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Fantasie in InStyle

A real figleaves favourite (check out the reviews), Fantasie's Bridgette range makes an appearance in the January issue of InStyle too. The bra is currently reduced from £36 to £28.80; the briefs from £18 to £14.40.

Lingerie gifting with The Sunday Times

Carollers? Inflatable santas? Pah. The surest sign that Christmas is nearly here is the sudden appearance of men's lingerie guides in the newspapers. The SundayTimes ran a good one yesterday, with advice that boiled down to: one, get the right size; and, two, think sweet not sexy. Chantelle's Rive Gauche set came recommended, as did Mimi Holliday, Elle Macpherson Boudoir, Odille, Karen Millen, and, for larger cup sizes, Panache, Fantasie and Fauve. One final word: only buy her a red lacy thong if you are very, very sure.

Top marks for Freya Active

Let's look at sports bras today - something best saved for January, perhaps, except that this guide to making a sports bra out of a pair of men's underpants was too good not to share.

If it's proper support you're after, though, Health & Fitness mag recently recommended the Freya Active underwired sports bra, which topped its wearer trial. "This is definitely the most stylish, comfortable and supportive sports bra for big busted ladies I've ever tried," raved the reviewer.

DT in New!

New! magazine suggested some Christmas gifts for celebrity couples this week. For Ashley from Cheryl? These DT briefs were among the suggestions - now reduced to £9.50, available in green and grey if you're quick.

Huit in InStyle

InStyle was loving all things lacy in its January issue. Here's Huit's chic navy and purple bra £39 and brief £30.

What the papers say: va-va voom shapewear

It's "goodbye to those humiliating Bridget Jones big knickers," reports The Daily Mail gleefully; yes, shapewear just got sexy.

"Despite the seamless magic knicker phenomenon, customers are investing in more traditional shapewear which resembles the underwear of the Fifties," says Denise Fraser, lingerie buyer at figleaves.com in the paper's report.

Our recommendations for the sexy way to get that hourglass silhouette? The Charnos corselette, Chantelle's Boudoir corset (below), and glamorous shapewear from Made by Niki.

What the papers say: men's survey

Lots of figleaves.com mentions in the papers over the weekend. Let's start with The Times, whose Body & Soul section featured the results of our men's underwear survey. One in five men has a pair of lucky pants, our survey revealed, and while half would wear a pair of novelty pants, only one in five would actually go out and buy some. And what to make of the revelation that over half would rather turn their pants inside out than wash them? "Come on lads, sud up and sort it out," said The Times.

Mimi Holliday and Sista Shei in The Sunday Times

"Treat her to what she deserves," said The Sunday Times Style this weekend. On their Christmas list? Black and red sets by Mimi Holliday, as well as these polka dot briefs by Sista Shei.

The no-VPL test

Well, someone had to do it - and Daily Mail journo Laura Stott stepped up to the plate to test 17 pairs of no-VPL knickers for the festive season. Did the figleaves.com examples earn glowing reviews? Of course; here's what the paper had to say:

• Miraclesuit high waist brief, below left, £22: "a revelation - completely invisible with no trace of VPL from any angle. Great for pulling on under a party outfit."
• Spanx high waisted power brief, below right, £27: "every woman needs a pair in her underwear drawer. They might look downright ugly, but once on the Spanx were comfortable, VPL free and left me totally streamlined and slinky."

Hot Milk in Pregnancy & Birth

Sexy maternity brand Hot Milk is wowing Pregnancy & Birth this month. First, here's Hot Milk scooping the Best for Lingerie bloom award 2008.

 

Not only that, but this lace set earned the full 10 out of 10 in P&B's maternity lingerie wearer trial. "Comfortable and sexy," was the verdict (and the tester's husband loved it too). Bra £33.