A little while back I wrote about the extraordinary sight of Angelina Jolie’s right leg on Oscar night and the worldwide furore that ensued. Well, a new 'leg-gate' has emerged, and this time right here in the UK with our current favourite royal. Yes, this week the Duchess of Cambridge stepped out in a stunning Roland Mouret dress with a long thigh length split, and the media have gone mad about it. The future queen showing a bare thigh? Was it too much?

Well, I think she looked stunning, and the reason it worked was that the rest of the dress was so demure. The high neckline and long sleeves made the flash of leg daring and classy rather than racy and inappropriate. And the line of the dress led the eye down the leg towards the fabulous sparkle of her Jimmy Choo sandals. 

I think where people often get it wrong is when there is too much flesh on show. For me you make a choice, is it legs or chest? If you’ve got a great pair of pins, don’t hesitate in showing them off, however don’t show too much cleavage at the same time. And if you have a fabulous, sexy décolletage, then celebrate it and show it, but please keep the legs hidden.

Of course, there’s a time and a place for baring more flesh, for example round the pool on holiday. But when its elegant eveningwear you’re looking for, choose which part of your body you want to exhibit to the world at large and dress appropriately. It’s a very rare woman who can get away with showing it all.

Nicky

I know it’s hard to believe as it’s May and we’re still sitting here in jumpers with the heating on, but summer really is right around the corner. Honestly, regardless of what the weather forecasters might say, I can feel it in my bones. The temperatures are going to start to rise and we’ll all be painting our toenails and getting our sandals on before you know it! So in preparation, we are finalising our fantastic new high summer collection which I know you’re going to love. It’s full of beautiful linens in fabulous colours which will look a treat on your holiday or here at home once our British summertime really begins.

The collection will be coming online around the 18th May, so we thought we’d give you some mid season reductions on the current collection, not only so you get some great bargains, but also so that we’ve got enough space for all the new lines.

So click here and have a look at what we’ve got on offer. You’ll find gorgeous linens in brights and neutrals, lovely chiffons and jerseys and a handful of cardis (just in case we have to wait a bit longer for the sunshine to arrive).

  Kasbah top now only £35

I hope you love the reductions, but don’t delay as stocks are limited. And I look forward to sharing the high summer collection with you in a few weeks.

Happy shopping!
Nicky

Can you believe it’s almost a year since the Royal Wedding? A year has passed since that wonderful state occasion, full of great British pomp and ceremony. Of course we were all glued to our televisions, not only because we wanted to witness history in the making, but because we were all desperate for the reveal of ‘the dress’. I thought Kate made an absolutely beautiful bride and I think it was a great shame that somehow she was overshadowed by Pippa and her bottom. Personally, I don’t think she had a particularly attractive one – in fact she’s hardly got a bottom at all!

So we’re a year on, and already the media frenzy has erupted about William and Kate’s first anniversary. Their first year of marriage is of course examined in a myriad of pictures, mainly concentrating on her outfits and his hair loss. But today all the papers are speculating about whether Kate might be pregnant. And the reason for this? It is purely because the couple were at a reception last night where they met a three week old baby. William held the baby and Kate allegedly cooed over it. And that is the only reason for the speculation.

  Does this really tell us anything?

I just wish the media would leave them alone. They’re young and newly married with busy and pressured lives and surely there is no hurry for them to have children. This year we should be concentrating on the Queen and her Diamond Jubilee, which I am certain will be another glorious British state occasion. And on top of that, we’ve got the Olympics to look forward to.

So let’s back off the Cambridge’s! I wish them a very happy anniversary as I would any young couple, but as for children, leave them alone and they’ll get to that when they’re good and ready.

Nicky

I was saddened to read Jenni Murray’s article in this week’s Daily Mail about her recent weight gain after losing a massive 5 stone on the Dukan diet. She explained how after sticking rigorously to the diet she eventually slipped back into her old ways, the weight started to creep back on again and she has now regained all the weight she lost. Now I don’t feel sad because Jenni is larger than she’d like to be. I feel sad because I can’t believe that someone as intelligent as she, has yet to realise that most diets just doesn’t work. There have been so many reports and studies attesting to this over the years and yet there are still millions of women (and some men) who try any new fad diet that comes on the scene. From the F-plan to the Hay, and the South Beach to the Dukan, diets come and go and people rarely keep the weight off. Why? Because these diets don’t retrain us to eat healthier long term, they just offer quick fixes.

  Just stop dieting Jenni!

Jenni also talks in her article about the self-loathing and shameful guilt that she felt when she started putting on weight again. Surely no-one should ever feel those dreadful emotions about weight gain? And I don’t want to read about it in the papers, because that suggests to me that it’s OK to have those feelings about being overweight, and I really think it’s not.

I know how difficult it is to lose weight and I empathise with Jenni if she’s unhappy with her current size. But I just wish that women in the public eye chose their words a little more carefully. The average British woman is a size 14 and there are many women who are very content being that size and larger. So let’s celebrate our curves, stop the fad diets and enjoy being happy and healthy, whatever our size.

Nicky

I have just come across a fabulous magazine that I must recommend to you all. The bi-monthly magazine, called Slink, is a wonderful fashion magazine that celebrates curves and truly inspires real women who are interested in fashion. The Editor, 26 year old Rivkie Baum, a very happy size 18, started the magazine a year ago but being something of a late adopter, I’ve only just found it! What I like about this magazine is that it seems intent on promoting a happy healthy lifestyle, and is absolutely not full of diet tips and ‘aspirationally thin’ imagery. Baum has banned all models under a size 10, but has beautiful models showing the kind of fashion that works on real women rather than clothes that only a stick insect could wear.

 Issue 5 now available

Of course there are many catwalk images that would work on normal sized and larger ladies, but unfortunately we never get to see how those looks might work on a more curvaceous frame. And seeing clothes on size zero models can be so intimidating that often we can’t even imagine how we might wear something similar.  So in what I think is a publishing first, Baum has commissioned a fashion illustrator to draw upsized versions of the catwalk images, so we can see what they might look like on us real women. It’s a wonderful idea that really shows us how we can adapt high fashion to suit us. Then to illustrate even further, these drawings are accompanied by photos of high street versions of the looks which come in sizes up to a 22 and sometimes up to a size 30. It’s a brilliant mechanic and I applaud it.

So have a look at Slink at www.slinkmagazine.com. You can buy it as a printed magazine or you can order a digital version. Either way, take a look and let me know what you think. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Nicky

I’m sure I’m not alone in constantly being on the lookout for the perfect pair of jeans. Over the years, I’ve tried designer and high street, stretch and non-stretch, and every style from straight leg to boot cut and from skinny to kick flare. And the area that I’m always checking out when trying on jeans is my bum. Jeans have the ability to make a small pert behind look wide and the flattest bum look like you’ve just put on a bustle. So when I tried some fantastic jeans in Holland recently, appropriately called My Best Jeans, I was so impressed that I had to order some so I can introduce them to you. They come in both denim and white, and the fabric is so lovely with just the right amount of stretch that they are fabulously comfortable. And what about the bum? Well they give your derriere a subtle lift that makes it look just great and with that stretch there are no signs of muffin top either. So try them – I bet you’ll agree they really are My Best Jeans.

  Well, does it?

And the winner is...

There’s nothing nicer than being able to inform someone that they have won something, so I was delighted to be able to phone Louise Harrison from Milton Keynes to let her know she had won our fabulous holiday to the Villa Dinari in Marrakesh. Louise was absolutely thrilled and I know she’s going to have a wonderful time at the beautiful villa in that stunning and fascinating city. Thanks of course to everyone else who entered, I was so pleased that so many of you did. And watch this space, as we’ll definitely run some more competitions in the future.

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter.

Nicky

Last weekend I went to the cinema to see the new film The Hunger Games, based on the hugely successful novel by Suzanne Collins. The film tells the story of 16 year old Katniss who lives in a post-apocalyptic world where the Capitol holds absolute power over the rest of the nation which is split into 12 very poor districts.

The film’s release in the US has been extraordinarily successful, and it has become America’s fastest-selling non-sequel film ever. But are the US media concentrating on this success? Not all of them. There has been a huge amount of comment made about the size of the actress playing the lead role. A host of reviewers have felt that Jennifer Lawrence, the very slim 21 year-old actress, looked insufficiently malnourished to be living in the dystopian world of the film, and think she should have been skinnier.

Comments have included that she has a ‘well fed’ body, a ‘womanly figure’ and that she has ‘lingering baby fat’. They have ignored the fact that she is a very slender and fit looking young lady, albeit not a starving, size zero stick insect that we’re used to seeing in Hollywood blockbusters.

I cannot believe that yet again the media is making dangerous comments about someone’s size, particularly when the film is targeting teenagers who can so easily be influenced by such things. What makes this even worse is that there have been no similar comments about the fit and healthy, if not overly muscular, all American boy Liam Hemsworth who plays one of Lawrence’s love interests. He doesn’t look half starved either, but no-one has commented on that.

These American journalists are telling every woman in America with a similar body shape to Jennifer Lawrence that they are also too big, and I find that an appalling and dangerous use of a movie review.

Nicky

A weird thing happened this week which confirmed yet again that we are continuously learning from our customers. We were contacted at Box 2 HQ by a new customer who had just found us online. This lady was overjoyed when she realised that a lot of the clothes that we sell come in a longer length which satisfies us tall girls. As you know I’m rather lofty, standing at 5’ 10’’ without my heels on, and therefore have always automatically bought clothes for Box 2 that work for the taller lady. But it hadn’t occurred to me till now that we don’t always advertise this side of our business. Box 2 has always prided itself on catering for women of all shapes and sizes but maybe we don’t push the ‘tall’ element of our business enough. So I’d like to change that from now on.

 Yoek Jersey

From our ranges, there are three which are particularly good for you taller lovelies - Yoek Jersey, Belladonna, and the Mona Lisa trousers which are already available in two lengths. So please have a look at these and try them, particularly if you’re somewhat taller than most. Now, having had this new height revelation, I’ve decided to start taking these ranges a little further, or should I say a little longer. So I’m happy to announce that our Autumn/Winter collection this year will include Mona Lisa trousers in an extra long length.

So please spread the word to all of your tall friends. Remember, we cater from a size 14 to a size 34 and for both the short and the tall. And please keep telling us what you want from Box 2 – I promise we always listen.

Finally, remember to have a look at the new summer collection which we’re just launched, which includes stunning occasionwear, fabulous linens and gorgeous crepes. All perfect for this glorious spring weather we’re currently experiencing.

Enjoy the sunshine.

Nicky

What a tiring but fabulous week! On Tuesday we got up at 4am to fly to Marrakesh, where we spent a few very busy days photographing our high summer collection. As you probably know by now, we love to create our fashion shoots in this beautiful city as the surroundings and colours of Morocco seem to work really well in complementing the clothes we’re photographing. This week we had lovely linens in neutrals and fabulous brights, along with gorgeous jerseys and chiffons. The weather was glorious and I’m sure you’ll agree when you see them, the collection and the photographs really did us proud.

It really is an amazing city to visit, although sadly this trip really was all work and no play. But in the past I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy Marrakesh and all it has to offer. The sights, sounds and smells of the city are extraordinary, and visiting the famous souk and one of the world’s busiest squares Djemaa el Fna, is really an experience not to be missed.

  The astonishing Djemaa el Fna.

We were lucky enough to stay once again at the stunning Villa Dinari and of course you could have the opportunity to stay there too if you enter our competition. You’ve only got till 31st March 2012 to enter, so don’t forget to do so. The wonderful prize includes one week’s accommodation at the Villa Dinari, plus breakfast and dinner each night, as well as a full day tour of the City of Marrakesh, complete with your own personal guide. Please note flights and airport transfers are not included.

Take it from me - Marrakesh and the Villa Dinari  are well worth the visit. Just click here to enter and good luck!

Nicky

Yesterday I took a little time out and visited the first day of Crufts at the NEC. Our dogs, Bertie the terrier and Molly the boxer, are very much part of the Box 2 family. I was looking forward to visiting the show to meet some lovely dogs and see them being shown, but actually what I found fascinating was the extraordinary amount of trade exhibitors at the event.

The exhibition space is vast and it is nigh on impossible to get to see everything. Of course there are hundreds of variations on the obvious stands: dog food, baskets, grooming products, accessories, animal charities etc. But there are masses of rather more unexpected things, some to do with the canine world, and some absolutely not. It’s interesting how more and more general retailers go to these massive public events with their products, in the hope of attracting sales from the thousands of visitors. There were a lot of clothing companies (predominantly outdoor of course) but also jewellery stands, hair accessories, handbags, massage chairs and a large stand from Samsung who clearly weren’t selling anything dog related at all. And I never did get to the stand that explained in the listings that it was a ‘Laboratory for DNA testing’ or the one that offered ‘Biocomfort massage cyclotherapy for humans and dogs’. They slightly scared me!

Then of course there are many people selling variations of doggie clothes. I may be someone who loves clothes and has spent her life working in the fashion business, but I’m afraid I just can’t get excited about fancy outfits for pooches. A sensible warm coat for an old dog might be essential, but designer clothes, humanised outfits or sparkles and diamantes are really not for me. And more importantly, if I bought something like that home for Bertie or Molly I think they’d run a mile.

  Not my kind of fashion I’m afraid.

I really enjoyed the visit, met some gorgeous dogs and managed to get away without spending a fortune on unnecessary paraphernalia for my two. And I came away feeling even more convinced that a dog really is a man, or woman’s best friend.

Nicky