heaven and we know you can’t all be wrong.

The final figleaves find for the evening was the Hide and Seek slip from Spanx, the brand recently identified in New! magazine as giving Eastenders’ star Rita Simons her red carpet look. Team under dresses for effortless A list glamour.

Gok watch

2010-01-26T21:10:00+00:00

It’s Tuesday night which can only mean one thing, we’re on Gok watch. As usual we kept a close eye on his lingerie picks and were pleased to see he’d included a couple of figleaves.com favourite brands.

To shape up choose the featured Slim Cognito shaping mid thigh bodysuit by Spanx .

Just in time for Valentine’s Day Gok picked the Sublime moulded bra by Rosy. Sublime by name, sublime by nature.

Finally for a touch of silk kissed luxury, look good nearly naked in Karen Millen’s Lola padded bra.

Same time next week?

How to Look Good Naked returns

2010-01-20T21:05:00+00:00

figleaves.com were really pleased to see Gok Wan and How to Look Good Naked back on the television. We were especially happy to see figleaves favourites featured.

Choose Lejaby's La Garconne padded balcony bra for French luxury. For shaping solutions opt for our Seam Free Shapewear high waisted short and create a scandolously sexy silhouette with our Vintage firm control waist cincher.

We can't wait to tune in again next week.

Rock the boat

2010-01-18T13:23:53+00:00

Ahoy there.

figleaves.com were really pleased to exhibit at the London International Rock the Boat show at Excel. For a welcome antidote to the January blues we’re showcasing our swimwear pieces for perfecting poolside glamour and beach beauty this summer.

The show featured this season’s essential polka dots and nautical stripes making for pretty and feminine, sea worthy swimwear courtesy of Seaspray, Freya, Miraclesuit and our exciting new own brand, figleaves Swim. For the guys shorts from Harvey Mushman and Tommy Hilfiger took their turn on our nautical but nice catwalk.

In our sea faring surroundings we‘ve been inspired to don our sea stripes and set sail for ocean’s blue. We’ll be wearing this cute figleaves cardigan to keep us warm on deck and dreaming of dinner at the captains table in shipmate’s quarters in this sea blue chemise from No Romeo.

Find Frosty

2010-01-08T16:53:53+00:00

Unless you’re lucky enough to live in sunnier climes, you, like us will have no doubt been affected by Blighty’s recent snow fall blanketing the entire country. We took some time out earlier to enjoy the winter wonderland and wanted to share our fun with you.

Meet Frosty, our latest figleaves friend, lovingly built and dressed - but not for the weather - by Spud, Paul, Jamie and Mark in the carpark at figleaves.com.

As an extra bit of winter weekend fun we’ve hidden Frosty at figleaves.com. If you can find Frosty at figleaves.com you’ll win the lingerie set she’s modelling. We’ve got ten sets to give away so find Frosty fast to be in with a chance.

Terms and conditions
1. No Purchase Necessary
2. Draw closes 11:59am(GMT) Thursday 14 January 2010.
3. Open to residents of the UK, Channel Islands, IoM, RoI, aged 18 or over except employees and their immediate families of figleaves.com, their agents or anyone professionally connected with the promotion.
4. Entrants must email competitions@figleaves.comincluding ‘Frosty’ in the subject line. The email must include the name of one of the products that Frosty is wearing as displayed on the figleaves.com website.
5. Entrants should stipulate their colour and size requirements in their entry email alongside the location URL with a valid contact telephone number and UK address.
6. The prize is a set of figleaves lingerie from the cotton and lace range. Entrants will receive one brief http://www.figleaves.com/uk/product.asp?product_id=FIG-00014and one bra from either the core OR DD+ range depending on desired size. http://www.figleaves.com/uk/product.asp?product_id=FIG-00009OR http://www.figleaves.com/uk/product.asp?product_id=FIG-SS092185.
7. Acceptance of the terms and conditions is a condition of entry and entry instructions form part of the terms and conditions.
8. Ten winners will be randomly selected from all entrants received by 11:59am(GMT) on Thursday 14 January 2010.
9. Entries from third parties, agencies or sent in bulk will be declared invalid and void.
10. No responsibility can be taken for lost, delayed or non-transmitted entries.
11. Prize winners will be notified within 10 days of the winners being drawn. Prize is as stated and no cash alternative is available. The winner will be notified by telephone. It is the entrant’s responsibility to ensure that they provide figleaves.com with a valid telephone number in their entry email.
12. In the event of circumstances outside its control, the Promoter reserves the right to provide a similar alternative prize of equal or greater value.
If the winner does not respond to claim their prize within 28 days of notification being given, an alternative winner will be selected.
13. The Promoter's decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
14. For name of prize winners contact the Promoter 28 days after the closing date.
15. Promoter: figleaves.com, 29 Broadwater Road, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. AL7 3BQ.

Global Warming? We think not!

2010-01-06T17:56:09+00:00

Unless your lucky enough to be one of our fans in the antipodes, you will have noticed things getting a trifle chilly around here, so cold in fact, that some parts of the country reached -10°c this week. Now as much as we already have our eyes on that new swimsuit for the summer (wishful thinking we know) we can’t deny that this is one of the coldest winters we have seen in a long, long time.

Thankfully, figleaves has handpicked some fantastic items to keep you warm, until those lazy days at the beach.

We love these Hunter Wellies for kids – ideal for the snow and slippery surfaces.

This American Vintage chunky knit scarf is styled from the finest merino wool, guaranteed to keep you warm and cosy. One of our personal favourites.

This chunky knit hat from Ruby & Ed, is bang on trend and looks fabulous. What’s more, its on special so there’s no excuses for your ears to stay cold this season.

For all the guys out there, this warming robe from British icon Paul Smith is ideal for getting out of the Siberian cold.

Now for those who were hoping to fly out on a skiing holiday, we do send our condolences for the airport closures however, every cloud, albeit a snow filled one, has a silver lining, and if you’re looking for an icy ‘staycation’ we have the perfect range of thermalware to keep you snug, on and off piste.

These matching leggings and long sleeve top are one of our most popular items for those headed to the slopes, specially designed for warmth and shape retention, they even fight odour. Perfect for chilling out fireside.

Alpine activities demand support, ski's themselves can be hard work on your feet and whether your in Aspen, Queenstown or Chamonix you'll love these socks for the heavy duty comfort they provide.

For those on home soil, we love them for wellies. Doubling up your socks will become a thing of the past.

Be safe, be warm, be stylish!

Fashion's grey area

2010-01-04T15:58:24+00:00

Inspired by Prada, the Guardian has cited 'men's grey' as one of their key looks for 2010.

Layering neatly cut wardrobe staples in greys from chalk to gunmetal will prove a simple way to stay in style this year. Optfor light textures, classic shapes and minimal detailing. This look is very easy to wear and a little bit Indie with cardigans, subtle prints and scarves; remember that clean cut tailoring is key with the emphasis on simplicity. To stop the layers of grey feeling oppressive, vary dark and light shades in one outfit or look for ultra fine fabrics such as Merino wool and good cotton jersey.

At the weekend, swap the shirt for a t-shirt and wear with dark jeans.

Goodbye Noughties, Hello Nineties?!

2009-12-31T12:58:39+00:00

2010 is predicted to be a big year for denim, the staple of the 90’s wardrobe.

Denim, in forms other than trousers, often sends a shudder to fashionistas across the world. We all know the nineties did irreparable damage to the fabric, the term acid-wash has been forever banished to land of never again, but surprisingly denim is making a comeback. And whats more, we love it.

Several key trends have been identified for next year, with emphasize on fitted, tailored cuts that flatter the figure and emphasize shape, as opposed to the ‘I’m about to drown in this denim disaster’ look characterized by the baggy, shapeless forms popular twenty years ago.

For Girls

- Distressed/ Bleached details

- Fitted jackets and blazers

- Military and Nautical styles

- Mixed hues, think indigos with uber bleached.

For Guys

- Ripped is back

- Loose fit, great alternative to skinny

- Whiskering, splattered paint effects. Get messy!

We love these pieces from our Spring/ Summer 2010 collection!

A new leaf

2009-12-30T16:37:33+00:00

The new year is only a day away but already I'm dreaming of spring. The weather outside is damp and gloomy but a quick look through our latest lingerie arrivals immersed me in a petal coloured world of tea parties and garden picnics, long sunny mornings and warm, slow-fading evenings.

Make a fresh start and think about those colours that will lift your mood and define your style in the coming season. For me, the three colours to invest in will be: pink (all shades); soft blues; warm, creamy nudes. As any lingerie lover knows, what you wear under your clothes (or without them - with undies this gorgeous why cover them up at home?) will affect how you feel - at least for me, knowing I look good is a long way to feeling good too.

So, for pinks I'm loving cool and frosty shades that remind me of homemade strawberry ice-cream, along with deeper tones through juicy peach right down to intense and sultry fuchsia. Nothing looks more feminine than pink, especially contrasted with soft grey wraps or bed socks, but you can make the look more grown-up with gold tone accessories.

With blue, I'm leaving bold electric colours for summer when I'll (hopefully) have the tan to set them sparkling. For now, softer cornflower hues feel more appropriate and will look more flattering against my sun starved skin! Rich coral accessories or nail varnish will pop against this shade, while mint and jade greens will create an interesting contrast.

Which leaves us with nude. I'm a big fan of Elle Macpherson's Treasured collection in Ivory - the pale purple trims make nude subtly sexy. Sweet, vintage details whisper of past glamour with nude styles so I'll be on the look-out for lace, embroidery and ribbon finishes.

Well, it may seem a bit early to get carried away with spring flourishes, bit with Christmas over and the rain smattering against my office window, I think a little treat to look forward to is definitely called for! Bring on the new season...

Merry Christmas

2009-12-23T16:37:40+00:00

love from figleaves.com