Fashion: Going undercover with Marks & Spencer's autumn winter lingerie collection

Oct 1 2009 by Emma Pinch, Liverpool Daily Post

Emma Pinch checks out the fabulous new lingerie at the newly- revamped M&S Church Street store

GOOD old dependable M&S, first stopping off point for decent-quality smalls. Except what’s this? Not just any old upholstery, but Marks & Spencer’s new va va voom autumn winter lingerie collection.

It’s all grown up – but in a seductive Catherine Deneuve way, rather than stout and sensible auntie fashion. It may be the autumn winter collection – but you’ll need something else to keep you warm if that’s what you’re after.

The launch of the collection coincides with the wrappings coming off the new improved flagship store, in Church Street.

This weekend sees the long-awaited completion of construction at the shop, with all the hoardings taken down in the Womenswear section and full access to all areas.

The revamped lingerie department will now have the full complement of products in stock, with more double rooms for bra fittings and an appointments service for expert advice.

Most of us, it has to be said, could use some. A whopping 80% of women are wearing the incorrect bra size, according to M&S stats.

Lucy Purcell, M&S’s commercial manager for lingerie, recommends replacing your bra every 18 months – every 12 months if you’re more than a D cup – because of elastic weakening and losing support.

She recommends plunge styles for larger sizes, to maintain comfort and shape, while women with smaller bust sizes can opt for push up and balcony styles to boost their assets.

“You can tell if a bra is too big at the back as it will ride up, whereas if it’s too small there will be unsightly bulges on the back.

“Meanwhile, cups that are too small will result in spillage over and underneath the cup. Too large cups will be a baggy fit.”