• Collectif Autumn Winter 23 Preview

    It’s been a joy to get back down to the Big Smoke and see the folks at Collectif again after such a long time. Although we’ve just started Spring/Summer 2023 and we’re being teased with goodies from that collection every week which I can’t wait to get my hands on, I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of some of the new season stock for Autumn/Winter 2023. It will be influenced more by the 1940s instead of the usual 1950s inspiration, but I know a lot of people will be really happy with the increase in 40s items coming to the brand. There will still be some 50s though, so don’t be disheartened if that’s your thing!

    So as it’s still pretty chilly here in Old Blighty, let’s have a little sneaky peek at what’s to come later on in the year. I’ll begin with an old favourite which has had a revamp…..the Alexandria!

    This 40s inspired shirt dress has had a few reincarnations over the years but is always a firm staple. It’s returning in burgundy with the trademark pin tuck details to the front and shoulders with classic elbow length sleeves, but the skirt is now much less full and hangs beautifully, making it a really versatile piece for every day wear for a modern vintage look. It also has pockets! Pop a little cardi or jacket over the top and you’re good to go.

    I also really liked these 1940’s style corduroy trousers with their cute button details on the front and wide, winged, pockets.

    They’re wide legged and fasten with a side zip. So comfortable and easy to wear with knitted tops for the weekend or with a blouse for work. 

    And for those infatuated with 50s vibes and a cute novelty print, I believe the Wild Berry Fields print is coming back in the form of a swing Caterina for AW23!

    This woodland design is so sweet and everyone loves a swing Caterina – what’s not to love about a shirt style dress in an autumnal print when the season starts to shift to brown and orange tones.

    Also on the mid century scale is the Eloise Acres Check pinafore dress which features a fabulous bib top, full swing skirt and has pockets!

    I just love the moss green colour of this check and the buttons go really well with it.

    A new design for next season will be the Penelope Wallflower dress.

    Delicate peach and cream flowers bud from this pretty green dress and features a shawl collar and sleeves with turned up cuffs. It’s a swing style and has a matching belt which isn’t captured in the photo.

    Another new style coming later in the year will be the Diva dress.

    Such a great evening piece to attend your autumn/winter events in. The drape is delicious and falls so elegantly. The velvet is different to those previously used and a little lighter for this slinky number which is perfect for this style of dress enabling it to fall effortlessly. There’s a deep v shape to the front and beautiful shoulder details with fixed ties that fall either side and accentuate the freedom of movement that the dress has.  I can’t wait to swish about in this one!

    I also saw some previews of what’s to come for Spring/Summer 23 and we are in for a treat! I can’t wait for them to launch and for the better weather to be here so we can all prance about in our pretty Collectif prints during Summer before diving into this amazing Autumn/Winter selection! Great things ahead!

    I hope you’ve enjoyed having a little look at what’s to come and let me know which are your favourites! x

     

     

  • Collectif Pick of the Sale!

    With the January sale still in full swing and payday drawing close, it’s the perfect time to try a few pieces and save so much money! There’s still quite a lot to choose from so if you’re on a budget, or just fancy a bargain, have a look at the sales area to see what you can snag!

    I usually go for dresses but these separates are such a great combo and perfect to brighten up grey days.

    I’d had my eye on this yellow Maya polo top for a while and I’m so glad I have it now as it’s a great little knit and perfect for layering and then going into Spring with its 3/4 length sleeves. The buttons on the front are faux and just for decoration as they don’t open, but it adds interest to the top.  It has plenty of stretch and it fits really well. There’s a v shape to the pattern on the front which you can still see when tucked in and adds a nice extra detail.

    I love a really bright pop of colour (bet you couldn’t tell that!) so I paired it with the Jasmine Rainbow Wave skirt. The skirt has obligatory pockets (yay!) and the coolest of designs with its curvy colours whirling around the skirt. What’s not to love?! I added a petticoat in the photos above as it’s a full swing and has plenty of room for one underneath but in this photo, I removed the underskirt to show you there’s still a nice shape with the Jasmine just on its own.

    I mixed and matched a few pieces to build a small winter sale capsule wardrobe and swapped out the polo top for the warmer Machi Wave jumper.

    I sized up in the jumper but needn’t have, it’s a great fit and true to size. The custom design flows horizontally on the jumper which makes a great clash of colours with the vertical waves of the skirt – I do love a good clash! 

    This is a great buy and the jumper will go well with so many other things in my wardrobe so it’s a new staple!

    Next up is the Atomic Harlequin Caterina Pencil Dress.

    As a pattern, I absolutely adore anything harlequin although I wasn’t sure about the muted colours in this one when I first saw it launch. However, sale time is a great excuse to try things out and I’m so glad I did as the pattern is so pretty! I really love the variety of soft greens and the black and white breaks it up perfectly.

    I’ve always been a fan of the shirt style Caterina and this one definitely didn’t disappoint. The buttons open at the front (no zip on this one) and it comes with a matching notched belt. It’s true to size and has some stretch in the fabric.  To make it winter-friendly, I added the Kimberley Bolero (which is actually a cardigan) and this little number definitely keeps you nice and toasty. It’s super soft too and features delicate domed buttons to the front. I always size up in cardigans and did with this one too which was a perfect snuggly fit. The length is cropped to accentuate the waist and looks great on anything cinched in or high waist jeans.

    All shirt styles need a good v shaped cardigan to go over for added warmth and the Kimberley fits the bill perfectly. I hope these return in more colours as I already have a few, but some brights would be amazing.

    On to a dress I wouldn’t normally choose because it’s a shortie – and yes, I know that sounds odd coming from someone who’s petite! I don’t usually go for shorter lengths but the pattern on this one is super sweet with its stardust stripes and again, I wouldn’t usually go for something in reds and pinks as they clash with my hair – but I’m actually enjoying the clash and whenever I wear red, I’m always reminded I should wear more of it instead of shying away!

    The Gosia Starburst Stripes Dress has a square neck and the cutest puffed and elasticated sleeves.

    The skirt is full and you could fit a petticoat underneath (I’m not wearing one) but it would need to be a shorter one. There’s a zip to the back and I added a belt to cinch my waist in (the belt doesn’t come with the dress, this is from one of my other Collectif frocks). The fit is great and true to size and it even has side pockets. It’s hitting just below my knee but will be shorter on taller girls so bear that in mind.

    I also tried my Kimberley on top and the sleeves fit well under it. Overall, I really like this style and it totally surprised me!

    Now last but by very no means least (as it’s my favourite of them all), it’s the Blanche Chestnut Check pencil dress and I love everything about this dress!

    It has a Dolores style top and the sleeves are elasticated to sit on or off the shoulders and feature signature decorative buttons. The wide belt with a circular buckle is a really nice alternative to the usual shape too.

    The check is a beautiful russet combination of oranges and browns and the accents like the awesome side pockets (yes, pockets!) are edged in a deep brown. The fit is brilliant and has a centre back zip – though be warned, there is zero stretch to this fabric so if you’re in between sizes on the waist, go up a size! I’ll be dressing this one up and down throughout the season and highly recommend it. If you haven’t tried a pencil dress before – try this one! I also popped my Kimberley cardi over it to see how it fits over the sleeves and it works a treat! It looks great with the sweetheart of the Blanche peeking through and most importantly, is keeping me glamorous but WARM! 

    So which were your favourites, or do you have a favourite I didn’t pick? I hope you enjoyed my sale highlights and I’ll see you again soon 🙂 xx

     

    Acknowledgements: 
    All items gifted by Collectif Clothing and the above is my own, honest, review of each item.

    Also wearing (items are my own):
    An array of Splendette and Bow & Crossbones bangles
    Earrings and necklaces by Collectif 
    Shoes by Lulu Hun and E5P

  • Velvet Sweetheart Dress Review [Belle Poque]

    Another gorgeous blue on the blog today – but there’s just something about the feel of velvet and in this shade of royal blue it’s absolutely sumptuous.

    There’s a beautiful sweetheart neckline which is super flattering and a row of false buttons down the front which draw the eye. 

    The buttons are just for decoration as there’s a zip at the back. The wide shoulder straps are really comfortable too, though they’re not adjustable. The bodice is tailored which gives a lovely fitted look at the waist before sweeping out into a half swing style skirt with plenty of swoosh!

    There’s some spandex in the fabric which provides a lovely stretch. Ideally I would have liked a size down as this is the size S which is listed as a size 8-10 which I would say is totally right. The length is great as it sits mid calf which is a great cut for vintage styles.

    It’s a really comfortable, wearable, dress and I was really surprised how nice it feels on. Definitely one I’ll be wearing for events.

    This dress is available in sizes S-2XL direct from the Belle Poque website for £24.38 and is also available in a gorgeous emerald green in limited sizes. 

    Additional Information:
    This dress was gifted to me but my views above are all my own. My stats are 33:24:33 and I’m a standard size 6 in clothing, however, I’m wearing a size S (8-10) in the photos above as it’s the smallest size available from Belle Poque. I’m 4’11” and wearing 4” heels. 
    The belt is not included, this is a custom made piece which I added.

    Also wearing:
    Evening gloves – original vintage
    Pearl Necklace – old buy from a costume jewellery store which no longer trades
    Crystal belt – old buy from Etsy, you can buy similar here
    Crystal headband – old buy from the High Street

     

  • Vintage Mesh Patchwork Dress Review [Belle Poque]

    Something a little different today on the blog, though not a million miles off my normal style as it’s very cute and vintage inspired.

    This Vintage Mesh Patchwork dress is from Belle Poque; a company that sells a range of designs encompassing the 40s-70s. I chose this pretty little a line dress in navy with the sweetest little heart shaped buttons which run down the centre. They’re just for decoration though as there’s a zip closure to the centre back of the dress. It also features a fluted, high neck, collar with ties which I fastened into a bow.

    I really love the sweetheart neckline combined with the polka dot design over the sheer top. The flutter sleeves are really cute too and add a lovely detail to the dress. It’s quite a thin material and made from polyester but has some stretch in it due to the added spandex.

    The smallest size they have is an S which is too big for me and they do have a size guide for ease of ordering. The guide says it’s an 8-10 and I think this is spot on for the size S. I used an old red belt to cinch in my waist and could get away with it being a bit too big for me.

    This navy number is on Amazon in a range of sizes for £28.99 and the black version of this dress is available in all sizes currently for £22.85 on their own site, here. I found the service great and it arrived really fast considering it’s a China based company. 

    Important info:
    This is a gifted item from Belle Poque in exchange for photos. I have given an honest review in my own words. This is a Chinese based company but you can order via Amazon if you prefer instead.

    Additional info which may be helpful:
    I’m 4’11” and wearing 4 inch heels in the photos above. My stats are 33:24:33 and I’m normally a standard size 6 (XXS) in clothing. I’m wearing a size S in the photos and it’s more like an 8-10 which is right for their sizing chart. It doesn’t come with the belt, I added that.

    All bangles: Splendette
    Gloves: Original Vintage
    Shoes: E5P

  • Linette Mermaid Scallop Dress Review [Collectif Clothing]

    As soon as I saw a mermaid design was coming to the collection, I knew I had to have it! Who doesn’t want to cover themselves in the pattern of a sea goddess!

    The Linette design isn’t new as it’s been in previous seasons, but it is a new one to me as I haven’t tried it before. It features a gorgeous petrol blue base with an Art Deco inspired scallop pattern made from small dots over the fabric. The Art Deco influence makes it look really classy as well as being reminiscent of a mermaid.

    Close up detail of the Art Deco mermaid scallop print

    I really like the contrasting white trim over the blue which is used around the sweetheart neckline, on the buttons, turn up cuffs and on the matching belt (buckle fastening, hurrah!). The buttons at the front are false fastening as the dress does up at the back with a concealed zip.

    The bodice section is fitted but has lots of stretch. It actually comes up a little big on me so I would ideally have sized down in this one. Those with bigger busts will rejoice as there’s plenty of room for the girls! The lower half comprises a full swing skirt and I’ve worn a white petticoat underneath mine to add extra poofiness although it has plenty of volume without and has great swishability!

    Best of all (as with most dresses), this one has pockets! I love a good pocket. The length is great for me and is below the knee giving a classic vintage feel. I don’t like swings to look too long or too short and the petticoat fits nicely underneath it without showing.

    Overall I really like this style, especially the neckline and contrasting details. I’ll definitely consider another Linette in future. Have you tried one? 

    The Linette Mermaid is currently available in all sizes from 6-22 for £17.25 which is an absolute steal down from £68.99. However, with code JAN50 until midnight on Monday 31st January it’s another 50% off down to an unbelievable £8.63! Xx

     

     

    Additional Information:
    This was a gifted item in exchange for an honest review and all thoughts are my own. 
    I’m 4’11” wearing 4 inch heels in these photos. I’m a standard size 6 in Collectif Clothing and wear a 6 in this design, though a size down would have suited me better. My stats are 33:24:33 for comparison if that helps 🙂

    Also wearing:
    Bangles and Earrings: All Splendette 
    Necklace: Collectif Clothing (past season)
    Shoes: E5P (past season)

     

  • Aleksi Pencil Dress Review [Collectif Clothing]

    Hey gorgeous, hope your January has been full of exciting new things and possibilities! January usually drags on forever for me, but this year it’s actually skipped along at a reasonable rate – helped along obviously by adding more things to my wardrobe….I mean, that’s what Januarys are really for, right? The SALES! hehe. The Collectif sale has been in full swing and the fabulous Aleksi is currently down to an amazing £16.50! 

    The colour of this dress is so lovely. It’s described as ‘petrol’ and is a dark teal blue shade. It has the most beautiful diamond shaped neckline and half sleeves to keep you a little warmer during the colder weather. I really love the pleated panels down on the front of the dress which go down to the waist. There’s a lovely contrast with the deep red used for accents on the dress such as a double row of military style buttons (which sit on the pleats) and the matching belt. 

    The belt is removable and has a buckle fastening with holes (it’s not one of the old belts which slide about) and there’s a zip at the back for ease of getting in and out of the dress. The material is polyester and I found it quite light for an Autumn/Winter style. It would have benefited from being lined as it is very thin. Having said that, I do still love it and it looks amazing with a short jacket for a forties/fifties inspired look!

    I love this cropped Marilyn style jacket over a pencil for some 40s/50s chic

    Fit wise, I found it came up quite big for my normal size but the fabric doesn’t stretch at all – s0 that may suit us all very well after the delights of Christmas! I know it was quite forgiving for me haha. It felt more like a size up though, being wide on the top and bottom half so it may be something you want to consider when ordering. There’s plenty of room for bustier gals I would say. The length was cut on my lower calf for a nice vintage feel and there’s a small split in the back to get your wiggle in your walk.

    The Aleksi is a great style to take us into Spring and there’s also a swing version for £16.25 if pencils aren’t your preferred style (see here), which would look awesome with a deep red petticoat underneath! Both styles are available in all sizes from 6-20 (the pencil goes up to a 22). How would you style yours? x

    Additional Information:
    This item was gifted to me but all thoughts are my own and the review is my honest opinion.

    I’m a size 6 in Collectif usually and wearing a 6 in the photos above which feels more like an 8 on me. My stats are 33:24:33 and I’m 4’11” wearing 4 inch heels. 

     

    Also wearing:
    Monroe Jacket – Collectif Clothing (past season)
    Mansfield Earrings – Collectif Clothing
    Red gloves – True Vintage
    Bangles – Splendette and thrift store
    Susan Heels – Lulu Hun (past season)

  • Molly Jacket Review [Collectif Loves Top Vintage]

    I was lucky enough to bag this beautiful jacket in a competition! I know, so jammy haha. I already have the Collectif Molly in Olive Green (which I featured here) so I knew how it fit and what the style was like. This collab version is just as glamorous and comes in a gorgeous teal colour this year.

    It’s such a great choice for the colder months as it’s super warm with the faux fur trim. This is also removable if you prefer to wear it without, or if we catch a warmer day in winter and fur is just a bit too much! It makes a really smart jacket without the fur but I really love it attached.

    There’s a matching buckled, wide, belt in the same fabric and substantial buttons to the front which have a really lovely pattern on them.

    It has a very 1940s vibe with a slight peplum to the hip and works well with your entire vintage style wardrobe. I’m wearing it with a long pencil skirt but it looks great with trousers and dresses too.

    I find the Molly fits perfectly and I don’t need to size up at all – although if you’re busty you definitely should as there’s no stretch, or if you want to wear something thick beneath it. The teal collab version isn’t available in my normal size though so I had to size up in this one. It’s a little roomy on me but gives me options to wear thicker jumpers underneath which is always a bonus as my other one I can only wear with thinner layers.

    I love the colour of this one (the truer representation is on the belt photo as it’s like a greeny-blue; really gorgeous. It’s so warm too, you’ll definitely feel snug as a bug in this jacket. It’s currently available in all sizes from 8-22 at £94.99 on the Collectif website and at Top Vintage in sizes 8-18.

    Hope you’re all keeping safe and warm! See you next time xx

     

    The boring bit:
    In case you need it for reference, my stats are 33:24:33, I’m 4’11” and wear a size 6 in Collectif Clothing. I’m wearing an XS (size 8) in the photos above.

    Also wearing:
    Pencil Skirt: Alexa by Collectif
    Bag: Carrie in orange by Collectif
    Hair Flower: by Miss Bella’s Blooms

  • Green Tave Plain Top Review [Collectif Clothing]

    It feels like the recent cold snap has definitely welcomed in Winter this week and here we are in December already! What to wear in Winter while keeping it vintage is always a bit of a conundrum, especially when you’re wanting to stay warm. I love layering during the colder seasons and it works so well when you have a great base like the Collectif Tave Top.

    It’s a pretty simple top but all the drama comes from the neckline, with its nautical style ties to the front that drape down over the front. It’s such a great feature and you can easily wear 40s or 50s styles with it and a warm knit over the top to keep you cosy with that extra layer.

    Made from 100% cotton, it’s super comfortable to wear and has three quarter length sleeves to keep you warm but show off your fabulous accessories too! 

    I wore it with the Alexa Valley Check pencil skirt from the Top Vintage collaboration last year, but there’s a very similar check in this season’s Collectif stock called the Alexa Giles if you’re looking to go for this style. It would also look fabulous under a sleeveless dress with just straps, with trousers and with a swing skirt. It’s very versatile and could be worn to work or out for drinks!

    It’s a really lovely fit and I have my normal size which was perfect for me. There’s lots of stretch to the top too and it’s long enough in length to tuck into things.

    Collectif currently only have a 22 but check stockists, like Cherry Red Vintage and Top Vintage, which have more sizes available. It’s a great price at around £28.99 for such a versatile piece.

    Just checking which sizes are available for you…

     

    The boring stuff, in case you need to know:
    I’m a standard size 6 and wearing a Collectif size 6 in the photos above. My stats are 33:24:33 and I’m 4’11”. 

    Also wearing:
    Earrings and Bangles – All from Splendette
    Bag – Carrie bag from Collectif
    Hair Flower – Miss Bella’s Blooms
    Necklace – Kiria from Collectif

     

  • Catalina Knitted Dress Review [Collectif Clothing]

    Hey there, Autumn! It’s been a while and the chillier weather has now descended with darker evenings drawing in. It’s definitely time to think about cosy knits and keeping warm as glamorously as possible.

    The Catalina dress by Collectif is a great option for staying toasty as it has a ribbed fabric and long sleeves. 

    You can see the material is really substantial and it feels warm to wear. It also comes with a brown, faux leather, buckled belt – though this did crack as soon as I threaded the belt through, so I’ll likely use another with it.

    It has a wide, scooped, neckline which is quite open and looks better with a strapless bra than one with straps as it sits so broadly. The waist is semi fitted giving a slightly tailored look, and the skirt is a half swing with plenty to swish about but not enough for a full petticoat (a cotton one for winter would be good). Unfortunately there isn’t any lining so it’ll stick to tights (which I was wearing) but I tend to pop a half slip on to prevent this – a light spritz of hairspray on the underside is a good little trick too, but don’t stand next to any naked flames!

    I love that it’s so easy to throw on (no zips or buttons) and you can dress it up or down. I chose to wear it casually with my faithful Lulu Hun western boots (previous review here and you can still find small sizes in the other colour way here) which tied in perfectly with the brown from the belt.

    The fit is really good and the fabric is stretchy. I have it in my normal size and the length is just past the knees which is great for vintage looks. It will become an Autumn staple for me and I’ll pair it with small heeled ankle boots as well as heels to change the look.

    I adore the knitted styles from Collectif and hope there will be more in further Autumn/Winter ranges. Sadly there aren’t any pockets in this design, so maybe it could return with those next time (fingers crossed!). Currently the Catalina swing is available in a few sizes on the website at £64.99, and for those that prefer a pencil dress, there’s a wine coloured version in sizes 10-22 for £58.99 too. But Black Friday is coming so maybe you’ll get a cheeky discount! x (Edit: Black Friday code is now live. Use BF50 for 50% of this style)

     

     

    The boring bit, if it helps:
    I’m a standard size 6 in Collectif Clothing and wearing a 6 in the photos above. My stats are 33:24:33 and I’m 4’11” in height.

    Also wearing:
    Hair Flowers by Miss Bella’s Blooms
    Bangles and earrings by Splendette
    Kira Necklace by Collectif 
    Jolene Boots by Lulu Hun
    Brooch by Erstwilder

     

  • Midge Jumpsuit Set Review [Collectif Clothing]

    I’ve been waiting for months for this beauty to drop onto the website so as soon as I saw it was finally released, I bagged it immediately! It arrived the very next day and was just as gorgeous as I’d hoped.

    The aptly named Midge Jumpsuit Set comprises a black jumpsuit with capri trousers and removable overlay skirt. It is very Midge (from The Marvellous Mrs Maisel – who else was obsessed with that show?!) being both a classic design and super elegant. The design also echoes the chicest of them all, Grace Kelly, in To Catch A Thief.

    I love the monochrome palette. I don’t really wear black during summer time but the light skirt really lifts it – though even on its own, the jumpsuit with its sleeveless halterneck style makes it a great option for warmer weather.

     
    The halter-neck fastens at the back with two poppers and there’s a centre back zip on the jumpsuit with a hook and eye above it.

     The neck and shoulder lines on this jumpsuit give such a chic overall look and there are princess seams to the bodice for a tailored and fitted finish.

    As a jumpsuit on its own, it works really well too.

    The leg length fits well for me, though I am petite and it’s meant to be a cropped capri length, so it will be shorter on taller gals.

    Straight on, it gives a lovely line and the waist sits well for that vintage feel.

    The skirt is listed as white but it’s more of an off white. It has a black waistband to match the jumpsuit and ties at the front (or back or side if you prefer) to reveal the jumpsuit underneath. It’s a really versatile piece as you can wear it over lots of other outfits too (I’ll pop it over a playsuit).

    I love how you can flash a little jumpsuit and swoosh around in the open skirt.

    When the skirt is closed it looks more like this:

    The skirt fastens with a tie which I chose to make into a bow at the front. 

    Size wise, the guidance on the website suggests you size down if you’re in between sizes. I bought my normal size (as there isn’t a size down) and I’m not in between sizes but I definitely would have sized down in this if I could have as it is a little too big around the sides which I’ll run down on the machine. So I would recommend sizing down for this one whether you’re in between sizes or not. There’s some stretch in the fabric too. It has quite a long rise so would be good for average/taller girls as well.

    I absolutely love this set. It’s so reminiscent of 50s fashion and I feel like I’ve stepped out of Mrs Maisel’s or Grace Kelly’s set. It’s currently available in all sizes (6-22) and it’s £89 which is really reasonable for a skirt and jumpsuit combo. Until midnight tonight (26th July) you can also use code JULY10 to get £10 off at Collectif Clothing. Fingers crossed for more Maisel and Kelly inspired designs appearing in the coming seasons!

     

     

    For reference:
    I’m 4’11” and wearing 4 inch heels in the photos above. I’m a standard size 6 in Collectif clothes and I’m wearing my normal size above (though I recommend sizing down). My measurements are 33:24:33 if that’s helpful.

    Also wearing:
    Sunnies: Old season Collectif
    Bangles and Earrings: Splendette
    Hair Flowers: High Street many moons ago
    Hat: ASOS a couple of years ago
    Shoes: E5P a while back