I feel I should start this review by being completely honest. My name is Stephiej, and I am a lingerie addict. I am ever so slightly obsessive about it, and I have an overwhelming compulsion to ensure my underwear is always matching. I think this is because at work I need to dress professionally and in my spare time I'm usually either in jeans, running kit, or rubber (wetsuits - in case anyone was imagining weird fetishes!), so lingerie is my main outlet to buy and wear what I want and like rather than what is practical. I probably spend more than I can really justify on lingerie, but I look on it as a little luxury I can indulge in every day, which makes me feel good and always puts me in a positive frame of mind in the mornings. I like to buy good quality items that feel nice against my skin, and although I have found some gorgeous sets on the high street I buy most of my lingerie online. This is because although I'm not a particularly unusual shape, size 14 and 36D, I find that high street stores often sell out of my bra size really quickly, so I'm more likely to find what I like in my size online.

Figleaves.com is one of my regular online haunts, along with La Senza, but I find Figleaves usually has a much greater range. The website is well laid out, user friendly, and very intuitive. The homepage displays the Figleaves banner at the top, along with links to the main departments; Women, Men, Brands, Offers, Holiday Shop and Outlet, these departments are broken down further into categories within the department e.g. Men, Nightwear, Pyjamas . There is also a search box in the banner, which is really handy when I know exactly what I want. Above the banner is a series of links to the Figleaves US site, a Currency Converter, the sites Help facility, and the facility to Register with the site or Sign In. In the top right hand corner a Shopping Bag symbol is displayed, with the number of items the user has placed in their bag, this Shopping Bag is displayed on every page visited. Down the left hand side of the homepage is an advanced search facility called "Find Me", where the user can specify their size, colour, price, brand and/or item, to limit the search results to those that are appropriate. Below this is a list of links to the many site support features. These include a Fitting Room function, which displays information and a video tutorial on bra fitting (it is estimated that approximately 80% of British women wear the wrong size bra), a Size Chart, which compares UK sizing with US and European, this is particularly useful as many of their brands are not in British sizes, a Gift Wrapping option and Delivery information amongst many other features. At the bottom of the home page are links to the company contact information, their customer service pages, company recruitment etc. The main part of the homepage is given over to visual displays of the current featured products and ranges.

Browsing the site is simple and easy. Selecting a department from the homepage banner or using the advanced search facility will display a page of 12 thumbnail images, with brief information on the range, brand, style, and price underneath. Selecting one of these thumbnails displays a full page of information on that item, including several views from different angles and a zoom facility, available colours and sizes, general product information, advice on the material and care of the item and delivery information. A facility that I find really useful is the option to read consumer reviews on each of the items, and a star scoring system based on these reviews. To buy an item the process is similar to most online stores, simply select the desired size, colour and quantity, and click on the Add To Basket button. A pop up window then appears under the Shopping Bag at the top right of the screen confirming this item has been added to the bag, and listing any other items already in the bag. The option to continue to the checkout is at the bottom of this window, otherwise clicking anywhere outside of this window on the main screen will cause it to disappear and allow the user to continue shopping.

On reaching the checkout a list of items in the users shopping bag is clearly displayed with the cost of each item and the total cost of the contents of the bag. There is an option to enter a promotional code or gift card code. I have found there are frequently promotional codes for Figleaves on Vouchercodes.co.uk often for free delivery or 5 -20% off. Figleaves also currently have an offer 10% off any order for new users signing up to their newsletter. The delivery option automatically defaults to UK Standard, which is 3-5 working days, but there is an option to select alternative faster delivery options. To make a purchase you will need to register with the site and create an account. This is a relatively quick and painless process, requiring only an email address and a password. However, I would recommend registering for the Figleaves newsletter as well because it frequently has details of promotions and offers e.g. 3 for 2 on Figleaves own brand etc. Payment is accepted by all major credit and debit cards, and also by Paypal. Progressing to the delivery and payment screen if you are a new user you will need to enter your delivery address, but for existing users this information is already stored. This is where you are also presented with the option of selecting the gift wrapping service. Gift wrapping costs an additional £3.50 and includes a lovely deep purple gift box, with the items inside wrapped in delicate tissue paper and secured by a sticker in the shape of the Figleaves symbol, a gift card with your chosen message is also included. On completion of the order a confirmation screen is displayed with an individual order number. A confirmation email is also sent to the users email address, it is worth saving this email as an invoice is not included when the order is delivered.

Although I have always chosen standard delivery (usually because I have been able to get it free with a promotional code), I have found that more often than not I receive my order within 2 working days by first class Royal Mail. Even without gift wrapping, my orders have always been beautifully packed. They arrive in a sturdy white box, with the items wrapped in white tissue paper with the Figleaves symbol printed on it in pale green and secured with a Figleaves sticker. I have always found something extra included with my order, sometimes a voucher for my next order, once a beautifully fragranced soap and once a pretty scented drawer sachet. This is great because, let's be honest, who doesn't like a freebie! Receiving my deliveries from Figleaves always feels like receiving a present from myself. Returns are free, although I have never needed to use this facility so I cannot comment on how easy, or not, it is.

Figleaves sell a variety of brands, from their own Basics range, to Calvin Klein and Quicksilver to the more expensive and luxurious Fleur of England and Chantelle. Because of the breadth of their range there is something to suit every budget. As well as lingerie they sell swimwear, nightwear, accessories, a bridal range, a fuller figure range and home and gift products. I really enjoy shopping on this site, and find I have to set myself a limit, both financial and time, before I start looking otherwise I can find temptation gets the better of me. The site has some very useful facilities, including a telephone advice line and personal shopper service. There is also a gift range which I would recommend as the ideal first port of call for men who want to spoil their significant other with a luxurious lingerie gift, but are a little unsure of where the line is between desirably sexy and unpleasantly tarty. To be honest this line is probably different for everyone, and buying lingerie as a gift is never going to be easy, but so worth it if you get it right! This website will certainly increase your chances of hitting the spot. At certain times of the year, like Christmas or Valentines day, the website has special gift guides for these occasions.

I love this website, and because of my obsession I have to ration myself, but for people with more willpower than me, and the inclination to look online for relevant voucher codes, this is a great place to buy underwear. The site is well laid out and easy to navigate, the product range is varied and there is a good range of sizes to cater for most people. It is not the cheapest option, but the products are good quality, and with voucher codes, the cost is reasonable, particularly the basic ranges. The service and delivery is excellent, and overall it is a pleasure to shop here.