• If you’re heading off on a summer break, then thoughts of what to take and “how is it all going to fit?” won’t be too far away! We think we’ve got packing for our hols down to a tee, so here are a few space saving holiday tips from the girls in the Marisota office!
• Multipurpose – don’t think in terms of whole outfits. Each item in your suitcase should be able to make at least 3 different looks! Think Kaftans that work with shorts by day and trousers by night, simple vest tops and neutral shrugs.  Value packs are a great idea as they save space and they’re budget friendly!

• Shoes - a tricky area, again don’t think in terms of single outfits. Take an all purpose high heel, a wedge, some sandals and some comfortable shoes for sightseeing. Stick to neutral colours so you can wear them with all sorts of outfits and you’re on to a winner.
• Minimise the toiletries – unless you really need it leave it behind. It’s well worth investing in some mini toiletries or mini pots that you can’t decant yours into. Must haves include shampoo, a good conditioner (the sun/ sea/ swimming can really dry out your hair!), face wash, moisturiser, body wash, sun cream and aftersun. Check in advance whether your accommodation already has a hairdryer/ iron in the room – a major space saver! Try not to take too much make up – that sun-kissed glow is a perfect starting point!
• Colours – Try and create a capsule colour palette for your break, choosing 3 or 4 brighter colours and mixing them with neutrals. This way your accessories will go much further!
• The maxi dress – this season’s maxi style is an absolute must! It’s the ultimate space saver, just wear with sandals over your swimsuit for a trip to the beach, add wedges and a necklace for a stylish daytime look or switch to heels and a shrug for an evening style that’s chic and on trend. Perfect

The autumn/ winter season is now upon us and we think you’ll love Arlene’s new styles. The floral luxe and strictly spectacular trends are all about tawny shades that are perfect for the season mixed with glittering gold embellishments and stunning prints.

Don’t forget you’ll find even more fabulous fashion in sizes 12 – 32 here at Marisota x

We all want to find a pair of jeans that really fit and suit us, and here at Marisota we think we’ve got it! Whatever you need from your perfect pair we’ve got the solution.

A perkier bum

If you want jeans that give you a great bum then these great Simply Wow jeans can help. Their pockets and stitching are designed to give you bum a little lift. Plus there’s no gaping waistband or underwear on display! Plus they come in a whole range of lengths – so you’re sure to get the fit just right!

A Smoother Tum

If your stomach is your problem area then our Simply Wow tummy tamer jeans will give you a little extra support and shape your waist. they have an invisible support panel to the front that will help enhance your shape without the need for big pants or support underwear! Again they come in a range of lengths so whether you need petite jeans, longer lengths or you’re about average height you’ll find they fit fabulously

Slimmer Thighs

If you’re not a fan of your thighs then you’ll love our thigh slimming Wow jeans. The shading and seams will make your thighs appear slimmer and more shapely, plus a shaped waistband ensures they won’t gape at the back. Add to this a pair of jeans that fits perfectly in sizes 12 – 32  as well as in lengths 28in to 34in and we think we’ve got the perfect pair of jeans for you!

Just in case you missed it, on Tuesday 16th August we had Arlene Phillips all to ourselves for an hour on the Marisota Facebook page to answer your questions about her collection, Marisota and all things Dance! Here’s what you asked, and her answers!

Marisota

Good evening everyone! We are delighted to welcome the fabulous Arlene Phillips along for our very first Facebook chat! Simply post your questions to Arlene here on the Marisota wall, be quick though we only have her for 1 hour!

Arlene: Hello everyone! Here I am ready to take your questions!

Natty: Hi Arlene have you always been interested in fashion and what made you work for Marisota?

Arlene: Natty I’ve always had a passion for fashion and when Marisota approached me to design a collection for them I was really excited because it’s for women just like me

Jennie :Hi Arlene, which is your favourite item from your range? x

Arlene: Jennie I’m secretly excited about my NEW collection that’s coming up and I’m in love with every item, I did the photo session for the catalogue last weekend and I cannot choose which is the favourite item.

Fiona: Hi Arlene. I’m dying to know have you kept any of your outfits from the Hot Gossip days?? Do you ever still wear them? Did they inspire any of the pieces in your Marisota collection? Thanks Fiona

Arlene: Fiona I still have a few old Hot Gossip clothes in the dressing up box that my daughters used to raid! and I CERTAINLY don’t wear them!!! The only way they inspire me is by making the best of your body whatever your body is like.

LaCara: Hi Arlene, what was your inspiration for your line?

Arlene: my inspiration is what makes curvy girls look good!

Victoria: Hi Arlene! I admire your style and wanted to know what the best fashion tip you’ve ever been given was. x

Arlene: The best fashion tip I’ve ever been given is, never be afraid to explore your own style, whether it’s clashing colours or wacky styling it will all come into fashion at some time and you can say you were ahead of it.

Amy: Hi Arlene, what would be your fashion advice for curvy girls?x

Arlene: My fashion advice for curvy girls is show off your assets, I’ve always been a firm believer in the fact that men like curvy girls, so don’t be afraid to let the clothes cling.

LaCara: Who are your favourite designers, and why?

Arlene: My favourite designers are Phillip Lim, because he does lots of things with sleeves, and I personally am not keen on the bare am look, also Stella McCartney because I think she designs for all shapes and sizes

Shirley: Random Question for Arlene – Being a former teacher at Pineapple Dance Studios did you watch the TV series with Louis Spence? If so did you enjoy it?

Arlene: Hi Shirley, I didn’t see the whole series, but having worked as a choreographer and using Louie as a dancer in the past, I watched it whenever I could, I’ve been a friend of Debbie Moore’s since long before Pineapple days and tried to watch everything she does.

Arlene: A question from me: if I could design something especially for you, what would it be and why?

Jennie: I think a real staple look so it can be dressed up or down x

Arlene: Thanks Jennie, I agree and I think you’ll be very pleased with the upcoming collection as it does just that!

LaCara: A staple piece, like a dress or jacket, so that I can wear it to any occasion and style it accordingly

Arlene: LaCara yes definitely!

Sue: An outfit for best like I had when I was a kid!! Reason being not only am I a size 16 I am also only 5ft 4 so I find it hard to get the right proportions to make something look really special

Arlene: Hi Sue, I’m not much more than 5ft 3 myself, I find a simple dress either block colour or simple pattern that has one special detail like my Jersey dress available in red and blue is perfect for that outfit for ‘Best’

Jenny: What’s your favourite show that you’ve choreographed?

Arlene: I will probably have to say my first, Starlight Express, but I’m passionate about all of the others.

Sali: As you were a SYTYCD judge and as you are a dancer yourself, what genre of dance do you like to watch?

Arlene: Sali, I’m passionate about Argentine Tango.

Peter: Did Marisota give you carte blanche to design your own collection?

Arlene: Hi Peter, nice to answer a question from a man. Marisota gave me complete freedom to come up with my collection. Like everything it takes time and I think my new collection for 2012 has got it absolutely right.

Teresa: Hello Arlene…. I just wondered how important you consider gymnastic ability is whilst training to be a dancer these days? x

Arlene: Flexibility is of major importance and it’s always useful for a dancer to have tricks up their sleeve such as gymnastics when they’re auditioning.

Emma: Hi Arlene, as you know, I’m a big fan of your style. I was just wondering what your favourite trends are for the autumn? Emma x

Arlene: Autumn’s about being brave, wearing brights, clashing patterns and colours and putting things together by being fiercely individual

Nadia: Hi Arlene, I was just wondering what inspired you whilst designing your collection for Marisota?

Arlene: My inspiration often starts with colour and I like to think of the way my body moves in clothes you could say I enjoy dancing with colour! I’m constantly wrapping fabrics around me and then moving – if I like the way it looks in the mirror, then I get to work on the shapes.

Rosie: Hi Arlene, what colour can’t you live without in your wardrobe and why?

Arlene: It has to be bright pink, probably because it’s a colour that always lifts my spirits and it’s most certainly a colour that turns heads, sometimes for the right reasons and sometimes for the wrong! Love it or hate it, PINK it is!

Gillian: Arlene, I just wanted to say that you seem to be a very nice lady and i just love your clothes. Thank you.

Marisota

Wow, can’t believe how quick an hour flies by! Well that is it I am afraid we are now at the end of our live Facebook chat with Arlene Phillips. Arlene, thank you so much for taking the time to answer all of our questions it’s been fantastic and thank you to all of you for your great questions, keep an eye on our page for more great events like this one. Plus you can catch up with Arlene on her Twitter page or on the official Arlene Phillips Facebook page!

If you’re 5ft1 or under you’re going to love our new petite collection. It’s not only made to fit a shorter frame but to flatter it too! Just like the rest of the Marisota range it’s designed with you in mind, so there are tons of stylish looks to choose from for any occasion.

Special Occasions

When it comes to weddings, christenings and really formal evenings it’s so important to get the fit perfect! We love these chic formal styles that are perfectly proportioned for ladies under 5ft1…. fabulous!

In The Office

Officewear can be so dowdy and frumpy, especially if you need non standard sizes. These fashionable workwear looks are perfect for mixing up that office wardrobe whilst still looking professional.

Casual Petite Fashion

Finding casual jeans and trousers in petite lengths is easy…. but finding tops isn’t so simple. Many retailers forget that standard length tops can be far too long on shorter frames. These styles are perfect for lunch with the girls, shopping or even just relaxing!

So if you’re looking for a full range of plus size petite fashion then you’ll love our new collection! We’ve everything from petite coats to maxi dresses and much more!

Jenny x

It’s so important to find a comfortable bra that fits well and as you know we’ve got a wide range of gorgeous lingerie in bigger sizes here at Marisota. We make it our mission to ensure we offer the most comfortable, fashionable lingerie around. Everyone knows how form fitting and supportive memory foam is, so we now have these stunning memory foam bras that are so comfortable and look fantastic.

These gorgeous bras come in back sizes 34 – 40 and cups A -DD. A memory foam bra will mould perfectly to your shape and offer fantastic support!

It’s ‘National Underwear Day’ today, and to celebrate we’re offering a scrumptious 25% off lingerie for one day only at Marisota. To take advantage of this offer just use code LWKY5 at checkout before midnight!

Lingerie can be such a lovely treat, and here are just a couple of the gorgeous styles you could choose from!

Code may be used on lingerie until midnight on 05/08/2011.

With the launch of the new season there’s all sorts of fresh styles at Marisota. We love these gorgeous additions to the Fusions By East range. The collection is made up of chic styles that will work well from season to season and that come in a series of muted shades that are ideal for autumn!

There’s not just fashion in the collection, there are plenty of stylish accessories to choose from too!

You’ll find the Fusions By East collection exclusively at Marisota.

Sally Lindsay has appeared in Woman’s Own magazine talking about joining Loose Women, and she’s looking fantastic in some of the Arlene Phillips fashion collection for Marisota!

Image from Woman's Own magazine

Sally’s wearing the stunning Arlene Phillips animal print maxi dress along with a Marisota studded denim jacket and we think she looks fabulous!

We can’t wait to see her on Loose Women! Don’t forget you can see the whole new Arlene Phillips fashion collection at Marisota! You can find out more in the latest issue of Woman’s Own or in the Daily Mail.