Marks and Spencer have just revealed some saucy lingerie which will not only be perfect for the upcoming Valentine’s Day, it might help safeguard their future.

2019 is going to be a defining year for the British high street. Thanks to a perfect storm of rising business rates, the boom in internet sales and economic uncertainty, high street retailers have never faced tougher trading conditions.

Following the announcement of over 17 store closures and with clothing sales down 2.3%, M&S unveiled their survival strategy.

They came out fighting with an enticing new collection, set to reinvigorate their embattled clothing arm. And this bastion of the British high street has gone back to its core values to safeguard the future.

Lingerie has always been at the heart of the M&S business. They currently boast the biggest market share for bra sales, and they’re looking to build on that success.

For spring/summer they’ve gone back to basics, reinventing women’s everyday underwear wardrobes with a new M&S Body collection.  A comprehensive range of affordable, smoothing basics.

And after we girls all traded in our Etam panties for M&S Brazilian knickers, they’re changing things up again.  Their latest addition is the ‘Miami,’ a saucy high cut knicker aptly named, after their head of lingerie design discovered it on a buying trip in South Beach.

Come Spring, we’ll all be wearing them.

Calling all brides -to-be.

I know it’s only the end of January but if you’re getting married this summer, and you’re on a budget, now is the time to start planning.

Brides have an increasing number of budget op­tions. Monsoonwas always the ‘High Street Go To’ for wedding dresses under £250 but now French Con­nec­tion’s 2019 bridal col­lec­tion has become a strong contender. Collectively, they beg the ques­tion, “why spend three months wages on one sin­gle gown”.

Those look­ing for a tra­di­tional dress for their up­com­ing nup­tials might find the Emilina dress ap­peal­ing. With lace sleeves and a full-skirt, it’s an up­date on the Palermo gown, which was a best­seller from the re­tail­er’s 2018 col­lec­tion. While there are no cup­cake gowns this sea­son, there is a slick col­umn dress and a lace midi-dress with a fluted skirt and pock­ets that feel very con­tem­po­rary.

Brides­maid aren’t for­got­ten either. In sor­bet shades of rasp­berry, straw­berry and lemon, this mi­cro-range is de­signed to com­plement the bridal wear. Each dress has hero de­tails such as flo­ral em­broi­dery, lace or bursts of beads.

Af­ter such a pos­i­tive re­ac­tion from cus­tomers to­wards their de­but bridal col­lec­tion last year, launch­ing a sec­ond cap­sule for 2019 was a no brainer.. The essence of the col­lec­tion re­tains its mod­ern fem­i­nine French Con­nec­tion iden­tity, evolv­ing the most pop­u­lar de­signs.

The Palermo dress from 2018 was a best­seller, for the cus­tomer who loves in­tri­cate hand-em­bell­ish­ment and a clas­sic bridal shape. But the beautiful Emelina dress for 2019 brings a new el­e­ment to this time­less de­sign.

The latest col­lec­tion launches on the 18th of Feb­ru­ary, but keen brides-to-be can pre-or­der from FC’s ‘The wedding Shop’ on­line from the 1st of Feb­ru­ary.

Now to find the shoes…

The following is going to bit of a “hit or miss” piece for you guys. Very Marmite, in fact.

I know it’s uncool, but I felt compelled to watch this week’s National Television Awards 2019.  Purely for Red Carpet fashion “research”, of course.

From A(ish) to Z listers, TV stars were out in force, wearing (or attempting to wear) their versions of Oscars costumes. From Love Islanders to soap stars and The GC, to presenters, celebs and models, everyone was out at London’s O2 Arena. But not everyone nailed their looks.

Here is my round-up of last night’s winners and losers.

Holly Willoughby rarely puts a well-heeled toe out of line, and her stunning pink and black polka dot gown was no exception. Whilst I’m a little tired of seeing her everywhere at the moment, she presented herself perfectly, with hair in a chic “up” do, showing off the gown by Iris Serban.

Meanwhile Emily Atack looked a far cry from her jungle self as she wowed in a black Zeynep Kartal gown with a high leg slit. Love her.

Vicky Pattison went for a fitted coral dress that showed off her slim figure, although Coral should be restricted to summer only. It doesn’t work in sub-zero January.

Meanwhile, Love Island host Caroline Flackwent for a bold orange playsuit by Hasan Hejaziwith a long cape with pink satin lining, which she paired with leopard print heels. This was probably my winner of the night. I’ve contemplated putting this item onto the plastic, but it comes in at £265. In reality, I’m not sure I’d wear it enough to justify the price tag.

On the subject of capes, Emma Willis looked effortlessly chic in this caped dream.

I liked Michelle Keegan’s white pompom dress too – it was quirky. Equally enchanting was Victoria Secrets model Leomie Anderson’s’s barely-there yellow dress, which showcased those legs.

More winners, including THE GC.

Another trend was the super low-neck lines, basically revealing almost all of the chest and cleavage. Of course, this only works if you are an A cup and have tit tape to hold up the goods.  Better carry a spare roll of tape.

Bizarrely, emerald green seemed to be the most popular colour of the night, which I’m not feeling at all. It’s dated and makes anyone look middle aged, even if a teen.

Here are the losers on the night. Please don’t take it personally – I blame the stylists.