Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Marks & Suspenders 51%
Glamorous lingerie returns as women shun lockdown look
MARKS & Spencer has added a racy lingerie range with suspenders as women demand sexier undies after months of dressing for comfort.
The high street chain said customers have become bored with sensible cotton pants and have been searching for something a little skimpier as the nights draw in at the end of a tough year.
Its new Boutique range offers a “contemporar y, playful and fun” look and is set to fly off the shelves in the run-up to Christmas.
Soozie Jenkinson, head of lingerie design at M&S, said the collection, covering sizes from 6 to 28, would appeal to women of all ages.
She added: “Back in March, customers were looking for comfy lingerie and that was the number-one driver of purchases.
“But we started to notice after a few months that customers were looking for slightly more glamorous lingerie.
“We are aiming for one great range for women of any age so that anyone, whether they are a younger customer or young at heart, can buy into it.”
The online-only Boutique range includes thongs, plunge bras, babydoll camisole sets and suspenders in satin, lace, mesh and embroidery in classic monochrome or bright pink and purple. Knickers are priced from £8, bras from £18, suspenders in black, purple or neon pin pink are £10 and camisole and Fr French knickers sets cost £25. The chain’s move into saucy s smalls comes as rival high s street giant Next has taken on a 51% share of sexy lingerie firm Victoria’s Secret.
Retail expert Chana Baram, from market analysts M Mintel, said that the new Boutique range had a mass appeal for women because it catered for all sizes and used “realistic women” to model the underwear.
She added: “A lot of brands seem to market women’s underwear to men, even though it’s mostly bought by women.” share of Victoria’s Secret bought by high street giant Next
STOCKING UP Suspender set