We can officially reveal that British designer, Jenny Packham, will be joining our Designers at Debenhams portfolio with a new women’s, accessories and children’s occasionwear collection – No. 1 Jenny Packham which will hit stores in around April this year.

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. No. 1 Jenny Packham will capture Jenny’s signature style in a collection of 19 dresses, with options for bridesmaids, wedding guests and prom-goers alike.

The dresses will be a mixture of softness and structure in soft metallics, floral or intricate graphic prints and bold block colours. Expect the same exquisite detail synonymous with Jenny Packham, featuring wrapping, pleating and gentle draping of fabrics, in a variety of styles from floor-sweeping maxis to organza prom dresses. A range of beautiful accessories including bags, jewellery, shoes and occasion headwear will perfectly complement the dresses.

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.”

Prices will start at £18 for accessories and from £85 for dresses. We are really excited about the launch of Jenny’s first high street collaboration and can’t wait to show you the full collection, come back soon for more info. For now, here’s a sneak peek at the sort of dresses you can expect… let us know what you think in the comments section below.

& £100 worth of Raging Bull menswear!

The Six Nations 2012 tournament got underway this weekend and what a start it was. The opening Saturday saw a relatively straightforward 30-12 victory for France over Italy and England win the Calcutta Cup by defeating Scotland 13-6 at Murrayfield. Sunday served up a classic however with Wales defeating Ireland 23-21 with the last kick of a pulsating game in Dublin.

To celebrate what is set up to be another very exciting Six Nations tournament we’ve teamed up with former England and British & Irish Lions prop Phil Vickery’s brand Raging Bull to give away an England rugby shirt signed by Phil Vickery and £100 worth of Raging Bull menswear.

To enter this fantastic rugby competition, simply enter your details here.

Next week’s Six Nations fixtures

Italy v England
France v Ireland
Wales v Scotland

So who do you think will win this year’s Six Nations &  can Wales, England or France challenge for a Grand Slam? Leave your thoughts below.

Shop rugby
Shop Raging Bull

The great British tradition of drinking tea is under threat – sales of teapots have plummeted, with millions of people now opting for the lazier method of putting a teabag into a mug.

Figures reveal that demand for teapots has halved over the past five years. At the same time, with 165 million cups of tea consumed in the UK every single day, demand for mugs has trebled, indicating that more people than ever are making their tea in the vessel they drink it from.

Our Debenhams cafes and restaurants sells nearly five million cups of tea each year, are we are fighting back by launching a Campaign for Civilised Tea Drinking. Tea is served in our stores in a teapot, with a cup and saucer – the traditional British way to take it.

Says social etiquette expert Liz Brewer: “Tea is the most quintessential of English drinks, and the act of tea drinking has long been one of the greatest British traditions.

“We must preserve the custom which, for centuries, has been the hallmark of polite society – tea served in a teapot before being poured into china cups.”

Says Debenhams Head of Home Design, Alison Hill: “Tea served in a pot has always been a feature of British life – it’s as famous as the Tower of London or Big Ben.

Debenhams guide to the perfect pot of tea

•    For years “How to make the best pot of tea” was a common debating point, and households were judged on their skills. Those famed for an excellent pot of tea were urged to share the secret of their brew technique.

•    The teapot has to be warmed beforehand, and the amount of tea used measured out carefully according to the number of guests and the size of the pot.

•    Once boiling water is added, most experts agree that four minutes brewing is the ideal time to extract the best flavour from the leaves – also this too was hotly debated.

•    A decision to stir or allow the leaves to settle was also a matter of opinion, however a tea cosy was universally seen as essential. Often they were homemade and hand knitted in a variety of colours from left over balls of wool.

•    The debate whether to pour the tea into the cup first and then add milk, or to add the milk first continues to this day.

Join the campaign on Facebook or on Twitter using the hashtag #savetheteapot

Keep the tradition alive with a new teapot.

Firstly, we have to say a big ‘Congratulations!’ to Jonathan Saunders. It was announced this week that the Scottish designer is the winner of the 2012 BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund. The £200,000 cash prize is bound to accelerate his business over the next year and we can’t wait to see all his new designs for his mainline collection.

Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman said. “His recent collections have shown that he is a designer who can provide beautiful clothes that women enjoy wearing and he is in a great position to build on his current success.” There were nine shortlisted designers; Peter Pilotto, Mary Katrantzou, Richard Nicoll, Roksanda llincic, Marios Schwab, Zoe Jordan and Meadham Kirchhoff, as well as footwear label Nicholas Kirkwood. Well done Jonathan!

All of our Edition designers have stunning new collections arriving in selected stores and online at debenhams.com now. With Fashion Week coming up, they’ll have been working on their mainline collections for autumn/winter 2012. But we are only just starting to think about spring, so take a peek at the lookbook shots which give you a feel for each of the designers’ spring/summer collections…

Which is your favourite?

Jonathan Saunders / Edition… Discover classic clean styles injected with colour block brights, neon and prints. Cobalt blue and candy pink are complemented by neutral shades of tobacco and white.

Roksanda Ilincic / Edition… Expect effortless elegance featuring a mix of chic dresses and soft tailored separates. All in a punchy colour palette of aquamarines, deep purples and berry reds alongside black and muted rusts.

Preen / Edition… this season sees effortless style take on a playful side. Vibrant colours meet floral prints and polka dots with structured separates and sexy dresses.

After a relatively mild autumn and winter so far, the UK is now in the middle of its coldest period of the season. With more sub-zero temperatures forecast, are you ready to keep warm on your commute, school run and morning jog?

Temperatures in the UK are forecast to reach -4°C (this is coming from a very cold North-West Russia where it is currently -36°C) this week so being wrapped up well is crucial. Just as our collective thoughts began to drift towards spring our gloves, woolly hats and scarves are all being brought back out every morning.

Many savvy Brits are also chill-proofing their home in an effort to curtail soaring heating costs and items like electric blankets, high tog duvets and woolly layering items are being (cold) snapped up in an effort to beat the cold weather.

Wherever you are during the cold weather, make sure you and yours are suitably prepared and if you have any elderly neighbours its always a nice to consider them when you’re popping to shops or just checking in on them to see if they have everything they need.

Top tips for staying warm during the cold snap:

Dress in layers – coming in from the cold and into artificially heated spaces can mean big differences in temperature.
Make sure shoes or boots are waterproof and are well-soled with sufficient grip, in case of snow or ice.
For extra warmth, go for fabrics like wool or fleece.

Shop hats, gloves & scarves for women

Shop hats, gloves & scarves for men

Shop hats, gloves & scarves for kids

So I hope that everyone had a very merry Xmas and New Year? It’s back to wedding organising for me (no rest for the wicked!) but this time I’m really throwing myself into it as a) I want to have everything sewn up as soon as possible so that I can concentrate on … b) detoxing and losing weight so that I look the best I’ve ever looked as these are the photos that I’m going to point to in 10  years time and say look how pretty/photogenic I was back then!

Which leads me on to sharing my experience on the second most important person on your big day – your photographer! I don’t know about you (you’re probably all ultra super photogenic people) but when someone pulls a camera out on me, my face does this weird gurning thing. However, I have been ultra-lucky to find a photographer who doesn’t make me nervous, and that for me was a key point in finding her. We had a few suggestions from friends who recommended photographers they knew or had at their weddings and while we saw a few people that we liked, we chose to go with a photographer that I happened upon by pure chance when I googled a wedding fair at our venue. It just goes to show that you should never underestimate the true power of the internet!

Celine’s photos really struck a chord with me, just look at her website www.celinechaplinphotography.com and you will see why. This was the type of wedding photographer we wanted – not staged or in-your-face cheesy photos but totally natural reportage style. After meeting with Celine I instantly felt at ease and found it really easy to talk to her about what we wanted for the day and also our less-than-model-standard at being photographed! After we made the all important booking we had an ‘engagement shoot’ with Celine and even though we had been engaged for some months we were keen to have a “trial” at being photographed and I have to say it does allow you to get to know your photographer better. We went on a crisp November day over to Hampstead Heath and Celine got some truly lovely shots of us, so we felt the need to end with a celebration in the pub! (possibly not a good idea to let your photographer see you drunk but possibly good training for them for on the day!)

I have known a few of my friends who put immense pressure on themselves for how they look and super stressed at being photographed on the day and I have to say that while I hope to look super fabulous and photogenic (obviously), I know that I won’t be stressing out about a camera being present and for that I have the fabulous Celine to thank!

Top photographer tips:

• Do your research! Get together a few names of photographers and check out their website, portfolios and, of course, pricing!
• Do meet your potential shortlist of photographers, this ensures that they know exactly what you want and you’ll know how they like to work!
• Do opt for the engagement shoot! It’s useful as an icebreaker and to get to know your photographer (and for practice!)
• There are many options on coverage and delivery of your photographs – have a think if you want start to finish photo coverage!

Helpful links:

Celine Chaplin Photography
Find your wedding venue weddingvenues.com
Wedding dresses at debenhams.com

Whether you are a big fan of Valentine’s Day or not, everyone loves to receive a gift as a token of someone’s affection. Whether that gift has been lovingly hand-made or sought out on a shopping trip, what’s not to love about a surprise present? But buying gifts for women isn’t always the easiest task, so we’ve identified our buyers’ top Valentine’s gift picks for women to give you a little inspiration. If in doubt think ‘luxury’ and ‘style’ and she’s bound to be over the moon with your choice.

Oh Lola! fragrance and body lotion, Marc Jacobs
This scent is a customer favourite. Either opt for the scent or some beautifully scented body lotion.

Red ‘Patch Pocket’ purse, Radley
Radley is a luxury accessories brand that is known and loved by couuntless women. It’s a pretty safe bet for a lovely, leather gift.

Plum platform shoes, Faith
Shoes, shoes, shoes… for many women, the more pairs they have the better. This particular pair have been a real hit with our customers.

Heart print chiffon nightwear, Presence
These pretty nightwear styles are just the thing to make your Valentine’s evening extra special.

Jimmy Choo Eau de Parfum, Jimmy Choo
This fragrance is one of our top rated and reviewed items on debenhams.com with an average of 5 stars. With that many recommendations you can’t really go wrong.

Diamante heart watch, Red Herring
Make sure she’s never late for your date with this fun heart motif watch with added sparkle.

Berry croc laptop bag, Jasper Conran at Tripp
If your girl loves gadgets, then this bag is a stylish way to carry them about. It would definitely be my top choice of gift.

Vernis nail lacquer, Dior
Give her a luxurious treat for her make up bag with Dior’s nail lacquer in her favourite hue.

Loverdose fragrance, Diesel
Another beautiful scent that will remind her of you every time she wears it.

If you are still in need of more inspiration then check out all of our women’s Valentine’s gift ideas and our top 10 lingerie gifts.

Plus, don’t miss our very special Valentine’s treats starting tomorrow.

Although summer may still feel a distance away, the spring collections are starting to filter in. Young girls can be demanding customers when it comes to their clothes, wanting to look just as fashionable as their mum or older siblings. The Baker by Ted Baker spring/summer collection for girls is complete with trend-led colours, shapes and prints which we just had to share with you. Here’s a collection round up of what you can expect to find in your nearest Debenhams store on online at debenhams.com soon.

Bold clashing colours
Colour blocking is a hot trend, especially in candy coloured hues. The great thing about bright corals, hot pinks and bold oranges is they look amazing on young girls and give their outfits a playful edge. Keep your eyes peeled for intense colour-blocked dresses and stylish, colourful separates too.

Shop pink striped t-shirt and pink sweat dress

Prom dresses
Prom shaped dresses are wonderfully girly and a lovely item to include in your daughters wardrobe. These full hemmed dresses will look gorgeous for any wedding and summer event. Look out for the spot print prom dress which is one of our favourites.

Colourful prints
An exciting addition to the Baker summer collection will be the use of original Ted Baker prints which are exclusive to Debenhams. These include colourful digital pansy prints and the iconic Ted Baker butterfly print.

Shop pansy print dress

Texture and 3D
Contrast fabrics add interesting elements into the Baker collection. Using a variety of fabrics on a single garment transforms the piece into something wonderfully special. 3D corsages applied to dresses ensure garments are gorgeously girly, fun and young feeling.

Stand-out pieces
Stand-out garments to look out for include: Box jackets are fab for throwing on over any item, while we are waiting for the weather to (hopefully) improve. Playsuits are fantastic for active girls who want comfortable fashion which allow them to move easily while it is still trend led. Playsuits look amazing in bold colours and prints. These are fantastic for active girls who want to move around freely and still top the trends.

Shop butterfly t-shirt

A bevvie of TV favourites descended on the red carpet last night for the National TV Awards. There were some true fashion hits and, as always, a few misses too, but one celeb trend that stood out was for dresses in blush and neutral tones. Check out all the best pics over here.

Our top pick was Fearne Cotton who looked stunning in a ’20s style Temperley beaded dress. Michelle Keegan, Sam Faiers and Jennifer Ellison all showed some glitz & glam with sparkling nude dresses. For Kerry Katona, Amy Childs and Carol Vorderman, it seemed it was all about the cleavage, with neutral dresses that flaunted their curves to the max. Michelle Collins and Charlie Brooks accessorised their gowns with feather and faux fur cover-ups while Angela Griffin and Lucy Mecklenburgh opted for soft shades of pink, looking fabulously feminine.

Get the look with our pick of neutral coloured dresses below…

Shop: ivory beaded dress, ombre babydoll dress, ruched mesh maxi dress, beaded waist prom dress, tiered prom dress, bandeau prom dress.

For the guys, most opted for classic black tie dress, going for a white shirt and black suit with black tie or bow tie. But, there were a few who stood out from the crowd and updated their red carpet outfits with sheeny, shiny or metallic tailoring. Dave Berry went for sleek navy suiting and a black shirt, and Louis Spence was flamboyant as ever in a metallic, gunmetal blazer. Christopher Dean made a statement in shiny silver and Leigh Francis did top-to-toe gold – not a look for the faint-hearted! Kieron Richardson and Joey Essex added a splash of colour with red bow ties and TOWIE’s Harry Derbridge made his own statement in a pink shirt and white cravat.

Take a look at some of our top picks to add some shine to your suiting…

Shop: Red Herring Red Line suits, Thomas Nash shirts, ties.

And, before I get too sidetracked on ‘who wore what’, here are all the winners of the actual awards, as voted for by members of the public…

Serial Drama: Coronation Street
Drama: Downton Abbey
Newcomer: Jacqueline Jossa
Comedy Panel Show: Celebrity Juice
Entertainment Presenter: Ant & Dec
Factual Programme: This Morning
Reality Programme: I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
Entertainment Programme: Michael Mcintyre’s Comedy Roadshow
Talent Show: The X Factor
Serial Drama Performance: Katherine Kelly
Drama Performance (male): Matt Smith
Drama Performance (female): Karen Gillan
Talk Show: Alan Carr Chatty Man
Situation Comedy: Outnumbered
Special Recognition Award: Jonathan Ross
Outstanding Contribution Award: Gary Barlow
Landmark Award: David Walliams

Which show got your vote and which celeb wins your award for best dressed?

We know that no matter how many pairs of heels you already have taking up room at the bottom of your wardrobe, there’s always room for just one more pair, especially if they are as fabulous and fashionable as the ones from Faith.

So that’s why every Friday, we are giving you the chance to win a brand new pair of Faith shoes from the latest collection! From stunning peep toe platforms to summer sandals and must-have winter boots, Faith have all you need to get you on the right track for any season and we’re making it that little bit easier for you to walk away with your very own pair. There will be one winner each week.

How to enter…

It couldn’t be easier to enter our Faith Friday competition, all it takes is a tweet.

Start by following us on our official Twitter page @debenhams, then look out for our competition tweet every Friday morning and re-tweet to enter making sure you include the hash-tag #FaithFriday

Or use the handy buttons below… (if the first button is greyed out then you are already following us on Twitter)

Follow @Debenhams

Tweet

You’ve got until midnight on Friday to get involved when we’ll select a winner at random and announce via Twitter the following Monday morning. Good luck everyone.

Terms and conditions apply

Handbag lovers rejoice! We’ve got a brand new collection of bags and purses  from design duo FrostFrench under their fabulous designer diffusion line, Floozie by FrostFrench. The Floozie collection has long been a popular name when it comes to lingerie and sleepwear but the ranges have expanded recently. The designers added bath & body products to their ranges as well as Iris & Edie – a loungewear collection inspired by their teen daughters.

The new bag range is bold, feminine and great quality with a mixture of different bag styles and shapes. The aqua coloured bag pictured above would make a perfect spring update for your wardrobe with candy colours being a top trend for the season. As part of the new handbag collection, you’ll also find matching purses. In fact, the heart charm purse would make a great Valentine’s gift.

I caught up with the lovely Sadie Frost for a quick Q&A…

Debenhams: How would you sum up the new bag collection in three words?
Sadie: Fashionable, practicle and uber- cool!

Debenhams: We love the bright hues, where did inspiration for your colour palette come from?
Sadie: We love Floozie to be a statement- the cheekier and brighter the better!

Debenhams: What five things do you carry everywhere with you, in your own handbag?
Sadie: Lucas papaw ointment, a pen and my notebook, bottle of Iris39, My Blackberry and my lip-gloss!

Shop the new bag range now

Beat the January blues with new season fashion and accessories for fabulously low prices. At debenhams.com and in store, the latest collections are arriving and we’ve made sure that, in all the key pieces for spring, we have stylish options whatever your budget. Plus, for a limited time, you can get 20% OFF in association with The Daily Mail. See the website for details and terms and conditions. Have fun shopping!

Women: This season, don’t be afraid of colour. From candy pastels to Miami brights, tropical hues to neons, there really is no getting away from it but first, you need staples to build your outfits around. For your capsule wardrobe make sure you’ve got the following and you’ll be able to dress like a new woman, without having to invest in a whole new wardrobe.

1. The blazer
2. The shirt dress
3. The chino
4. The pencil skirt
5. The shift dress
6. The Mac

View our Fabulous for less feature for more tips and ideas

Kids: As we move into the new season kids are bound to have grown out of many essential pieces. That’s why value is at the heart of the Bluezoo range. You can shop all the latest children’s fashion looks that kids love, at prices which are kind to parents’ purses. Moving into the new season Bluezoo has some fabulous brights and playful stripes. The key piece for boys is definitely the chino, it’s versatile and comfortable. For girls, it’s all about the Mac – light-weight but warm enough and great for those spring showers.

Shop the fabulous for less look

View top rated Bluezoo

Men: Get the look for less with men’s fashion at Debenhams. With key pieces for a man’s spring wardrobe starting at just £20, it’s easy and inexpensive for the guys to get a fresh look for the new season.  An earthy colour palette with navy and mid-tone blues, must-have chinos and great pair of shoes or boots are just the thing to update your look, without breaking the bank.

Shop the look for less

A man’s belt can is an often overlooked item in a man’s wardrobe. Yes, its primary function is to keep your trousers up but the humble belt is also a very important part of a man’s look. With so many different styles to choose from like thin, thick, leather, buckled, canvas and more it can be tricky to pick the right one. We’ve put together some answers to the most commonly asked belt questions to make choosing the right one quick and simple.

‘Should I match my belt with my shoes or my shirt?’ is the most common fashion question when it comes to belts and the safest thing to do is always go with shoes. Brown shoes and a black belt and vice versa simply doesn’t go.

‘When is it ok not to wear a belt?’ is another question that pops up from time to time and when it comes to trousers and jeans the answer is if they have belt loops; wear a belt, particularly if you wear your shirt tucked in.

Speaking of jeans, ‘what belt should I wear with jeans?’ is also a common quandary men face in the belt department. The answer to this one is straightforward; never wear a thin belt with jeans, always go for a thick style of belt with denim.

So there you are some simple rules to follow when choosing a belt. Remember the right belt, generally a very affordable accessory, can add a stylish new dimension to a look. Our collection of belts for men includes both casual and formal belts from the top men’s designer and brands.

Shop belts

Are you under pressure to get back on the fitness wagon? We’ve been doing our research. and it seems that January has created a new breed of faux-fitness-freaks!

In fact, over half of Brits are buying a new gym kit with no immediate plans to get back on the work-out wagon. Instead, they use the gear to fake fitness – wearing it at key times in their day so others will presume they are part of the ‘New Year, New You’ crew.

We’ve called the trend ‘the great fitness fib’. Of those who admitted buying kit they didn’t plan to use, over 80% said they wore it to avoid raised eyebrows when confessing to evading the January fitness furore.

So where are people wearing their gym kit if not to the gym? The top occasions are the school run, grocery shopping and when leaving work. Have you ever put on your trainers at work so everyone things you are jogging home and then jumped on the bus? Confession time… I probably have!

Believe it or not, most people we asked said that January was the worst time of year to start a new fitness routine. But the healthy eating and fitness buzz is unavoidable in with mags, colleagues, parents at the school gates and TV ads being named as the biggest culprits.

Does this sound familiar?

“I spent £150 on gym kit and then wore it to play FIFA on my XBOX, rather than going done the gym.”

“I use my inflatable workout ball as a foot rest – but like having it in the lounge so people think I work out.”

“I bought a new bike and proudly chained it to the front gate so my neighbours could see. It’s now been there so long it’s rusted.”

“Decided to start bootcamp so got all the gear; thermal vests, waterproof rain jacket and dry sweat specialist tees. Use them all loads when I walk the dog now.”

Our research has shown that once the ‘New Year, New You‘ pressures subside; fitness goes from being a chore to being an important part of reality. People give themselves a break in january while the weather is cold and damp and wait for spring to kick in before they start working out properly. March is now right behind January as a peak time for fitness essentials.

Help us find some great fitness slogans…

In response to the research, Debenhams is considering creating a range of slogan t-shirts within the Pineapple collection, designed to re-empower women, and remind the public what staying active is really about.

We’ll be using our social networks to ask customers which slogans they would like to see and will get the ball rolling with suggestions like ‘I’m doing this for me’, and ‘Being healthy is not a competition’.

Have you got a great fitness slogan you think we should consider? Leave it in a comment below…

It is a long accepted rule of men’s fashion that the bottom button of a man’s waistcoat should always be left undone, unless it’s double breasted waistcoat obviously, but for at least the last 100 years it has been proper fashion etiquette to leave your last button undone. But why?

Well there is no practical reason for the practice and the most common explanation can be traced back to the 19th century and has royal roots. It is said that King Edward VII (then the Prince of Wales) introduced the fashion but not for fashion or style’s sake but simply for comfort as his weight had made his waistcoat too tight.

In a real life case of ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ the King’s noblemen and the gentlemen of London quickly followed suit and soon leaving the unbutton of your waistcoat undone was the accepted fashion.

A fashion that continues to this day. So the next time you’re at a wedding and are stuck for small talk tell your table why all the men have their buttons undone.

Read our what to wear to a wedding for men feature

Shop men’s waistcoats

New mum, This Morning presenter and marathon fanatic Jenni Falconer will be here with us on FRIDAY 20th JANUARY from 12-1pm to answer your keep-fit questions!

With a number of marathons under her belt, and a real love for running, Jenni launched her sports performance wear range, XPG by Jenni Falconer, last year. Jenni was inspired  to launch her own line in collaboration with Debenhams by her own experience of training. The resulting collection combines performance and style in a fashionable, feminine way.

If you have a question for Jenni, whether it’s about her running tips, getting back into shape or just to ask her about her XPG range, get them in…

Via email: Send your questions to blog@debenhams.com
Via Facebook: Post on our wall at www.facebook.com/debenhams
Via Twitter: tweet us @debenhams and use the tag #askjenni

Want to know what all the fuss is about? Take a look at the XPG by Jenni Falconer collection now.

If there’s one time of year that’s popular for engagement announcements it’s Christmas. We all probably have a friend or family member who got a proposal this festive season and is now excited at the prospect of planning their wedding.

Here at Debenhams we’ve been working hard to bring you an even better range of bridalwear and bridesmaid dresses this wedding season. You’ll find new colours, designs and luxurious fabrics to help make your wedding extra special. The colour of your bridesmaid dresses helps set the tone for your entire wedding scheme so it’s a big decision. One hot new trend this year is for ivory bridesmaid dresses, inspired no doubt by a beautiful dress worn by Pippa Middleton, and neutrals like this lend themselves to a very classic, clean wedding scheme. The red carpet of the Golden Globes showed us that nude  gowns are also a hit with celebs and provide plenty of inspiration plus there was a gorgeous strapless red gown worn by Reese Witherspoon – tres chic!

Shop the latest bridesmaid collection or take a look at our bridesmaid style advice feature to explore our top colour choices.

When it comes to dress shapes this season, we really love the 1950s prom style dresses which show off the waist and feel very ‘Hollywood glam’. In recent years, shorter bridesmaid dresses have become much more popular and there are now loads of lovely styles to choose from. Shorter shift styles are also proving popular, try our gold Debit shifts with waterfall effect detailing.

Shop all bridesmaid dresses

From left to right: beige wrap blouse, mustard wrap shirt, blue wrap blouse.

At this time of year people just can’t stop talking about their latest diet or new fitness regime, but sometimes all it takes for a bit of extra body confidence is a few changes to your wardrobe.

Grazia recently picked out one of our wrap tops in their feature on dropping a dress size by simply wearing the right clothes – we definitely agree with their choice. Wrap tops and wrap dresses do wonders for creating a fab, feminine silhouette, nipping in the waist when you want a bit more definition or adding curves if you have a more boyish frame.

Style tips…

• If you are blessed with a fuller bust, a V-neck, wrap top or dress will work wonders for your figure, simply add a vest underneath if it feels a little too low-cut
• Conscious of your tummy? Try a top that’s fitted but with some fabric drapery to disguise it.
• If you like to keep your arms covered we’ve got good news for you, the satin blouse style wrap tops are a big trend, especially within our designer collections
• Wrap dresses are an effortless style for the office, simply add some statement jewellery and a blazer to finish the look
• Floaty, chiffon styles are great at skimming over your bottom and thighs, great for flattering your curves
• Fitted jersey is just the thing to flaunt your figure so it’s great for athletic frames who want to create a waist

Here are a few of our favourite wrap dresses…

From left to right: palm print wrap dress, pink wrap dress, orange floral wrap dress, black jersey wrap dress.

The 2012 British Swimming Championships promises to be bigger and better then ever, not only is this event the selection trials for the GB Team, but the competition will be the first swimming event in the London Aquatics Centre.

Speedo are offering you the chance to win tickets for you and your friends, to be at the British Gas Swimming Championship finals between 3rd – 10th March and see Great Britain’s best swimmers, including Liam Tancock, Keri-anne Payne and Rebecca Adlington to name a few, compete for their place in the team.

For your chance to be at this event,  like the Speedo Facebook page,  where you can also read the competition T&Cs and enter your details for your chance of winning.

Shop Speedo

The Debenhams Beauty Club Blog has had a fabulous new makeover. As well as a bright new look and feel, we also have some handy new features…

We’ve added broader subject categories so you can view all posts within your favourite topics, whether that’s Make up, Tips & Advice, New Launches, Skincare, Trends, Beauty News, Events & Offers or Fragrance for example.

Visitors to the blog home page will see snippits of all the latest posts, but there is also a featured posts area at the top of the page so we can be sure to let you know of anything that’s extra important or exciting, like exclusive new launches like the new Urban Decay Naked Palette 2.

We’ve still got links to our Facebook and Twitter and you can also see ‘Recommendations’ which are popular products from debenhams.com that other people or your Facebook friends have ‘liked’ on Facebook. You can see our most popular posts, latest comments and view our top post tags too. Simply use the tabbed box in the sidebar.

Plus, you can now comment on the Debenhams Beauty blog using your Disqus, Twitter or Facebook profiles.We love to read your comments.

Our beauty editor Sarah has been hard at work to bring you lots of exciting news and features, so what are you waiting for, head over to the new Debenhams Beauty Club Blog now!

If finding your dream job, or just any job, is on your New Year’s resolutions list, being ‘interview ready’ is paramount to success.

First impressions

When it comes to making a good first impression appearance is of course very important. Your clothes, hair and shoes will be viewed as indicators of your confidence, lifestyle and ambition. If you’re interviewing for a position that will require you to you meet clients face to face then your appearance becomes even more important.

Who do you want to work for?

When choosing a suit think about the type of company you’re applying to. Accountancy, law firms and other professional offices require a more traditional suit, pinstripes will make the right impression, while marketing and retail departments allow for something a bit more modern. Creative industries generally have a more relaxed approach when it comes to dress but if you’re unsure about what to wear for any interview a suit is always the safe option, at the very least it will show you made an effort and are serious about the job.

Choosing colours

When it comes to choosing a suit it’s always best to stick with different shades of navy, grey and brown. Black can be ok but sometimes comes across as too serious. When choosing shoes to wear to interview make sure you have a nice pair of formal shoes. Brown shoes are acceptable and can again offer a more relaxed, comfortable look. More creative and less formal offices may find a brightly coloured tie memorable.

Accessories

Accessories are also important when it comes to making the right impression and landing the position. Make sure you bring a nice briefcase, satchel bag or document holder to carry your CV and portfolio in and business cards should be kept pristinely in a cardholder or organised wallet.

If you’re still unsure and need more advice why not book a visit to a personal shopper in your local Debenhams?

Was it your New Year’s resolution to get off the sofa and back into the gym? If so, you should also add ‘getting the right support for your bust’ to that list!

Selecting and choosing a sports bra can be confusing – whether you are an A cup or HH cup – which is why we’ve asked our Sports Bra buyer Pia (who is a bit of an expert on all things sports bra related) to come and join us on Facebook on THURSDAY 12 JANUARY from 1-2pm to answer all of your questions. Do you want to know what bra is right for you, why you need to wear one playing sport or even whether you need more than one? Pia can help.

Get your questions in now…

• Via email at blog@debenhams.com,
• Via Facebook, simply post on our wall
• Or via Twitter, tweet us @debenhams using the tag #askpia

We know that the correct fitting lingerie ensures you get the essential foundation for your figure, but it can also be a complicated and complex task to get it right! As one of the largest lingerie retailers in the UK, we’ve also created a Bra Busters section on Facebook to help ‘bust’ those myths and leave you shouting ‘bra-vo’. In January we’re focusing on sports bras, so get involved.

Plus, you could win a Shock Absorber Max support bra! Head over to Facebook now to enter.

Our spring/summer press show feels like a lifetime ago, yet the new season styles are only now starting to trickle in. We are super excited at the prospect of updating our wardrobe with summery styles. If, like us, you can’t wait for the new season, then take a look at some of the key trends below… we’re predicting you’ll be putting these on your shopping list very soon.

1. Candy colours

Sherbet, bon bons and sugared almonds are the shade inspiration for the upcoming season’s favourite colour palette. Mixing different pastels together was also a winning look on the catwalks, with Prada, Jonathan Saunders and Phillip Lim flying the flag for sugary sweet colour combos. We love soft pinks, minty greens, lemon yellows and powdery blues. Ben de Lisi’s Principles collection will have some fab pastel pieces this season.

2. In full bloom

Florals always scream ‘summer’ but this season, blooms are in abundance! Go for printed fabrics or choose decorative appliqué florals, anything goes. Labels like Erdem, who are renowned for fabulous flowers, mixed their prints on the catwalk while Rodarte and Christopher Kane opted to throw in some sheer fabrics as a backing to their florals. Star by Julien Macdonald will have some great statement florals at Debenhams.

3. I’ve got the power (dress)

The shift dress and the pencil skirt are two must-own styles for this season. Try them in bright hues or pastels to tick of more than one trend or find yourself the style that perfectly flatters your figure. On the catwalks it was Erdem, Jil Sander and Jonathan Saunders who stood out. For Debenhams this season, the J by Jasper Conran collection is one to watch.

4. Tribalista

When Burberry sent a tribal influenced collection down the runway last September we just knew the look was big news. But there were hints of it elsewhere too with Donna Karen, Michael Kors and David Koma including tribal prints in their collections. Rocha.John Rocha is the brand to watch for this look at Debenhams.

5. Deep in conversationals

Conversational prints including food, animals or other objects are a playful way to bring print into your wardrobe this summer. The look has quite a ’50s, kitsch feel to it so team with vintage accessories and cat’s eye sunglasses for a statement ensemble that is totally on-trend. Shop our fun conversational prints at Red Herring and H! by henry Holland.

6. 1920s glamour

Over the Christmas holidays I read The Great Gatsby and the reason I picked it up now is because the movie is being released in 2012 starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan. Fashion is ready to reflect the era with glam ’20s dresses and dropped hems, fringing and Art Deco style prints and patterns. The red carpet has seen plenty of celebs already partaking in the trend. Find the look in our occasion and eveningwear department.

7. Pyjama party

First it was underwear as outerwear and now it’s nightwear as eveningwear. The soft, silky and loose silhouettes of pyjamas have influenced loads of designer collections for spring/summer. We’re really interested to see how this will be worn on the streets of Britain – are people brave enough to work the look top to toe? More likely, we think people will got for the pyjama pant or the blousy tops as separates. Butterfly by Matthew Williamson has some great styles in this trend, coming soon to debenhams.com.

8.Scarf prints

D&G were the big champion of scarf prints on the catwalks for SS12, and you might also have spotted them at Versace. Decadent dresses looked like they had been crafted from several printed silk scarves and a mixing patterns was a key look. Red Herring at Debenhams is a hot tip for this look come spring, also look out for scarf hemlines.

9.Under-sea style

Shimmery, shiny fabrics, scalloped trims and mermaid sequins teamed with lagoony hues are giving us that underwater love. Marc Jacobs and Christopher Kane had some fab shimmering pieces while Chanel took the underwater seascape theme even further.

10. Get sporty

It’s going to be a big sporting summer for Brits and fashion is following the same theme. There’s the usual softer, plain colours but pops of neon are also likely to crop up. Victoria Beckham’s label mixed sporty details with striking dresses while Philip Lim took a more relaxed, modern approach with very loose tailoring. Betty Jackson.Black has some lovely fashion coming through with a modern-sports look.

There’ll be plenty more mini trends to come too, watch this space and we’ll be sure to share our favourite looks and trends as we hit the warmer weather. Check out our women’s new arrivals for all the latest pieces or our Designers at Debenhams area for the hottest designer collections.

Which of these 10 trends are you most looking forward to wearing?

Pineapple is an iconic brand and the woman behind it all, Debbie Moore, joined Debenhams for our recent video shoot showcasing the latest collections for women and girls. We headed along to the famous Pineapple Dance Studios to be shown some moves by fabulous dancers kitted out in Pineapple fashion. Anyone else wish they could throw together a dance routine like that? I definitely do.

But it doesn’t matter whether you’ve got ‘the moves like Jagger’ or ‘you move in your own way’, the Pineapple collection provides a touch of that dance styling in a range of styles for everything from gym trips and yoga classes to lounging at home on the sofa. The range features jogging bottoms, vests, oversize tees, zip-up tops and even fun and colourful footwear. Shop women’s Pineapple here.

Plus, kids love the bright and playful Pineapple collection designed with them in mind – how cool are the dancers in our kids’ Pineapple video below! For girls aged 4-16 there are all the essentials and a range of swimwear, accessories and nightwear too. Shop kids’ Pineapple here.

Keep your eyes on the blog as we’ll be announcing an exciting Pineapple competition very soon. Check out the Pineapple website and take a look at the great range of classes that you could try out. New Year, new dance moves?

It’s wet and windy outside, everyone’s back at work, the Christmas bills are beginning to arrive and suddenly we’re supposed to give up sandwiches and go jogging every day?  Whose idea was it to have resolutions in January?!

Turning over a new leaf doesn’t have to be that hard though and starting is always the hardest part (although keeping it up is also quite hard).

It has been reported that one in three people will make a New Year’s resolution to lose weight or improve fitness with giving up smoking, spending more time with family and learning a new skill also popular resolutions. Interestingly, a resolution that seems to be increasing in popularity is spending less time looking at laptops, phones and tablets when at home.

To make getting started and sticking to your resolutions  a little easier we’ve put together a top ten of healthy eating kitchen gadgets that’s full of ways to cook healthier this year. We’ve also put made getting everything you need for the gym even easier.

Shop women’s gym essentials

Shop men’s gym essentials

View healthy eating top ten

So have you made any new year’s resolutions? If so, do share below.

Happy New Year!

A wise man once said you can tell a gentleman by the shoes he wears. If he was right, then Britain is going through a renaissance of civility when it comes to men’s fashion because the classic brogue is back in a big way.

After decades of decline and years of only being seen in period dramas, demand for the classic brogue, defined as a low-heeled shoe characterised by decorative perforations (from a technique called ‘brogueing’ – hence the name) is now outstripping loafers, boat shoes and other casual styles of men’s shoes.

Our very own Ed Watson, a man not to be argued with when it comes to men’s style, said,
“These are the shoes upon which Britain once built an Empire. We thought the Swinging Sixties had swept those values away but we were wrong. Brogues are back, and they’ve never been more popular.”

Demand for brogues started improving about two years ago and since then has risen sharply. They’re so popular right now we’re even offering other colours along with the traditional tan and brown.

Our range of brogues includes a range of colours and styles from brands like Rocha. John Rocha, Red Herring, J Jeans by Jasper Conran and Loake.

So what do you think of the re-emergence of this classic shoe? A welcome return or still old fashioned? Let us know below.

Did you know?  The word brogue is a derivative of the Gaelic word ‘brog’ which means shoe.

Shop all men’s brogues

To swaddle or not to swaddle? That’s the question for parents as swaddling newborn infants gains popularity for the first time in 50 years. How do we know it’s on the up? Demand for swaddling clothes has soared by over 61 per cent in the last year alone.

The practice of swaddling is as old as The Nativity and some experts say that wrapping a baby in a tightly fitting cloth mimics the gentle pressure felt during its time in the womb, creating an increased feeling of security. Records of swaddling go back as far as 4000 BC, to the times of the Romans and Ancient Greeks, famous paintings of the Madonna and child usually also show the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes.

Swaddling in Britain began to fall out of favour in the late 1950s with mothers being encouraged to choose free-moving clothes such as baby grows instead. Modern research into swaddling suggests that it may encourage new born babies to sleep more soundly. But some do disagree and still favour non-restrictive garments and blankets to encourage infants to develop motor skills from an early age. While recognising that many mothers now love to swaddle their new born baby, the Royal College of Midwives has also warned against doing so too tightly for fear of overheating the newborn infant. However, done properly it is perfectly safe, and may create a feeling of increased security.

In response to the trend, we’ve created a swaddling area online within our nursery section of www.debenhamsplus.com specifically for swaddling clothes. It features a wide selection of blankets and wraps which can be used to swaddle as well as to keep new born babies warm. Do check out our new baby essentials too if you’re expecting a new arrival.

So mums, did or do you swaddle your little one or not? We’d love to hear your reasons either way, so do leave a comment below.

For this year’s party season we launched a new variety of party outfit – the 18 hour dress. We think it will work perfectly for New Year’s Eve. This year it falls on a Saturday and many of us will have daytime plans as well as evening ones. The 18 hour dress means you can go from lunch with friends to a party without having to buy a brand new dress.

Our £50 frock was created following revelations that 80% of women want dresses capable of taking them from the school run to work and on to a party. That’s an 18 hour day with just one dress. It makes sense to us too, us ladies can get glam without splashing out on lots of different dresses for every different occasion.

Cash-strapped women want ‘desk-to-dance-floor’ looks at great prices; the pressure on the purse due to the economic climate has resulted in this new breed of party dress. The trend is all about maximising cost-per-wear; the dress works from 7am to 1am and can be worn more than once. Putting on statement jewellery, high heels and bright lipstick is enough to take a dress from day to evening so you feel fabulous for less.

When asked to describe the perfect ‘18 hour dress’ our customers said…

• Not too short (work appropriate)
• Figure hugging/enhancing but not revealing too much cleavage
• Something you can wear a shirt underneath for work
• Appropriate with flats and party shoes
• Crease resistant

So whatever you are up to this New Year’s Eve during the day, be safe in the knowledge that you don’t have to buy a whole new outfit to take things to party status. Just opt for the 18 hour dress and you’ll look effortlessly stylish, day and night!

Shop women’s dresses

Shop featured dress

How do you get the most out of your party dresses? Feel free to share your tips in a comment below…

Well that time of year is just around the corner, the tree is up, the house is decorated with tinsel, baubles, Father Christmas’ in various shapes and sizes and Christmas cards are everywhere!!

I have always loved this time of year and as a little girl my mum tells me I always wanted to go to bed asvery early on Christmas Eve so that Father Christmas would come as soon as possible! Now it is my daughters turn, as Chloe is now 2 she is getting to the age where she is finding the twinkling lights and decorations exciting, laughing at the jolly Father Christmas’ and trying to unwrap all of my beautifully wrapped presents for the family!!

Christmas has got a great air of excitement about it for my family and I this year, as it is all about the little ones really isn’t it? Seeing their joy at the mountain of presents under the Christmas tree and their eyes popping out at all of the delicious food on offer!

I hope you are enjoying the run up to Christmas too this year, I have found it rather stress free- I have done a lot of internet shopping which does make life so easy doesn’t it- particularly as I have been able to buy gifts from my I phone too!!

Debenhams is THE place to go for gifts for the whole family and it has certainly made my life easy- I have shopped for Great Aunts, cousins, grandparents, nieces and nephews and my husband all from Debenhams. Christmas is about enjoying the time with your family so make sure you make your life as easy as possible with all of that gift buying and take a look at what Debenhams has to offer.

Shop kids

Shop Christmas

For the perfect gift this Christmas, look no further than the J by Jasper Conran range of luxurious products for the home. In minimal tones of silver and white; team four striking Albany Champagne flutes with an ice bucket made of glass and a set of two silver candle sticks. Or, opt for a white Ebury tea pot and matching Ebury tea cup and saucer for the tea lover. For the ultimate fragranced stocking fillers, select a Rose scented reed diffuser or Gardenia Lily boxed candle.

So I’ve been a bit slack in the blogging department recently (apologies) but in my defence life at Debenhams has been very busy with our spectacular Christmas Spectacular event. I’ve also been quite busy getting wedding things ticked off the list, so expect the blogs to be coming thick and fast from now on.

I’m starting my return with what I think is the absolute best bit about weddings (apart from the love and commitment part of course) … THE WEDDING DRESS!

From conversations with family and girly friends I think everyone tackles this differently. I actually researched through about 30 wedding magazines (no I’m not exaggerating the number!) and made a scrap book of all of the dresses that I really liked. After a while there did appear to be an apparent theme to the dresses that I’d put in there – so I was pretty comfortable that I knew what I was shopping for. That said, I have gone with the complete opposite (can’t give too much away here!) which goes to show you the power of the trying-on session. I had booked a couple of pretty full-on weekends for my mum and I and had mentally prepared myself to try on 100 dresses.

But, it was actually the first session at designer Caroline Castigliano where I found “the one” (yes that is ultimately cheesy but it just felt so right) and, high on wedding buzz, I bought it that same day! Much to the disappointment of my mum and bridesmaids, I then cancelled all my other appointments. I am absolutely in love with my dress (it’s a little unhealthy) and I’m not going to tell you how many times I’ve tried it on since. I can’t wait for the big day to see everyone’s reaction and of course will share some pics with you all so that you can all see the end result.

My top dress shopping tips:

• Have a trying-on session of your existing dresses in your wardrobe – does a particular shape flatter/suit you more?
• Do buy some magazines and create a scrapbook of dresses you like so that you don’t get overwhelmed in the shop – you’d be surprised as to how many white dresses you can actually fit in one room!
• Don’t be influenced by others – sounds easy I know! I know a couple of brides who had some pretty pushy sales people in their trying-on sessions
• Don’t overthink it – if it feels and looks fabulous don’t stress yourself out too much
• Know your budget! This is a good one to keep in mind as it is very easy to get carried away!
• The right accessories (and underwear) is going to be key so check out the Debenhams range of all thing bridal.
• Need more advice? A personal shopper at debenhams can help you work out what will fit and flatter you best.

Last week I attended the Debenhams SS12 press show, an opportunity to preview the forthcoming summer trends and forecast the season’s must-have purchases. Although the garments may not yet be available in stores, in my eyes it’s never too early to begin your summer shopping wish list! Naturally I headed straight down to the footwear section where the trends were clear to see. I can’t wait for summer to arrive!

Pop brights
Neon colours came through as one of the key colour palettes for SS12, used as bright accents, contrast colour segments and all over base colours. Pinks featured in every tone along with aqua marines and citrus oranges. I especially loved the colour blocked wedges which will brighten up the office work attire. Don’t be afraid of wearing bold colours, eye-popping brights will give a fun and youthful spin to any outfit, making them the perfect summer accessory.

I adorn you
From iridescent rhinestones to appliquéd fabrics, footwear embraced the age of 3D with playful embellishments. These dazzling shoes have the potential to give any outfit the wow factor. I would wear these with a peplum skirt (another predicted summer trend) for an ultra-modern 3D look.

Naturals & nudes
Earthy colour-ways adorned woven wedges, court shoes and raffia heels. Personally I love this colour palette as the tones are extremely easy to wear, can be paired with almost any outfit and can provide you with a regal appearance i.e. think Kate Middleton and her abundance of nude coloured heels.

The power of print
Spring/summer saw designers embracing our English heritage for inspiration. Whether delicate vintage florals or abstract bold prints, shoes conjured up images of beautiful English summer garden parties and the prim and proper dress code of the 1950’s. These elegant shoes will look stunningly feminine paired with shift dresses and midi length skirts. Progressing on from last year’s pattern clash faze, this year is all about being brash and matching your prints perfectly. Although if a full head-to-toe print feels a bit too bold, simply match your footwear with your clutch bag for a more subtle, but nevertheless ultra-sophisticated look.

New heights
Heels for spring are sure to be high! However there’s no need to alarm your feet as wedges appeared in their abundance; an ingenious way of wearing heels throughout the day – minus the pain! Raffia, cork and structured shapes could be seen throughout the whole collection along with chunky block heels, platforms and espadrille bases.

Which look is your favourite?

You can shop thousands of pairs of shoes online now at debenhams.com

At this time of year, our customers love treating themselves or others to luxurious lingerie and nightwear. That’s why I thought it was about time we highlighted the fab new lingerie brands that have recently arrived at debenhams.com, just in time to make your gift shopping even easier.

Iris & Edie

This beautiful designer loungewear collection comes from Designers at Debenhams favourites, FrostFrench. Created in conjunction with the design duo’s own teenage children, its got plenty of style appeal not to mention all the cosy comfort you’d expect too. The picture above gives you an idea of what to expect.

Shop Iris & Edie

DKNY nightwear

DKNY nightwear was recently named in the top nightwear brands collated by Drapers, and it’s easy to see why. The luxury label offers a varied range of nightwear styles from nightshirts and robes to the pretty chemise pictured above. Whether you like something relaxed and cosy or a bit more glam, they seem to have something for everyone.

Shop DKNY nightwear

Curvy Kate

This brand’s aim is to make curvy women feel fabulous about their figure, and they have a collection of gorgeous lingerie to do it with. But don’t just take our word for it, Curvy Kate won Best Full Bust Brand 2011 in the UK Lingerie Awards. They also use real women in their photography with the winner of their ‘Star in a Bra’ model competition getting a year long modelling job with the brand.

Shop Curvy Kate

HOTmilk

We’ve also got something special for new mums and mums-to-be. HOTmilk is a nursing lingerie collection that also features lovely nightwear pieces like camisole sets and pyjamas. There is no reason at all why new mums can’t also wear beautiful design and feminine underwear.

Shop HOTmilk

Plus, don’t forget all the other great brands we stock online. For added inspiration, view our top 10 nightwear gifts or take a look at our women’s nightwear video below…

We asked our customers how they were planning to decorate their houses this Christmas and it seems, this Christmas, people are filling their homes with more Christmas cheer than ever. In the face of economic uncertainty the people of the UK are buying more Christmas trees than ever before, with more and more households displaying two and three trees over the festive period.

The dining room and the lounge remain the most common rooms to show off the year’s Christmas trees and there has been a big rise in outdoor trees as purveyors of Yuletide happiness share their cheer with the street.

Some Santa addicts are taking the term ‘deck the halls’ even further and putting Christmas trees in their hallways, kitchens and bedrooms.

More families are also enjoying both artificial and natural trees in their homes with 76% of people opting for at least one natural tree in their homes this Christmas.

Having more than one Christmas tree also allows you to be more adventurous when it comes to colour and styles with 56% experimenting with silver and gold designs.

One part of Christmas decoration shopping that is proving less popular this year is struggling home with arms full of decorations with 70% of Christmas trees being sold online and delivered directly to their homes.

But shoppers are being savvy when getting their trees this year with 70% of trees being ordered online and delivered direct to customers’ doors to avoid the arm ache of trying to carry one home.

Read more tips and hints about having the perfect Christmas

Shop Christmas trees and Christmas decorations

Ever wondered what celebrities and the super-rich buy their loved ones as gifts for Christmas and birthdays? Our fun infographic reveals some of the money’s-no-object gifts that A-listers have splashed out on, from desert islands and diamonds to trips to the moon!

If you thought your Christmas wishlist was ambitious, try adding one of these statement gifts to it – you’d have to prove to Santa that you’d been very good indeed this year! If money were no object, what gifts would you buy? We think most people are just looking for great value gifts and, if that’s the case, check out our great gifts department at debenhams.com.

The infographic looks best when viewed full size. Simply click the image and then click again to magnify.

Click image below to view full size

You can also embed our gifts infographic on your own blog or website, using the code below…

<a href="http://www.debenhams.com/gifts-toys"><img title="Gifts" src="http://blog.debenhams.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Debenhams_expensive_info.jpg" width="1000" height="5111" alt="gifts" /></a></p><a href="http://www.debenhams.com/gifts-toys">Gifts </a>

Why not treat your loved ones to some gorgeous items from our J by Jasper Conran kidswear Christmas wish-list! We’ve made sure to include Jasper Conran’s favourites in this designer gift edit, do let us know what you think and which items are your own favourites.

Plus, to keep the kids amused while you’re shopping online, take a look at the fantastic things to make and do, all with a J by Jasper Conran theme. You’ll need a printer and just a little bit of creative thinking to create paper chains, a Christmas card, dress a doll and make snowflake decorations.

Older boys and girls

For older girls, slim fitting jeans and a cropped navy tweed jacket would sit perfectly with the horse print cardigan and a scarlet red frill coat. For those all important Christmas parties, a bright red polka dot dress with leggings would make the ideal outfit for a fun and fashion-loving girl. For older boys, a statement bright orange, fleece-lined gilet and navy knitted hoodie are sure to keep him toasty this Christmas. Team with a grey Fair Isle knit hat and mittens and washed denim jeans to complete the look.

Shop more featured gifts: Girl’s chunky knit beanie hat, girl’s navy flower knitted scarf, quilted herringbone coat, white and black spot shirt.

Younger boys and girls

Younger boys would look super cute in this festive red, reversible padded gilet, or prepped and ready for the party season in a navy striped jumper and shirt set. This gorgeous Fair Isle knit cardigan would make a great Christmas Day jumper, or a snug suede brown hat and mittens would make the ideal stocking filler. Younger girls are all set to party this christmas with a navy polka dot skirt and cropped ruffle cardigan. Soft cream spot mittens and a matching hat would sit perfectly alongside the bright red padded coatigan for outdoor fun this winter.

Shop more featured gifts: Boy’s navy duffle coat, girl’s tunic top and leggings, girl’s navy padded jacket.

Baby boys and girls

Gift ideas for baby girls include a super soft, cream faux fur snowsuit, quilted shoes and matching faux fur hat. And get ready for party time in this baby pink sateen dress or dress up for best in a navy pinafore set teamed with a matching navy wrap cardigan. For baby boys, ensure he looks super cool in this blue check shirt, t-shirt and jeans set, or keep him cosy in navy cord booties and a quilted snowsuit. For the ultimate baby boy stocking filler, a white striped peak cap and mittens would complete the look.

Shop more featured gifts: White ballet shoe pattern tights, girl’s pink wadded coat, boys’ navy shawl collar cardigan, yellow padded parka jacket.

Newborn

For newborn babies, J by Jasper Conran has gone for the ultimate in luxury with light blue and baby pink sleepsuits using a premium fine knitted wool for extra softness. Pick from a range of accessories for newborns including pale pink or blue knitted blankets and white chick booties. Or why not opt for a blue striped, spotty white or teddy brushed cotton sleepsuit with matching hat or cosy white cardigan for that treasured baby boy or girl.

We can hardly believe it’s December already. In the office some of us have already put up our Christmas decorations while the rest of us are getting excited at the thought. Lunchtimes are filled with special Christmas sandwiches and festive coffees and the office Christmas parties have already begun.

But what to put under the tree this year? How are you all getting on with the Christmas shopping? What with festive parties and family gatherings, time is short and it can be difficult to know what gifts to buy everyone on your list. A little inspiration can never be a bad thing, so here are some ideas and guides to help.

Shopping in store

If you are shopping in store, then why not enlist the help of a personal shopper for our new ‘Christmas Express’ service which is sure to take the stress out of deciding what to buy. You fill in a short questionnaire at the start of your appointment, listing your gift recipients, sizes, ages and budgets, or as much info as you have. The personal shopper then sets out onto the shop floor in search of the perfect gifts, within budget, while you’re left to relax. So sit back, grab a magazine and a coffee and we’ll do all the hard work for you. To book an appointment visit debenhams.com/personal-shopper or call 08445 616161

Shopping online

If you are shopping online then take a look at our gifting videos for men, women and kids below, or follow these handy links for even more inspiration.

Try our gift finder
Get a daily treat with our advent calendar
Watch more videos on Debenhams TV
Shop all gifts
View Christmas last order dates

When the competition arose to become Faith’s official shoe blogger it didn’t take me long to snap myself wearing my favourite heels and scribble down my entry hoping to convince the judges it should be me who wins.

Amazingly my entry won the incredible prize; firstly I have the opportunity to preview the fabulous Faith collections before anyone else, and then to top it all off I can then reveal my most desired purchases on the Debenhams website. As a current fashion student and absolute shoe fanatic (trust me I have lost count of the number of pairs I own!)  I will be sure to regularly keep you posted on all the new seasonal trends and lust-worthy shoes.

Check out my top 10 shoes now

My original competition entry…

“Ladies can generally be divided into two camps; either a bag obsessed girl or a shoe fanatic. I am most definitely the latter and also, I must add, the proud owner of endless rows of delicate heels, cute pumps and rock chick boots.

Shoes are an art form, a true craft and much more than just a general necessity. A fabulous pair of heels can lift your mood and transform your image entirely.

On entering a Faith concession I can instantly feel my heart rate rise and my pulse beat quicken. The excitement I feel whilst browsing the adorned shelves is incredible. I adore the exhilaration of discovering a gorgeous new pair of must-have shoes and the anticipated feeling when waiting for the sales assistant to return with my desired size. Slipping on the shoes transports me into a dream world where the shop floor morphs into my personal runway. However, my favourite part of the visit has to be leaving the store… with a fabulous new purchase which I can call my own.

Faith shoes understand the desires and needs of their fashion-conscious customers, which makes the brand the top priority on my shopping list. Since being acquired by Debenhams in 2010, Faith has continued to deliver trend led styles at competitive price points producing an amazing spring/summer collection.

Being passionate about the British high street, the fashion industry and shoes, has driven me to create my own fashion blog. The blog has allowed me to express my opinions and label lusts whilst also developing my individual writing style and online persona. Currently completing a fashion buying degree at university has only increased my shoe obsession. However I now understand the true craftsmanship and detail which goes into producing remarkable shoes. Therefore I can fully appreciate Faith as the amazing brand it is.
Being confident with my writing abilities, having a huge love of shoes and being a constant shopper will allow me to be the most wonderful online blogger for Faith at Debenhams.”

Come back soon… my next post will be a preview of the shoe trends for spring/summer as spotted at the Debenhams press show. I’ve got lots of pictures to sort through.

Christmas time is the most magical time of the year but once you’ve exchanged gifts, eaten too much turkey and are finally relaxing with your feet up (in your new slippers if you’re lucky) talk will inevitably turn to it’s all over for another year.

Every body knows the best bit and the true magic of Christmas is all in the COUNTDOWN!

Everybody loves the run up to Christmas, the choosing of the gifts, the last minute shopping and of course, the Christmas songs on the radio. This is why this year, to keep the excitement building all the way through December, we’ve designed our very own CHRISTMAS ADVENT CALENDAR!

Every day from 1 December right up to Christmas Eve there’ll be another Advent window for you to open, another day to cross off your Christmas countdown and, most importantly, another fantastic OFFER, EXCLUSIVE to the Advent Calendar.

So pay us a visit every day until Christmas, you never know what UNMISSABLE offer is waiting behind the next Advent calendar window!

Keep an eye out, it launches on the 1st of December.

While you wait why not do some Christmas shopping.

We’ve got some glam new Reger by Janet Reger lingerie to show you and it’s modelled by 58 year old Jilly Johnson. The model is a rather fitting choice for the brand as Jilly was the first ever model cast by the Janet Reger label, back in the eighties. Now, 30 years later, Jilly still looks amazing! We wanted to show that women can look fabulous in lingerie no matter what age they are.

Following on from ‘The Style List‘, our aspirational photography campaign featuring women in their 40s, 50s and 60s, the casting of Jilly reinforces our commitment to diversity on the high street. We are committed to using a variety of models, of different shapes, sizes and ages in our photography and we’ve had a great response from press and customers alike, who’ve been delighted to see beautiful, stylish women they could relate to representing them in our photography.

Aliza Reger has known Jilly since she was a little girl and admired her as one of the models for the Janet Reger label (check out Aliza’s confidence tips in our earlier blog post).

Jilly Johnson says: “As we get older there are certain things that leave us lacking in confidence. No longer do we have taut, concave tummies. I’ve got a bit of a jelly-belly, but I don’t know of a woman at my age who doesn’t! I was excited but nervous when Aliza asked me to do the shoot for Debenhams. There is a distinct lack of imagery featuring older, more realistic models in the industry, and Aliza and I wanted to show that you don’t have to be in your twenties to look great in lingerie.”

Well, we have to admit, Jilly looks stunning in the Reger by Janet Reger lingerie! If you like the look, you can shop the collection online now.

What do you think?

What do you think of the campaign shots? How else do you think high street retailers should be tackling diversity in their imagery? Feel free to leave your comments below, we’d love to hear your thoughts…

Kate Middleton (or we should say, the Duchess of Cambridge) has become a true style icon this past year. During the Royal tour of Canada earlier this year it seemed that all eyes were on Kate’s wardrobe and her designer lace dress was credited as a style triumph.

Fans of Kate’s taste in fashion will be glad to know that Debenhams as our very own lace dress from Debut that can help you get the look for less. Plus, you can stock up on Duchess-like accessories too including a diamond and sapphire ring. Although Kate may not officially be a princess, we reckon our top picks below are fit for a one. Do you love this look?

Shop: Debut lace dress, teardrop earrings, wave bracelet, oyster clutch bag, diamond & sapphire ring, nude high heel shoes.

But Kate’s wardrobe isn’t the only hot topic when it comes to the Royal couple. The rumour mill seems to be speculating that Kate could be pregnant. Whether it’s true or not, we can’t wait to see what her maternity wardrobe will look like. Which baby names do you think would be fitting? Leave a comment with your ideas below…

Image credit: Rex features

Visiting Santa at the local department store is one of our favourite modern Christmas traditions. Are there any funnier photos than you as a child visiting Santa’s grotto and sitting on Santa’s knee? The tradition continues here at Debenhams and every year we look forward to the man in the red suit’s big arrival. In this office, Christmas doesn’t start until Santa sets up his grotto!

This year is going to be great. Santa has selected some great presents for boys and girls (we don’t want to spoil the surprise but you can choose your present depending on your child’s age/reading ability!).  And his grotto is going to look better than ever. Plus we’ve teamed up with the NSPCC to help support their fantastic work. A visit to Santa in the UK will cost £3 and £1 will go to the charity. While in Ireland a visit costs €3.60 with a donation of €1.20 going to the charity.

Santa arrives in Debenhams stores tomorrow (Saturday 26 November) and it’s always a very special day. All the staff, elves and helpers and Santa himself will be waiting to wish you big jolly MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Santa is visiting 58 stores this year, don’t ask how, it’s magic. See the list below to find your nearest store…

We thought our customers would be keen to know that Debenhams has become the first major retailer on the British high street to offer a tailored shopping service for blind and partially sighted customers. This service will be available in 167 stores across the UK and Ireland.

In developing the service, we’ve worked closely with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to identify the main obstacles faced by both the customer and personal shopper while trying to shop in store. Customers highlighted time, brand and social and physical barriers as obstacles, and for the personal shoppers it was the difficultly in broaching the subject of sight loss with the customer, and how to describe the key features of the garment.

In light of this, Debenhams personal shoppers have undergone special training on the experience of a blind or partially sighted customer, using glasses which imitate various levels of sight loss that include; cataracts and macular degeneration. Our personal shoppers have also been carefully trained in how to effectively explain the touch and feel of sequins and embellishment, how to describe heel height and style, the difference in look, touch and function of different fastening methods and how to communicate sensitively to the customer.

We are passionate about diversity at Debenhams, and wanted to create something inclusive yet fabulous. The service acts to make shopping an accessible and enjoyable experience for every single person that comes into our stores. We hope it makes a real difference.

What do you think of this new service? Do you know someone who is partially sighted and struggled with shopping in the past? Join the conversation and leave a comment below…

We asked Jasper Conran to help us compile the ultimate J by Jasper Conran Christmas Gift Guide to give you a little helping hand this festive season. Read on for the designer’s top picks… or shop all J by Jasper Conran gifts.

Women’s gifts

For that extra bit of sparkle, why not team a stunning silver diamante bracelet with silver tear cluster earrings or add some classic glamour with black long line leather gloves and a fabulous black ‘Jagger’ tote. For the tech-lover, opt for a striking pink croc iPad case and matching crimson pink mobile phone case, or keep wrapped up warm this winter with a beautifully coloured silk scarf.

Shop more featured gifts: navy striped blazer, diamante square case watch, faux fur headband, Gardenia Lily boxed candle, pink silk mix pashminetta, snakeskin-look tote.

Men’s gifts

In a cool palette of chocolate brown, navy, white and grey, pick from a stunning Italian leather belt, crisp white slim fitting shirt or soft, Merino wool jumper. For an array of luxurious and contemporary accessories; team this leather iPhone case with a striking leather holdall, or why not opt for a navy cord driver’s cap paired with a grey herringbone scarf.

Shop more featured gifts: chronograph watch, grey twill rucksack, Merino knitted scarf, leather iPad 2 case, checked long sleeved shirt.

Earlier this year we launched a competition to find Faith’s Biggest fan and our winner can finally be announced. Hayley Geddes caught our eye after sending us pictures of herself with some of her gorgeous Faith shoe collection. She also wrote a fabulous entry explaining why she should be the Debenhams shoe blogger which she can share with you in her very first blog post for us, coming soon.

Hayley will be blogging for us from special events like our spring/summer press show and covering the latest shoe trends too. As part of her prize, Hayley also had the opportunity to come and meet the Faith shoe buyers, get a sneak peek at our upcoming collections and have a brand new shoe named after her!

Get to know Hayley a little better in our mini Q&A below, and do look out for her posts coming soon.

Style is… an opportunity for everyone to express their personality through their clothing and characteristics.

My personal style is… dependant on the event and my mood! I primarily like to wear dresses as I like to feel feminine and I am constantly in heels!

My favourite AW11 shoe trend is… the all over glitter shoe and knee boot.

I’m inspired by… women who know what to wear, how to wear it and wear it with confidence. I love the styles of Alexa Chung, Blake Lively and Holly Willoughby.

A woman looks great when… wearing her favourite heels and lipstick.

A man should always… have clean shoes, smell great and know how to treat a lady!

My dream job would be… something that I love to get up for in the morning, excites and motivates me and involves fashion. I would particularly like to be a stylist or branded shoe buyer.

I’m obsessed with shoes because… they can alter your mood, make you feel fantastic and transform your outfit into something spectacular.

My most treasured possession is… my cupboard full of shoes!

My top tip is… as I’ve learnt from my mum, always wear matching underwear!

If you love Faith shoes too, be sure to enter our weekly Faith Friday giveaway on Twitter.

Those lovely folk over at Wonderbra have teamed up with Debenhams to offer a very special prize to get you in the mood for the party season.

The winner of our giveaway will stay in a London hotel with a friend, get a VIP £250 shopping spree, a makeover at Westfield London and a year’s supply of Wonderbras! It’s an amazing prize that I’m sure you won’t want to miss. Your friends will be fighting over the chance to join you.

If you’ve got your party dress but need the right lingerie to go with it then Wonderbra have plenty of styles to suit all sorts of outfits. Whether it’s backless, strapless, sheer, one-shoulder or with a plunging neckline, you can be sure to find a fitting style. Check out our party solutions feature to see which fab bra styles you could be getting your hands on in this giveaway.

Want to be in with a chance to win this awesome prize? Enter the Wonderbra giveaway now. COMPETITION NOW CLOSED.

And if you aren’t a lucky winner, you can still look and feel great this festive season, shop Wonderbra at debenhams.com

Got the outfit but not thought about what to wear underneath it yet? As Pearce and Fionda mentioned when they took over our Facebook page a few weeks back, investing in the correct undergarments can make your outfit fit better and you feel more confident.

So with this in mind, we have asked our Head of Lingerie Buying & Design, Sharon Webb, back to answer your questions on what the correct underwear or shapewear to get for any body shape or size, even if you have had a mastectomy or are nursing – whether this is for the party season or for everyday.

Join Sharon on Thursday 24 November from 12.30-1.30pm

Get your questions in now via…

Email: blog@debenhams.com
Twitter: @debenhams #asktheexpert
Facebook: www.facebook.com/debenhams
Comment: Leave a comment on this blog post

If you’re not yet signed up to Twitter, all you have to do is head to Twitter.com enter some details and click on the ‘sign up’ button for a free account.

Plus, check out our new Top 10 bras feature for our top picks and customer favourites.

Fancy winning £1000 worth of luxurious Kylie Minogue at Home bed linen? Well with our brilliant competition you could be so LUCKY, LUCKY, LUCKY!

Kylie Minogue is one of the planet’s most successful pop stars and one of our most loved women. Having sold 68 million records worldwide during a career that has lasted 25 years, Kylie has also lived her life, which has included a successful battle with breast cancer and numerous public break ups, in front of the world’s cameras.

All of this, coupled with a gruelling touring schedule makes it all the more impressive that everybody’s favourite Aussie superstar has found the time to design a beautiful range of luxurious bed linen.

Kylie Minogue at Home is a stunning range of soft and beautifully designed bed linen that boasts a gorgeous range of colours, patterns and styles.

You could transform your bedrooms and win £1000 worth of this fabulous range simply by leaving your details here. COMPETIITON IS NOW CLOSED.

A beautiful addition to your bedroom and a great gift idea with £1000 worth of Kylie Minogue at Home bed linen on offer this is definitely a competition so good we won’t be surprised if you can’t get it out of your head!

Browse and shop the Kylie Minogue at Home bed linen collection.

If you aren’t up to speed on our celebrity style challenge, then read this blog post or watch the video below. We’ve been working with five celebrities to create some special fashion pieces being sold in Debenhams and helping raise money for Children in Need. You can view parts 2 and 3 over on Debenhams TV.

Don’t forget to catch all the action on BBC1 this Friday 18 November. You can also shop the celebrity designs and donate money to the charity. Plus, here are some behind-the-scenes pics of the celebs in action.

We were really saddened to hear about the loss of our favourite florist Jane Packer, who passed away over the weekend. She leaves behind an amazing legacy – with her unique passion for flowers revolutionising the florticulture industry. She will be sorely missed by all here at Debenhams.

Thank you to those who’ve left messages over on our Facebook page, they’re are a lovely tribute to Jane. We’ve included below a few of Jane’s words of wisdom from our ’60 seconds with…’ series to remind us all why she was such an inspirational woman.

“Style is… completely personal to each individual.

My personal style is… simplicity yet gorgeousness rolled into one.

My collection is… flowers without fuss.

I’m inspired by… changing seasons and a flower’s individual beauty.

My favourite piece from my collection is… hard to pick as there is a constant flow of inspiration from seasons througout.

A woman looks great when… surrounded by nature.

A man should always… give flowers, I can’t think of anything better!

My most treasured possession is… my family.

My top tip is… never contrive.”