PAIR YOUR DENIM

THE UNDERPINNINGS TO PAIR WITH YOUR 5 NEW SEASON DENIM SHAPES

Erin McQuinn, Denim Guru and Founder of Vogue favourite, Bad Denim Boutique in Hackney, tells us what to wear with this season's top new shapes

Here we are - it's new season time! The imminent death of the skinny jean has opened a door for a different class of denim; a meatier denim, an actual denim. In the realm of super-stretch fabric, sure, you can see variation in wash and distressing, high rise and high-ER rise but there is not much that can be done shape-wise. Synthetic blend denim is limp and unexciting. To hold a shape you need good old COTT-ON to re-enter the scene. Now non-stretch is having its moment, FINALLY. I say out with the flop and spray-on and in with structure and restraint.

The masculinity of this new denim movement is perfectly paired with modern lingerie. The question is, which works best together? Let's run through my favourite combinations for this season's 5 new denim shapes:

FRENCH BOYFRIEND

 Your high waisted general rebel-without-caring of a jean is perfectly suited for a French lace cropped top. Wear with a slight front tuck and a spaghetti strap tank underneath.

Pair it with: the Julianna top, with the Caitlin cami underneath

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WIDE LEG

 Balance out the volume of a high-waisted wide-leg with a neat little bodysuit. Bodysuits are denim's best friend when you want the jeans to take center stage.

Pair it with: the Selena body (in nude)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAUCHO

 The little sister of the wide leg, I like my gaucho to swing about 3inches above the ankle. It's the dressier version, but just as comfortable as a loose boyfriend.

Pair it with: a pyjama top, like Claudia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CROPPED TRUMPET

 This is the "awkward length" cropped flare, ending about 2 inches above the ankle.

Pair it with: the Emma Teddy. Power blazer over it is optional.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HIGH WAISTED STRAIGHT LEG

 Looks great in a super light wash for the full 90's vibe. Balance its toughness with a more feminine detailed delicate top.

Pair it with: the Sephy Teddy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This Bluebella blog post was guest-authored by Erin McQuinn, founder of Bad Denim boutique

Jeans available online at www.baddenim.co.uk and you can follow Bad Denim on Instagram

A BRIEF HISTORY OF LINGERIE

 GET UNDRESSED WITH HISTORY

The highly-anticipated exhibition at the V&A is opening soon! (Picture source: The Guardian)

We're really excited about the forthcoming V&A exhibition which focuses on our number one favourite thing, lingerie. It's been on the cards for a while now having been first announced back in November and 'Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear' is set to be one of the most talked about exhibitions of the year.

Opening its doors on Saturday 16th April, the exhibition promises to explore lingerie through the decades, looking at the practicalities of underwear and its role in the fashionable wardrobe whilst highlighting its sensual and sexual appeal. In anticipation, we thought we'd look back at some of the most iconic moments in modern lingerie history. We've already got ourtickets so make sure you get yours too, plus keep your eyes peeled for an exclusive competition we'll be running!

MARILYN THE LINGERIE MODEL (1945)

 Before she was a super star on the Hollywood scene, Marilyn Monroe put her famous curves to good use and starred in numerous lingerie advertising campaigns. In the 40's, the adverts were painted by hand! It's safe to say she definitely carved out her role as one of the leading ladies of lingerie as both a  model and an actress.

Source: Stylist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 LIZ TAYLOR'S SLIP (1954)

 One of the most iconic images in cinematic history is this sultry and sexy pose from Liz Taylor in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof', as she played the Oscar-nominated Maggie 'the Cat' Pollitt and lounged around on a boudoir-esque bed in a simple chic white slip and heels. Divine...

Source: Guardian

 

 

 

 

BETTY THE PIN UP (1950S)

 While most women were in girdles, there was one woman breaking the rules. Notorious pin-up girl Bettie Page made her name wearing rather more risque lingerie and whips, rubber and bondage gear were regular accessories. This was one woman who certainly knew what she wanted...

Source: Stylist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISCO PANTS (1974)

 The cover of Roxy Music's Country Life album featured two models wearing decadent, disco-inspired lingerie that was representative of the glitterball-filled dancing everybody was doing. It was deemed super rude and even the Dutch banned it.

Source: Guardian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERK & POINTY (1990)

 Of course we couldn't look at modern lingerie history without paying homage to the Queen of pop, Madonna, who in the height of her career, ushered in a new way of wearing underwear... as outerwear, of course. Styling up stage outfits like this one from her Blonde Ambition tour, which was styled by Jean Paul Gaultier, she made her mark on pointy bras that will be forever etched in lingerie history.

Source: Stylist

SPRING SUMMER '16 STYLING IDEAS

We show you how to style up your lingerie for the SS16 season ahead...

We are now officially in the throws of Spring, hooray! Having patiently waited for what seems like an age, we couldn't be more excited at Spring starting to make its mark with fresh mornings, gorgeous daffodils and the sun still spilling low in the sky when we get home from work. A new season typically brings about a new shift in style and this is even more important for Spring... everything feels so rejuvenated and there is no better time to rejuvenate your style, either.

Changing from Winter's wardrobe to Spring's style couldn't be easier. Here we show your our top tips for a simple shake-up of season-to-season lingerie looks, courtesy of the fabulous styling from our fashion blogging friends!

DENIM

Barcelona-based blogger Laura Red Lips fell in love with the romance of Raya but gave it a cool edge by teaming it with one of this season's hottest trends, denim. Step into Spring by wearing an oversized denim dress and flatforms but give it a fabulously feminine feel by wearing a delicate balconette bra underneath. Give it a sexier touch by leaving a couple of buttons undone...

 

 

 

 

 

SPORTS CHIC

The nation's obsession with trainers looks set to continue into the summer and we're totally loving Chopstick Panorama's perfect choice of styling for chic daywear attire. Team crisp white sneakers with complimentary tones of grey and then take it up a notch with the dramatic design of the Ines. Sumptuous velvet and gorgeous guipure lace make for a super lingerie statement so don't be afraid to step up your lingerie game this summer. 

 

 

 

 

 

 GO DOTTY

The gorgeous British blogger Lolitamas recently took care of our Easter Edit, where she showcased her favourite lingerie looks for the long Bank Holiday weekend. We loved how she teamed the luxurious lace detail of the Ella with one of summer's key talking points, polka dots. Combining sleek straight-legged trousers with a touch of ruffle and delicate floral lace couldn't be a more interesting style set-up and we think it works a treat! 

 

 

 

BODY READY

Nottingham-based blogger Sophie Ottewell showed off her sassy style when she chose the Blake Body as one of her lingerie treats for Spring and we couldn't have agreed more. Blake's beautiful mix of fashion-forward mesh, striking zip detail and satin style come together to create an elegant yet edgy look that's just as good for the bedroom as it is for the party. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FESTIVAL FABULOUS 

If there's one thing we love more than lingerie, then it's festivals and we cannot wait for the fabulous festival season to kick off once again for 2016! With the world's most stylish festival, Coachella, kicking off in a matter of weeks, it means once again that our Instagram feeds will be full of field-ready fashion and there is no reason why lingerie can't play a starring role! We love how Dutch blogger Fashion Hoax has teamed the Caitlin cami with cut-off denim shorts and oversized sunglasses for your ultimate festival fashion fix!

THE BLUEBELLA BLOGGER INTERVIEW: CHLOE PLUMSTEAD

BLOGGER Q&A: THE LITTLE PLUM

We sit down with one of our favourite bloggers, Chloe Plumstead, to find out all about what it takes to be a Fashion Blogger...

Want to know what it takes to create a successful fashion blog? We sat down with the lovely Chloe Plumstead, who writes The Little Plum, to find out what it takes to be a super stylish fashion influencer in today's fast-paced digital world.

We recently collaborated with Chloe on her special Valentine's Lingerie Edit, where Chloe styled up both the Gia and Julianna styles for her blog, plus she is still giving her followers an exclusive 20% off all Bluebella non-sale products for a limited time only. Head over to her Instagram and hit the link in her bio to grab yours!

Q: How did you get into blogging?  I actually started blogging when I was about 17 [Chloe is 22 now], posting outfits and opinion pieces. This wasn't consistent and I gave up a lot of times, so I usually credit the proper creation of The Little Plum when I invested in the blogging camera I will use today, which is just over two years ago now. When I think about how much time and money I've poured into my blog then two years doesn't feel like a short amount of time, but I feel I'm on the right path. When it comes to blogging, hard work and commitment definitely pays off!

Q: What does a typical blogging day look like? Blogging is not my full-time profession, although it definitely takes up the time and energy of a full-time job! I'm currently in my third year of University completing my English Literature degree, so a typical blogging day looks like reading and researching, followed by social media maintenance, monitoring affiliate programmes and replying to emails, editing and formatting images etc. I tend to shoot looks in bulk if I can, so I can manage my University time more readily. In other words,a typical day is sitting in pyjamas with my laptop and phone, praying for human interaction haha!

 Q: What is A) your ultimate styling tip and B) beauty hack? My ultimate styling tip is to build up a good wardrobe of coats and outerwear; from simple outfits to statement pieces. I feel like a good coat can pull together any outfit and you look just that bit more chic and I tend to lean towards faux fur, tailored and oversized pieces. My ultimate beauty hack is to 'bake' powder underneath your eyes - if you're not familiar with this technique, it's when you apply a tonne of translucent or brightening powder underneath your eyes, leave it for however long whilst you finish off your make-up and then finally brush it off at the end. I really struggled with oily under-eyes and this really  helps to keep everything in place as well as brighten up the area.

Q: What's the best thing about blogging?I love having a creative outlet that is entirely my own. I love working for myself and being in control of content that, hopefully, people really enjoy and connect with. I also love the amazing opportunities that have come my way as a result of my blogging career and also how it gives me the opportunity to pursue something I love in the future.

 Q: Where does your inspiration for shoots and blog posts come from?Most of my posts are outfit based, so it's usually when I want to showcase a new piece I love or I'm wanting to show how you can style certain things. I'm usually very true to my own style, which is simple and mostly monochrome so often I'm showing how to wear simple pieces and restyling them into different outfits. I try to publish content that I would want to read elsewhere, plus try to mix it up as much as possible so that my blog doesn't become repetitive. It's exciting to keep thinking of ways to create fresh content - it keeps me motivated.

Q: What's your favourite lingerie look? I'm obsessed with triangle/non-padded bras, so anything delicate and lacey in this arena ticks off all of the right boxes for me. At the moment I'm loving the atypical in terms of lingerie - the high neck of the Gia (pictured above) and thick band detailing challenge the standard bralette design (which I still love!), but the applique detailing keeps it feminine and flirty. I feel like something that little bit different always makes you feel extra special.

 Q: What do you think your general style will be for the SS16 season?I'm OBSESSED with the upcoming prairie girl trend and I've already started investing in tonnes of white pieces with crochet and tier-detailing galore. Expect to see touches of Western detailing, a lot of blue denim and unkempt wavy hair. In terms of lingerie, I'm going to be stocking up on white and nude bralettes to pop on beneath sheerer pieces, as well as delicate black numbers to peep out under anything lacey.

Remember to head over to Chloe's Instagram and grab 20% off Bluebella in the top link!

THE BANK HOLIDAY EDIT WITH LOLITAMAS

 EASTER STYLE WITH LOLITAMAS

Lolita from Lolitamas shows us how she'll be styling up her Easter Weekend...

If there's one thing that excites us more than lingerie, it's the prospect of a four day weekend! With Easter just around the corner, we invited one of our favourite fashion bloggers, Lolitamas, to choose her favourite Bluebella pieces and share with us her ultimate Bank Holiday weekend styling tips. Whether you're jetting off on a city break or relaxing and catching up with friends, Lolitamas' gorgeous styling shows us how you can work your favourite lingerie looks into your weekend wardrobe...

CULTURE VULTURE 

 A four day weekend is the perfect excuse to spend time wandering around galleries, sipping lazy coffees and seeing the sights of the world. Whether you're off discovering new lands or simply staying put and catching up with your local area, a smart 'n' sassy outfit is the way to see it in. Lolita has chosen the deliciously delicate Ella Soft Bra, which is a beautiful addition to the perfect polka dot style she's opting for. Teaming one of SS16's key trends, ruffles, with straight-legged trousers is a must for anyone who wants to be ahead of the Fash Pack this summer and finishing it off with luxurious lace underneath will make you feel amazing, trust us! 

 

RELAXING WITH FRIENDS

 This is one of the only weekends of the year where we have more time than usual to relax, see friends and family and catch-up with general life. Seeing friends and family has to be one of the highlights of having an extended break and with Spring starting to really kick in now, what to wear for a good old catch up with the girls? Fingers crossed that our good old British weather will hold out and we'll get to see a glimmer of sun! We love Lolitamas' chic and sheer take on calm, pastel hues that are the perfect pick-me-up for a Spring-ready look. For a gorgeous feminine feel, Lolita has teamed her look with theRaya Soft Cup Bra, which has pretty eyelash lace detail in a beautiful ivory colour. Why cover up some of your favourite lingerie when you can incorporate it into your outfit?

GIFT GIVING

 When Easter Sunday rolls round, why not give a family member or friend a gorgeous gift to make them smile... or even treat yourself? Step into the new season with an update to your Nightwear collection... out with the wintery wears and in with the fresh, lightweight looks of Spring! The gorgeously delicate Julianna top & short set in pink is the perfect partner for lounging around in as the evenings get lighter... with soft scalloped edging and intricate floral detailing, we can see why it was one of Lolita's favourites! 

 

 

 

 

I WOKE UP LIKE THIS

 Nothing says Easter like lounging around all day eating chocolate and we will DEFINITELY be doing that! Lolita shows you don't have to compromise on style when relaxing - she's teamed the Ella bra with the Claudia Pyjama set (Lolita is wearing the top only here) for a simple yet stylish affair that will see you through a relaxing day at home.  We wished we looked like this when we woke up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COCKTAIL CATCH-UP

 One of Lolitamas' favourite pieces is our new-in, show-stopping Maddox Collar  bra - a style which is one of the highlights of our Spring/Summer collection. We couldn't wait to see what it looked like on her and she did not disappoint! With its gorgeous gold detailing and opulent lace, the Maddox is a two-look style with the high-neck collar detachable, depending on the look you want to go for. Naturally, as with any Bank Holiday, high on your agenda is most likely hitting the dancefloor or catching up over cocktails and this fashion-forward lingerie look is a worthy outfit in its own right. Make like Lolita and team with a smart-looking black blazer for an all-killer-no-filler look.

Check out Lolita's gorgeous blog Lolitamas and herInstagram page. She'll also be offering an exclusive discount very soon on these selected products ahead of Easter, so keep your eyes peeled!

SPRUCE UP WITH A SPRING CLEAN

 KICK-START THE NEW SEASON WITH A SPRING CLEAN... THE BLUEBELLA WAY

Winter is well and truly behind us, so let's kick-start the new season off in the right way!

There isn't a better time of year than this time right now - the anticipation of Spring starting. As the days get longer, the sunshine a (little) more sunnier and flowers start to budd, everyone's mood just seems to instantly lift as we look ahead to a bright new season. And this time of year typically marks the chance to be 'out with the old and in with the new'. So how do you re-energise and rehaul a Spring Clean these days? We show you how to do it the Bluebella Way, so you're more than ready to take on the new season with full steam ahead.

WARDROBE OVERHAUL 

 There is no better time than a new season to bring about a complete wardrobe overhaul, especially if you are always thinking 'I HAVE NO CLOTHES!' or end up wearing the same pair of jeans every weekend. De-cluttering your wardrobe is the key to actually realising you have way more clothes than you think but you've got to be ruthless. Chuck out clothes that you haven't worn in the past 2 years (send them to your local Charity shop) and only keep items that are in good nic. Whether your wardrobe is a walk-in wonder or a pint-sized beauty, the most useful hack you could ever do is colour co-ordinate your clothes. By streamlining your threads by the colours of the rainbow, you can instantly pick out one colour for your jeans and team them with another, complimentary colour. It'll mean you are more likely to pick out different outfits as you can visualize things alot easier and consequently, you'll never run out of things to wear!

Image: Pinterest

LONDON FASHION WEEK'S LINGERIE LOOKS

 WE DECODE LFW'S BEST LINGERIE LOOKS

The AW16 presentations around the world are coming to an end, but what did London show us for lingerie style?

Picture Credit: Alexander McQueen

February is always jam packed full of award shows, red carpets and of course, lots of fashion. We love it - it leaves us feeling fresh and ready for Spring! Whether it's the moving speeches from the BAFTAs and Oscars, the new hair hacks to try or which shoes to be seen stepping out in, we always come away from this time feeling inspired.

Of course, last week we had London's Autumn/Winter 2016 presentations, which was a whirlwind of the best British talent, stand-out style statements and inspiring trends. We've taken a look at some of the looks we loved the most and show you how to style them up with some of our key Bluebella pieces so you can be *so* ahead of the season!

GOLD WONDER

 We were enraptured with Alexander McQueen's return to London, which was a shimmering and surreal collection made up of dramatic golds, pink chiffon and boudoir-esque lace. We fell in love with this gorgeous gold gown, exuding feminine elegance in a fierce way. Emulate its fabulous feel by wearing Bluebella's Tala collection, which we have designed exclusively in-house (as with all our styles!) and its intricate design of gorgeous gold floral leaf will leave you feeling a million dollars.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BLAZER  BEAUTY

 Another divine style-steal from Sarah Burton's magnificent McQueen show - this time we fell in love with the sheer sassiness of this bare-all  blazer and trouser combo. Tucked underneath the sharp-suited jacket is the contrasting feel of delicate lace, giving this no-messin' look an instant feminine feel. If you dare to bare, emulate the look with our Ella Soft Bra style, which is a gorgeous combination of soft satin, luxurious lace and delicate embroidery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISCO DIVA

 Always a typically flamboyant affair, Ashish's bright and bold show was  a spectacle to behold, with an explosion of 70's glamour in the form of sequins, shimmer and multi-coloured afros. Totally disco inspired, we loved the deep plunges and skin-tight shapes. If you want to ravish in rainbow colours and dangerously deep necklines, then Lola's new red colour is the one for you. Team with sky-high heels and black skinny jeans to bring out the ultimate dancefloor diva in you.

 

 

 

 

MESH MADNESS

 Mesh was one material that stood out for us across the catwalk shows, featured across a variety of different shows. We loved SImone Rocha's contrasting hues of light, neutral pastels with dark, gothic moods and the see-through mesh added a touch of glorious glamour. Mesh is a super easy way of showing off your skin without revealing too much and we've used it in some of our favourite Bluebella styes this season. Try the Blake Body for a similar high-neck impact and team with a dramatic black duster for an evening-ready look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COLLAR-UP

 We started with McQueen and we are finishing with McQueen too because quite frankly, we couldn't resist.  We spotted this collared style, which opened up into a peek-a-boo cut-away and, after just launching our brand new Maddox style, we couldn't help but love it. Maddox is an opulent, eye-catching collar bra that transforms your lingerie look into one you've never had before. Too good to cover up, it transforms your decolletage into a dazzling fashion statement!

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