New to Debenhams is the latest collection from lingerie experts Triumph. A breakthrough in innovative and sensual style, the new range – Body Make-up – introduces a new concept in everyday lingerie.

Combining the latest in fabric and technology, together with on-trend ‘true-to-you’ colours and styles, the Body Make-up designs are smooth next to your skin, with no seams making the range virtually invisible under your clothes.

As for the ‘true-to-you’ colours, so far we’re truly in love. Smooth Skin, Coffee Sugar, Cherry Pink, White, Vanille and Violet – Light Comb are the variations on offer. Which one would you be?

There are three different bra styles to choose from, together with a slip dress or skirt, all sheer, sleek and soft to the touch – take our word for it, the Body Make-up range has to be touched to be believed.

Pop into Debenhams and see how Body Make-up feels, and fits, today.

Shop Body Make-up 

Looking for the perfect outfit for those summer nights? With an abundance of sexy, stylish and sophisticated on-trend scarf prints just waiting to be snapped up, and wrapped around you, Debenhams has your seasonal style covered.

Seen all over the catwalk at D&G spring/summer ’12, many a high street label rushed to ‘Get the Look’. Subsequently, the latest collection for Warehouse boasts a perfectly sexy tunic dress in blue and gold with a sexy tie belt, while Debut and ‘Designer for Debenhams’ Julien Macdonald work two trends combined, with asymmetric scarf prints in golden hues, and aqua tones, respectively.

(Above image left to right: Tunic dress at Warehouse, Asymmetric evening dress from Debut, Aqua print dress from Star by Julien Macdonald)

(Above image left to right: Maxi dress and short shift, both at Oasis)

Oasis, similarly, have worked the look to perfection with a short and sweet, vibrantly coloured, dress that wouldn’t have looked out of place on the D&G ’12 catwalk itself. When it comes to maximum style though, the brand’s version of the scarf print maxi is guaranteed to turn heads.

(Above image left to right: Turquoise shift and asymmetric hem dress at Red Herring)

A Debenhams trend report wouldn’t be complete without a nod to Red Herring. The fashion forward label is always bang-on-trend, with scarf prints here found to be both colourful and quirky. We love the turquoise shift, complete with contrasting bursts of bright red, and the contrasting styles of the white chiffon dress with its floral top, butterfly hem skirt and animal print halter top straps.

With so many trends incorporated into one look it appears as if the designers were, quite literally, spoilt for choice when creating for spring/summer ’12.

With all the brands and new season style at Debenhams, we certainly feel a tad spoilt too…

Shop scarf prints

Only a couple weeks to go until the Jubilee celebrations begin! How exciting!

We’ve been invited to my sister’s street party where they are organising a sports day with an opening and closing ceremony with classic games in-between, such as an egg and spoon and sack race- what fun!! It will bring back such nostalgia from when we were little ones ourselves!

Every shop and company from clothes to food, stationery to plants are gearing up for the Jubilee aren’t they? There are union jacks everywhere and everything is coloured red, white and blue – it makes me proud to be British! I absolutely loved seeing all the flags and bunting up on Oxford street this week when I arrived for work – it looks brilliant! It must look amazing to tourists who are here for the events this summer.

With the red, white and blue on force everywhere, I am sure you will have started thinking about Jubilee weekend outfits for the numerous parties that will be happening up and down the country. Check out our J by Jasper Conran range across boys and girls, from babies to older kids, for an amazing selection of dresses, trousers, shirts and smart outfits all perfectly suited to a traditional British theme!

Shop Kids’ J by Jasper Conran

Triumph has created a new Super Cool Bra, showcased yesterday in Tokyo, that really is ‘cool’, in every sense of the word…

Do you find the train commute a bit stifling in the summer? Does your office get so hot you find yourself practically stripping off during an important meeting with the boss? If so, this new bra concept from Triumph could save your temperament, and protect your modesty, with a built in ice pack guaranteed to keep body, and mind, cool in the heat.

Available in two different colours, the bra is designed to look like a fishbowl, with fish and seaweed patterns adorning the cups. Complete with gel pads that must be placed in the freezer for up to two hours before inserting into the cups, the quirky lingerie also comes complete with a sprig of mint and miniature wind chime to create a ‘refreshing fragrance and sound’. In addition, there is the option to choose a bamboo ladle accessory (used to splash water over the body) or a mini hand fan – each attached to the side of the bra itself. So far, so nothing like anything we have in our lingerie drawer…

While we may stock Triumph at Debenhams, unfortunately this particular item won’t be hanging off our rails anytime soon. In reality, this unique design was solely created to encourage Japanese citizens to cut down on their air conditioning. Personally, we think it’s rather neglectful to not make one for the Debenhams team, currently occupying an office that doesn’t seem to have even heard of air conditioning…

In all seriousness, following the Fukushima nuclear power disaster in March 2011, Japan has been facing a number of energy issues. According to Triumph spokesperson Yoshiko Masuda:

“The whole nation, especially the Kansai region, use expected to suffer from a shortfall of electricity. Companies and families now have to deal with higher electricity bills, so we decided on this theme as we felt we had to increase awareness of saving electricity. ”

With every magazine and newspaper, and of course the Debenhams blog, discussing the bras, and in turn the issue, today… we think it’s done the trick.

Shop Triumph lingerie

With Jubilee fever about to hit the nation, here at Debenhams we’ve been thinking about our own Crown Jewels – our stunning jewellery ranges to be precise.

Back when Kate said ‘I do’ to William, we’re willing to bet that her mind was thinking about her newly acquired access to the family jewels. Wearing a stunning dress by Alexander McQueen’s own Sarah Burton (jealous much, us?) and rocking a tiara on loan from the Queen herself, a nation was transfixed. We wanted to shine and shimmer like a Princess…. Fast forward to summer 2012 and the arrival of the latest jewellery ranges in store at Debenhams and oh look – now we can!

The arrival in store of No.1 by Jenny Packham seems to have re-sparked our love for sparkles, with a stunning jewellery range on offer alongside the beautiful occasionwear dresses. The necklaces (pictured above) are our personal favourites from the collection, especially the gold heart shaped locket – we’re keeping it in mind for when we marry Harry and become the nation’s ‘Queen of Hearts’.

(Above image left to right: Gold bangle at J by Jasper Conran, Gold pearlescent cuff by Vicenza, Cream enamel bracelet at Vicenza)

Back to present day and our summer shopping wish list simply has to include an assortment of bangles and bracelets. Chunky, slinky, sparkly or glitzy, wrist adornments look amazing when teamed together so, take it from us, a few different styles piled one on top of the other creates a striking way to give a classic summer dress an instant sparkle – figuratively and literally.

(Above image left to right: Jon Richard Kate ring, Aurora Borealis crystal dome ring at Star by Julien Macdonald, Jenny Packham silver cluster ring)

And, while waiting for Harry to hand over that engagement ring, we’re more than happy to content ourselves with the ring selection at Debenhams this summer. If you’re into over-sized or understated, on-trend or classic, there’s a ring that fits.

For an eye-catching option we love the crystal dome ring from Star by Julien Macdonald and, just to drive home the point of how much we’re loving No.1 by Jenny Packham accessories, the silver cluster ring is already showing on both our finger… and our credit card bill. At least we can take comfort in the fact that Kate’s engagement ring can be ours, for a whole lot less, thanks to the replica creation by Jon Richard. Surely even our credit card company can’t complain about that…

(Above image left to right: Betty Jackson. Black gold metallic earrings, Silver knot drop earrings at J by Jasper Conran, Turquoise drop earrings at Vicenza)

In the earring department we’re also spoilt for choice, with drop styles and studs, simple or colourful, gold and silver – we admit the silver knot drop earrings at J by Jasper Conran are definitely a firm favourite. In fact, we’re already picturing teaming them with an outfit from the brand’s new capsule collection…

With the two combined, we might even go so far as to say we’ll look positively regal.

Shop the Debenhams’ jewellery ranges 

Reaction to our No. 1 by Jenny Packham range has been so amazing, we invited Jenny herself into the office, to chat to fans of the collection in another of our popular Facebook takeovers…

FB:What underwear do you recommend under those evening dresses?
JP: I would recommend body shapewear for jersey dresses. Obviously depending on the dress you will either need a strapless bra or backless bra if the back isn’t enclosed. Spanxs are great for a smooth silhouette and buldge control!

FB: I love your dresses but would you consider doing any size 20′s?
JP: At the moment we seem to only be going up to a size 18, I shall have a word and do my best for you!

FB: I have two weddings to go to this year do I have something I could wear to both but that could be adapted to look slightly different?
JP: There is a great one shoulder dress in fuschia pink, there is no embellishment so you could add different accessories for each event. Flowery fascinator look or jewelled look.

FB: Of all your wedding gowns which has been your favourite?
JP: There is a dress called Pappilion which was inspired by a piece of art deco jewellery. It’s become a Jenny Packham classic and for some reason it still remains very fresh and desireable. We’ve done a mini version flower girl collection

FB: I’m getting married on a beach in florida in september! I dont want a full on wedding dress, just something simple!! Any recommendations?
JP: You could easily find a satin slip which you could accessorise with an ivory feather comb and a deco crystal clutch bag. See if you can find some sparkely flip flops!

FB: I’m a huge fan of your dresses, beautiful! I saw some photos of the press preview and noticed a gorgeous knee-length dress with golden beading which seemed to have a 1920s influence… do you know if and when we can find it in stores? I have a ball coming up and would love to wear it! Thanks!
JP: That dress will be coming out in the autumn. It’s a favourite of mine too.
FB: Aww, a little bit too late for my ball then, but it’s so pretty I might just have to buy it and keep it for another occasion! 

FB: Hi. Am renewing my vows in august, but dont know what to wear, please help!
JP: What about this wrap maxi dress?  Perhaps you could accessorise with the halo feather band. I think it is an opportunity to dress up.

FB: Thank you for advice, would that dress suit any figure?
JP: I think it is worth a try as you can wear a bra. It excentuates the waist and as it’s a neutral colour you should be able to find a great wrap to wear with it if you are worried about showing your arms.

That’s all we had time for – but thanks to everyone who stopped by to ‘takeover’ our Facebook page and ask Jenny a question. To make sure you don’t miss out on the next takeover event, like us today.

Shop the No. 1 by Jenny Packham collection

Rugby players, sportsmen, athletes and sports fans of all ages have long been associated with the men’s fashion classic; the polo shirt. Former England and British & Irish Lions legend Phil Vickery loves a polo shirt so much he dedicates a large section of his menswear brand Raging Bull to them and it boasts a cool collection of colours and designs. But what’s his favourite polo shirt? We decided to find out. Here are his thoughts;

“I wear quite a few items from my range but there are a few I keep coming back too.  In my mind nothing  beats a classic polo shirt and it may come as a surprise to some of my  ex front row colleagues that I quite fancy myself in the pink one!  The quality of the polos is really good which is so important to me and I am really glad that along with Debenhams we are offering £15 off all classic polos which is a great opportunity to stock up.”

So pink is big with the rugby crowd eh? And we thought it was just Stade Francais!

Shop Phil’s favourite polo shirt

When the smell of sausages sizzling on the barbecue drifts over your  fence or down your street from a hidden garden for the first time of the year you know barbecue season has arrived and al fresco dining is back on the menu!

To celebrate the return of the most sociable of culinary traditions we’re giving you the chance to win a fantastic Landmann barbecue worth £490.

Simply enter your details below or enter through Facebook for a chance to win.

T&Cs apply

A new capsule collection from J by Jasper Conran is set to launch this week, finally bringing us something to brighten up the dark and gloomy days that this endless rain has brought…

Set to hit Debenhams’ stores, and online, any day now we thought we’d perk up a dreary Monday afternoon with a sneak peek of a few dresses set to feature in the stunning collection. Looking them over today, and selecting which one (or two) we’ll be hoping to buy, has certainly worked for us.

The new range is full of pieces that simply scream style, sure to be perfectly at home in the finest of scenarios. Heading to the races? You’ll find a look that will make headlines, for all the right reasons, in this gorgeous new collection. The black polka dot number (above right) reminds us of Julia Roberts at the races in Pretty Woman – post-makeover, of course.

Be it a glamorous cocktail party, formal black tie event or the romantic occasion of a summertime wedding, there is a dress in this new collection that has been designed to answer every female’s conundrum of what to wear for that special event.

For more details of when the collection has landed follow us on twitter @debenhams and ‘like’ us on facebook.

Comment below and let us know what you think of the new J by Jasper Conran Capsule Collection…

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer has hit Debenhams this month, with our ‘Think Pink‘ initiative a top trend for spring.

‘Think Pink‘ is Debenhams’ own Breast Cancer initiative, with money saved from the sale of certain products going towards three breast cancer charities. An official supporter of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Campaign and Pink Ribbon Foundation, Debenhams aims to fund world-class research and increase the understanding and awareness of how breast cancer develops.

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer is one such way in which Debenhams seeks to achieve this. This month’s nationwide campaign sees us join the likes of Georgia Jagger (pictured above) and Pixie Geldof as they lead the way, fronting the 2012′s Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.

(Above left to right: Navy corsage headband, Navy ‘Britannia’ bow headband and Navy meshed navy headband, all at Debut)
30% of the retail price of this product is paid to Breakthrough Promotions Limited which is wholly owned by and gives all its taxable profits to Breakthrough Breast Cancer, a charity registered in England & Wales (No. 1062636) and Scotland (No. SCO39058), under the Gift Aid Scheme. The Fashion Targets Breast Cancer name and logo are licensed by the Council of Fashion Designers of America / CFDA Foundation, Inc, USA.

This year, in honour of the jubilee, we have a gorgeous range of British themed products for you to peruse, such as the gorgeous and quirky fascinators (pictured above), with 30% from the sale of each product going towards the FTBC cause.

Now in its 16th year, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer urges women everywhere to join together to fight against breast cancer. Set up in 1994 by Ralph Lauren, in 1996 Breakthrough Breast Cancer came on board to help the fight through fashion.

Since then, notable names such as Claudia Schiffer, Jerry Hall, Kate Moss and Elle MacPherson have all been involved in the cause, with high street retailers annually selling themed products, with up to 30% of all proceeds going towards Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

 Buy it. Fight it. Wear your support! 

Shop all Debenhams’ Fashion Targets Breast Cancer themed items

For further details on how proceeds will aid the fight against breast cancer, click here.

For further details on the charities that Debenhams supports, click here.

After resisting the temptation to keep the debut Jenny Packham collection all to ourselves, we decided to show it off to you after all – with a special blogger event in store.

Blogs, today, are the magazines of tomorrow. Whereas front row of London Fashion Week used to be exclusively reserved for the fashion editors of the ‘glossies’, these days anyone can obtain a coveted place at all the top shows by ‘just’ writing fashion pieces from their bedroom.

Ever heard of Boy Meets Fashion? Named by The Telegraph as one of the top ten fashion bloggers in the UK, the man behind the blog admitted that, prior to this, his own family weren’t even aware that he had ever started a fashion site. It was a hobby for him yet, by posting advice and beautiful imagery, it became essential reading for the fashion world.

The beauty of blogging is that it’s a space to write about what truly inspires. A space for an artist to call their own, with no designers, no advertisers… and certainly no boss to request what they want in a feature. This is why, here at Debenhams, we love bloggers. If they say that they love our collections – we know they really do.

And we knew there was no way they wouldn’t love No. 1 by Jenny Packham. Personally, as editor for the Debenhams’ blog and website, I had seen many a stunning image of the collection, but last night was my first viewing ‘up close and personal’. I wasn’t disappointed. The designs are just as gorgeous, when in front of you, as they appear in photographs – I’ve already picked out two or three for upcoming weddings. The cream floral vintage evening dress is a personal favourite, looking exactly like it stepped off the set of TV’s Mad Men.

Speaking of weddings, I chatted for some time to a ‘wedding blogger’, who definitely had her eye on the jewellery range, complete with delicate-looking tiara headpieces, elaborate brooches and long-length sparkling chains. In fact, the jewellery section was a huge attraction for all in attendance – click here to see why.

No look, no matter how fabulous, is complete without a dazzling pair of shoes. The diamante leaf court shoes are my personal favourite, presenting something of a shoe-situation as I’m now deliberating between purchasing the ivory or the pale pink. Is it wrong to buy both?

At this rate, I’ll be buying the whole collection and, judging by the response from the bloggers in attendance last night, I doubt I’ll be the only one.

Shop the No. 1 by Jenny Packham collection

Click here to discover  how you can WIN a No. 1 by Jenny Packham dress!

This wet weather is depressing isn’t it! Week after week and it is still showing no sign of letting up. Those with children will be feeling the same pain myself and my husband have been feeling I am sure which stems from a frustrated little one being couped up indoors, everyday, due to the non stop rain! By sunday we had done every puzzle, drawn every picture and played matching pairs ten times over. Then came a break in the rain…. Us and every other family in St Albans, it seemed, broke free from our homes and ran to the park for an hour’s fresh air before the rain started again!

And do you know what, we had so much fun! We all donned our wellies and rain macs and splashed in every puddle we could find! Chloe thought it was the best fun and even said we were “just like peppa pig splashing in muddle puddles”!

It has made me realise that it is just grown ups who can’t stand the rain- the little ones love it! Put them in a puddle suit and wellies and they’ll be in their element in the rain! Let’s face it there is plenty more to come over the next couple of weeks so best to maximise the use of those wellies before we hopefully get to put them away in place of our flip flops when the British summer time actually arrives?!!

Keep the little ones looking good in a big way, by shopping our kids’ wellies!

Go on… let them make a style splash!

Thanks to the new ‘Ultimate Weight Loss Wardrobe’ from Weight Watchers, in collaboration with Debenhams, it’s never been easier to lose a bit of weight, as you gain a lot of style…

As a diet devotee, it’s wonderful to see the weight drop off and your success stand out. More often than not however, the only clothes you can find to fit tend to do the opposite. It’s hardly fair – you lose all that weight, but no one can see it. It’s hard to know, with your ever-changing shape, what to wear and how to wear it.

Armed with expert knowledge of what the weight loss woman wants, Weight Watchers have designed, together with the team at Debenhams, a collection that specifically meets the fashion needs of women on a weight loss journey. Set to empower slimmers all over the UK, the aim is to encourage women to embrace the shopping experience, whatever their size, shape, or level of confidence regarding their size.

(Top image left to right: Red cardigan at J by Jasper Conran, Red Herring necklace, Red Herring cuff, Black belt from Collection, Silver ring at Van Peterson)

(Above left to right: Yellow mac at Collection, Gold beaded bracelet from Red Herring, Blue print summer dress by Black.Betty Jackson)

The new collection derived from the results of a survey with over 100 Weight Watchers women, a survey that highlighted the harsh reality of hitting the high-street, when self-esteem regarding body image is low.

Beccie, from West Sussex, can tell us a thing or two about this. A Weight Watchers, weight loss success story with 5.5 stone lost on the ProPoints plan, she explains:

“Buying new clothes every time I dropped a dress size with Weight Watchers  meant that I had to keep replacing my wardrobe which was not only expensive, but it’s difficult to know what styles to buy when your body type is changing. Having a capsule of traditional items that celebrates your shape along the way is a brilliant idea. “

The collection contains key pieces ranging from patterned jersey wrap dresses and A-line skirts, to stretch wide-leg trousers and belted jackets – with the odd few fabulous accessories to perk you up, while waiting for the weight to go down.

While designing the collection, Weight Watchers and Debenhams took fashion advice from celebrity stylist, Louise Roe, who recommended for Beccie:

“Beccie has a beautiful hour glass figure, so items that cinch in at the waist will both show off her curves and adjust to fit her as the weight continues to fall off. A-line skirts will make her waist look even smaller and heels will show off that lovely set of pins that she always used to hide away!”

(Above image left to right: Faith pale pink shoes, Wedges from Faith, Navy dress at Rocha.John Rocha, J by Jasper Conran palazzo trousers)

Shop the Weight Watchers’ ‘Ultimate Weight Loss Wardrobe’ today and see how the suggested styles can work for you and your, ever-changing, fabulous new figure.

Would you like £500 to spend on your very own weight loss wardrobe at Debenhams ? Click here for your chance to WIN!

In honour of our ‘Bra Fit’ month here at Debenhams, we took an hour to answer your questions about our brands, bras and boobs!

FB: Can you talk me through the bra fit process? Do I have to take my bra off?
Debenhams: Not at all! Our experienced bra fit experts will totally put you at ease and spend time understanding what it is you’re looking for. You will need to remove your top but keep your bra on. The bra fitter may measure you around you rib cage but some can assess you by eye and by asking you questions about the current size you are wearing. They will then get a selection of bras for you to try on and assess how well they fit you.

FB: I’m a 40 A and I find that this is a difficult size to find, I only found one in M&S and it was lacy, not the T shirt bra I was looking for… Why is this size so difficult to find in a variety of styles.
Debenhams: We have just launched a couple of new t-shirt bras that come in this size with Triumph.

FB: Hi there, how often would you recommend getting fitted?
Debenhams: Ideally every 6 months but we recommend that you have a bra fit whenever your body changes for example pre and post pregnancy and weight gain or loss to make sure you look and feel your best!

FB: I think that model in the photo needs a fitting, because that bra she is wearing clearly doesn’t fit her!!!

Debenhams: Well spotted, we think she could do with having her straps adjusting!
FB: I had a lovely lady help me find a perfect fit bra from Debenhams and she made me feel at ease I will deffo get my next bra from your store in Portsmouth again.
Debenhams: That’s great to hear! We hope this will be a positive experience you will share with your friends.

FB: I have droopy boobs and normally a 44D but how do I get a bra that is stylish and holds me in place?
Debenhams: We have two brands that go up to a 44D that offer a range of smooth and pretty styles. These are Triumph and our new launch today, Elomi. We hope you find something you like!

FB: I went down a whole dress size after being fitted with the correct bra at Debenhams after being measured totally incorrectly at M&S. The Gorgeous range is great & really makes the most of my cleavage! The assistant also gave me lots of advice as I’ve lost a lot of weight & wanted to know how to make sure I make the most of it going forwards.

Debenhams: That’s wonderful news! Our Gorgeous range will be celebrating it’s 10 year anniversary in a few weeks time so keep your eye out for some exciting activity taking place!

FB: No bra fits me since giving birth and returning to normal size, I have one boob a size bigger so i have to either size up or size down, depending on the comfort of the bra. It’s so difficult.
Debenhams: We know this can be a difficult problem. We advise that you choose a bra that fits your biggest breast then use a bust enhancer to fill the other cup.

FB: I hate being measured. It’s the most uncomfortable situation I’ve ever been put in. I’d rather give birth again!
Debenhams: We’re sorry to hear that. This shouldn’t be a daunting experience – our bra fitters come in all shapes and sizes and should put you at ease. Our personal shoppers are also all trained to bra fit so perhaps try this service as it could be more enjoyable for you.

FB: Debenhams are really great at helping to fit for these – I always go there to get fitted and buy new ones. Want to ask though, I can never remember, should one that fits clip on the centre fasteners or the end ones?
Debenhams: A bra that fits will clip on the middle one – this can allow for monthly weight fluctuations, and also as the elastic can stretch over time gives you the chance to tighten up.

FB: I got fitted last week in Norwich by a lovely lady who was really helpful. Only problem is, we still cant buy *off the peg* as sizes are different by the makes… I came away with two different sized bras!
Debenhams: I am glad you had a good experience in store! Sizing should be fairly consistent but like shopping for all clothes some brands/retailers can come up slightly different, some brands can suit you better than others. The bra fitters see lots of women in our bras so can be helpful in advising if something comes up a little tight under the bust or a little big in the cup. The team are there to offer advice as well as fit you so for future it is always worth asking them.

FB: I use a 36 C, sometimes D but my problem is that my boobs aren’t huge but wide if you understand what i mean so sometimes the bra gets to big outwards and if I go down to a B cup they are clearly to small as then my boobs jumps out or you can feel the cup doesn’t cup in all of my boob. I know I don’t explain it very well but hopefully you understand me anyway and can advice me n a good bra. I’m all about making them look bigger (lol) and I like to have a good cleavage too….
Debenhams: You are right – you can be the same size as someone but have different shape breasts, it’s a bit like outwear for example you may choose to wear different styles of jeans to suit your shape like bootcut, skinny etc and this is the same for lingerie, different styles of bras suit different people. The bra fit process should be not only be about finding out what size you are but also about what style suits you. It sounds to me like you need a plunge – this pulls the breasts inwards and creates a cleavage. Next time you are in Debenhams talk to one of our advisors about this and they can point you in the right direction.

FB: I hate bra shopping with a passion. I can try on about 8 bras and end up with none. I’m a 32G and struggle to find pretty bras in my size that fit properly.
Debenhams: I am sorry to hear that – we hate shopping for Jeans!!! We have a really big selection of styles in a 32G on-line and in store from brands such as Freya, Fantasie, Gorgeous and Curvy Kate. Again much like my suggestion to Nina it might be worth spending some time with the bra fitter to really explore what sort of shape bra suits your body shape and once you find a brand you like it may be easier to find – we hope you find something you like.

We hope this Q&A managed to answer any questions you might have about bra fitting but, if you do happen to have a question, simply pop in store and have a bra fitting today!

Or, alternatively, pop a comment on this post and we’ll try and help as best we can!

Read all about what our Womenswear Editor discovered when she tried and tested the Debenhams’ bra fitting service.

Ever wondered how some women achieve that glossy,smooth ‘just left the hairdressers’ look day in, day out? Beauty blogger Ree shares the secret of her salon-perfect locks – and it’s so easy, you will be able to enjoy a fabulous blow-dry every day…

“Like most women, I’ve never mastered the art of blow-drying my hair. I’ve watched carefully as my hairdresser creates beautiful sleek styles, but I just don’t have the co-ordination to control a brush and a hairdryer at the same time. So,
years of trying to re-create the big, bouncy ‘just seen the hairdresser’ look have resulted in frustrated failure. I’ve always ended up rough-drying my hair, then attempting to flatten out the kinks with a brush.

Until now, that is. I recently discovered the BaByliss Big Hair on a video shoot and all that changed. After a short practice I was completely hooked. It smoothes out all the kinks in my hair and adds amazing shine and shape at the same time.

It is a dryer and brush all in one and the clever rotating head does all the work for you, creating natural movement and shine along the lengths of the hair. Such a time saver, and the result is so professional looking. It gives me a really smooth,sleek blow-dried look with subtle volume. My hair literally looks like it has had the salon treatment.”

We have three of these fantastic BaByliss products to give away. To be in with a chance simply enter your details below or enter through Facebook.

T&Cs apply.

Fancy winning £500 to spend on a shopping spree at Debenhams? Thanks to the new ‘Ultimate Weight Loss Wardrobe’ from Weight Watchers, in collaboration with Debenhams, you could win exactly that…

Sign up to receive the Debenhams’ emails for your chance to win. If successful, you can create your own weight loss wardrobe with the help of one of our expert personal shoppers… and pay for it with a £500 gift card!

The new ‘Ultimate Weight Loss Wardrobe’ collection is the outcome of a survey to over 100 Weight Watchers women, a survey that highlighted the harsh reality of hitting the high-street with an ever-changing body shape.

Set to empower slimmers all over the UK, the aim of the ‘Ultimate Weight Loss Wardrobe’ is to encourage women to embrace the shopping experience, whatever their size, shape, or level of confidence regarding their size.

T&Cs apply 

Chinos are a wardrobe must-have for men of all ages, style and body shapes. For every man there is a chino!

Our collection of chinos boasts a huge range of colours, styles and fit, whatever look you’re going for, we’ve got the chino for you.

Which fit suits me?

Our four main fits of chinos are classic, straight, slim and carrot.

Classic fit chinos

Classic fit chinos sit on waist, are regular fitting, loose fit through the hips, thigh and knee and taper gently at the ankle. A versatile wardrobe staple, classic chinos work well with the classic blazer and shirt look and offers a smart alternative to the jeans and polo shirt combination, particularly when paired with boat shoes.

Shop classic fit chinos
See & shop the fit

Straight fit chinos

Straight fit chinos sit on the waist, are straight through the legs with a straight leg hem and are a wardrobe must-have for men. A great alternative to jeans straight legged chinos work well with a fitted shirt and jacket for a contemporary office look or with a polo shirt and loafers for more casual occasions.

Shop straight fit chinos
Shop the look

Slim fit chinos

Slim fit chinos sit low on the waist, are slim through the leg and are a stylish and versatile option for men. Pair with a striped t-shirt, a lightweight jacket and espadrilles for a relaxed look or dress up with a blazer and brogues.

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Carrot fit chinos

Carrot fit chinos feature a relaxed drop crotch cut and a slim tapered leg and are a chino with a contemporary twist. Look great when paired with printed tees, on-trend patched tops and a casual pair of espadrilles or with brogue boots and a slim fitting cardigan.

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The much-anticipated first collection by Jenny Packham, our latest designer for Debenhams, is finally here…

Presenting a range of gorgeous dresses in the designer’s stunning signature style, we’re very excited to reveal that a selection of women’s, accessories and childrens’ occasionwear – all by No. 1 Jenny Packham – is now available at Debenhams.

Jenny Packham says: “As a young girl I was regularly abandoned in Debenhams Southampton whilst my parents disappeared to search for the latest Teasmade or some other ‘must have’ electrical appliance. During this time I lost myself in the rails of ’70s polyester and dreamt of a life in fashion. Therefore it is only natural that I have chosen Debenhams to launch my first High Street collection. My aim, always, is to design styles that create glamour and excitement whether it is for the red carpet or a teenage prom.”

Jenny Packham is probably best known for her sumptuous bridal gowns, and ready-to-wear collections, which are often seen on the red carpet and on-screen. ’A’ list fans to date include the lovely Jennifer Aniston and Keira Knightley, so for that alone we’re certainly converted…

To be perfectly honest though, designs as lovely as this latest collection certainly don’t need any celebrity endorsement to fly off the door and right on into our wardrobes. Dresses are a mixture of softness and structure in soft metallics, floral or intricate graphic prints and bold block colours – all encompassing the same exquisite detail synonymous with Jenny Packham.

We’re so excited about this fashionably fabulous No. 1 by Jenny Packham launch, we’ve decided to give away a gorgeous new dress from the range! Like what you see in the Floral Sateen Prom Dress?

Pictured above, this fabulous design, worth £95, could be yours* – just enter your details below and pray to the fashion Gods.

Good luck! We have to admit, we’re rather jealous already…

*Terms & Conditions apply

Designer Melissa Odabash recently took over our Facebook page for a chat with fans of her gorgeous swimwear range. Read on to see what unfolded…

Q: Where do you draw your inspiration for the forthcoming seasons?
Melissa: I travel to all the trend forecast shows and I love getting my inspiration from vintage shops and markets around the world. I also get lots of inspiration from the old James Bond movies, I love 60s style!

Q: Which costume is best for a pear shaped figure?
Melissa: I love the dark turquoise bandeau swimsuit because the padding and rouching on top gives you the appearance of a fuller bust. The accessory draws attention away from your upper half making your proportions look more equal. It also comes with removable straps and having straps over the shoulder gives the illusion that your shoulders and hips are the same width.

Q: Hi Melissa, which bikini from your collection suits a larger bust the best? And what are your top tips for body confidence on holiday?!
Melissa: For a larger bust I recommend a supportive bikini top that has moulding and underwire as that would give you double support. Having detail on the strap draws attention away from your bust. My favourite for your body shape is the brown snake print bikini top. My top tips for body confidence would be stick to a neutral colour, nothing too flashy as you don’t want to stand out too much on the beach. I also always recommend self tanner twice before you hit the beach, it always makes your body look slimmer and gives you sun kissed glow so you don’t look like a ghost walking down the beach. Good question Emma!

Q: Why swimwear rather than other areas of apparel?
Melissa: Hi, I used to be a swimwear model for 10 years whilst I was living in Italy and started my own collection 12 years ago selling in more than 48 countries so it came naturally to me! I saw what worked and what didn’t work and what women were really looking for. I’m glad to be able to do a line with Debenhams so I reach out to a different market.

Q: Do you have a favourite piece in the new Beach collection?
Melissa: My favourite piece is the new maxi animal print dress as I think animal print never goes out of style and this dress can be worn in the day with flats and at night with heels and necklaces. It hides all your flaws as it’s not too fitted!

Q: Hi Melissa, wondered if you could tell me the best colour for a blonde to wear on the beach this season? I have a fairly dark skin tone even though I have fair hair – helped by a few highlights of course!
Melissa: You sound like any colour would look amazing on you, it’s a girls dream to have dark skin with blonde hair! I love coral colour for blondes. Why not try this Peach embroidered kaftan?

Q: Is there any chance you could enhance your collection and create amazing sun glasses and shoes???
Melissa: Yes, hopefully we will be working on expanding the collection into other areas, I agree sunglasses would look great with some of these kaftans!

Q: Melissa I heard that you make amazing candles!!! Are you doing a range for Debenhams?
Melissa: Thanks for the compliment, we’re not planning anything right now but it’s a great idea, we’ll look to create something in the future at Debenhams!

Q: When are you going to start using children with special needs to model your clothing?
Melissa: This is something Debenhams have already done and plan to continue to look at moving forward. I’m proud to work with Debenhams who as a brand always strive to be inclusive in fact they recently won the Body Confidence Award for 2012!

Q: What colour swimwear do you think best suits pale complexions?
Melissa: I always recommend to start your holiday with neutral colours until you get a base tan then you can experiment with a few brighter colours such as turquoise and coral. I am still a big fan of self tanner which I always use before I hit the beach!

One Facebook fan summed up the event perfectly with the comment: “Thanks so much Melissa & Debenhams, such a great way to get expert advice from the woman herself!”

Here at Debenhams we’ve been looking out the window in dismay lately, bemoaning the rain, shivering as we leave the office, even resorting to chocolate picnics at our desk, just to try and help us raise a smile…

Today though, the sun came out – both literally and metaphorically – when the rainclouds moved on from the sky and the latest collections rocked up in store. Now, instead of despairing over our lack of spring/summer, we’ve got sun in the sky and a spring in our step as we plan our new season style – with Ascot, particularly Ladies’ Day, first on our fashion hit list.

These days, as fun as it is to glam up all rock chick chic in our leather trousers and head to Mahiki to try and catch a glimpse of Prince Harry, we don’t tend to get too many occasions to really dress up to the nines, in the presence of the Royals no less. Ladies’ Day at Ascot calls for high fashion and elegant style. Even the official Ascot website itself states that Ladies’ Day, while all of Ascot is indeed reminiscent of a fashion show, is “when the designer creations and millinery masterpieces reach new heights.”

So here we come to that old question of ‘what to wear’. Read on for our top pick of the spring/summer, Ladies’ Day destined styles…

At Ascot, take it from us, you’ll want to dress it up. The style of Ascot is traditional, very British, one might say. Finding the right dress for such an occasion can be a nightmare which is why we both love, and recommend, Debut at Debenhams. A collection full of prom perfect, dainty delightful dresses, you can be sure that no matter how your horse does, you won’t be coming last in the style stakes.

(Top image: Debut, Red Herring and Rocha.John Rocha)

While we love the creamy tulle effect of the number above, we also love the Red Herring Limited Edition we’ve picked out alongside it. When it comes to British style nothing says it quite like florals, evoking the image of the quintessential British Rose. The Rocha. John Rocha number alongside it, is certainly the colour of roses.

(Above image: No. 1 by Jenny Packham, Collection, Black.Betty Jackson)

New to Debenhams this month, we can’t wait to snap up the entire No. 1 by Jenny Packham range – a favoured designer of Kate Middleton – with this floral 50′s style number a sure thing for Ladies’ Day. If you love the prom style yet like your colours more classic, you may want to bet on buying the Collection option. The Betty Jackson floral number is another favourite of ours. There’s just too much choice when it comes to occasionwear – what’s a girl to do?

 (Above image left to right: Ann Harvey, Hatbox, Kaliko)

Well we say if in doubt, shop some more. For an occasion such as Ladies’ Day, a girl is allowed to have a back-up plan. In fact, the best way to support your outfit is with fabulous accessories – something regular attendees of such racing events will be very much aware.

Racing events such as Ascot are all about the hats. Fascinators are usually the choice du jour, with Ann Harvey, Kaliko and Debut just a few examples of the brands available at Debenhams. While we do love the odd quirky fascinator or two on Ladies’ Day, we always have a style soft spot for those who take a risk and sport a big hat. Take a peek at the wide range in Hatbox to see how you too could be sure you stand out in the crowd.

(Above image: Peep-toes by VT, Bag from Star by Julien Macdonald, Corsage shoes at Faith)

With the head taken care of, now for toes and the final pieces of the style jigsaw. At Ascot, or any racing event, heels are a must – it’s a glam occasion, you need the tools to ‘strut your stuff’. Quick tip from us – if your dress is bold, bright and beautiful, tone down the heels with a nude style such as the above by VT. If your dress is a simple, one-colour classic, then jazz up your toes and with a pair of funky coloured shoes from Faith’s latest colourful collection. Hold it all together, by holding the gorgeous Rose bag from Star by Julien Macdonald. You’ll have to hurry though, from what we hear, it’s selling fast.

Tell you what… we’ll race you.

In September 2011, we officially fell in love.

Back at Milan Fashion Week, the Dolce & Gabbana spring/summer ’12 catwalk was a stunning display of dazzling bright colours, unique prints and – dare we say it – even Pat Butcher style earrings. The quirky style of the whole show meant our hearts were lost, our wardrobes prepped to receive the entire collection.

And then, disaster struck – we checked our bank balance. Even in our flushest of spring/summer seasons, there’s no way our bank manager is ever going to allow us to stretch to one garment from designers of suck ilk as Dolce & Gabbana, let alone an entire collection.

For a while we accepted that, much like Romeo and Juliet, our union with our favourite chilli-inspired print in the SS12 collection was not meant to be. We even had to watch in horror as celebrities, such as Paloma Faith, paraded the print before the paparazzi. When Pixie Geldof rocked up at the Elle Style Awards wearing our dress, on the arm of Debenhams’ designer Henry Holland, we knew we had to find some way to turn up the heat in our own wardrobe…

And then we hit the jackpot. All this time scouring the front rows, flicking through fashion magazines and browsing the web for a sniff of chilli, we found it on our doorstep at Debenhams, within Red Herring to be precise.

A fabulous brand for taking catwalk style and walking it down the high street, we can’t think why we didn’t head to Red Herring sooner. The label’s take on the ‘Dolce delight’ showcases a red chilli print dress, designed with a low back v-neckline that’s perfect for summer. A tie-back fastening completes the style, ready to give us that Paloma/Pixie-esuqe teeny waist.

Saw it. Loved it. Bought it. At only £30.40 (currently reduced from £38) even our bank manager can’t have anything to say about that.

New to the spring/summer collection, the stunning new design from Red Herring should be No. 1 on any fashionista’s wish list – it is on ours! Dolce, dolce, dolce!

Shop Red Herring… 

Following the success of previous campaigns, Ultimo boss Michelle Mone is once again on the lookout for for twelve ‘real’ women to pose in Ultimo lingerie.

The original ‘real’ women campaign is back as Michelle searches for twelve lucky ladies to front a brand new lingerie campaign for the leading designer brand.

From today, women aged 16 and up can apply to pose in their smalls online through Ultimo’s website by sending in a photo to www.ultimo.co.uk.

The lucky chosen twelve will follow in the footsteps of famous models such as Luisana Lopilato, Penny Lancaster, Rachel Hunter and Helena Christensen by taking part in a sensational Ultimo photoshoot – with a celebrity photographer to boot. Winners will be pampered and preened to perfection by top hair and make-up artists and have their pictures appear in national media, as well in Debenhams stores nationwide.

Michelle herself says of the campaign:

“I love the Ultimo real women campaigns as our brand aims to make women feel confident and this is where we can really showcase that. Ultimo customers relate to seeing our ‘real’ women in lingerie and it shows that everyone can be sexy.”

In the current world of TOWIE inspired fake tans, boob jobs and eyelash extensions galore we think it’s high time ‘real women’ made a comeback.

Show your support and join the campaign at www.ultimo.co.uk.

As an avid reader of our very own Debenhams’ blog, we’re excited to offer you a sneak peek of our latest TV advert, showcasing a few of our favourite fashions, courtesy of our favourite ‘Designers at Debenhams’!

Not set to make its national TV debut until Wednesday night (during Emmerdale to be precise), we popped a post on today – so you’ll be one step ahead of the fashion curve.

Even better, we’ve also pointed you in the direction of our online store and all the ad featured items… Just in case you spy anything you like. We certainly have.

The latest TV ad for ‘Designers at Debenhams’ features notable fashion figures such as Matthew Williamson, Ben de Lisi, Jasper Conran and Floozie by Frost French. It’s practically London Fashion Week in your living room – with a hot front row ticket.

Enjoy the view! Comment below and let us know what you think…

Shop Women’s TV Ad

Shop Men’s TV Ad

At Debenhams we’re so excited about our new Pineapple range of kidswear, we’ve decided to offer one lucky child the chance to dance their way into Pineapple Dance Studios.

Does your child live to dance? Do they love to watch shows such as Dancing on Ice? Are they a fan of Diversity or even say… Louie Spence?

If the answer is yes, they’ll love probably jump at the chance to spend a day at Pineapple and participate in its performing arts school. Yes?

Together with Pineapple Dance Studios, Debenhams is inviting kids to upload a video of their best dance routine, with Pineapple’s own Louie Spence and Debbie Moore set to select the very lucky winner. Sound like sweet music to your ears?

For further details/inspiration, click here.

The boys can dress to impress!

With the winter blues coming to an end we’ve finally started looking forward to the summer season ahead in the Rennison household. Holidays, family occasions and weddings all need to planned for!

My sister has asked me to update my nephew’s wardrobe for the new year- no problem for the lady who loves shopping!

There is a huge choice in debenhams at the moment and I have been really impressed at how much there is on offer at great prices. As I have chloe, I never look at the boys offer and have been really pleasantly surprised at what I discovered….

Toddler boy was my first port of call and I was pleased to discover they have a table of great polo tops by jasper conran which fit the bill nicely for Ben (my nephew). The style is right up his street and at great prices from £9. You can’t complain!

On younger boys I was surprised to discover amazing clothes bang on trend at great prices again! If you want coloured trousers for your boy- this is the place to go! They are £11 which is such great value. Coupled with some bright colour blocking t shirts at £7, your little man will really look the business.

Such a far cry from the days when our boys were dressed in simple t shirts and jogging bottoms, they now look like they have stepped out of a fashion magazine and for half the price! Baker by Ted Baker is another popular range for young boys and it’s easy to see why! Funky slogan tees in bright colours, striped polos and even trilby hats for the young trendsetter du jour.

Maybe one day I may have a little boy so I can have lots of fun shopping for him but in the meantime I will settle for my gorgeous nephew Ben who looks amazing in his cute little outfits!

Shop J by Jasper Conran

Shop Baker by Ted Baker

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Octonauts is an animated series which follows underwater characters that come to the rescue when there is trouble under the sea!

We have an exciting new range of Octonauts clothing in store now! With tee shirts and hooded tops, including the key characters Captian Barnaceld Bear, Lieutenant Kwazii Cat, Medic Pesco Penguin and the all important Octopod for them to explore, rescue and protect.

Proving to be quite addictive for both children and adults alike – discover Octonauts at Debenhams today, along with fun for all the family!

Shop Octonauts at Debenhams!

To celebrate our campaign to make sure you’re wearing the right bra size, we’ve teamed up with Charnos to offer you the chance to win an afternoon tea experience for four people at a luxury 5 star hotel!

The quintessential bonding experience for friends, or family, afternoon tea is a timeless tradition combining gossip, girls and lots of cake.

The perfect afternoon, for girls with perfectly fitted bras.

Don’t forget to book your FREE BRA FIT in store!

Enter the competition!

As promised in my last blog, I really have been putting my nose to the wedding grindstone!  I have managed to tick lots of things off of my task list :-

•    Food tasting –very yummy although not helping the whole weight watching programme!
•    Invites – tastefully designed and sent!
•    Accommodation booked for family
•    Suit fittings – style decided and booked!
•    Flowers – see below
•    Accessories – see below

So as I stated in the title, on to the fun stuff!  I’ve never really been a girly girl but this whole wedding thing is a bit addictive and rather than just going “Yeah okay” to whatever flowers my Mum wanted (girly girl!) I actually had quite a strong opinion on the type of flowers I wanted and also the table arrangements.

After a short and sweet visit to a local well known florists I remembered I had kept a couple of leaflets from previous wedding shows (top tip!) and got in contact with Beverley at Jade Flowers.

It was really handy to sit face to face with a flowers expert and explain my personality and preferences and to learn the names of the flowers that I like.  Beverley was very helpful and patient with both me and my Mum filing through all the pictures saying “ooh whats that one!”   I’m purposely not filling you in on what flowers I’ve gone with (don’t worry you’ll get to see them on here as soon as the pictures are back!) but I will say that cannot wait to see them on the day and have gone with quite ‘Classic English’ choices

At the same wedding show that I found Jades flowers I also met the brilliant Louise of Magpie Accessories who has sorted me out with all of my sparkles and accessories for the day (again not giving much away!)  Louise has a wealth of experience with customising and bespoking for brides to get everything just right for you to ensure that you achieve your vision for how you will look on the day.

Again I can’t wait to see the finished article on the day and will be sure to put up the pictures as soon as possible!  Louise even managed to find the perfect fascinator for my Mum for the big day – she loved it so much she chose her outfit around the colour scheme!  I would definitely recommend a trip to Louise’s treasure trove for any bride looking for the perfect accessories!

So with those, we have 3 months to go and here’s whats left to do :-

•    Vows (it’s all about priorities)
•    Music – we’ve booked the band but need ceremony and background music
•    Rings – more expensive than expected
•    Table plan
•    Final numbers and decisions on drinks
•    Dress fitting – this is the big one so watch this space for celebration or meltdown!
•    HEN DO!!!! Definitely no carbs before Marbs!

On the last point I am both excited and scared about my hen do having stitched up a couple of my girlfriends on their hen do’s!  But I am looking forward to a well overdue girly weekend in the sun with my favourite girlfriends, if I do survive I’ll be sure to blog it with pictures from our weekend in Marbella and top tips for Hen do survival (probably be nicer to your friends on their hen dos!)

If you are currently looking for hen do suggestions then check out our latest competition you could win your ultimate hen do with Wonderbra – you’ve got to be in it to win it!!!

Good luck!

With the Debenhams ‘Bra Fit’ campaign launching in store today, Womenswear Editor Lizzie popped into the Oxford Street store to size up her assets…

When it comes to building great style, it’s vital to get the foundations just right. As a woman I admit that I love clothes – I love scouring fashion magazines, sourcing new looks and splurging my monthly salary on new items for my wardrobe.  As a clothing fanatic I wouldn’t dream of buying a dress too big or trousers too small. With this in mind, imagine my shock to have discovered today that I’ve been wearing the wrong sized bra for years.

How on earth did I manage to do that? Sure from time to time a bra may have pinched a little, the cups may have had room to store my mobile phone and once, or twice, a bra has been known to leave sore marks underneath my arms – but I’ve always worn 34B, for someone who is slim with not the biggest of breasts, but who certainly has breasts, what other size could I possibly be?

Well it turns out my, surprisingly not so modest, contribution to the world of breasts is in fact an offering of the 32C variety – according to Eleanor, the lovely lady who measured me this morning in honour of Debenhams current ‘Bra Fit’ initiative campaign.  Aimed at encouraging all women to re-think, and re-measure, their bra size, Debenhams is seeking to highlight that the majority of women actually wear the wrong sized bra, an issue that can lead to ill-fitting clothes, discomfort and a shapeless figure. Who wants that?

Whether I like it or not, in the past I’ve probably suffered from one, if not all three of these issues – without even realising. In Debenhams this morning I explained to Eleanor, prior to my measurements being taken, that I have been a 34B for as long as I can remember. Stripping off my top for the tape measure, it was pretty clear that in the case of my cups, there was definitely no case of ‘runneth over’. On the contrary the bra I’m wearing today is one of my favourites, all pretty and pink, yet also one of my most frustrating for the fact that I never quite seem to be able to fill the thing, no matter how much I re-adjust the straps and manoeuvre its contents.

Suddenly, I half expected to be told I required an A cup – not something I relished given that a ‘charming’ male friend had referred to body boosting bras the other day and quipped: “Well they wouldn’t do much for you”. Was he right, was I smaller than I thought? “You look like a C cup to me” Eleanor surprisingly suggested. Really? Interesting… How so?

Chatting further, Eleanor explained that my problem wasn’t that I was wearing a bra too big for my breasts, it was in fact too big for my back meaning that it would also push forward at the front. ‘Great, I’m 32B then’ I thought, making a quick mental note to congratulate the male model at yoga, who once guessed this to be my size after a quick glance, on his powers of observation. ‘I can live with that’.

Eleanor wasn’t convinced though. Ever thorough, she slipped me into a 32B and suddenly, I looked more buxom than I ever have in my life – but not in a good way. In fact, looking down it appeared as if I had four breasts – two in the bra, two trying to escape – never a good look.

Slipping on the 32C, I swear nothing has ever felt so right. ‘Who needs the perfect man when you have the perfect bra?’ is certainly now my motto in life. A 32C, for me, hugs where I want and in all the right places – do men ever come with that kind of guarantee?

In all seriousness, having been measured and found to be cup-size lacking, I can’t wait for pay day when, this month, I now plan to splurge on a whole new set of underwear – courtesy of Debenhams of course. For all those girls who think: ‘It feels ok-ish, I’m sure it’s fine’ – trust me, there’s a better fit for you out there.

I’m a girl who speaks from experience. The 34B I am wearing today has about an inch gap between those two little bits of underwiring that pop up at the cleavage point. In the 32C, they sat literally side by side. My 34B I have to pop onto the last hook just to get it to feel snug, the 32C I can easily wear on the first – apparently this is how it should be initially, for once a bra’s material has stretched over time it helps to have those two extra hooks. Finally the 34B has underwiring that stops about an inch away from underneath my arm, the 32C sat directly beneath.

These may sound like quite simple alterations but, if I’ve learnt one thing today it’s that, when it comes to our bra size, the smallest thing can make the biggest difference.

Oh and also that my ‘small things’ are quite a bit bigger after all…

Be sure to book a FREE ‘Bra Fit’ at Debenhams, claiming £5 off any bra when you spend £30 or more! *

Come back to comment and let us know if you had as ‘uplifting’ experience as our womenswear editor, Lizzie.

* Offer expires 14th May 2012.

Once upon a time a pair of patterned, brightly coloured, comfortable looking trousers conjured up images of a manic looking MC Hammer singing “Can’t Touch This”. Fast forward to present day and stylish stars such as 90210′s Shenae Grimes, superstar Beyoncé Knowles and Britain’s own style sweethearts Jessie J and Cheryl Cole are all rocking the rejuvenated trend – with a little more panache than good ol’ MC, it has to be said.

While these girls all notably hit the ‘Best Dressed Lists’ more often than the 90′s rapping, ahem – sensation, ever did, it’s worth noting that these girls all follow the golden rule when it comes to the funkier side of fashion – less is more.

Indeed when your trousers already scream ‘look at me’ before you’ve even managed to open your mouth, it’s best to admit defeat and let your legs do the talking. 90210′s Shenae always looks effortlessly chic, even in the orange floral ensemble (below).

(Top image left to right: Red Herring Black Floral Trousers, Diamond by Julien Macdonald Tropical floral print leggings)

To ‘Get the Look’ it’s easy when you know how. Do the trouser thing the Shenae way by picking out a classic pair of strappy wedges or gladiator sandals, teaming with a fitted vest top or cute tee. Stylish, sexy and overall, cute – doesn’t that pretty much sum up the entire cast of 90210 itself? Hey if we dress like the girls, maybe we’ll attract a beau to rival one of those Beverly Hills boys. Food for (fashion) thought.

(Above image left to right: Black paisley palazzo trousers by Red Herring, Eastern tropic trousers by Warehouse, H! by Henry Holland Black dog print leggings)

Remembering the aforementioned key style rule, do a Beyoncé and echo the singer’s ‘holding the baby’ chic, sporting patterned pants with a loose fitting top – the perfect outfit to hide a baby bump or picnic-in-the-park beer bump. Post X-Factor, Cheryl Cole is carving out a name for herself in fashion design, with a recently unveiled shoe collection allowing her fans to step into her style. Back on the day job on location for the singer’s new video, the Geordie star recently showcased her own take on this fast-spreading trend. Biker boot-style wedges and a fluorescent bikini-style top suggested a more daring way to work this look in the summer, but at least no one can say she didn’t keep to the mantra ‘less is more’.

We have to admit, when we pointed out that each of these stars worked the trend in a toned-down sense, we momentarily overlooked the contribution of The Voice UK judge Jessie J. Never one to shy away from a printed catsuit here or a crazy coloured hair-do there, we have to hand it to Jessie when she clashes her prints and patterns.

If anyone can make this work, it’s Jessie – and maybe you can too. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you when friends start singing “Can’t Touch This” when your patterns speak louder than words.

In the first of a regular series to find the Debenhams Dream Dinner Party we asked top designer Ben de Lisi who his dream dinner party guests would be. We think his eclectic collection of guests, who all share a certain artistic flare, would make for a fun and interesting party that would last long into the night.

Ben de Lisi’s guests

My first choice would be the artist Jackson Pollock. I simply adore his paintings. He was a very deep man with a brilliantly creative mind who I feel he would be interesting and exciting company.

Second at the table would be the American queen of class and taste, Jackie Onassis. As a fellow American I have always been a huge admirer and I would love to listen to her stories.

I’d also invite the English comedienne, actor and director Kathy Burke. She always makes me laugh and I love her sense of humour.

Another woman I have always loved is the actress Audrey Hepburn. Her timeless elegance is inspiring and she is a true fashion icon of our time.

Last but not least is the Australian actor Hugh Jackman. I could try to come up with something interesting here but I’d be fibbing…eye candy at a dinner party always helps, but I’m sure he’d be super interesting too!

Sounds like a fun evening doesn’t it! We think Ben chose great guests but what about you? Do you have any dinner party tips and who would your dream dinner party guests be? Let us know in the comments box below.

Ben also took time the time to tell us how he would dress his table. Read more here.

There’s nothing quite like a cup of good coffee. Expertly prepared, just the way you like it. A perfect froth, intense flavour….what if you could enjoy the café quality coffee EVERY morning, just the way you like it?

If that sounds appealing we’ve got the competiton for you – a coffee machine worth £1195!

The PrimaDonna is simply the best domestic bean-to-cup espresso, lungo, latte and cappuccino machine on the market, with ingenious design and patented innovation.
Allowing you to make 15 bar, restaurant and coffee bar standard coffee in the comfort of your own home.

It’s  easy to use and features all aspects of a typical professional pump espresso machine (like the ones you see in your high-street coffee bar), such as grinders, filter holders and steam pipes, are found working inside the PrimaDonna, DeLonghi has simply redesigned, compacted and hidden them inside the machine.

Instead of grappling with filter holders and fiddly cappuccino steam pipes, PrimaDonna expertly performs all of these functions at the touch of a single button.

This is the ultimate coffee machine for serious bean lovers! If you’d like to wake up and smell this beautifully brewed coffee in your kitchen simply enter your details below.

Good luck!

Shop Delonghi

We love this time of year for many reasons, longer evenings, the smell of freshly cut grass, summer holidays and…the return of prom season!

To celebrate this season’s new Prom Collection dresses and accessories we’re giving you the chance to win a fantastic new outfit.

Our lucky winner will receive:

•     £150 giftcard to spend on your new prom outfit
•    Benefit makeover at a Debenhams store of your choice
•    Free Benefit ‘Hello flawless, oxygen wow ’ new foundation in your shade.

To be in with a chance to win this fantastic prom prize simply enter your details below or enter via the Facebook button!

Shop Prom Collection

Debenhams recently won the Retail Week multi-channel retailer of the year award. It is a delight and an honour to win this award – successful multi-channel retail means the pulling together of a lot of different teams across our business and so there are an awful lot of people who are really chuffed with this.

So how did we get here?  Well we are always talking with our customers to find ways to improve our shopping experience, and about two years ago they challenged us to make it easier to shop with Debenhams.  The trends that emerged were around using mobiles to shop the web and to help them find products that are unavailable in their local store or currently out-of-stock in the right size or colour.

This was a turning point for us and since then we have been consulting customers to add new ‘shopping channels’ to complement our existing stores and online presence.  Our busy teams have so far come up with:

-    iPhone, Android and iPad shopping apps (plus a Debenhams Beauty Club app)
-    A mobile optimised website
-    Touch-screen customer order points in-store
-    Glossy catalogues to help customers shop our extended furniture and home ranges

My particular favourite would be the in-store order points.  As well as showcasing our full extended range of products, these allow customers to find products that aren’t available in their size (or colour) for delivery to their home or store collection simply by scanning the barcode of the ‘wrong’ sized product and following the on-screen prompt.

Our next move is to look at whether customers would like a tablet optimised version of the website for their iPads / Galaxy tabs and such the like.  We also continually review our existing service as we want to make sure our delivery and collect from store services are as convenient as possible for customers.

Well done to everyone involved in this award win.

While it may be reminiscent of angelic style, white is in fact ‘all the rage’ this summer, with many a heavenly look now available at Debenhams. A tricky look to pull off for the quintessential (read pale) British female, we’ve picked out a few gorgeous items for you, ensuring you’ll look ‘all white’, day or night…

A fabulous option for summer trends, Phase Eight has something of a vintage vibe going on at the moment – which we can’t say we aren’t loving. White works wonderfully on vintage styles and our favourite, the Maria White Cotton Dress, is the perfect item to slip on for those lazy summer days. Be it walks in the park or wine down the pub, this dress will have the wow factor. Simple, understated – stunning.

Now when it comes to white jeans, these can be a major fashion turn-on or, for some, a surefire turn-off. As long as you team with the right bits ‘n’ bobs (try to stay away from boob tubes and white stilletos) such as a silky vest top or this gorgeous applique detailed floral top by Rocha. John Rocha, then you won’t lose your cool in the heat.

(Above image left to right: White Maria cotton dress from Phase Eight, Quiz white stretch diamante jeans, White applique top by Rocha. John Rocha)

The image of fashion is that it’s basically all about how one looks on the outside, but what about the inside? No, we’re not coming over all deep on a Friday afternoon, we just want to delve beneath a few layers – to your underwear to be precise. Always a vital ingredient for the recipe in feeling as good as you look, this all over white trend of spring/summer 2012 leaves no room for error, particularly in the form of old, off-white (greying) underwear.

Make sure your underwear is bright and beautiful, investing in a lacey white strapless number – perfect for those seasonal strapless or halterneck styles. All the rage at the moment too are Brazilian briefs, a great option to protect your modesty in those Marilyn Monroe, summer breeze moments!

(Above image left to right: B by Ted Baker cream lace multiway bra, Debenhams white lace Brazilian briefs)

For those times when less is indeed more, namely on the beach, Debenhams is currently stocking sexy swimwear in a range of shapes and sizes. A bikini lover? By Caprice Swimwear has a beautiful design with gold trim in this season’s collection, while Lands’ End  offer a simple white swimsuit for those who prefer classic, understated chic on the beach.

(Above image left to right: White gold trim bikini by Caprice Swimwear, Debenhams Beachwear white kaftan, White Regatta Lands’ End swimsuit)

Finally, they do say that a fashionista can never have too many hats, bags or shoes – so who are we to argue? The wonder of white has certainly spread across accessories with many beautiful bags to choose from. The J by Jasper Conran white leather option is ideal for a date at Wimbledon – team with a beaded straw hat to shield your face from the sun in the rare event it doesn’t rain. If it does rain you can always use it to shield your eyes from the sight of a singing Cliff Richard…

Finally, a must-have addition to any summer shopping list, regardless of trends, is the gladiator style sandal. Whoever would have thought Russell Crowe would be the inspiration behind a now classic style? However sexy he may be though, we can’t really imagine him in our favourite pair from Nine West. This is probably for the best though, after all with fashion this good, it’s not as if we’d ever want to share.

As for this white, angelic summer trend it just so happens we do feel like sharing, and indeed suggest you do. A white summer – it’s certainly something worth shouting about…

(J by Jasper Conran white leather bag, Paper Straw beaded hat by Oasis, Nine West Sandals)

With the summer sun about to brighten up our days, it’s time to prep our wardrobes too – with a burst of floating, flirty and fresh pastel colour.

At Debenhams we love to mark a change in season with a shiny new wardrobe and, luckily for us, there are several irresistible options popping up right now across many fabulous brands.

At Phase Eight things are looking pretty in pink in a floaty kind of fashion (above: Grenadine Tilly cotton dress), while at Oasis the sky’s the limit and styles are blue with this gorgeous pleated colourblock midi skirt already added to our wishlist. If you fancy something a little more structured, peplum is also a huge trend this spring/summer. Seen at Red Herring, peplum is basically power dressing for the modern day woman.

(Above from left to right: Blue colourblock midi at Oasis, Ponte peplum power dress by Red Herring, Peach jersey wrap dress from Butterfly by Matthew Williamson)

As any fashionista knows, what we choose to put on our feet can make or break an outfit. A pair of killer heels can take a look from sensible to showstopping in one easy step, with these Call It Spring pink and orange court shoes guaranteed to have you looking hot to trot. For a quirkier take on this seasonal colour trend, opt for the same style in nude with a blue pop of pastel down at heel.

(Above from left to right: Pink colourblock courts at Call It Spring, Natural colourblock courts with blue stiletto from Call It Spring)

If you aren’t sure whether or not pastels are your ‘bag’, perhaps the Collection pink cross body design will tempt you, or an orange Marta Jonsson clutch bag to help make a colourfully bold statement. If classic summer style is more ‘you’, we recommend investing in the yellow buckle design from J by Jasper Conran.

At least this way you’ll be able to channel a ray of sunshine wherever you go this summer, even when the sky does not…

Shop the latest womenswear collections at Debenhams.

(Above from left to right: Collection pink cross body bag, Marta Jonsson Orange clutch bag, Yellow buckle bag by J at Jasper Conran)

Fed up with the limited swimwear choice on the high street and searching for something a little less ‘uniform’ boob?
Well Debenhams have done their homework and oh my it has paid off! Introducing the Debenhams Ultimate Beach collection…

Our survey* found that over 90% of women admit to varying their swimwear choice based on who they are holidaying with – minimising or maximising their assets accordingly, be it family, friends or partners.

Always one to listen to it’s customers we have responded to this survey by launching a range of bikinis (dubbed the Boob-Job Bikini by the press) as shown above left to right: Red striped extreme boost bikini top, Blue natural halter neck bikini top, and Red polka dot mega boost bikini top – and yes it’s the same gorgeous model in every bikini! The range is created to give women optimum cleavage control through three levels of bust-boosting technology and guess what? It actually works!

The new Debenhams Ultimate Beach range offers Natural, Mega and Extreme looks with a mere fasten of a clasp! Sounds good doesn’t it?

Sasha Nagalingham, Swimwear Buyer for Debenhams, says: “Despite the curvaceous TOWIE ladies bringing the boob-job-look back, women feel their assets should fit the social situation.
“We wanted to give customers a menu of size options to choose from – a cleavage for every occasion!”

When asked about the appropriate level of enhancement on a couple’s holiday, 63% of women said they wanted to enhance their chests without giving their partner an unrealistic version of their natural size.

And who doesn’t like a little enhancement here and there? But as our research supports, what we want to look like when holidaying with our partner or family is quite different to the look most of us (if we’re completely honest) will strive for on a girl’s holiday. In every friendship group there is always one stunner that we can’t help compare ourselves to and that stunner will no-doubt have her own list of body hang-ups – even if the rest of us can’t see them!

Debenhams Ultimate Beach collection is a mix and match range of bikini tops and bottoms in key nautical shades and prices range from £16 to £22.
This collection is a celebration of women’s natural curves, allowing us to inflate or deflate with the option of natural boost, mega boost and extreme boost available in cup sizes 30A-36D.

At last we can go from a subtle lift to a dramatic boost accordingly, plus it gives us that extra bit of confidence for when we hit the beach or go poolside!

Ultimate is the latest addition to Debenhams’ swimwear solutions range which also provides tummy control swimsuits, Slimsuits, and the Fuller bust range.

Shop Debenhams Ultimate Beach swimwear collection now.

*1,000 women were surveyed in this study.

To celebrate the launch of our new bluezoo lookbook we’re giving you the chance to win every item of our fantastic collection for your son or daughter, niece or nephew or grandson or granddaughter.

To be in with a chance to win one of these fabulous new collections simply fill in the form or enter through Facebook below.

View the new bluezoo brochure here

Shop bluezoo

Read T&Cs

The founder of Spanx, Sara Blakely, 41, was recently named Forbes youngest self-made female billionaire (based on their estimated brand/company value). With a goal to inspire other women with her positive entrepreneurial story she agreed to a Forbes cover story opportunity where she shared her exciting journey of starting and growing Spanx without outside investors.

Spanx began as one women’s ‘crazy idea’ (at least that’s how numerous manufacturers viewed it), a lucky red backpack and a huge amount of hard work and leg work on Sara’s part.

Thanks to her sheer determination and self-belief Spanx gradually transformed from a one-product-wonder, sold out of Sara’s apartment, to the lingerie solution that droves of women had been unknowingly searching for but were thrilled to discover. Sales began to rocket.

Spanx, as we know it today, boasts an impressive celebrity following and is seemingly untouchable. It has gone where no lingerie brand has gone before and what’s more, it has gone there in such refreshing and female-friendly style that it is little wonder the brand and its founder are enjoying such success.

Pin-up Jessica Alba is quoted as saying: “I wore Spanx before anyone. Spanx are the only thing that smoothes out all of my lumps and bumps”. We know what you are thinking and yes we agree but whilst Miss Alba’s ‘lumps and bumps’ might not be as pronounced as ours, it is refreshing to hear that even she enlists a little help from the experts sometimes!
America’s chat-show host, come acclaimed lifestyle guru; Oprah Winfrey is also a Spanx devotee: “I love SPANX, I love SPANX. I wear SPANX every single day. I’ve given up panties. I wear SPANX!” Between the glamour of Jessica Alba and the authority of Oprah we are sold on Spanx…like we weren’t already! Which of course is the real test of product appeal – Spanx need no gimmicks or celeb endorsements to boost sales. They are simply endorsed and successful because they are so effective and millions of women world-wide agree!

Sara Blakely owns 100% of Spanx (a private company), has no debt and has never taken external investment. In 2006 Blakely launched The Sara Blakely Foundation with the help of Sir Richard Branson; the charity is dedicated to helping women globally through education and entrepreneurship. Just another reason why Sara Blakely is one tough and talented cookie and highly inspirational!

Debenhams is proud to stock an extensive collection of Spanx, we’ve got the infamous shape wear shorts (above left), full body shapers and everything in between. Some of the team’s favourites are Spanx Super shaping sheer tights – available in natural and black (above right), Spanx Mama Spanx (above centre) for those expecting and, rather fittingly, Spanx High-waist shape wear pants for the ultimate in tummy-taming and an enviable hour-glass figure!

Perfect for weddings and special occasions, Spanx is also so comfortable and supportive that it makes great everyday underwear.

This is a collection that doesn’t just shape the way women look but the way they feel about themselves.

Sara we salute you and your pert butt and Spanx for giving us the confidence to wear that dress.

Shop Spanx now.

The new Janet Reger collection brings a touch of romance to the bedroom.

With an established reputation as the queen of lingerie, the introduction of the JANET REGER bed linen is a natural extension, carrying through features that epitomise the very essence of femininity.

The collection combines simple but beautiful designs that evoke a sense of romance, which is evident throughout the entire collection of quilt covers, pillowcases, scatter cushions and throws.

The Janet Reger collection: designed for women who embrace their femininity. As Reger herself says:

“Set a romantic mood with the prettiest bed linens and just a add a drop of perfume.”

The Janet Reger Spring 2012 Collection combines beautiful modern designs with an eclectic decorative style.   This bed linen range creates a stylish contemporary look for your bedroom and retains all the magic that can only be Janet Reger.   Available as single, double and king size quilt cover sets, including housewife pillowcases, the bed linen is 100% cotton.

Shop Janet Reger Home bed linen

The collection is comprised of three key ranges.

ALCINA:

Elegant camellias in a stunning scarlet strand this vibrant design, bringing a fresh and feminine look to your bedroom.  The host of flowers on the reverse is reiterated on the pillowcases, all in the softest of greens, creating a dramatic yet peaceful look to your bedroom. Coordinating cushions in scarlet and apple green add the finish touches to your “indoor” garden!

Shop the Alcina range

ELLIE:

This dramatically large linear floral has a stylish botanical feel. The strong black lines are softened with a pale apple silhouette, all set on a crisp white background. Embroidered square cushions embellished with delicate beading and boudoir cushions complete this fresh and vibrant look.

Shop the Ellie range

ZEBINA:

This delightfully pretty bed linen reflects the true femininity of the Janet Reger Collection. Illustrative flowers on a tumbling panel contrasts with the stripe reverse, enhancing its fresh modern feel. Embroidered cushions embellished with glass beads, together with the quilted throw add a further touch of style and delicacy to the design. ZEBINA is also available in teal with accents of pale green.

Shop the Zebina range

Ahoy there, me hearties! There’s something in the water…

Every Spring/Summer see’s the reappearance of the popular and wearable nautical trend that has become as much a summer staple as lip gloss and sun tan lotion.

SS12 capsizes the classic nautical trend boat and gives it an aquatic-inspired soaking that we never knew it needed but find ourselves absolutely loving! What’s more, this sexy take on the trend is highly wearable, summer soft and flatters every skin tone.
(Above from left to right: Bright blue shirred shoulder top from Betty Jackson. Black, Turquoise disc detail short sleeved top from Star by Julien Macdonald and Bright blue satin wrap blouse from Roksanda Ilincic/Edition.

The new nautical is a tropical palette cleanser of emerald and azure with metallic highlights and crisp white staples. Dreamy conversational prints juxtapose colour block stripes and the shape and fit is looser and more mermaid-esque than usual.

Don’t completely do away with your tried and tested nautical favourites, these still make the perfect base for this look and will no doubt be a must-have come high summer. Instead update them for SS12 with drapes of softer shimmering shades of aqua and iridescent accessories.
(Below from left to right: Blue lainey colour block suede clutch bag from Dune, Metallic lunar bead trim clutch bag from Lunar, Dark turquoise scoop bag from Betty Jackson. Black, Evening and clutch bag from Carvela and Blue rectangular shoulder bag from Fiorelli).

To complete this look think Mermaid inspired glamour rather than tousled beach babe and keep hair neatly groomed and make-up polished. Shop our beauty department for a new season cosmetics update here.

The beauty of this trend is that it can so easily be dressed up or pared down to suit. The jewel-like tones of the key shades in this look are perfect for special occasions such as summer weddings (above from left to right: Molina Maxi dress from Coast, Blue panelled ‘Show stopper’ dress from Star by Julien Macdonald and Royal blue satin ruffle dress from Debenhams Collection). Similarly the deep oceanic blues make for great day wear.

Shop our latest women’s wear collections here and our extensive Handbags range here now.

The right home accessories are a fantastic and affordable way to revitalise a room and this season we’ve got three great looks for all you interior decorators and  home decor enthuiasts to be inspired by.

The Summer Loft trend

The ‘Summer Loft’ trend takes inspiration from the iconic Manhattan loft apartments and adds a seasonal twist. Look for strong design, a sense of humour and quirkiness and an eclectic mix of home accessories to complete this contemporary look.

Shop the trend

The Pretty Vintage trend

The ‘Pretty Vintage’ home accessories trend combines a mix of indoor and outdoor items, all vintage inspired and coming in classic creams and soft colours. Pair with faux flowers to complete the desired effect.

Shop the trend

The Coastal trend

The ‘Coastal’ range brings the idea of a beautiful summer’s day by the sea to interior design. Fill your home with boat, beach and sea inspired accessories to create a fresh atmosphere and make a strong seasonal statement.

Shop the trend

Now summer is fast approaching, as are the impending special occasions. These events not only can prove to be time consuming and problematic when trying to locate that perfect outfit, they can also feel unworkable when you have children to dress at the same time!

However help is at hand from Baker by Ted Baker who have outfit suggestions sorted for just about every possible occasion.

What to wear to a wedding….

For the boys
It can be a hard task persuading boys into wearing a smart suit, make the outfit more fun and inviting to wear by teaming the suit with an interesting and unusual print shirt.

For the girls
Prom shaped dresses in bold, bright colours or playful prints are wonderfully girly.

What to wear for a family day out…..
Vivid pinks and sorbet lemons are a fun combination for girls, whilst chinos are still bang on trend and a great casual trouser for the boys.

What to wear to the beach…..
Bright, playful shorts will liven up any poolside, whilst asymmetric floral swimming costumes will brighten up even the dullest day.

Jubilee party…
With the Queens jubilee just round the corner now’s the time to dress patriotically in red, blue and white.

Shop all Baker by Ted Baker

It’s official, Spring has sprung! As we stare dreamily out of our office window and into the sunshine the sky certainly looks the part, but the big question is, do we?
Loathe to ditch the generic winter boots and clinging to your ‘big coat’ like a comfort blanket? If this pesky and changeable great British weather is leaving you in a state of daily confusion, master the art of cross-season dressing with our handy hints for getting it right this Spring…
Shop New Arrivals.

First and foremost; layering. It sounds simple and it is. Layering is a fail-safe way to dress between seasons to avoid pessimists breaking into a sweat and optimists turning blue. Make sure your base layer is fit for public consumption so that you can peel yourself like an onion as the day warms up. Note to selves: That once-black vest that we’ve worn to death all winter might need an update! Quick, shop vests & camisoles, layer your favourite top or dress and then finish with a new season cover-up.

Lighten up! In knitwear we trust and will continue to do so in some shape or form for most of the year but any old knit wear just won’t do! Think light, bright and colourful and most definitely steer clear of chunky knits – they have their place but it’s not now. We suggest stowing them until there’s a ‘ber’ in the month and check out these instead: Shop jumpers and cardigans.
Be inspired by this colourful collection of knitwear – just a taster of what we have to offer this season. (Below from left to right: Green reverse detail cardigan from Mantaray, Pink soft stretch cardigan from Debenhams Collection and Yellow umbrella print cardigan from Red Herring.)


Cover-up with colour. As well as lightening your knitwear load, another easy way of adding some spring to your wardrobe without feeling the chill is through the power of colour. Bright jeans, pretty pastel cardigans, statement macs, printed blazers; Spring is their moment to shine and they make great pick-me-ups for the mood as well as the wardrobe.
(A few of our lighter and brighter new season faves, below from left to right: Orange roll sleeve shirt dress from Red Herring, Stripe blazer from Warehouse, Royal blue mac from Debenhams Collection).

Bag a bag. Not just because it’s Spring and a new bag would be nice but also because a new bag will give your outfit an instant update and is perfect for easing yourself into new styles and testing out bold trends such as prints and neons.
(Below from left to right: Pink patent tote bag from Debenhams Collection, Tan butterfly satchel bag from Red Herring, Black colour block tote bag from Principles by Ben de Lisi, Tan large bow handbag from Fiorelli, Natural abstract floral print satchel bag from Star by Julien Macdonald).

The gloves are off! Well they should be by now anyway! And the rest of your accessories should follow suit.
Yes we know how cosy that winter scarf is but put it away for a few months and embrace the new season accessories. Triangle scarves look fab for Spring/Summer, if they’re not for you then view the rest of our lightweight scarves range.
The trick here is to strip back the fabric weight and embellish the detail of all accessories and jewellery. Forget blacks and greys and think colour and print instead.

IT SHOES are for now! Winter owns boots, summer needs sandals and autumn commands the sensible shoe but spring, spring is the season for the IT shoe! The shoes that you lust after, the investment pair, the statement heels, the shoes that you need in your life and will still love just as much in 3 years time. Now is the best time to buy and wear beautiful shoes, plus they’ll give you the confidence you need to wear the heady mix of SS12 trends.
Treat yourself and shop shoes and boots here now.

Trial a trend. Spring is the perfect time to trial a trend and get to grips with what suits you and what the catwalk can keep, thank-you very much. We’re all for making a splash with our style but while the weather works out what it’s doing and takes its time to warm up you can do the same! Dip your toes in the latest trends and work out what you like and what you don’t.
Test new colours on accessories and trial prints on separates. By the time the mercury hits the mid-twenties you’ll be looking pretty hot yourself!
Don’t get caught out by the sunshine, be ready for the new season and shop Debenhams Women’s wear now.

PLUS! With 50% off selected lines (for a limited time only) there has never been a better time or a better excuse!

Planning a wedding is fun but also a lot of work, there’s so much to do, the dress, the reception, the honeymoon, the hen party! To make things a little easier, and a lot more fun, Wonderbra have the perfect prize for brides-to-be, bridesmaids and their friends; the Ultimate Hen Party!

One lucky bride and five friends will be treated to the best party a hen could ask for in the heart of London’s West End for a weekend of West End shows, luxurious accoomdation, fantastic food, dancing in a Central London nightclub and loads more!All you have to do to win is enter your details below or enter through Facebook. It couldn’t be easier!

The prize includes:

• A personalised Wonderbra for the bride
• A reservation at a top club in London on either a Friday or Saturday evening including a 3 course meal and a show for the bride to be and 5 of her friends
• Overnight B&B accommodation at a central London hotel (minimum 3 stars) for 6 adults in 3 twin rooms
• £350 spending money

Good luck!

Renowned US clothing label Nautica is launching in the UK, with its spring/summer 2012 men’s collection available exclusively at Debenhams.

Nautica has been a leading light in outerwear for more than two decades. And with clothes inspired by the water, it’s the perfect choice for a chic and wearable look.

To celebrate, Nautica is offering the chance to win £5,000 for your rowing or sailing club.
To enter, simply explain why your club deserves the funding, in 200 words or fewer. As many members as you wish can enter – but be quick the competition closes Sunday, 15 April.

Visit the Daily Telegraph website and tell us why your rowing or sailing club deserves the funding.

Read T&Cs.

Prom season is almost upon us and whilst said Style Editor may be ever so slightly past her prom-by-date she still appreciates a classic cut, stylish design and down-right gorgeous dress as much as ever. (Plus she has a calendar full of weddings to attend and some new shoes just waiting to make their debut!)

We appreciate that ‘Prom’ can summon negative connotations of teen tradition reserved for the young, but prom dresses cater for so many special occasions that the term ‘prom’ is really just a reference to the style.
Prom dresses are perfect for weddings, parties, the races, special summer events and so much more, not forgetting proms themselves of course!

Our collection of prom dresses is wonderfully exhaustive (like something from a Princess’s Catalogue to be completely honest) and it covers everything from taffeta and corsages to colour blocking and babydolls. Kooky young prints and vibrant colour palettes juxtapose 50′s style halter necks and full skirted hems for a prom range that flatters every shape and caters for every taste. (Below from left to right: Red striped prom dress from Debut, Black spotted border prom dress from Debenhams Collection, Pale pink tiered prom dress from Debut, Navy flared halter neck dress from Preen /Edition.

Debut is an expert on the subject of occasion dresses and offer more dress choices than most – as well as all the matching accessories that you need to complete and perfect your look.
Our infamous designers and cult brands such as Red Herring and Collection help cover all the bases and every style you can imagine, whilst our sizing currently covers dress sizes 6 to 22.

If you know what you’re looking for then you can shop by colour, length and more but if you need inspiration then sit back and browse until you find something you love.

Shop our full range of Prom Dresses now, then add the finishing touches such as Jewellery, Bags & purses, Hats & fascinators, Shoes, Scarves & wraps, etc, in our virtual Aladdin’s cave of Occasion and Evening Wear.

Lastly, don’t forget the perfume, hair, skin and make-up; no occasion wear is complete without due care and attention to your beauty regime and we have a fabulous beauty department with everything you need.

Deck out your kids Ted to toe in Baker by Ted Baker and you’ll know they’ll be well turned out in this season’s most fashionable togs. The Baker by Ted baker collection offers fantastic quality across a wide range of styles from Baker Baby to Baker Best for those special occasions.
And now we’re giving you a chance to win a £100 Baker by Ted Baker giftcard. All you have to do is submit your details below – but be quick the competition ends 9 April.

Read T&Cs here

The temperature is rising and the days are getting longer, let’s Call It Spring and treat ourselves to some gorgeous new footwear from this stylish new shoes brand.

For many of us the start of a new season (especially spring/summer) heralds the excuse for a little retail therapy and what’s more, our post-winter feet look so sad and dejected in last year’s equally weathered sandals.

I’ve tried but simply couldn’t squeeze all my summer favourites into one blog post so here are just a few, below from left to right: Call It Spring Black flat beaded sandals, Call It Spring Orange animal and floral print platform wedge shoes, Call It Spring Dark pink basket weave platform wedge sandals, Call It Spring Natural beaded T-bar sandals, Call It Spring Pink flat beaded sandals. Anyone else think they are just beautiful?

Call It Spring is the perfect solution and addresses all your wanton footwear needs in one extensive collection. From everyday sandals to occasion high heels, last-minute garden parties to invite-only summer soirées.
Speaking of which, if you have a wedding or other big summer social event on the horizon, the Call It Spring range includes a drop-dead-gorgeous selection of heels, see below for a visual taster…(Left to right: Call It Spring Light pink lace covered court shoes, Call It Spring Black glitter bow courts, Call It Spring Pink glitter platform sandals).

Home to the latest footwear and accessories, Call it Spring reflects up to the minute shoe trends that are easy on the bank balance. New to the UK, Call it Spring is currently available exclusively at Debenhams.

Created for original thinkers, Call it Spring is the perfect place to experiment with personal style, to debut a new look and to figure out the meeting point between individuality and discovery.

Shop this exciting new brand at Debenhams now, EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE for one week only – Call it Spring and the perfect time to treat yourself!.

Sandwiched somewhere between the neon brights and sorbet pastels of SS12 is a trend enjoying yet another redesign and holding its own against the other new season heavyweights – Monochrome is back and it has never been so black and white!
(Above from left to right: White textured striped organza prom dress from Debut, Black ruffled hem maxi dress from Jonathan Saunders/Edition, Black crepe maxi illusion dress from Debut, Black lace dress from Rocha.John Rocha).

Perhaps in response to the more colourful trends of 2012, head to toe stark whites and classic blacks have become a stylish alternative and a secure fashion sanctuary for those daunted by the prospect of working a skinny pastel jean or neon pencil skirt.

Originally seen on SS12 catwalks from the likes of Balmain and David Koma then naturally conveyed on the red carpet at last month’s Oscars with Rooney Mara choosing white, Angelina Jolie and that (now infamous) black dress and Sandra Bullock in monochrome meets metallic, we were reminded that Monochrome can be dramatic and sophisticated or smart and reserved.

Monochrome is chic, stylish and super sexy and what’s more it’s so easy to wear that regardless of age or size, you can make this look your own.

Monochrome is almost impossible to get wrong but the trick to getting it very right this season is to strip it back and keep it simple. Opt for single shade accessories , bags and shoes with monochrome clothing and vice-versa and keep jewellery pared-down and elegant. Monochrome makes the model canvas for metallic highlights so it’s a great opportunity to introduce a second SS12 trend in one fab look.
(Below from left to right: Silver diamanté clutch bag from Dune, White shoulder bag from Fiorelli, Black and white leather clutch bag from Marta Jonsson, Black Crocodile print envelope clutch bag from Star by Julien Macdonald, Black mock crocodile print tote bag from J by Jasper Conran).

This is not a back-lash to Monochrome’s SS12 contemporaries, more of a palette cleanser. Ensure the look respects the fresh, after-dinner mint effect that it was intended for and keep it clean and crisp.

We boast a vast assortment of black and white pieces across women’s wear this season so choose your category and filter by black and white to view our extensive collection.