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Check, Please! Amber and Suzanne Valley Reviews [Collectif]
So I didn’t realise just how many checks I’d ordered in the sales until they arrived ha. I guess it turns out, I really do like checks! I’m so happy with my choices though, they’re all unique in their own way and such great dresses.
First up is the Amber Holiday Romance Pencil dress in a glorious red and white pattern.
Lady in red! I have an Amber Evergreen pencil dress already from a few years ago so I sort of knew the fit to expect with this, though obviously it’s a completely different fabric so I did kinda hope for the best. As it turns out, the fabric is actually much thicker and quite firm. It’s such a great choice for the colder months and I really like it. I dream of days when all pencils will be lined but I feel like my tights will actually have more chance of not sticking to my dress with this fabric.
It has a wide scoop neck and half sleeves, a fitted bodice and a classic wiggle cut for added va va voom!
It’s a lovely modest length below my knee and has a zip at the back with a hook and eye fastening. Fit wise, I’m glad I bought my normal size as it’s a good fit for me. There is some stretch in the fabric, but if you’re in between sizes you may need to size up as the waistband seam doesn’t move much. It’s a really comfortable fit for a wiggle dress. I also added a belt too to pull the waist in further and true vintage gloves to complete the look. It’s available in all sizes currently and only £15.75 with code BS50 until Sunday night!
As well as a pencil style, there are also swing versions of this dress. I have Amber-Lea’s which have a gathered full skirt to the bottom with the same top half, but I don’t have the Amber swing so this is a new style for me and when I saw the bold print of the Amber Scholar Check Swing Dress, I just knew I had to have it! I mean, look at these colours!
This one is a Modcloth collaboration and has the most fantastic, stand out, black, green/blue, yellow and pink check print. The style is the same as the pencil above the waistline with the wide neckline and half sleeves, but includes a full swing skirt to swoosh about in. It’s a really flattering fit and an amazing colour combination.
I wore it with a complimentary yellow belt and shoes with a smaller heel and it still sits nicely just below my knee so a great length for me. I bought my normal size and again that was the right choice for me. If you’re a size 18 or over make sure you check the sizing chart for the dress as Modcloth have their own sizing for these sizes. Anything under an 18 is the standard Collectif sizing. Waistbands usually have a little more stretch in the seam for the swings, I’ve found, and this is no exception. So if you’re in between sizes, you’ll be fine with your normal size for the swing version. It’s currently available in all sizes and down to £27.19 in the sale with the code. I’m absolutely delighted the collabs are included in the sale.
Another collab I had to have but waited patiently for was the Suzanne Valley Check dress from the Top Vintage collection. It has the most glorious print in green, orange, yellow and black which brightens up any dull day! I’m a bit in love with the Suzanne dresses and admittedly already have two – the black white check, here, and I was treated to the beautiful Berry Check this Christmas from a good friend, here, but you can never have too much of a good thing!
It’s such a classic style with a gorgeous bateau neckline, tailored princess seams and a fitted waist. Three quarter length notched sleeves and a really full swing skirt also add to that fabulous 50’s feel. There’s also a matching fabric belt which is one that sadly doesn’t have a buckle but I use Velcro dots to fasten it in place which is a handy tip if you struggle with these kind of belts!
There’s a centre back zip and two lovely pockets to the side seams. I have my normal size in my other two Suzannes and they’re perfect fits so I did the same with this TopVintage collab and hit the jackpot. The length is great for me too, hitting my mid calf. Though the fabric has a small amount of stretch, there’s no stretch in the waist, so if you’re in between sizes and/or if you’re busty, you will need to size up in this one. The fabric is great for winter too, being thicker than normal – though not as thick as the Amber. A great winter staple for every vintage lovin’ gal!
This is one of those dresses which is even better than you’d imagined and I’m so glad I managed to get my mitts on it. It’s only available in sizes 6, 8, 12 and 18 now for the sale price of £33.75, so if you can snag one, do it! Remember the sale ends midnight on Sunday and works on these TopVintage and Modcloth collab beauties x
Additional info:
I’m 4’11” and wearing 3-4 inch heels in the photos above (Susans are 4 and the yellow Juliette is 3). I’m a standard size 6 in Collectif Clothing and bought that size in all of the dresses above.Also wearing:
With Amber Holiday Romance:
Susan red heels by Lulu Hun (previous season)
Natalie Red Necklace by Collectif
Adore Heart Belt by Collectif (previous season)
True vintage red gloves
Starburst bangles by SplendetteWith Amber Scholar Check:
Juliette shoes by Lulu Hun (previous season)
Thrifted necklace
High Street belt from moons ago
Flamingo Carved Earrings in pink by Splendette
Bangles by Splendette and Bows & CrossbonesWith TopVintage Suzanne Valley Check:
Susan green heels by Lulu Hun (previous season)
Carrie Orange bag by Collectif
Kirin Necklace by Collectif
Wide Carved Bangle Set by Splendette -
Halette College, Brunel Safari and Pacy Velvet Dress Reviews [Collectif Clothing]
Happy new year, beauties! With the BIG SALE fast upon us, I hope you have your wish lists at the ready! Here are a few reviews for you for a couple of items which will be in the sale and that I really recommend. First off though, is a new season dress which won’t be in the sale, but is an absolute must! It’s even better in the flesh and such a cosy dress to wear.
The Halette College dress is a knitted style in navy and beige with a college style C on the chest. This is such a cool feature and I love it! The top is fitted and the skirt is loose, but not even a half circle so don’t expect to swoosh, but there is definitely a lovely movement in it – perfect for dancing around Grease style! And look – pockets!!
It has a button up front with domed navy buttons and a matching buckled navy belt. It’s a really comfortable dress to wear and I bought my normal size which fits perfectly. If you’re quite busty, you may want to size up though with the buttons. The length was also great on me hitting my mid calf. It’s an adorable piece and well worth the investment. It’s currently available in all sizes at £59.00.
So what should you buy in the sale? Well for one, the Brunel Safari dress is unreal! I was so excited to see this almost a year ago and it really doesn’t disappoint. If you’re like me and obsessed with safari dresses – you need this! I don’t usually wear similar colours to my skin tone but I made an exception for this one as it’s such a great design.
The camel coloured pencil dress has concealed buttons to the front, a matching wide buckled belt and has a sharp collar for ultimate retro safari chic. The v neck is quite low for me so I may add a little popper later on but I actually really like it with the addition of a neck scarf. There are flap pockets on the bust and two pockets on the sides of the skirt.
It’s really comfortable to wear and has a little stretch in the material. I bought my normal size and it’s spot on for sizing. The sleeves are a little long on me so I’ve shortened them, but that’s just because I’m petite and to be expected, they’ll be fine if you’re average height. It cuts on my mid calf which is a great length for me. Honestly, everyone needs one of these! It’s currently available in all sizes and doesn’t have a sticker on so should be in the sale. The current pre sale price is £65.00 and it’ll be an absolute steal in the sale!
My next pick is the beautiful Pacy Velvet dress. I have quite a few velvet dresses from Collectif but I never tire of their amazing designs and how they make you feel.
The Pacy is made of a gorgeous green velvet and has adjustable straps and a sweetheart neckline. The top is boned and has silicone strips to keep everything in place and make everything look fantastic! The skirt billows out into a full swing style which is immense and the best thing for swooshing, especially as it has pockets!!
There’s also a zip at the centre back with a hook and eye to feel super secure. The fit was great on the top for me and the waist was a little larger for me as it is part of the velvets – and with the velvets you normally size down. I don’t think sizing down would have worked for my chest though, so I’m happy with my normal size and the waist leaves room for an extra pudding, which is always a good thing!
It’s such a beautiful dress and will suit so many ladies which may have overlooked it for the more traditional velvets like Trixie and Dolores but this one offers lots of support so it’s definitely worth a fling in the sale! It’s available in all sizes except a 22 at the moment and £65.00 pre sale. So I’d recommend you snap this one up!
Hope you all get the pieces you want in the sale, I’ll add a couple more reviews tomorrow which hopefully will help if you have any questions about the look or fit of an item. I’m also looking out for all the new Spring Summer designs which are about to hit the site and I’ll add those on the blog to review too. Have fun in your pretties and stay safe gals xx
Disclaimer: Some items have been gifted. However, I only give honest opinions about the items I wear and receive and would definitely have been happy to buy them myself.
Additional info: I’m a standard size 6 in Collectif and I’m 4’11” wearing 4 inch heels.
Also wearing: lots of lovely Splendette jewellery and Miss Bella’s Blooms hair flowers -
Layered to the max! Warming up for winter with Collectif
Feeling the chill in the air the past week or so, I decided to layer up with a few Collectif pieces including the Caterina Blackwatch and the matching scarf.
The Blackwatch pencil dress is a rerelease and comes in a variety of other styles too this year, including the swing version and the fabulous scarf which I obviously needed to play matchy-matchy with.
It’s a gorgeously classic green, black and navy check in the popular Caterina shirt style design. There are patch pockets and a matching belt (no holes sadly). I really love the Caterina’s and have quite a collection of them now. They work so well to dress up or down and feel smart but not too formal. I always buy my normal size in a Caterina pencil which fit really well and I size down in the swing versions.
I really love that there’s a matching scarf (and gloves too, might need those!), to co-ordinate your look and it has the sweetest tasselled fringing. I picked out the green of the dress and wore it with my Molly jacket, which is another rerelease this year but there’s an amazing orange version in the Top Vintage collab too which I am sorely tempted by.
Molly jackets are the perfect short jacket for cooler weather days, when it’s not cold enough to warrant a full length coat but too cold to wear something thinner. The 40’s tailored style is really flattering, nipping in at the waist with a wide buckled belt and the floral linings are so pretty! I also really like that you can remove the faux fur collar should you wish to which make it suitable for warmer Spring days ahead, or as a paired down suit jacket for work.
Sans scarf The Molly’s are cut quite small, so if you’re busty or you want to wear thick layers underneath, definitely size up one. I have it in my normal size and it’s a perfect fit for me with a jumper over my dress too (but not a super thick one – no cable sweater numbers!).
I decided to style my tartan scarf on my Molly coat with my own little nod to the highlands, wrapping it around like a shawl and tucking the corners into my belt. It was actually a really cold day when I wore this and I felt so snuggly and warm with the scarf like a shawl. Definitely going to wear it like that again!
With shawl scarf I added some thick black tights (we all need tights right now – gotta protect those pins!) and my Lulu Hun Selma boots which I bought last year but are also available to buy online now. The range has been expanded to include the most fabulous green and red pairs this season (here) and I can’t tell you how comfortable these ankle boots are with their small block heel.
They really suit vintage styles perfectly with their dainty round toes, scallop edge details and ribbon laces. Such delicate features which compliment 40s and 50s style dresses, skirts and wide legged trousers and look really cute peeking out at the bottom of a long winter coat too.
I have them in my normal size which fit really comfortably for me. If you have a wide foot, you may want to size up but they’re true to size.
I love a good check so I‘m really enjoying seeing the new collections launch and more matching accessories which have really won my heart this season! Which have been your favourites? x
Additional info:
I’m a standard size 6 in Collectif Clothing and 4’11 with 2.75 inch heels on.Full outfit details:
Caterina Blackwatch pencil dress
Blackwatch scarf
Natalie bead necklace in green
Tiki earrings in green
Molly jacket in olive green
Selma boots in black
All Collectif/Lulu HunHair flowers: high street
Bangles: Splendette -
[London Edge Feb 2020 Part 6] Collectif Sneak Peek AW20
We are nearing the finale of our roundabout tour of London Edge this year and in this penultimate edition, we’ll be taking a glimpse at the upcoming Autumn/Winter collection from Collectif. For anyone that missed my highlights of the Summer launch, you can read about them here and check my latest reviews for SS20 lines which are currently out already.
Firstly, there are the beloved Caterinas, which we all love with their classic shirtwaister style. There will be plenty of glorious new updates to this design, but two gorgeous checks at the show were this one with it’s fabulously autumnal yellow and rusty hues:
The colours are so scrummy on this one And this one, which has a lovely red and black check on a cream background and gives me awesome lumberjack chic vibes:
Both with matching belts that have holes in, yay!
I also really liked this cute Mary Grace Swing dress which is an alternative shirt dress style:
This design first appeared as a dress last year (Meow print) and I’m so pleased to see it’s return with this sweet cherry pattern, neck tie and bold red buttons. It’s definitely on my list.
I don’t often go for suits, but this one really struck me. I just love the bold green check and the cut of the jacket:
Adorned with velvet buttons, you could either wear this with the matching items or as a single piece, which is how I think I’ll style it (with black trousers most likely). It’s so incredibly scrummy, I can’t wait for it to launch!
I thought this was the most perfect Autumnal outfit:
Next season’s Babette jumper will appear in a vivid orange and the border print skirt with orange falling leaves is a match made in heaven.
On to the Dolores, which is a super popular design, and this year will be arriving in a gorgeous purple check:
Seriously, how good is that print? 1 of each, please!
Now my ghouly gals, Collectif have you covered whether it’s just for the Halloween period or living spooky every day!
This Elvira style print with its fun Hocus Pocus design will send you batty, I’m sure!And the Peta dress returns in sumptuous velvet with the coolest spooky print in glitter.
There was also a range of Beetlejuice inspired designs at the show which were amazing, including this one:
This Eliana Pencil dress will be a sure hit – it’s insanely good. I need one.
Moving on to coats, we saw the return of the leopard lined Sheena and Hazel cape and coat in a deep wine colour this time:
There will also be a couple of new Pearl coats, one of which was in orange:
Ideal for popping over all those seasonally fabulous outfits!
Lastly, the sought-after Trixie for Autumn Winter period will include this dazzling green version:
It has an array of glittery stars, cascading over luscious velvet. Perfect for all your festive events and celebrations.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this sneaky peek of the exciting things coming to Collectif later in the year. Do you have any favourites so far?
To see what’s ahead for Bright & Beautiful, Lulu Hun and Collectif Menswear, stay tuned for the next (and final) instalment of the AW20 previews x
This Elvira style print with its fun Hocus Pocus design will send you batty, I’m sure!
