Christmas is around the corner and our December newsletter is packed full of goodies. We take you on a FCaNK tour of party frills dresses and dive into some bra and panty frillies...perfect for Christmas eve night . We also take a look at the fab knit dress and give you a few tips for creating a FCaNK Christmas as well as reviewing your stocking filler contributions! Party Frills
Oh my goodness, there are some simply superb glamour rags in the stores for a last minute Christmas treat. When you brave the cold to go to a party, it's really important that you are comfortable and have lots of cosy layers for your taxi, tube or car journey. Boleros are really useful but can be desperately boring, so choose one with a bit of flair. Diamante, ostrich feathers or sequins are a lovely addition...if tasteful. You can sew these on yourself or pay Fur Coat prices for a ready made beautiful layer! Of course, always pay a visit to our Dress page and check out the basic rules on buying!
Party On...on a Fur Coat Budget!
We think frills are fabulous for this time of year and have found very cute little shimmy shimmy cocktail dresses that are fabulously flirtatious ! We particularly love this Catherine Malandrino dress from Net a Porter (see left).
We also adore Matches for a Fur Coat frolic. Diane Von Furstenburg is out in force and we also love the Issa dresses that comes in an array of colours (see right). This dress is very flattering for ample figures as well as little dainties. An amazing treat if you have a special year ahead and want to see the New Year in, in style!
Party On...on a No Knickers budget!
If you are looking for an Audrey Hepburn look this season, Phase Eight has the answer! This little darling is on sale for £73.50, which is a fabulous steal, even for Holly Golightly! Style with some cutesome pearl drop earrings and you have yourself a little posh soiree outfit. We suggest that you go for some vintage styling to really emphasise the retro chic appeal of this outfit! The sale lasts until the 13th December. Ted Baker takes the FCaNK Dress award this year...for creative style and finesse at good value prices. As always Zara has great tailoring and beautiful colour ways. Just be careful with their ethics and quality issues. For those of us with blessed with curves and boobs, Top Shop have a fabulous structured Prom dress for £70. This is our favourite above all and very Fur Coat fabulous. Just a shame it's black, so work the look with some Cheryl Cole chandelier earrings! Very beautiful darling x x
Panty Frills
Christmas is such a special time that new bras and pants are a perfect little touch of luxury that can make you feel fabulous. Buying a new bra is a serious business! If you haven't yet been measured by a specialist bra fitter, then it really is time that you do! Please don't spend any more pennies on cheaper bras because they can be unflattering, uncomfortable and have a tiny shelf life. Good bras are investment items that are well worth spending time and money on. Check out our new Lingerie Page to find out more!Obviously, everyone has heard of Rigby and Pellor but there are other fabulous fitters whom we can recommend. For small boobage, an independent French lingerie shop is your answer in London SW11. Amelie's Follies staff are brilliantly trained, have an amazing eye for cup sizes and will turn you out with a completely new boob look! They stock the fabulous Princesse Tam Tam and Aubade designs and have a lovely eye for pretty purchases. It is worth phoning them if you are making a special trip to London just to ensure they have ample supplies in bras and pants sizes!
For those of us with bigger boobage, Bravissimo is your one stop shop. They fit larger sizes but have sexy designs rather than boob holsters! Their shops are nationwide so very accessible! It is worth making an early appointment because the queues can be enormous.
General Bra Tips
- If you are a posh bra virgin and have never paid more than £12, then these bra prices will be shocking. Start with a black bra that you can match with some cheapish M&S lacy pants. Once you have realised the benefit of this investment purchase, you can detour into patterns and fringe benefits!
- If you are buying a patterned bra, budget for two pairs of matching knickers, one pair is a little bit pointless, if you are spending a lot on a bra.
- Avoid big ribbons and texturing because it will show through shirts and jumpers etc. Ribbon bras are purely for sensuous nights in with chocolates, strawberries, rhino horn and champagne !
- Please don't think that a cream bra is a good basic. Though they are okay as a neutral under a shirt etc, they are difficult to match with cheap knickers because cheap cream knickers always turn white...you watch!
- If you are tiny, the balconnette bra might be difficult because as beautiful as they are; you might not have enough to plump it out...so purchase with care!
- Lastly, but not least, extend your lingerie by careful washing.
Mini Boob Brands
Princesse Tam Tam at shop style.comAubade at figleaves.com
Mimi Holliday at Mio Destino.com
Fleur of England
Elle Mcpherson at figleaves.com ...watch out for comfort but beautiful styling!
Big Boob Brands
Aubade at Figleaves.comFleur of England ( see photos)
Freya
Fantasie
For more brands and tips, go to the Lingerie Page at FCaNK.com
Dresses to cuddle up to!
Surely the snuggliest item a girl can have in her wardrobe this winter is a stunning knit dress! Team it with some colourful cosy tights, boots (over the knee if you dare!) and a 3/4 length coat and you will be set to see through those cold and wet months.
FCaNK loves knit dresses as they can be worn anytime and anywhere. We especially love them for those non - jeans days when you may feel bloated. Fur Coat bought herself a beautiful Anonymous by Ross Bute purple knit dress this winter and has worn it to death.
Other places you can find these lovelies are at Jigsaw, (see photo) Ted Baker (we love the Elope Knit dress discounted to £50 at Fashion Beans.com.) Marks and Spencer have an adorable above the knee number for just £45!
For a Fur Coat offering, look no further than The White Company for an easy to wear jersey knit dress at £85. Great shops for fur coat knitted dresses are Toast and Brora and Nicole Farhi has some gorgeous cuddly scandinavian designs for this season.
Make it a Chambord Christmas!
This raspberry nectar is rich, powerful and potent and jazzes up a glass of cheaper than cheap Cava, making a fabulous FCaNK cocktail. Chambord is an intoxicating french liqueur, extracted from the French wells of the Chambord family! (Lovely story but not all true!) We adore it, it's sophisticated, delicious and will turn the cheapest Cava into a glorious party aperitif. Enjoy and pay homage to the beautifully kitsch perfume bottle it comes in! Stocking Fillers
Thanks so much to all of you who contacted us with your ideas...we loved them all, but we have chosen our favourite three to add to the FCaNK stocking filler list.
In third place a Fur Coat reader sent in this perfume ring! It is seriously quirky, extremely blingy, but is hilariously good fun! If you love Michael Kors 'Very Hollywood' perfume, this perfume ring could be a handy way to maintain your very Hollywood aroma all day! Marc Jacobs have also brought out a 'Daisy' solid perfume ring which we thing is more tacky than is funny...but if you love the scent you may be tempted. Have a look at Overstock� for a good price! FCaNK think these rings are the start of a new perfume phenomenon, but for now FCaNK is happy to 'wait and see' before we splash the cash on these products!
In second place, these earrings offer a different take on chandelier earrings. They are iconic and look terribly expensive, but are actually £30...and they are from our favourite V&A shop. Delightful! Gold is making a massive come back and there are some fab designs appearing. But if you hate gold, we had a peek at the shop and loved the cuff bracelet that will be gorgeous for the summer or for the winter over a black jumper...fabulous for £35!
In first place, a Mimi Maude purse is a fantastic little stocking filler and is on sale for £20. Gorgeous silk interior ..a perfect FCaNK coin keeper! Mimi Maude also have them in patent. We love them!! Clarks also have some very cute little retro purse designs in real leather for £15 each; cute colours and vintage styling...you can't go wrong! Thanks so much to Elsa Sayles for this idea; the Champagne is on its way to you for Christmas!!Thanks so much to everyone who contributed. Sorry if your idea wasn't mentioned but there will be plenty more opportunities in the new year, including nominating a Fur Coat or a No Knickers friend! We really value all your contributions, so please stay in touch!
Our Final 2009 FCaNK tip
Stores will be heavily discounting their products from this week until the end of January, so have lots of FCaNK fun! Our 2010 newsletter will give you some tips on sale shopping and some ideas for the new fashion season. Next year, skirts are even more mini, colours are nude and there will be lots of sparkle...so keep in touch with us as we guide you through the fashion frenzy of 2010.
Happy Days Ladies, signing off,
Emma (Fur Coat) and Suzie (No Knickers)
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