pixeldiva / Website (28.3.06 14:00) It's funny that you mention figleaves.com, because for all the online shopping I've done, I've never bought any kind of lingerie online. Maybe I'm old fashioned - but nobody else's word will do when it comes to the fabric that's going to be surrounding my delicate parts - I have to feel it for myself, and I'm really fussy about it. Yes, I know I could send it back, but it's far too much hassle, and anyway, it takes the fun out of shopping for the items (either by yourself or with company) themselves. But enough nattering about knickers and babbling about bras... glad to see you've been snared by Grey's Anatomy too - it's really excellent. On the subject of excellent - have you paid any attention to the remake of Battlestar Galactica (now in it's second season and on Sky One)...?

(28.3.06 14:31) PixelDiva: I guess part of what so inspired me about figleaves is its business model; it's one of those ideas that you wish you'd thought of first, because it's beautiful in its simplicity. Remember everyone’s favourite dotcom joke, Boo.com? Originally, figleaves was called 'stuff for women' and it followed a similar format. But when Ross joined as Cheif Exec in 1999, he came up with the rebranding and used boo.com simply as a source of inspiration for the revised business model. As he said, "Boo.com did a lot of things wrong but their vision was that fashion brands are truly global. If you open a copy of Vogue, it will be the same all over the world. While they are focused on outerwear, we’re focused on underwear.” Focusing on lingerie was brilliantly simple: it’s branded, light, and easily shippable. You can see the attraction. I guess if women discover a range that they particulalry like (the company, although it caters for men, has an overwhelmingly female customer base) it would make sense to buy from figleaves. But my understanding of lingerie is that it's also an indulgence purchase for a lot of women, in the same way that gadgets are for guys. Induglgence purchases are generally about making yourself feel good. And shopping the offline way - browsing, picking up, trying on, interracting - it's a tactile experience, so I guess you miss out on that buying through figleaves. That said though, it clearly works for some - 500,000 customers and almost expnonential business growth year on year must indicate something. Clearly, a lot of women like the convenience Grey's Anatomy is brilliant; only another few episodes to go in Season 2,and then I'm really stuffed. Maybe I'll have to look to Battlestar Galactica to take it's place as I've yet to watch an episode and everyone says it's brilliant. Am I really missing something good there?

pixeldiva / Website (28.3.06 15:07) Yeah, I'm enough of an anorak that I read the book written in the aftermath of the boo.com crash, explaining what went wrong and why they did what they did. Fascinating reading if you like that sort of thing. Don't get me wrong, I think the figleaves idea is genius, but it's just one area of e-commerce that doesn't work (or at least, hasn't to date) for me. I suppose if there was something that I already had and I knew what size and shade I wanted and they had it and were able to get it to me quickly enough to save me going and getting it myself then I might indulge, but along with being fussy, it also seems like I'm fickle and want to reserve the right to impulse buy as the mood strikes Battlestar Galactica is absolutely excellent. Season 1 was head and shoulders above most sci fi on TV, and Season 2, well, even the not so good episodes are better than most of everything else that's on TV - sci fi or not. The writing, acting, setting - everything is just beautifully done by a team that obviously cares about the quality of their work and the subject matter... even better, Amazon has Season 1 in it's entirety for a really reasonable price, so no excuse not to get started on it

(28.3.06 16:12) PixelDiva: Sounds like my sort of book, actually. I think I'll try and get hold of a copy. I think the 'impulse buy' thing is the one area where the internet fails. Often, I'll think of something I want when I'm at home and I know I won't be able to get it locally. So I then have the debate, "Do I buy it online and have it delivered in the next couple of days, or wait until I'm in London at the end of the week?" Often, with big purchases, I'll choose the latter, simply because I want to indulge and enjoy the buying experience. It's like when I bought my iPod Video last year. I could have got it online, straight away, but I wanted the whole thing of going to the Apple Shop, browsing, looking, playing, touching. And nothing beats the feeling of walking to the counter, asking for what you want and handing your cash over in exchange for what you want. I guess online purchasing has its own thrill, and it's nice enough when the courier delivers a package you've been waiting for. But it's not the same. And I guess there's an argument that says it's a pretty sorry state of affairs when nearly half a million women think of lingerie as 'just another purchase', like it's a chore or something. I mean, not all underwear is born equal, is it? And seeing as BG Season One sounds so good, I guess I'm going to have to check it out (although I'm not sure what you mean by the words 'buy' and 'Amazon' where TV series are concerned - are you suggesting I actually pay for them?!) It has to be better than the original BG (special effects were good for the time - about on a par with Space 1999 IIRC!) Any other series I should be aware of?

Megan / Website (28.3.06 17:25) I have to side with PixelDiva here. Lingere is a difficult purchase; you really have to feel, try on and see this stuff in person to make a decision. That being said, once you're stuck on a certain brand/style, buying it over the Internet doesn't sound like a bad idea.

(28.3.06 18:25) Funnily enough I've got two underwear sites listed on my blog page under my 'Favourite Sites' list. I've called them 'Yummy undies'. Figleaves should be on there too because it's definitely a favourite of mine. I could quite happily spend an absolute fortune on underwear, if I had a fortune to spend that is. Love the stuff, and I often use Figleaves.com because it has such a huge range available, and also because delivery and returns are free (if I remember rightly?!). I think I've ordered bikinis from the site too as it does swimwear. All round a very good website. And I hope you have a good time in Louisiana. How often do you get to see your parents?

(28.3.06 19:29) Megan: I'm not disagreeing; in fact, I'm more inclined to agree with you both, as I've pointed out in my comments. I guess what I don't get is why so many women are seemingly happy to buy it online. I can't believe that they're all buying things that they're familiar with, so there have to be a sizeable number of 'first time' buys there. Also, figleaves quote a higher than average number of repeat customers, so they're clearly satisfied with something. The company was founded on a 'no questions asked' return and refund guarantee, so people obviously feel safe with purchasing an unknown or untried brand or size. Figleaves has something up it's sleeve though, which should see customer numbers increase even further once it's launched. It's being hailed as 'the Dyson of bra fitting' and should be available within a year. Called 'The T-Bra', it's the brainchild of company chairman Daniel Nabarro. It's a new measuring system which has been in development for four years and will allow women to create a 'prescription' for their own bra, accurately and simply at home. At present, estimates suggest that a minimum of 70 per cent of British women are wearing the wrong size bra - some research estimates the numbers to be over 90 per cent. Using the system, women will be able to take their own measurements using a new underbust measuring device and a selection of specially engineered 'cups'. These cups are so precise they will enable women to pinpoint their bra size to within half a cup. Using the T-Bra system to pinpoint her exact dimensions, the customer will then enter them on the website. A search and match facility will automatically select a bra from 200 brands carried in the range. If she is a non-standard 35in around the ribs and it's problematic to know whether to buy a 34in or a 36in size, this service will be able to recommend the appropriate size. It will take into account variations in fit between different brands. Further details are here if you're interested.

(28.3.06 19:33) WelshChick: Ah, the voice of dissent! Both Megan and PixelDiva say in their comments that they prefer to buy underwear the conventional way. You being one of the 500,000 Figleaves customers that I've talked about, I'd love to hear your views - does the fact that they have such an extensive range outweigh the 'reduced pleasure' of being able to feel, touch, try as you would in a retail store (and you're right, btw, no questions asked return and refund policy has been in operation since day one). Get to see my parents a fair bit. This will be by fourth time out there in a year. x

(28.3.06 19:55) Ah well, I like buying underwear in the 'conventional way' too. But in the stores where I sometimes shop for smalls you're usually only allowed to take a certain number of items (I'm talking bras now) into the changing rooms with you, and then if you want to try some more on you've either got to yell for an assistant while you hide behind the curtain, which is a tad embarrassing, or you have to pull on all your clothes and find other sizes and styles to try on before returning to the changing rooms again. With Figleaves, I tend to order an absolute load of stuff (sometimes the same item but in a couple of different sizes - I do this because my size varies according to the bra so I can never be sure that they'll fit), and can then try them all on in the comfort of my own home. It also helps that I live just a minute away from our local post office so just have to nip over there if I want to return something.

(28.3.06 21:29) Continuing the Medical TV appreciation, I'm hoping More4 repeat runs St. Elsewhere after Hill Street Blues gets to the end of its seventh season. If not, I can always wait till the DVD comes out. Then there's House; great show - but is it me or have the women had appointments with stylists in the downtime, and how long before Stephen Fry guest stars? Leave it till the final season I think which hopefully won't be for a while.

(29.3.06 10:31) welshChick: Sounds like the stuff of nightmares, buying underwear in a shop. I guess I was looking at things from bloke perspective - i.e., you know what size boxer shorts you wear, so it's into Next/M&S/Debenhams/Whatever, pick up required size and colour, take to till. Sounds like you've got the ideal compromise with Figleaves, especially given the close proximity of the post office. I guess it's always amazed me too, that so many women don't wear the correct sized bra. For something so vital and important, and that you have to wear all day, everyday...why? It must be desperately uncomfortable? I thought they had assistants from the bra companies in a lot of department stores, who would measure you, because as far as I remember, it's always been an issue. At least, it must have been for some time, seeing as I've known about it for years and I'm a bloke!

(29.3.06 10:33) Nutkin: Two series that have completely passed me by, sadly. Still, gives me something else to look at once No Angels and Grey's Anatomy come to the end of their runs, so cheers!

pixeldiva / Website (29.3.06 12:53) Other series that are really good... hmm... West Wing and Firefly. Can lend you some West Wing DVDs if you want to give it a go. Definitely worth watching from the beginning. Firefly is Joss Whedon doing an interesting take on the whole space thing - with his trademark excellent writing and characterisation. Also, as Nutkin says - House is also excellent. On the subject of overtheshoulder boulder holders - that T-Bra looks like an interesting idea. Up until a couple of years ago, I was convined I had a broad back and average sized boobs. Then I went to Bravissimo and had myself measured properly. Turns out I was wearing a bra that was four sizes wrong in both band size (too big) and cup size (too small). The downside now being that the number of places I can shop is dramatically reduced, on account of most places not stocking bras in "more than a handful" sizes. The upside is that I now have much less backache and don't feel like my boobs are trying to escape in fourteen different directions every time I move. Swings and roundabouts I guess. If I wasn't able to get that service in a shop, then the T-Bra thing would be a good option.

(29.3.06 13:17) PixelDiva: West Wing is one that's always interested me; seems to be just my thing, but for some reason it passed me by. Probably a good time to get into it, as it has a finite end to it now they've annouced it's to be no more. I saw a DVD box set in Virgin last time I was in there - seemed like Seasons 1-6, complete? That sound right? However, I can't believe anybody but an utter fan with more money than sense would pay the £200 asking price. Nicely packaged, though. On another note, I guess that figleaves' biggest selling point is the fact that, unlike conventional retailers, they're not restricted in stock terms to carrying just a handful of sizes. In short, if the manufacturer makes it, they carry it and stock it. The only downside to that is discounting. Conventional fashion retailers reduce prices on stock to shift it and make way for the new season's designs. They're limited by space, so if a particular bra isn't selling, they discount the item, sell it, and make the money up by having an item in its place that will sell. Figleaves on the other hand have all the space they need. So if a bra takes six months to at full price instead of three months at half price, they're better off - and able to - wait the six months. Good for them, not so good for the consumer. Still, everything's about compromise somewhere, isn't it?

(29.3.06 19:37) Have you ever been in an Agent Provocateur store? Now that's a wonderful shopping for underwear experience that's second to none. I went to the one in Birmingham, in Selfridges. It was like being some sort of Victorian brothel or boudoir, and the changing rooms had enormous heavy red curtains. Plus, the assistants were so friendly and helpful and polite which makes a change. Yes, I've heard that lots of women wear the wrong bra size. I guess maybe women forget why they wear a bra in the first place? Or maybe we forget that when we lose a bit of weight, or gain a little, etc. etc. bra sizes can change. Plus, some styles of bra are only suitable for women with smaller chests, styles which those who are a little more blessed in that area should steer clear of I'll be honest, I've never actually been measured properly (the embarrassment thing again), so haven't a clue whether I'm wearing the correct size. I have a vague idea about what a well-fitting bra should feel and look like, but as far as I'm concerned, if it looks good, feels comfy and I'm not bulging out of it then it'll do.

(29.3.06 20:39) Figleaves is absolutely fantastic..the choice is amazing..sorry i kinda skimmed over the last of it past sreading 'figleaves'..apologies, i have a short attention span and am your bubblegum commentator!

(29.3.06 21:21) Nice, a post for the ladies, with pics for the chaps! And good to see you back safe and sound sir!

(29.3.06 22:41) WelshChick: Never been to an Agent Provocateur store sadly, which would appear to be my (or my wife's -depending how you look at it ;-)) loss. Love their branding and advertising, and I think it's a great business model, but for some reason, never been near one of their retail outlets. I have been to Victoria's Secret in the U.S though, which probably runs a close second. From a woman's perspective, the way you desrcibe it, it must be like bra-buying heaven! It's no surprise that so many women wear the wrong bra size when you look at the reasons that motivated Daniel Nabarro to come up with the T-Bra measuring system. For starters, as in most areas of fashion, the manufacturers size differently, so one brand’s 34DD might be another brand’s 34E. Also, bras from outside the UK often have completely different sizing schemes. Finally, in–store fitting is costly, often results in queuing and, as you say yourself, is embarrassing for some women - which has to be good news for both Figleaves, and Agent Provocateur! I read somewhere that if a woman gets home from work at the end of a day, and thinks about taking off her bra before she takes off her shoes, it's a pretty good indicator that she's wearing the wrong size. That said, your description - "...if it looks good, feels comfy and I'm not bulging out of it then it'll do" says if far more eloquently and succinctly! x

(29.3.06 22:42) Amy: No worries - it's nice of you to stop by and comment! You're welcome here anytime, bubblegum comments or not!

(29.3.06 22:48) Pete: You know me fella - if I can cover both bases, why not?! I seem to remember that my blog entry British Women Have the Biggest Breasts in Europe> attracted a similar response, so maybe there's a market out there for a blog devoted to the subject! Thanks for the welcome back; must admit, it's nice to be back. And nice to see you popping by still.

(29.3.06 23:06) Yes, I remember it well. I mean, not that I have a mind dedicated to these things or anything... Have you got a lot coming up this spring?

(30.3.06 12:34) Pete: Yeah, it's looking pretty busy. Get back from the U.S, and I'll have builders in the house until mid-May at the earliest. Got a car review to undertake (BMW's brilliant 535d M Sport Saloon) which will take me to the South of France. When I get back from there, there's the prospect of a trip to the Middle East (still working out the logistics of that one) and a visit to Germany with the Royal Milirary Police. Got a couple of assignments with the RAF coming up too, and the usual litany of news articles for the two news agencies that I write for each month. Not too stressful, but it ain't gonna be a quite time, that's for sure!

(30.3.06 13:22) South of france to review a Sports BMW? Two seconds while I beat the green-eyed monster down! Sounds like you've got plenty to keep you going, but plenty of fun to be had while doing it, which is cool. Look forward to some pics from the south of france!

(30.3.06 14:27) Pete: Cheers matey; should be spoiled for choice picture wise on a gig like this. Perfect mix of work and play, and what I love best is not knowing what the journey holds. Perfect.

Travlor / Website (2.8.07 19:16) Escuze my English! But nice travel Hope to see you one days, ++Travlor

Name:	Email:
Website:	Email me when further comments are posted Save information (cookie)
Insert emoticons

powered by
20six.co.uk