The big boob

TO men and women alike, the prospect of having an ample bosom is seen as a blessing. And in most scenarios, it is. 

However it can create problems; star-jumping will never be comfortable, for example.  And wearing a polo-neck is always a bad idea, unless you are going to a fancy-dress party as Velma from Scooby Doo. 

And any self-respecting fashionista with fabulous bangers will know the importance of making sure they are well-supported with the best scaffolding available. 

So it was fabulous to hear this week that a campaign to bring the prices of larger cup bras in Marks and Spencer in line with prices of smaller cup bras was successful.

Previously their policy was to charge an extra £2 on bras larger than a DD cup on the 

 grounds they cost more to make. 

Brighton-based Beckie Williams created the Busts for Justice campaign, with a Facebook group which attracted nearly 17,000 members objecting to the tit-tax. 

However on Friday the store took out adverts in the newspapers, admitting it had "boobed" and announced it will be bringing all prices in line, regardless of size. 

One small step for M&S, one large cup for womenkind. 

To celebrate, here are a few choices from the store for those "blessed" types. Above right, Ceriso bra £14; below left, Ceriso bra £14 and right, Per Una bra £12

Truffl-icious

TRYING to give up chocolate to get bikini-beautiful for the summer is always going to be hard, but these little guilt-free Lip Gloss Truffles from MAD Beauty are perfect to help you along.

They look, taste and smell good enough to eat – and what’s more, they are good for you! You can re-apply Lip Gloss Truffles throughout the day as required to keep your lips soft and supple (or to get that chocolate fix!). 

Lip Gloss Truffles come in a set of three chocolate flavours – White Chocolate, Caramel Chocolate and Praline Milk Chocolate and are just too cute not to add to your handbag. 

Each pack of Lip Gloss Truffles cost £6.99 and can be found at www.madbeauty.com or call 020 8958 0555.

Collared Cuties

STATEMENT jewellery will always have its place in fashion but right now I'm getting so excited about the pretty collar or bib necklaces out this season.

Perfect for dressing up a plain top or shift dress, these wide boys are the cherry on the fashion cake.

Accessorize have a number of collars which are cuter than cotton candy. They carry some of the main trends these season, from floral to oriental to colour.

Pictured are some of my favourites from the store: (from top) Absinthe Rose £25, Oriental £14, Nefertiti £20 and Bouquet £25.

Fabulous folds

ANYONE who has asked for my opinion of this season's fashion, will know that I'm having trouble containing my inner geek thanks to one particular trend: the origami tailoring.

In the same way that some will fold paper to produce little flowers, birds, animals or other objects, a bright spark in the fashion world has introduced it to fabric.

The end result is fascinating - it isn't a million miles away from the humble pleat or the simple dart you've seen in tailoring - but the effect to me is staggering and so, so unique.

For skirts and dresses when used with more rigid fabrics it can be used to create beautiful and exciting silhouettes.

This bandeau dress (above), £120, from Unique Boutique at ASOS.com combines hot pink and black in folded detailing across the front, which is perfect if you are having a fat day, as the central panel creates an illusion of being slimmer than you are. 

Depending on how you wear it, the trend in general can be utilised to hide or highlight curves, according to your preference. 

But as well as creating the main shape of garments, it can be used to adorn necklines. 

This silk top (right), £45, from Principles illustrates just how pretty the detailing can be.

It's a chic look, which can be worn either to work or at the weekend. 

For work try teaming a top, such as this one (£16) from Et Vous at Matalan, with a tulip skirt, or for lunch with the girls, wear it over your favourite jeans and some pretty flats. 

The detailing really speaks for itself so keep the jewellery simple, and go for beads in a contrasting colour. 

Cosmetically-challenged

DESPITE being a self-confessed shopaholic, it's clear that my spending alone is not enough to support the high street economy in the present credit crunch; a fact which is provoking surprise from my nearest and dearest.

 But then I have always been a firm believer that you don't need the bank account of a millionaire to feel like a million pounds. And the beauty sector is a great place for a bargain. 

 In recent years studies have shown that sometimes it can be the cheaper brands which provide the better results - the Protect and Repair Serum from the No7 range at Boots turned out to be a hidden gem in a sea of pricey anti-aging potions and over a year since that discovery the serum has been leaving the shelves quicker than it can be re-stocked. A similar situation has arisen with a night cream from Aldi.

There are some items you will never need to spend a fortune on, kohl eyeliner for example. It tends to do the same job regardless of whether it's Chanel 

or Collection 2000.

 Eyeshadow shouldn't have to be expensive either if you invest in a few preparation products first. Splash out on a eyeshadow primer - my current favourite being the Urban Decay Potion (£9.50 Boots) - and you'll get to re-discover all of those eyeshadows you bought, used once and then hid in the bottom of your make-up bag as their staying power was less than desirable. 

Any problems with creasing into the eye socket or fading are removed - it's a little miracle and will save you a lot of money (and heartbreak) in the long-run.

You will find your eyeshadow applies much easier if you get yourself a decent set of cosmetic brushes. I swear by the range available at The Body Shop (eyeshadow brushes are £8.50). Rinse them from time to time in warm water and a little bit of mild soap and they will last for years.

If you are looking for vibrant eyeshadow colours, try the GOSH range at Superdrug, Barry M is always a great option too which won't break the bank. But if you want to work this season's sultry eye look, try the latest limited edition Deadly Nightshade from the The Body Shop's shimmercube range. Priced at £16, you get four cubes of colour in silver, grey and blues which catch the light beautifully and are perfect to help you smoulder.

October brides, coloured tights and Dita Von Wrong?

I HAVE a wedding of an old school friend approaching over the next couple of weeks and it's posed some interesting questions for me, as the weddings I normally attend are held in the summer months. 

 So what should I wear?

 I certainly don't do myself any favours; a plus size on a tight budget who lives in an area about an hour away in any direction from major stores, shopping centres, occasionwear shops and large high streets wanting for October wedding outfit. But then I always did enjoy a good fashion challenge.

 After careful consideration I've opted for a black dress, a little structured number with tulip skirt ending just above the knee, buttons down the front and cupped short sleeves, a fairly unremarkable purchase. 

 It sat there in my bedroom, not holding my attraction for a second until I bought a pair of fuchsia-coloured tights (£4 Dorothy Perkins) and now I'm in love.

 

The notion of coloured tights is set to be big this season, they really aren't as scary as you'd think. Regardless of which designers referred to them in their shows, I believe that PR guru Mary Portas in BBC series Mary Queen of Shops should take full credit for this fantastic look hitting the high street. 

 As well as transforming the independent shops into a success, she also succeeded in showing just how effective this colourful look was without being too OTT. 

 And it's true, for daytime keep the rest of your main outfit muted and team with the tights. 

 So, back to the wedding outfit, a black belt is nipping in the waist, I have a pink corsage, a vintage clutch and the following item which will either make or break the outfit I think.

 Many a time Dita Von Teese has been seen sporting a hat, or fascinator or even a mini hat-fascinator. So many people favour the little flower/feather fascinators at the moment that you tend to see lots of wedding group shots of women, each with these almost identical little bits of fluff attached to the side of their heads. 

 With this thought in mind I wanted to wear something a bit more original so ordered myself a mini top hat fascinator from a company on ebay.  Priced at about £18, it is so cute, kept with place with a comb, it is a black hat with black veil, a pink ribbon and feathers.  I imagine it will provoke a marmite reaction; you'll either love it or laugh at it. 

 People will either think I look good, or wonder if I've just escaped from a Tim Burton movie. 

 

Having said that, soft goth is a strong trend this Autumn, and there are some great examples on the high street of how this can be achieved.  Look out for lace, leather, sheer fabrics and lots and lots of black. It needn't be dull though, vary the look with interesting fabrics. I'm loving this ruffle top £27 from Wallis which is perfect for work teamed with pencil skirt and peeps. 

 Shopping around town today I also found a great ring from Evans (£4 reduced from £8) and a lipstick from Revlon, ColorStay in Juicy Plum 315 (about £7), both pictured above, which will go nicely with The Outfit (I feel it deserves a title).

 I've yet to find shoes to go with The Outfit, but I imagine that quest will be a whole posting by itself as I struggle to choose just one pair... 

 

Welcome

I'M Scarlet. I'm a journalist working on a weekly paper in the UK, splitting my time between news reporting and fashion features.

 I've set up this blog as a way to talk fashion, trends, style and all things wonderful. 

 For every exciting trend or celebrity look, there is almost always something truly awful or at least fairly questionable which will get me thinking.  A self-confessed people watcher, I love to see how that trickles down to the high street and of course onto the nation's public. 

 If someone looks great I won't hesitate to tell them, and if they look bad... I admire my shoes instead. 

I love this Carvela pair of patent peeps (£95) from ASOS.com.