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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 -
Collectif Menswear Preview SS20
The fabulous new Menswear collection is still to launch at Collectif as of yet (coming very soon though), and if you want to see what’s in store this season, have a look at my previous post here from way back in January.
Today we’ll be looking at what’s to come next year with a sneaky preview of their Spring and Summer 2020 designs! Very exciting. I was blown away by the new line and the cool prints and fab co-ords don’t stop this year!
First up we have this awesome array of tiki inspired shirts with short sleeves – who doesn’t love a Hawaiian shirt?!
In a range of colours and tropical prints, these shirts feature wide collars and a pocket to the front. They ooze 50’s summer tiki vibes. Perfect for casually lounging by a pool or summer barbeques back in old Blighty.
Next up are these raglan baseball tops which come in a few different colours (same print). I love a good raglan top and wish they came in my size too! Definitely unisex if you fancy one for yourself gals! it’s not all about the boys 😉
Moving on to knitwear, I just died when I saw this! There are a couple of utterly fantastic light knits with the best novelty designs ever!
A cowboy passing a giant cactus, with a sky filled with atomic stars and a spaceship? Yes please! Just the coolest thing ever.
The last piece I have to show you is this nifty denim shirt. I love the winged stitching, the buttoned pockets and the wide collar. Perfect to throw on over any tee with some black workwear boots.
On to accessories now, and they really have excelled in this too, offering a wide variety of co-ordinated fifties/sixties fashion forward styles. This man bag ties the look together well and is big enough to pop all of your other half’s lipstick, phone and accoutrements in as well 😉
I really like the design of this – how it looks a little like a flight bag/suitcase with it’s faux wrap around straps. This is coming in a couple of colour options and I believe it’s leather (not for the vegan among us).
Finally, I really liked this style of wallet too. Again, it is leather so hopefully they’ll do a faux version in seasons to come.
Rivets and chains add some nice details to this.
So guys, next time you’re dragged into a Collectif store by your gal, you don’t have to make a beeline for the nearest coffee shop or stand waiting outside the changing room endlessly…..you can be browsing your very own collection! Lucky boys, enjoy!
Look out for the next instalment of the previews for Spring/Summer 2020 which will be Lulu Hun and Bright & Beautiful. Subscribe below to be notified of new posts first and feel free to leave a little comment on the blog below too about what your thoughts are for the upcoming designs x
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Collectif x Modcloth Isaboo Suncheck Dress Review
I am obsessed with yellow. Along with turquoise, it’s my joint first place happy colour. Add a dash of yellow to any outfit and you are instantly cheered. So, although I have the beautiful Margherita sun check dress already (see that review here), I love the print so much that I needed to get the Isaboo too when it was released, and, you know, she’s a totally different style obviously, so it had to be done….
Unlike Margherita, (who is on the shorter side), Isaboo has a long, full, gathered skirt (with pockets – yay!), which will really please taller ladies. Though I am obviously just teeny, she is quite long on me, (which I was expecting as the description states her total length is 42 inches) and I was thinking I’d have to hem it up. However, once on and with heels, I think I can get away with this true vintage style length, so I’ll probably leave her as she is.
I love her open collar and sleeveless style, which is so reminiscent of the 50’s. This collaboration is absolutely Mrs Maisel-worthy! (who else wants her entire wardrobe?). There are darts to the bust, a side zip and a matching fabric belt. I found the fit perfectly true to size. If you are lucky to have a larger bust, you may want to size up, but if you’re in between sizes, you’ll probably be ok with your normal size as there’s a little stretch in the fabric and at the waist. I really hope both the Margherita and the Isaboo return in future seasons with equally fabulous prints, as they’re so stylish and classically vintage.
Isaboo open neck and matching belt details I paired my sweet Isaboo (how cute is that name?) with the Jessie Tropical Palm cardigan, which I bought originally to match the skirt (see here), but (as with all Collectif cardi’s), they’re easy to mix and match with other outfits too. I love the greens on the leaves (one is almost turquoise, squee), so I added in black and turquoise accessories to set off the yellow, which works so well together (happy colour heaven).
The Jessie Palm Cardigan and Lorena Heels add black and teal touches I love a Jessie cardi, and have quite a few now as the cropped style suit our vintage inspired frocks so well. The darling pearl, green, buttons are a lovely addition and the fabulous applique leaves in 3 colours are just dreamy. I have a thing about Monstera plants so this design fills me with glee!
Palms in many colours <3 I would size up in this one as it is a little on the smaller side. I have my normal 6, which is fine for me, but a teensy bit tight on the arms with the 3/4 sleeves, so an 8 would have been a better choice. I can’t wait to wear this ensemble again though, as it was so perfect on a sunny day.
Happy’ometer max’ed out! Remember, with any Modcloth collab piece, you can only find them on the website or in store, stockists aren’t allowed to hold these. So if you see an item you love in this collection, make sure you nab it as they’re available in limited numbers.
Also be aware of the sizing difference between Collectif and Modcloth for the plus sizes. Up to size 16, the Collectif sizing chart applies, but from size 18, you then need to refer to the Modcloth sizing chart and go by their measurements. Hope this helps, happy shopping! x
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For reference:
I’m a standard size 6 in Collectif (33:24:33) and bought a Collectif x MC size 6 in the Isaboo dress
I’m 4’11” and wearing 4 inch heels hereAlso wearing:
Shoes: Lulu Hun Lorena (previous review here)
Jewellery Set: Collectif Natalie in turquoise (previous review here)
Bracelets: Collectif, Bow & Crossbones, Splendette and Vintage
Sunglasses: Collectif previous season
Hair Flowers: High Street many moons ago
