Latest news with #highstreet
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
The five-star Sainsbury's dress that's only £15, flatters pear shapes and makes curvy shoppers ‘feel confident'
SHOPPERS are racing to Sainsbury's after spotting the perfect summer dress in the sale for just £15. The supermarket's in-house fashion label Tu is one of the best-loved brands on the high street, and is constantly wowing us with its stylish but affordable fashion. 3 From cute dresses to on-trend work attire, the supermarket fast-fashion range always hits the mark, and its new summer collection is no exception. One dress in particular that has caught the attention of fashion fans thanks to its discounted price is the White Structured Midaxi Summer Dress. Usually priced at £30, it has been slashed to just £15 in the 50 per cent off flash sale. The elegant white frock is perfect for dressing up for girly brunches or city sight-seeing on holiday. The structured bodice and flared hem give the dress a flattering shape and cinches you in. And the dress is made of lightweight cotton, perfect for keeping cool in the heat. In their online description, the Sainsbury's team said: "This white dress is an elegant choice for summer outings. Designed with a structured bodice and a flared hem for a flattering shape. "Cut to a midaxi length, it has been made from a lightweight, cotton-rich fabric, perfect for warmer days." The gorgeous frock is available in a wide range of sizes, from size 6 to size 24. But it is almost completely sold out online already, so you'll have to leg it to your nearest store to pick it up. I'm a size 14 and did the best Tesco summer haul - run before new co-ord sells out And it has already racked up a flurry of five-star reviews from delighted fashionistas who have hailed it as perfect for pear shapes and curvy figures. One gushed: "Real winner. I love this dress. It fits perfectly and I adore the unusual detail to it. "A very pleasant surprise - well done Sainsbury's! Great value for money. I can't wait to wear it." A second wrote: "I bought this dress as a curvy size 20 and told myself that it would not fit …..but it was stunning! "I felt special in it and confident. The material is lovely and the fit was perfect. A must-have for your summer wardrobe." "So pleased with this dress, it's perfect fit and looks stunning", chimed in a third. A fourth echoed: "Such a lovely dress. Looks great on. Very well made. No one will ever think it came from Tu." Meanwhile, a fifth cried: "This dress is beautiful. Cut and style is akin to a premium brand. It's stunning! "I was anticipating the dress wouldn't be completely opaque at the price but it is well lined, an unexpected bonus. The fit is perfect and flattering on a size 18 pear shape with a slight flare to the skirt. "The pleats sit beautifully. Looking forward to wearing in Ibiza this summer!" And a sixth said: "Bought this dress was so pleased with it material is beautiful and it fits perfectly." Is supermarket fashion the new high street? DEPUTY Fashion Editor Abby McHale weighs in: The supermarkets have really upped their game when it comes to their fashion lines. These days, as you head in to do your weekly food shop you can also pick up a selection of purse-friendly, stylish pieces for all the family. Tesco has just announced a 0.7 per cent increase in the quarter thanks to a 'strong growth in clothing' and M&S has earnt the title of the number one destination for womenswear on the high street. Asda's clothing line George has made £1.5 million for the supermarket in 2023, 80 per cent of Sainsbury's clothes sold at full price rather than discounted and Nutmeg at Morrisons sales are also up 2 per cent in the past year. So what is it about supermarket fashion that is becoming so successful? Apart from the clothing actually being affordable, it's good quality too - with many being part of schemes such as the Better Cotton Initiative. A lot of the time they keep to classic pieces that they know will last the customer year after year. Plus because they buy so much stock they can turn around pieces quickly and buy for cheaper because of the volumes. Designer Dupe As well as being purse-friendly, the Sainbury's dress looks strikingly similar to the Everett Linen Dress, which is priced at £298. This makes the Tu dress a whopping £283 cheaper. Both dresses have a similar structured bodice and flared hem, but the premium buy comes in a wider range of colours, including pink and blue. 3
The Sun
14 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
I always struggled to find flattering trousers with my pancake bum – then I got the best summer pair in Primark for £10
BEING tall and having a pancake bum often makes finding trousers that fit right incredibly challenging. Thanks to my size 12, 5ft 6in frame, buying trousers often ends up with plenty of huffs and puffs in high street changing rooms, with endless clothes that are either too long or too short, as well as being far too baggy on my behind. 9 Here, I, Abby Wilson, put eight pairs of trousers to the test, on a mission to find the perfect pair for summer. And with the weather hopefully heating up soon, I was desperate to find trousers that are not only stylish and bloat-friendly, but lightweight and suitable for warm days too. So if you're wondering which pair of trousers you should buy and which are best left on the shelf, you'll need to read on and take notes. Next Pink Wide Leg Pull On Striped Trousers, £26 After seeing these Pink Wide Leg Pull On Striped Trousers as soon as I walked into Next, they instantly caught my eye and I was excited to get my hands on them. 9 At £26, they aren't the cheapest pair available, but when you feel the quality of them, the price tag will make perfect sense. Yes, they might look like pyjama bottoms but thankfully, they don't make my pancake bum look even flatter than it already is thanks to the flattering stripe design. They're bound to turn heads and the elasticated waistband gets a thumbs up from me. My rating: 8/10 Next Blue/White Textured Gingham Wide Leg Trousers, £26 If you're looking for a pair of trousers that will feel as comfortable as your favourite PJ bottoms, look no further. 9 I'm undecided if I'm brave enough to wear these Textured Gingham Wide Leg Trousers out of the house, but where length is concerned, they're a great fit. Fashion fans 'need' Primark's new £14 linen trousers - there's two colours to choose from and they're great for spring They're a really flattering style and yes, they're super casual and surprisingly, I'm a fan. I can't say they do any favours for my flat derrière, but from the front, I'm impressed. My rating: 6/10 New Look Cream Stripe Print Wide Leg Trousers, £29.99 Finding trousers fit for the beach has often been a struggle for me, and it appears that I'll need to continue my search after trying on this New Look pair. 9 Much to my disappointment, these Cream Stripe Print Wide Leg Trousers are too short. And to top things off, they don't have pockets, which is a real bugbear of mine. If that wasn't bad enough, at just under £30, they're pretty expensive, so unfortunately don't get my seal of approval this season. My rating: 3/10 New Look Rust Crinkle Texture Wide Leg Trousers, £29.99 Things looked up for New Look with this pair of Crinkle Texture Wide Leg Trousers, as I'm a huge fan of the colour and the length is perfect. 9 But like the previous pair, they don't have pockets, which is a big letdown. And that's not all - they also crease easily, which is less than ideal. If you don't mind working up a sweat and doing the ironing on holiday then these could be good for you, but for me, I'll unfortunately have to pass. My rating: 5/10 Hottest fashion trends of 2025 Fabulous' Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend shares the biggest trends from the high street. The East/West Bag Baguette bags have had a good run, after returning from the 1990s' shoulders of Sarah Jessica Parker to modern-day fashion icons, like Hailey Bieber. In 2025, the East/West bag is a similar but elongated shape and has long, thin straps that are easy to throw over your shoulder. They've been on runway models' arms at nearly ever designer show - think Burberry, Givenchy and Bottega Veneta - and are hitting the high street now, too. Powder pink Bright fuchsia pink had its day after the release of Barbie in 2023 and now the more polished and expensive-looking pale shade is taking over for 2025. Pantone may say that it's the year of Mocha Mousse, but the catwalks say otherwise! From Prada to Erdem, the subtle look was all over the spring/summer catwalks, worn head-to-toe or on its own. If the sugary shade is too girly for you, then look to sharp suiting for a androgynous take on the colour. The shell jacket The '80s classic is back, but with a sleek and minimal new twist for 2025. We all know we're likely to see rain for most of spring, so your practical coat of choice should be a cagoule jacket. Depop revealed one of its big trend predictions for this year is retro sportswear, with surges already seen in '80s windbreakers'. Seen everywhere from the stylish streets of Copenhagen to the Miu Miu catwalk, now mums who have an emergency raincoat crumpled underneath their pushchair are very much in fashion! The turn-up jeans While the shape of jeans remains the same for this year and barrel-legs will still be everywhere, the way we're styling them is different. This season, transform your wide-leg, baggy denims into turn-ups. For this look, size doesn't matter, so while deep turn-ups are a hit from jean trend-leaders Citizens of Humanity, a slight fold is still just as good - but only as it's just one single fold. Peep-toe shoe Get your pedicures booked in sharpish, as this season your toes are the main event. After a long hiatus, the peep-toe has been welcomed back into the fashion fold, with brands like Hermes, Miu Miu and Tory Burch showing plain and embellished footwear in this style. From mules to pumps and clogs (yes, clogs will be around too!), there are lots of different styles that are set to sweep the high street. Sheer blouses See-through looks have always lived on the catwalk, but have rarely filtered into everyday life - until now. Designers Ralph Lauren and Tom Ford loved sheer looks on their S/S '25 catwalks and M&S even had sellout success with its black sheer pencil skirt last season. Expect to see more sheer looks lining supermarket aisles and high street shops in the form of skirts, tops and frocks. M&S Rose Pink Crepe Elasticated Waist Wide Leg Trousers, £29.50 If you're on the hunt for a colourful pair of trousers that are sure to turn heads, these M&S trousers could be just the pair for you. 9 These rose pink Crepe Elasticated Waist Wide Leg Trousers are not only a stunning shade, but they're spot on with the leg length too. Even better, they're incredibly versatile - they are appropriate enough to be paired with a white shirt for a business meeting, but are flowy enough that they'll look equally as great with a T-shirt and trainers. My fellow tall girls will be pleased to know that they're available in a long length, which is a real win, but sizes are selling out fast, so you'll need to move quickly to nab them. My rating: 8/10 M&S Navy Linen Blend Wide Leg Trousers, £27.50 The M&S Linen Blend Wide Leg Trousers are another pair selling out fast, but there's plenty of other colours I'm desperate to stock up in. 9 I got these comfy and lightweight trousers in navy and they are the newest summer staple in my wardrobe. Thanks to their lightweight material, I'm sure they'll be effective for keeping cool, without having to scrimp on style. Why Everyone Is Loving M&S Deputy Fashion Editor Abby McHale revealed to Fabulous why M&S is the shop of the moment. She explained: 'M&S has really pulled it out of the bag this season, there is so much good product to be excited about. 'A brand once known for its 'frumpy fashion' that notion is long gone with it now being one of the leading high street stores for womenswear. 'Its handbag range in particular is super strong with them selling 170% vs plan, with lots more designer dupes for just a fraction of the price. 'The brand is now also the #1 for style perceptions, compared to the #3 spot it had last year, this comes from a really strong design team focused on modernising the brand, not only taking into consideration how the pieces look, but how easy they are to wear also. 'Price is also a big factor with you being able to get many good quality pieces all for under £30. 'After having a sneak peak of the upcoming collection there are so many more amazing pieces that are dropping over the next few months to keep your eyes on. 'Think leopard print dresses, colourful co-ords, embroidered boho jackets, plus lots of swimwear and amazing accessories, as well as great wardrobe staples that will last year on year.' They are the perfect wide leg and the elasticated waist is a winner for me - so you can say goodbye to uncomfortable trousers digging in at your stomach after scoffing a tasty meal thanks to this M&S pair. My rating: 9/10 Primark Wide Leg Plissé Trousers, £10 Unlike all of the other trousers I tried, these Wide Leg Plissé Trousers are without doubt the most flattering on my bum. 9 According to Primark bosses, these floaty trousers are 'made for movement (and compliments)' and I can definitely see why. The pull-on waistband went down well in my book and for once, I actually look like I have a bit of a bum in these. To top it off, they're incredibly lightweight and can also be great dressed up or down - what's not to like? My rating: 10/10 Primark Crinkle Wide Leg Trousers, £12 And it's clear that Primark are slaying the trouser game this summer, as these Crinkle Wide Leg Trousers are another winner for me. 9 They're only £12, so a proper bargain and they're really cool and airy too. The crinkle style is ultra flattering and even better, the colour is bang on trend. The only downside is they don't have pockets, but despite this, I can already see myself wearing these time and time again this season. My rating: 9/10 Why Primark is great for looking expensive on a budget By Clemmie Feildsend, Fabulous Fashion Editor AS someone who's no stranger to grabbing a last-minute outfit from Primark for a night out, it's about time that celebrities started catching on too. For as long as I've been heading out, Primark has been my go-to for those 'I have nothing to wear' moments, rushing in at the last minute to find something perfect. And I'm definitely not alone - on any Friday or Saturday night, you'll find plenty of shoppers doing the same thing, right before closing time. But no matter what, Primark always delivers. Now, Rita Ora is leading the charge, showing that you can snag a designer-worthy look without spending a fortune at high-end stores. While Rita's not rushing in last minute for a red carpet outfit, she's proving you can achieve the same high-impact style for much less. Looking stunning in her tailored suit alongside her mum Vera, Rita fit right in among the other A-listers dripping in Prada, Dior, and Victoria Beckham - if anything, she looked even better than some of the guests at The Fashion Awards. With Myleene Klass and Roxy Horner already jumping on the Primark bandwagon, I'm sure more stars will be following suit soon enough.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
I'm a fashion editor and I never skip the H&M sale - here's everything I'm buying now
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more We are in peak sales season now. But if you're feeling overwhelmed by where and what to shop, a sure place to find great bargains and savings on investment buys is H&M. This Swedish haunt on the high street has become a go-to for It-girls on the look out for unbranded, stealth wealth looking buys that don't break the bank. The sought after Scandi look is far more achievable than you think when you start shopping here, where most of its stock could rival designer styles. And the sales are excellent, with up to 60% off some of its premium items. Think last minute event dresses and holiday buys, bags that you'll wear daily, sleek sandals, statement knitwear and even the winter coats you should be snapping up now for fabulous prices. Keep scrolling for my edit of the top pieces to shop. Tiered A-line dress £9 Shop Knot-detail dress £14 Shop If you're still on the hunt for holiday buys. This floaty mini will work a treat in hot climates. The little gold shell beads are a luxury touch and the tiered shape makes it a great throw on option for lunch by the pool or cocktail hour. I also have my eye on this chocolate number - our obsession with brown isn't going anywhere. The knot detail at the neck really elevates this simple column shape, which will skim over your curves and give the illusion of longer legs. Add some chunky gold studs and oversized sunglasses and you've got a seriously sleek go-to look. Tie-detail maxi dress £17 Shop Nightie dress £9 Shop Looking for a wedding guest dress? Try this tomato red, spaghetti strap dress. You can wear this style time and again, plus it's less than £20, so you can splurge on the accessories. Alternatively, Google searches for 'nighties' - aka billowing blousy dresses - are surging in the heat right now. This little white puff sleeve iteration will help you nail the trend for as little as £9. Shift dress £8 Shop We've had enough of graphic florals and polka dots. Leopard print is set to be big again later this year. Pair this simple shift shape with pumps or chunky sandals now, and then with tights and knee high boots later. Investing in classic arm candy doesn't have to hurt your purse - see this tan bucket tote for just £13. You're guaranteed to find that it goes with most of your wardrobe. Straw bag £12 Shop Still hunting for the perfect straw bag? This faux leather trimmed iteration is right on the money. The compact shoulder silhouette will make it just wearable beyond summer and the exposed stitching makes it look far more high end than a £12 spend. Another accessory to covet; suede sandals have been everywhere this season. This chic crossover strap style in dark brown will amp up the simplest of white jeans or a linen dress. Red pumps are also set to storm the shelves again soon - this mesh pair is a no brainer for £13. And you'll be surprised at just how comfortable this slip on style is. Your mind may not be on knitwear just yet, but this classic monochrome cardi will be perfect for office days where you're sat in frosty air-con and with your jeans come September. Striped knit £10 Shop Faux suede shacket £16 Shop Speaking of knits. You can't go wrong with this £10 fisherman stripe turtleneck. Wear it with your linen Bermuda shorts now on cold evenings and with leather trousers in December. It's a classic that you shouldn't go without! A suede shacket is another great staple to have on your rail. Layering yours with denim or linen shirts will make this faux number look like the real deal. And it's a buy that you can go back to again and again for the rest of the year. Teddy coat £41 Shop Twill coat £27 Shop If, like me, you're looking ahead to your winter wardrobe, don't hesitate when it comes to this black teddy bear maxi coat. The quality of the fabric and tie waist make it look far more expensive than it really is. For just £41 it's probably the best sale buy I have seen yet - and it will last you through many blustery months to come. Or hop on the field jacket hype with this bonded twill style which you'll likely wear a little sooner than faux fur.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Beauty buffs are only just realising how to score 500 Boots points almost instantly & it's great if you love skincare
DO you go through loads of make-up and skincare, and want to make some extra cash? According to savvy beauty buffs, there's an easy way to score a whopping 500 Advantage Card points at Boots thanks to your empties. 2 2 The high street store is offering 500 free Advantage Card points, which are worth £5, and all you have to do is return five empty products. Normally, you would have to spend a minimum of £125 to earn 500 Advantage Card points as the loyalty scheme offers four points for every £1 spent. But the popular retailer is offering the free points to encourage shoppers to recycle items made of materials that are hard to re-purpose. And it can be from any beauty or health brand - not just those snapped up from Boots. To score the points, all you need to do is use your smartphone camera to take a picture of each of the items on the Boots Scan 2Recycle website; you'll need to create a free account and add your Advantage Card number. Customers then drop the empties off at one of the stores offering fabulous the scheme. This can be done at the special recycling bins located near No7 make-up counters. You'll need to scan the QR code on the bin for each item you drop off and mark the item as deposited on the website. Shoppers will then be sent a barcode, which you'll need to take to a No7 till point with your Advantage Card to redeem the points. One of those raving about the incentive was TikToker only known as The Finance Girl who shared the news to fellow savvy shoppers. I'm 50 next year & don't have a single wrinkle thanks to a product from Boots or TikTok shop - I've never had Botox ''Stop throwing away your empty toiletries - make money from them instead,'' the money-smart beauty buff recently told social media users. In the informative clip, The Finance Girl also showed the empties she used to score the epic offer - these included Nivea eye make-up remover, an old deodorant and more. ''Once you've uploaded your five items to the app, you'll need to wait up to 24 hours for them to be approved - but sometimes they're approved instantly.'' According to the TikToker, you'll need to redeem the points within three days of depositing the empties. What items can you recycle? THERE'S a huge range of make up, beauty and health items you can recycle for points under Boots' new scheme. You should try and make sure the packaging is as empty as possible. after sun and sun protection cream, lotion, moisturise and pump dispenser aftershave lotion antiperspirant and deodorant cream, roll on and stick bath & body samples or minis BB cream blusher body butter, moisturiser oil scrub bronzer brow palettes and pencils brushes and brush cleansers bubble bath, oils and salts CC cream chest cream cleanser combs concealer conditioner contact lens case and solution contouring corrector dental care samples or minis denture care exfoliator eye products including cream, eye liner, eye palettes, eye shadow face creams, face palettes and face wash fake tan drops, lotion, moisturiser and pump dispensers feminine cream, lotion shave balm and wash flossing products foot cream and lotion foundation haircare minis hair products, including cream, gel, jelly, mousse pump, paste, hair putty, serum, spray pump, treatments, wax, and haircare samples hand cream, hand lotion, sanitiser, hand wash highlighter & luminiser insect repellent lotion and pump dispenser and stick lip products, including balms & creams, gloss, pencils, lipsticks make-up brushes, samples and minis, sponges mascara masks micellar water moisturiser mouthwash nail polish remover neck cream powder primers & base shampoo shaving cream pot, tube, cream pump dispenser, gel pump dispenser shower gels skincare samples or minis soap supplement bottles, tubes, tubs talcum powder teeth whitening product toiletry samples or minis toners toothbrushes and toothpaste vitamin bottles, tubes and tubs There are also items you can't recycle, including: aerosol cans perfume bottles nail polish bottles hair dyes brow and eyelash tints safety razors and razor blades disposable razors and razor heads used PPE (disposable masks, gloves and visors) medicine vitamins and supplements blister packs and foils any electrical items such as hairdryers and straighteners and any medical devices, electrical or not food packaging of any type, including crisp packets She went on in the video: ''To redeem these points, you will need to make a transaction of £10 or more. ''This was easy for me because I had to stock up on some essentials. ''I headed to the till, scanned all my items and then scanned my voucher which can be found on the reward section of the Recycle Me app. ''And there you go - £5 for empty products that I would have just thrown in the bin.'' Joanna Rogers, trading director and vice president of beauty at Boots, previously said: "Customers will be able to recycle even the most difficult health, beauty and wellness empties, from old mascaras and empty toothpaste tubes to finished lipsticks and empty vitamin pots. "Our customers can then feel even better about treating themselves with their Advantage card points." The packaging returned to Boots goes to recycling company ReWorked where everything is broken down into its components and fully recycled, composted or turned into granules and used to make new items.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
High-street slot machines reap record takings as councils call for power to curb spread
High-street slot machines are reaping record takings as operators expand apace on Britain's high streets, reigniting calls for the government to give councils more power to curb their spread. Overall, betting and gaming revenues – excluding the National Lottery – reached £11.5bn in the year to March 2024, a 3.5% annual increase and the highest figure on record, according to statistics from the Gambling Commission that corrected previous figures. Of these, so-called adult gaming centres (AGCs) – high street slot machine arcades –grew takings by 11% to £623m thanks to a flurry of new openings by the sector's major players, Merkur and Admiral. AGCs are disproportionately located in the poorest areas and offer some of the most addictive machines, according to several studies. The shops, the majority of which now offer 24-hour play, have come under increased scrutiny following high-profile instances of vulnerable people being exploited. A Guardian investigation revealed how AGC operators have exploited planning and licensing loopholes and deployed aggressive tactics to flood UK high streets with 24 hour slots venues. Expansion by firms such as Merkur and Admiral helped boost the number of slot machines on British high streets by 7% to 74,523 – an all-time high since the Commission started recording the figures in 2008. Of that total, takings from B3 machines, which offer a £2 spin every 2.5 seconds with a maximum jackpot of £500, jumped by the most, up by nearly 16% to £463m. Each of the 14,155 B3 machines in Great Britain now takes an average of more than £32,700 a year, similar to the UK average salary. The government recently put on hold plans to allow AGCs to install more of the B3 machines. But a group of Labour MPs, including Dawn Butler, Beccy Cooper, Andrew Pakes and Sarah Coombes, as well as Greater Manchester's mayor, Andy Burnham, want the government to go further by making it easier for local authorities to stop new AGCs from opening or obtaining 24-hour licences. 'These are high-stakes gambling venues, often open around the clock, targeting some of the most vulnerable in our communities,' said Burnham. 'It's unacceptable that councils have so little power to regulate them despite repeated concerns from charities and local residents.' Burnham is working with a group of more than 30 local authorities, led by Brent council, that want to overturn the 'aim to permit' rule, a hangover from the 2005 Gambling Act that means licensing authorities have to lean towards allowing new gambling venues to open. In practice, this means operators are very likely to win licensing battles with local authorities, even in the face of vehement local opposition. Cooper, a Labour MP and public health consultant, said there was an 'urgent need for powers to help local authorities limit gambling premises'. Joseph Cullis, president of Bacta, the AGC trade body, said scrapping the rule 'would create legal uncertainty and put legitimate local businesses at risk', adding that it didn't mean automatic approval. Earlier this year, the Guardian highlighted the concentration of 24-hour venues in Peterborough. Pakes, the MP for the city, said: 'There's nothing more symbolic of the decline of the high street than the rapid uncontrolled growth of AGCs. 'How do local communities get control over high streets and stop that uncontrolled growth? Part of that is getting planning and licensing reforms.' Cullis said Bacta's members offered 'safe, low-stake entertainment in well-regulated, supervised, alcohol-free environments'. He added: 'These Gambling Commission figures reflect the ongoing recovery of our sector following the pandemic, market realignment after B2 [fixed odds betting terminal] machine stake changes, and the continued investment our members are making in venues, staff and safer gambling measures.' A white paper on devolution in England contains proposals that would allow councils more leeway against the 'aim to permit' rule, allowing them to 'complement […] existing powers in relation to gambling outlets to refuse or place conditions on premises' licences'. It states: 'The government's view is that councillors, working with local people, need to be able to tackle and address these priorities.' However, this would only apply to England and campaigners fear the proposal might not make it into the final legislation. The Gambling Commission figures also revealed an increase of £345m in the amount of money lost to online slot machines, with the rise of 11% also outstripping the broader sector and delivering an all-time high of £3.56bn. Both online and land-based slot machines consistently rank among the most addictive gambling products, according to multiple studies.
