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Collectif Wanda Review
Wow, Wanda is full of sass! A figure hugging pencil dress with matching, wide, belt and the cutest, winged, neckline detail to the front. It also has heart buttons with a faux centre opening (great for girls with bigger busts that hate gaping buttonholes). There is actually a zip at the back and a halterneck tie.
I picked up both the polka dot and the green version last Summer but as they’ve been rereleased (here) I thought a review would be helpful for those wanting to grab it this season – especially as they’re adding new colours to this range, including a gorgeous little black dress option.
The black and white polka dot version is so much fun! It’s a stretchy cotton and is true to size. If you’re in between sizes though, or have a larger bust (D+) you will probably want to size up. I love to jazz mine up with red accessories – who doesn’t like a little monochrome with a splash of red?
Black & White Polka Dot Wanda I also added the hat I featured here to it the other day, along with sunglasses and jewellery all from Collectif. Perfect for warm days basking in the sunshine – look at that sweet wing-tipped neckline!
The light green one is a really lovely colour. Again, it has stretch in the fabric, however the waist band doesn’t really stretch and is bang on true to size – so if you’re in between sizes or even a little over the Collectif measurements for your normal size, size up with this one. This green is marginally smaller than my polka dot version and as I’m within the measurements, it’s fine – but I definitely won’t be wearing it to an all you can eat buffet unless I buy the bigger size (which I may still do, cause, you know, cake).
Light Green Wanda They are really cute dresses, perfect for wearing casually with a cardi and flat sandals or vamping up with killer heels and a (faux) leather jacket. I highly recommend them; just size up if you need to and keep your eyes peeled for more styles coming too!
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Summer Sass with Lulu Hun
This season I seem to have gone a little gaga for Lulu Hun shoes! Having previously seen this season’s offerings at London Edge in February, I knew I would need so many new pairs in my life! With bright, summery colours, fiesta feels and amazing metallics, there’s something to carry everyone through from day to night with a range of heel heights, including flats, wedges, block and stiletto heels.
I’m a bit of an Imelda Marcos at heart and have hundreds of shoes, but I can never resist a retro feel, summer fun or cute heel! I already own a few Lulu Hun shoes and found the sizing to vary previously (the flats were either a little large or true to size, and the heels came up big), but this season the sizing is very much improved and I’ve found them all a perfect fit (I’m a size 4/37, bought a 4/37 and they fit perfectly).
So, on to my hoard! Three pairs were gifts for my birthday (lucky me! more about that next time) and the silver Veronica heels are an amazing competition win from Lulu Hun (keep an eye on their facebook page for competitions/updates).
Veronica heels These are even more delightful than I’d hoped and so comfortable! I was very lucky to be one of the five winners during a competition to win your favourite pair. I chose the Veronica as I love the metallics (they also come in gold), the t-bar style and the versatility with the chunkier 8cm heel – perfect for dancing! Silver goes with so many things, so they’re a really good addition to my collection. They do have a rather odd fastening (unique to some of the Lulu Hun range), which has a faux buckle and hook attachment to fasten. This threw me a little on previous sandals I’d tried with it on and though I prefer a normal buckle closure on shoes, with the Veronica it works great and my foot feels well supported. I would very much like to snap these up in the gold too as they’re so nice!
The next pair are the gorgeous, sunshine yellow, Juliette, heels. No longer in stock in the yellow as I think I bagged the last pair online, but there were a few pairs in store last time I visited and the pink is still available in limited sizes. These are so summery and a perfect 3 1/4 inch heel for a classic look. I can’t wait to wear these with so many different colours to brighten up my outfits, I’m thinking navy currently which teams well with yellow. I’m keeping everything crossed this style returns next year in other colours!
Juliette heels Now the fun begins! How amazing are these Lorena heels?! Available in black or green suede (obviously I needed both), they feature the sweetest ric-rac design and a 4 inch heel with a platform. They fasten with a normal buckle and the wider heel gives great support. They are the most awesome shoes! I’ve paired them with othe ric-rac and pom pom items and they really add a fun edge to outfits (you’ll see them a lot in future posts!).
Lorena Heels – black or green One last word about the packaging, which includes a very cute vintage lady on the front of a retro styled box. There are extra heel tips included, cardboard guards to protect the sides and a plastic support with branded tissue wrapped around them to keep them safe. I’m a big fan of this brand, which offers a great variety of fun and practical styles. The full range is available in sizes 3-8 (UK) from Collectif.
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London Edge
I was lucky enough to go to London Edge last month and catch a glimpse of all the Spring/Summer collections from the top leading brands in the alternative fashion industry.
Having been an avid fan of Collectif for years, I obviously made a beeline for their stand and set up camp for quite some time admiring all the new prints and pieces! Dolls, you are going to love what’s coming!
From their classic staples, like polka dots and ginghams, to pastel border prints and holographic jackets – there is truly something for everyone.
Ice Cream Dress and Pastel Rainbow Skirt The ice cream dress has just launched I’m happy to say! Go grab one while you can (I have one winging its way to me).
Collectif Holographic Jacket, gingham shirt and pastel blue Maddie trousers A little note about all the gorgeous new prints which you’ll notice as you start to receive them is they all have the Collectif brand logo on them now. Hidden pretty well in a complimentary colour, when I asked about this (as I don’t normally like having the brand on my clothing), I was told it’s to prevent copies being made using their prints, which I completely understood and support.
Along with the SS18 collection, there was a good selection of the Autumn/Winter season to preview and the pic above is from that. Full of vibrant reds, greens and blacks, along with some really gorgeous autumnal and cool novelty prints. Lots of new coats which I am a huge fan of (already owning quite a few) in maroon, black and red, a red Anjelica velvet dress (this is a must have dress which I adore and have in the black already), a black velvet caped coat with stars on (to match the velvet star printed full length dress they’ll be launching). We will be truly spoilt!AW18 goodies Autumnal prints with woodland scenes Velvet Star Cape Coat Matching dress Also on display were the accessories by Lulu Hun and Collectif. My favourites included a palm and lobster bag, novelty sandals and the cute watermelon umbrella.
Here are a few more pics from the day with the SS18 collection on the rails – enjoy!
