Getting the Nautical Look this Summer with British Icon Crew Clothing

Crew Clothing has made looking good this summer effortless. One of the season’s hottest trends - the nautical style - is an intrinsic part of Crew’s swank spring/summer 2012 collection. Bold and brightly coloured flattering stripe combinations set the tone for both the men and women’s ranges. True to Crew’s roots, the ocean remains a strong source of inspiration; represented by blue variations and crisp whites, which are complimented by strong earthy tones. Popular accents across the range include mainstay checks with beautifully coordinated colourways, flaunted by light, airy summer fabrics.

Collection highlights from the Women’s range comprise the simple and versatile Striped T-Shirt Style Christie Dress, the bright and sassy Austin Checked Shirt and the perfectly summery Melody Black White and Pink Tankini.

Men’s collection stand-outs are the GBR Short Sleeve Rugby Shirt for the classic college-beach look, the light and eye-catching Harsfield Checked Shirt and maroon Sailing Club Leather Deck Shoes.

Crew’s spring/summer2012 range offers wearers beautifully flexible pieces that can be worn summer through, day or night, on the beach or out on the town - and so continues a tradition that has come to be the epitome of premium casual styling. If you haven’t heard it by now; Crew Clothing has recently expanded its range to include girls and boys casual clothing too, bringing the brand’s bright, fun and casual styling to a younger generation.

FACTFILE:
Crew Clothing started out in Salcombe in 1993, when founder Alastair Parker-Swift was running a thriving windsurfing business during the summer months. Seeing an opportunity to help fund his lifestyle Alastair sourced some navy and white rugby shirts, applied an original 93 patch to create our heritage shirt. After only 10 days trading and instant success Alastair made the decision to find premises in Cowes for the start of Cowes Week. From this, the Crew Clothing brand was born.

Crew Clothing premium casual wear for men, women and children - truly passionate about clothing made from quality fabrics, great attention to detail and design that offers an effortlessly relaxed style. The pride in its coastal roots is clearly reflected today in Crew’s product, stores and branding.

T M Lewin introduces a brand new range of suits at prices to suit

With the recession biting at the heels of business, dressing the part and feeling confident at work has never been more vital.

And a brand new range of suits being launched by T.M. Lewin this March promise a million dollar look, yet one which will not break the bank.

The five new suits in the range feature a selection of new fabrics, styles and finishes. Thee are two new pinstripe options, a mohair/merino grey, a blue and a contemporary Princes of Wales check – all designed to complement the existing T M Lewin range and add an extra dimension to the working wardrobe.

The new suits are made to a slimmer fit, more modern cut than the traditional T.M.Lewin suits, and are produced using precise designer patterns and completed with striking linings, kissing buttons, strategic pocket placement and meticulous lapel structure.

The skilled, precise attention to detail gives them an element of sophistication one would associate with bespoke tailoring. The range signals a new direction for T.M. Lewin and a desire to create suits that are elegant and edgy but versatile enough to wear for an interview, on the trading floor or even in the boardroom.

Geoff Quinn, T.M. Lewin CEO, said, “This is the first new line we have produced in several years and the suits are more contemporary and sharper than ever before. We haven’t cut corners or compromised quality but have still produced affordable, accessible suits that feel and look tailor-made.”

He added, “In the world of business attire, it’s well-known that you dress for the job you want, not the job you have, but in these times of austerity that can be a challenge. These suits not only look great, fit like a glove and wear extremely well, but are also realistically priced. Whether you’re a graduate, manager or Chief Executive, T.M. Lewin has something that will help you look smart, feel empowered and perform at your best, no matter how tough your day gets.”

The new suits are priced at £299 but (the Earlham comes in at £249)

‘Cook’
Light Grey Prince of Wales Check, 85% Wool 15% Silk
Why use a blend of wool & silk?
• A slight sheen in appearance, silky to the touch
• Comfortable and extremely versatile
• A luxurious blended textile which is warm yet surprisingly silky
• Medium weight, with a feathery drape and a subtle, satiny finish a hint of plushness while not having the tell-tale itchiness of wool

‘Shackleton’
Plain blue, 80% Wool 20% Mohair

‘Drake’
Dark blue, 80% Wool 20% Mohair
Why use a blend of wool and mohair?
• Mohair is an insulator; wool is a conductor so together produce the perfect fabric for all climates
• Mohair is the most durable of all animal fibres and is resistant to soiling and creasing
• Benefit from having considerable natural stretch properties
• When blended with wool the lifespan and quality of the garment are enhanced
• Mohair fibres have natural lustre so the garment will always look impeccable

‘Scott’
Navy with chalk stripe, 100% Cool Wool
Why use cool wool?
• Plain weave fabric in super 110 merino wool, ideal for wear through spring summer and autumn
• It offers the wearer comfort through its open construction
• Enhanced performance comes from a slight ‘uptwist’ to the yarn
• A suit in this fabric will shed creases more readily and retain its shape over longer periods

‘Earlham’
Blue pin stripe, 100% Merino Wool

FACTFILE:
T.M.Lewin was established in 1898 in Jermyn Street, London and now has over 90 stores and 13 concessions in the UK and Ireland with further developments planned during 2012.

Thomas Mayes Lewin was obsessive about quality and value, and worked hard to establish T.M.Lewin’s reputation as a first class shirt tailor. Innovation was important to Mr. Lewin, and nearly 100 years ago, he became one of the first to make the 'coat-shirt', the thrn ground-breaking idea of a shirt with buttons down the front.

"Keeping in the spirit of our founder, we have continued, to this day, to make shirts and suits in the same time-honoured manner, using labour-saving advances only when they add to the quality, fit and comfort of our clothes," explained a spokesman.

For more information and to check out the range visit www.tmlewin.co.uk

The New Secret Support Collection 2011

After launching the hugely successful Secret Support clothing range last October, Marks & Spencer is now set to introduce a broader range of Secret Support dresses to shape you through 2011.

Incorporating the Secret Support™ technology used in the popular shapewear lingerie, the dresses have targeted control areas to shape you where you need it most - flattening tummies, cinching in waists and lifting bottoms for a perfectly streamlined silhouette.

The 2010 Secret Support dress sold out within weeks so be sure to get your hands on something from the new collection before it’s too late!

View the range here: http://www.marksandspencer.com/Dresses-Womens/b/43091030

New from Littlewoods, Europe!

Littlewoods Europe has announced the launch of its fantastic new collection for autumn 2011, which will be available on its websites.

The new season collection will launch with in excess of 10,000 new lines on offer, comprising 5,000 new fashion lines for the whole family, including women, men and children. In addition there will also be new lines of shoes, accessories, electrical, childrens toys and great new season pieces for the home.

In addition to this the new collection for autumn 2011 will include an increased range from the popular menswear brand Goodsouls, a heritage collection from kidswear brand Ladybird and more choice than ever before in Littlewoods Europe's Savior range in sizes 8 to 28. There will also be the addition of the new women's jeans range 'confident curves', which feature a silhouette smoothing tummy control panel.

The Littlewoods Europe fashion range will feature a number of key fashion trends for womenswear including 70s, vintage fair, beatnik and colour pop, which is continuing from the summer collection.

A spokesperson for Littlewoods Europe said: "Our new season's collection is our best yet. With thousands of new products and some great new brands, our customers have more choice than ever before. We have interpreted key cat walk trends, like pleats and tweeds to produce a very wearable range of clothing, with key on trend pieces plus great value basics, for customers to update their wardrobes for the new season."

FACTFILE:
Littlewoods Europe launched on 27th August 2009 is aimed at women who want the convenience of home delivery from one of their favourite British on-line retailers. The delivery cost is €5 regardless of size of order. Delivery is within 10 working days, with 28 days home approval guarantee. Littlewoods Europe currently delivers to 25 European countries including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romanic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

The Littlewoods Europe site features over 17000 product lines, from core categories of clothing such as womens dresses, womens swimwear, sandals, footwear, toys, kidswear & homeware.

Littlewoods Europe is part of Shop Direct Group who is the UK's largest online and home shopping retailer with sales of circa £1.7 billion.

Brands within the Shop Direct Group portfolio include www.Very.co.uk, www.Woolworths.co.uk, www.LittlewoodsIreland.ie, www.LittlewoodsEurope.com, www.Additionsdirect.co.uk, www.Choice.co.uk, www.kandco.com and www.isme.com

Bra-illiant! Debenhams launches lightest ever bra

Debenhams has launched its lightest ever t-shirt bra, weighing 48g, as the answer to the perfect everyday bra.

Debenhams head of lingerie buying and design, Sharon Webb said: "Many women find the search for a bra that fits, flatters, is comfortable and functional, is as hard as finding the right man.

"Our research showed that many traditional t-shirt bras were quite heavy due to their dense foam structure, which is required to give an invisible fit."

Over 90% of women in wearer trials agreed that the bra felt like a second skin.

Back specialist Dr David W. Evans commented: "Since half of the population will at some point probably wear a bra, it is important they will help more than they hinder.

"A properly fitted, well-designed bra, made of light materials that do not restrict movement, is likely to help women stay active, which is the best way to recover from back pain."

The light as air t-shirt bra has no bulk, and moulds to the body, feeling noticeably lighter than any other bra.

Debenhams Sharon Webb continued: "This is an everyday t-shirt bra, designed to be seam-free under clothes. It has bonded straps and bagged out wings for a luxury finish and added comfort.

"It's a weight off our shoulders. We are confident that once women try this bra, they will never wear another t-shirt bra again - it really is unbelievably comfortable."

Always looking for ways to make women feel more comfortable and confident, the team at Debenhams developed the bra to give a barely-there feel, whilst the light weight foam cup gives a smooth and round shape.

The light as air bra weighs 48g while other popular bra styles such as the regular t-shirt bra weigh 58g, a push up bra weighs in at 92g and a gel push up bra weighs around 235g.

Dorothy Perkins reveals its new Floradita collection, as it closes many High Street branches

Dorothy Perkins has announced this summer's launch of Floradita, a sophisticated, boutique-inspired floral collection. But there is a catch.

Floradita has a hint of the 1950s plus a touch of modern day romance, creating a capsule collection of fabrics in simple feminine shapes.

Whether it's a traditional wedding in the country, a refined garden party or just a stroll in the sunshine, Floradita has plenty to offer for everyone for every occasion.

From prim, full-skirted sundresses and floaty floral maxis, to delicately embroidered cropped jackets and peter-pan collar lace tops, this new range has a unique feel to it and is perfect for the summer months ahead.

Many of the items in the collection have a retro or vintage look, with floral patterns being a strong theme throughout. This is featured boldly on skirts and summer dresses, and used more subtly on lace detailed tops.

A limited edition range of Floradita jewellery will also be available, complementing the clothing. A chunky gold chain necklace with bold flower charms adds a quirky touch, while rose printed cameos create a more quintessentially English look, found on stud earrings, a statement ring and a pendent necklace.

The range also includes accessories, like floral print summer wedges, bright coloured clutch bags and oversized sunglasses.

Floradita is available in selected stores nationwide and online on the Dorothy Perkins website from the beginning of June 2011.

The catch is, however, that many Dorothy Perkins shoppers will lose out, as a large number of Dorothy Perkins branches throughout Britain are to close next month. Ironically at the same time as the new Floradita range is being launched.

Debenhams has revealed that embarrassment is causing 85% of the female population to wear the wrong sized bra

Despite Debenhams carrying out over one million bra fits a year, the majority of women would rather spare their own blushes than go and get measured for a bra that does the job.

The findings came from a survey by Debenhams, which showed that going topless, feeling uncomfortable and being made to feel embarrassed came out as reasons women felt reluctant to go for a professional bra fitting - all three are completely false.

Debenhams head of lingerie buying and design Sharon Webb commented: "The results of our survey were shocking - it's astounding how many myths there are surrounding how a bra fit works.

"What's more a woman can go from a 36B to a shapely 32D in a matter of minutes by getting a good bra fit - no drastic surgery required."

Britain's first lady of lingerie, designer Aliza Reger added: "Fit is of paramount importance, a great fitting bra makes you look good on the outside and feel fantastic on the inside. 

"It really is staggering how many women get it totally wrong.  There really is nothing worse than an unsupported bust or spilling over the top of an ill-fitting bra."

Until the 22nd May 2011, the hundreds of expertly trained lingerie fitters at Debenhams are fitting as many women as possible, to raise awareness of the importance of wearing the right sized bra and the dramatic difference it can make to a woman's figure.

Women can take advantage of the free bra fitting service in all Debenhams stores, and those who do so during May will receive £5 off bras when they are fitted.