Lifestyle
Valentine’s Bluffer’s guide . . .
Red roses are a big no-no at this time of the year, according to two Scottish florists with other ideas on how to show your romantic side. Plus three underwear experts share some secrets on how to buy bras and knickers for a loved one. Claire Sawers reports
IT’S A SMALLS WORLD FLOWER POWER
‘W hen someone enters the store, and motions to one of the agents, “she’s about your size”, that’s the biggest no- no of all!’ says Jemma Hill, manager at Agent Provocateur in Glasgow. ‘If you’re too shy to ask your partner about sizes, look at the labels in the underwear they wear most often. Try and find out bra size, dress size, and whether they prefer a padded or non-padded bra.’
‘Have a snoop at the labels while you hang out the laundry, or have a little rifle through her underwear drawer,’ recommends Sarah Connelly, director of Odyssey Boutique in Edinburgh. ‘Does she like lace or silk, shorts or thong, with or without suspenders?’
If that’s still drawing a blank, cheat and ask the shop if they’ve got details on a database. ‘We keep all our customers’ sizes in a Little Black Book – so if you know she’s shopped here already we have the details waiting,’ says Connelly.
For a safe bet, silk pyjamas or a chemise are easier to guess a size on, but for a (relatively) hassle-free gift, Hill recommends a stockings and suspender set as a good alternative. ‘Agent Provocateur’s hosiery range always does well for Valentine’s,’ nods Hill. Trends-wise, she’s noticed a big rise in Mad Men-inspired 1950s underwear, like their Rizzo set (above), while Connelly says ‘lounge-erie’ is popular; relaxed pieces that double as lingerie or loungewear, in pastels or ‘inky hues’.
Shilla Mehr, owner of ThriftChic Boutique in Edinburgh, is a fan of the non- wired bra, and says sheer, non- padded styles are selling well right now. ‘In my opinion, the natural look’s more sexy. Sheer bras are popular, since, once tried on, the customer realises you don’t have to wear a push-up to look more feminine. There is something really gorgeous about seeing a woman’s nipple through sheer fabric.’ When Mehr moved to Scotland from San Francisco, she noticed shops didn’t always cater for smaller busted women, so she brought her favourite US brands to the store (eg Betsey Johnson, above left, and Cosabella), and now specialises in US lingerie in smaller sizes (28AA–36D) with no pads or wires. ‘Valentine’s is a great time to try something flirtatious and different,’ says Connelly. ‘If in doubt, we can arrange a fitting and trying-on session where couples can enjoy a G&T and have the privacy of the fitting rooms to choose something perfect together.’
Agent Provocateur offer a free champagne fitting service: 213 Ingram St, Glasgow, 0141 221 2538, agentprovocateur.com; Odyssey Boutique, 39–41 William St, Edinburgh, 0131 220 2908, odysseyboutique.co.uk; ThriftChic, 111 Broughton St, Edinburgh, 0131 558 1757, thriftchicboutique.co.uk. 40 THE LIST 2 Feb–1 Mar 2012
‘R ed roses are absolutely the worst thing you
can buy at Valentine’s time,’ says Esther Kuck, the florist behind The Wild Flower Shop in Portobello. ‘You can spend £70 on a dozen red roses, which is just mad. They probably won’t be good quality, and they are definitely not good value at this time of year.’ Instead, Kuck sources flowers grown naturally, without greenhouses. Just as shoppers are more aware of ‘food miles’, and are more likely know when asparagus or rhubarb is in season, Kuck notices that customers are now paying attention to how they buy flowers too, and she’ll tweak her bouquets to include the best seasonal blooms. ‘At this time of year I can get hold of beautiful British narcissus from the Scilly Isles, anemones and ranunculus from Italy, maybe organic tulips from Holland – if there are any ready early in the season – and I then add local Scottish greenery. I work with a forager who usually looks for mushrooms and herbs, but I ask him to find me moss, blueberry twigs, ivy vines and bits of hay that I can shape into love hearts.’ to
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Like Kuck, Lotte Lawson of Lotte and Bloom has strict ‘Absolutely No Red Roses’ policy at this time of year. She takes it further and tries to avoid the colour red altogether. ‘I just think it’s so cheesy. I’d rather use pale pinks, or these daffodils I get with a white, almost peachy shade. Putting orange and pink together can look really pretty, and it’s a bit less obvious than the red rose thing.’ Lawson will be spending Valentine’s Day delivering surprise bouquets to offices and flats around Glasgow, but for those on a tight budget, she recommends offering a hand-made planter instead. ‘It’s more thoughtful that you’ve designed it yourself. You can use an old, unusual biscuit tin, or a basket, then add ferns, ivy, moss and a few bulbs to create something that will last a lot longer too.’
The Wild Flower Shop, at Earthy, Windsor Pl, Edinburgh. Posies start from £4.90, see estherkuck.com or earthy.co.uk for more info; Lotte and Bloom, Clarkston Rd, Glasgow is offering £40 or £60 bouquets with a handwritten message, plus a free tote bag. Call 07875 654247 or visit lotteandbloom.co.uk to place an order.