We're only just into the New Year and swimwear for Summer 2012 has already started to come into the shop with the first two lines from Panache, the really unusual Sophie bandeau bikini with a single shoulder strap and the Panache Claudette now available.

With all the different types of shapewear that is currently available smoothing out those lumps and bumps and creating that perfect silhouette has never been easier. Yet when it comes to holidays, sunbathing by the poolside or days on the beach, swimwear often doesn't quite do the same job. Unfortunately for some the temptation is to cover up, but that does not need to be the case. What really matters is that you wear something that you feel comfortable in wearing. If you feel confident wearing a skimpy bikini, then go for it, but this is not for everyone. Think about the options that are available to you which are many and varied, but can de divided into the three main groups of bikinis, tankinis and swimsuits.

The best tan, is obviously available from a bikini, but even here you have options. If you are a smaller cup then go for a dress sized bikini in whichever style suits you, whether it is bandeau, plunge or balconnette or triangle. If you want a bit of support or a boost with your shape, then why not go for a padded bikini or even a gel bikini (most have lightweight gel). If you want a bikini that gives you a bit of uplift then look for a bikini with garduated padding, in other words the padding is thicker at the bottom of the cup than it is at the top, these can provide great shape.

If you are a bigger cup and feel the need for more support, then there are a wide range of underwired bra sized bikinis available, but as in buying a bra, best idea is to get yourself properly fitted.

Now when it comes to bikini bottoms, think about the different styles that are available, what suits you and what bits you would like to cover up or show off. Styles available range from tide side bikinis briefs, normal briefs, deep briefs and shorts.

Moving onto tankinis, obviously you are going to get a bit more coverage, but you need to consider, whether you want a tankini, that shows off your midrift or one that gives a full coverage down to your briefs. Again tankinis come in a range of styles from bandeau, plunge, halerneck etc and are also available in cup and dress sizes depending on the level of support you need. Matching bottoms for tankinis come in the same range of styles that you find for bikinis.

The final option is the swimsuit, that possibly has the biggest range of options. Again look at the different styles and decide what you are looking for. As with bikini's and tankini's, swimsuits are available in both dress sizes and cup sized. Strap wise, they can be bandeau (strapless), halter neck or the more traditional strap, you can also find them off the shoulder with one strap. In terms of the bustline, again a wide range of options from plunge, including deep plunge, V neck, full coverage to the neck, balcony are all available. You need to consider the back do you want full coverage on the back or a scooped back to let you get that great tan and then finally when it comes to the leg line, do you want a high leg, brief type cut, short type cut or a skirted swimsuit for that extra bit of coverage.  It is also worth noting that both tankini's and swimsuits are available with control panels, so if you are worried about those lumps and bumps and want a little bit of extra control to help smooth you out then look at Pour Moi's Control Swimsuits and Tankini's

Having picked your swimwear then you may want to look at the accessories, for covering up walking back to the hotel  from sarongs, to skirts, to beach dress, the options are many and vaired.

The choices are all yours so this year when you go out to buy your swimwear consider your options and get the right selection of options for you. 

Their is one style of lingerie that we simply cannot get enough of and that is anything with a retro / vintage feel. In particular one label that we regularly sell out of is Kiss Me Deadly. Designed by Catherine Clavering, and made in the United Kingdom, Kiss Me Deadly are probably still the first port of call for 6 and 8 strap suspender belts with metal clasps, with her roll on girdles also with six straps with metal clasps being a new favourite available in a range of  limited edition colours. 

Another favourite from Kiss Me Deadly is the Vargas Lace Suspender Dress in Black. This cup sized corsellette also comes with suspender straps with their trademark metal clasps.

Moving away from Kiss Me Deadly, the other retro style line that has been a firm favourite over the last couple of years is the Charnos Hourglass Corsellette and waist cincher. Available in Black or Blush with fashion colours of Berry, Platinum and the latest colour vintage gold.

Like many lingerie shops, not only do we stock lingerie, but swimwear, shapewear and hosiery together with nightwear, which rarely makes it onto the website and is normally reserved for shop customers.

We always have robes, chemises, pyjamas and baby dolls in stock with nightwear generally being the safe bet for male customers buying their partner a present but unsure of bra size.

So just for a change we have put a few of our nightwear items on the website. The range from Lepel lingerie includes a fantastic special offer of the Lepel Kelly range, which has a viscose cami top with matching long trousers and a second pair of co-ordinated long trousers in a satin print FREE.

It never cease to amaze me how often we get customers coming into the shop, asking for a bra that they saw in the shop window, a number of weeks previously. Of course sods law being what it is, as we change the window on a regular basis, it can be quite hard to pin down the actual bra that the customer is looking for. So some bright spark came up with the idea of photgraphing the window each time we change it so we have a record of what was in the window.

So that is what we've done, and the result are here for you all to see: