• 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

     

  • Mara Garden Stripes Dress Review [Collectif]

    Hooray! The Big Sale at Collectif is well underway and we’re all rushing to put orders in – sometimes multiple times as there’s always that extra item you never noticed before but suddenly have to have! Maybe the beautiful Mara is one of those frocks you’ve been eyeballing for a while but weren’t too sure about? Well I can tell you it’s fabulous and you definitely need it! hehe.

    I haven’t had a Mara before, though I almost bought the previous checked patterns which came out. The shirt style really appealed to me but it seemed like a lot of dress for my frame. When the green Garden Stripes version was launched, I hovered over the buy button for some time, pondering which size I would need as I’m aware the checked versions were sized smaller. 

    I took the plunge and decided I needed all those glorious green stripes in my life! The dress is so vibrant and I really love the pattern. I have a petticoat on underneath too for added poof and the fullness of the swing skirt is very swooshy which is excellent!

    The dress can button right up to the neck and has a matching waist tie which I’ve worn as you’re meant to at the waist in the photo above, though I left the neck open as I like a more casual look sometimes with a necklace showing. However, I also really liked switching the waist tie to make a bow neck tie instead and adding my own belt too.

    With long, cuffed, sleeves and a placket of concealed buttons to the front, this practical dress also has two side pockets which are super handy. I went with my normal size and luckily that was the right choice for me as a size up would have been far too big. There’s slight stretch in the fabric and the length on me is the same as a swing Caterina – which is lower calf and a bit longer than my other dresses, but I don’t really mind that.


    So if you’ve been pondering this dress, I can confirm it’s brilliant – a really practical but cute piece which is lots of fun with the dramatic stripes and great sizing wise – get it in your basket! haha. It’s currently half off at £33.75 with code BS50 (which lasts until 11.59pm on the 17th) and it’s available in all sizes.

    Also wearing:
    Lulu Hun Susan High Heels in green (previous season)
    Adore Heart belt in red by Collectif Clothing (previous season)
    Tiki earrings in green by Collectif Clothing 

    Additional information:
    I’m 4’11” wearing 4 inch heels. I’m a standard size 6 in Collectif and that’s the size I’m wearing above.
    The dress was bought via the fabulous Cherry Red Vintage

  • Edith Velvet Jewel Dress [Voodoo Vixen]

    Something a little different for me today. As a size 6, a lot of the reproduction vintage brands don’t cater for me so I often look longingly, but can’t buy. That was until I happened across this absolute beaut of a dress. I’d seen it on others but hadn’t realised there were size 6’s floating around on the internet. Even better than that, I managed to snap it up in the sale, so this £58.00 dress cost me a mere £18! 

    Occasionally, Voodoo Vixen include my size on random items but I never seem to be in the right place at the right time for them, so I was absolutely thrilled to bag this beauty.

    The Edith gown is a 1930’s inspired, full length gown in sumptuous green ribbed velvet. There are full length sleeves with gorgeous little covered buttons and a daring plunge neckline. The detailing under the bust with gathering and pleats is stunning and adds that typically ‘column’ like silhouette of that era.

    Now, for someone that doesn’t really have much going on up top, I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t be able to fill it! To my surprise, I actually look like I have a reasonable bust in this dress. It’s a very deceiving dress ha! 

    The classic 30’s silhouette was all about long, elongated shapes in a glamorous Old Hollywood style. This dress perfectly encapsulates that and makes little ‘ole me at 4’11” feel like I’ve grown a foot. Obviously I still look short as soon as someone stands next to me…..but for now, I can live out my tall girl fantasies!

    The Edith dress is also available in a soft pink and a very flattering grey, and this emerald green version is also still currently on the main site at £58.00 (here).