• Collectif Review: Anna Capris and Lottie Gingham Top

    I’ve been meaning to mention the Anna Capris for a while now as I already had the black pair from last year, see below (back when I used to crop my head out of all my photos ha):

    Black Anna Capris

    The navy version launched this season and they are just as sweet as the black. Made from a stretch cotton, they’re quite roomy in the leg compared to my black pair, and the high waistband is fixed (side zip) with little stretch – so if you’re in between sizes on the waist measurement, you may want to size up. They have the cutest ties at the bottom of the cropped legs; I absolutely love the little details Collectif adds in like this.

    The black and the navy are both worth investing in as they’re staples for a pinup look and work well with flats or heels to go from day to night. You could also wear a nice blouse and cropped jacket with them for workwear. The navy costs £35.50 and the black is currently on sale in sizes for £28.40. Both are available in all sizes at the time of writing (6-22).

    I paired my navy capris with the Lottie Gingham Top, which is a picnic-perfect darling of a top in a large red and white print. There’s a sweetheart neckline with wide straps, (both trimmed with a pretty daisy lace edge), an elasticated panel at the back making it super stretchy to accommodate all bust sizes, and an invisible side zip.

    The princess cut seams are one of my favourites and really elevates this lovely little top. She’s a shorter style, finishing above the hips, so this is an ideal pick for petites (or those that like a shorter top without all the need for tucking in).

    Available in sizes 6-22 at £25.50, this is a great price for such a classic rockabilly styled piece. Pop a cropped denim jacket over and a bandana or a very cute hair flower in your hair, and away you go! 

    Showing the side tie detail of the capris

     

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    Also wearing: 
    Hair Flowers: Beautiful blooms from Miss Bella’s Blooms
    Jewellery: Natalie Bead set from Collectif in Red
    Bangles: Vintage and Collectif Carrie in Red in main pic, Splendette and Bow and Crossbones in black capri pic
    Shoes: Joe Browns in black capri pic; Everything5pounds in main photo

  • Matalan Petite Review – Papaya April Ankle Grazer Jeans

    I don’t shop on the High Street much, but I was browsing (monstera covered) homewares when I happened upon the petite collection at Matalan (which had launched five years ago apparently!). The range is limited, as with most petite collections, but there’s enough to provide a petite gal with a good few options for Summer.

    Available in sizes 6-18, I tried on a few things in a 6 and the proportions were on the large side for me personally. However, there were a couple of pieces which were great. 

    I loved this green Paisley Shirt Dress which had a strong 70’s vibe. There are buttons all the way down the centre, on the cuffs of the cropped sleeves and a pull through belt. It’s a cool midi length, but it would be too long for me without heels. They aim for 5’3″ and under, so it would probably be great for the top end of that height range if you only wear flats. Add some tortoiseshell earrings and a scarf in your hair for boho chic, a comfortable heel for a great office look or flat sandals and a wicker bag for a shopping day. Or you know, if you’re trying it on in a changing room, the barefoot look works too….

    Matalan Paisley Print Shirt Dress

    The best buy I found were the April Embroidered Ankle Grazer Jeans which have the most amazing embroidery panel and pom pom trim! (you know I’m all about the pom poms). They’re a skinny fit style with pockets and were actually a really good length (22 inch inside leg – slightly cropped, above the ankle) and fit (no bagging around the waist, the waist was actually in the right place, no extra length in the crotch area which usually happens with standard sizing on petite gals).

    Matalan Papaya April Embroidered Jeans

    At £18 they’re an utter bargain too. Limited sizes are left online but they had plenty in my store so it may be worth calling ahead to see if yours has them.

    I paired my new jeans with the Collectif Ronda top which continued the pom pom theme and added more colour to what would make a perfect summer bbq outfit. It was such an easy to wear outfit and will be perfect for mooching around in the sunshine too.

    I’ll keep my eye on Matalan from now on – I like to support companies which are trying to provide us with a targeted range; that way it’ll encourage others to do so (the same with collections aimed at tall people, too). We need more like this to jump on board and think about torso sizes, waistbands, leg length etc. We are small in stature and in number, but we’re still a target market prime for the taking. Fingers crossed for more petite lines in the future!

     

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    For reference, I’m 33:24:33 and a standard size 6 in most shops. I’m 4’11” and wearing 4 inch heels in the main photos.

    Also wearing:
    Belt: Lisa belt in blue from Collectif (I had to add a couple of holes to make it fit)
    Shoes: Lorena by Lulu Hun
    Hairflowers: Lucina by Miss Bella’s Blooms
    Bangles: Mix of Splendette, Bow & Crossbones and Vivien of Holloway

  • Collectif Chrissie Tropical Leaf Top and Alex Pom Pom Capris Review

    As Summer seems to have up and left us for the meantime, light jumpers and capris are perfect for this in between weather.

    I have quite a few Chrissie tops and although I just love the big tropical palm leaves on the shoulders, I was worried that the colour of this one wouldn’t suit my olive skin so I had held back from it. But of course, I am weak and can only hold out so long! I’m so glad I went for it as the colour is really lovely and I don’t mind it against my skin tone at all – I think it would actually work well with most skin tones.

    Such pretty applique!

    The Chrissie styles are a real staple and this one has the applique leaf details on the shoulders which really set it apart and make it a little bit extra special. I find them true to size. If you’re bustier or in between sizes, you may want to size up. They’re also quite slim on the arms if that’s something you need to consider and hit elbow length – which I prefer as they then fit great under Collectif cardis. I like to layer mine up under a cardigan (the Jessie Tropical leaf cardigan would be a perfect match) for a twin set inspired look (I really hope they’ll make Collectif twin sets one day). The top is £37.50 and available in sizes 8-22 on the website.

    I paired my Chrissie top with the Alex Pom Pom Capris in red, which I’ve had for a few months now but haven’t had the chance to wear them. They’re such a fun, new, addition to the collection with their feature pockets to the front that have a patterned strip and hanging, multi coloured, pom poms from them. They are the capris of dreams! 

    Collectif Alex Pom Pom Capri Pocket Details

    They’re made from a red cotton sateen and fasten with a side zip. It makes it a little bulky on the hip and I would have preferred a centre back zip but that’s just my preference. They’re high waisted and have slits in the bottom of the legs which is always such a cute detail and practical too for bending/running around in.

    Side slit details on the legs

    I found them true to size with some stretch. If you’re in between sizes on the waist measurement, you may want to size up as there’s less stretch there. They’re also available in black too in all sizes currently at £42.50.

    My trusty Lorena Heels in red were the perfect shoes to finish off my look, with their colourful ric-rac styling (see review here). They’re so comfortable to run around in during the day as well as to brighten up evening outfits.

    I hope you’re managing to stay out of the rain and will join me in doing a lil’ sun dance to encourage Summer to return! Until then, I look forward to seeing your transitional outfits to see us through this, ‘hmm it’s June but it feels like April’, weather x

     

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    For Reference:

    I’m a standard size 6 in Collectif Clothing. I’m 4’11” wearing 4 inch heels.

    Also wearing:
    Bangles: Mix of Splendette, Bow & Crossbones, Collectif and Vintage
    Hair Flowers: Miss Bella’s Blooms
    Necklace: Natalie set from Collectif
    Sunglasses: previous season from Collectif
    Belt: Vintage