• 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

  • Susan Navy High Heels Review [Lulu Hun]

    Hey gorgeous shoe fans! Today we’re having a look specifically at the new season Susan shoes by Lulu Hun, in navy. I’ve previously spoken about this style here, but since then I’ve pretty much bought the entire range and thought I’d share what the new shade looks like.

    So, they are the same style with a fabulous forties inspired heel and slingback which fastens with a buckle and feature a slim platform sole too. I cannot tell you how much I love this design. The things I look for most in heels is 1) a slingback, 2) a peep toe and 3) a platform, so ticking all my boxes, they were always going to be mine! Platforms are such a great way to get the added height of the 4 inches, but it feels super comfortable to wear too, especially with the blockier heel. Bonus!

    There is a really sweet white bow to the front, giving these shoes somewhat of a nod to nautical, combined with a new, sultry, red sole, which I now want on all of my shoes please!

    They’re made from PU leather and are really good quality. I’ve had other pairs for over a year now and worn them a lot out on the razzle dazzle, especially to dance in, and they haven’t put a step wrong (the same can’t be said for me and my dancing sadly ha).

    Fit wise, I found them to be exactly like the previous season. I took my normal size (4) and they fit perfectly. I have a narrow foot though, so if your foot is wider, you may want to size up. The slingback strap is adjustable on the buckle so you can get a tighter or looser fit.

    They also come in white with a contrasting red bow, which are also very cute. I don’t really wear white heels though as I’d get them dirty instantly. I really hope they return in another plethora of colours so I can add more to my collection. They’re the perfect shoes to pair with any outfit and are currently priced at £45.50 and available in all sizes.

    Which colour will you choose? Susan rainbow joy right here!

    Susans galore!

    This style is also currently 50% off on the Lulu Hun website! So snaffle them up quickly x

     

  • Christine Pencil Dress Review (Collectif Clothing)

    I thought it was time for a little pencil dress feature, and oh my, is this one a beauty! In a gorgeously soft, mustard, fabric and three quarter length sleeves, the Christine is a perfect winter addition to everyone’s wardrobe.

    To the front, there’s a wonderfully sweet peter pan collar with a fixed, black velvet, bow detail. The velvet is continued with four feature buttons across the chest and at the waist on the adjustable belt (which has eyelets – woohoo!). 

    The sweetest velvet details

    This classy piece has a centre back zip and a split to the rear (so you can wiggle but still walk). It falls at a perfect vintage mid calf length on me with my heels. There is a little stretch in the material but I find it true to size. If you’re busty or wider on the waist or hips than the Collectif chart, you should size up.

    I really like this dress which you could easily wear for work or play depending on accessories. I’ve kept mine simple and paired it with some black Lulu Hun heels. There’s also a swing version of this dress available if you’re not really a pencil kinda gal, which can be found here.  Both versions are currently available in all sizes and I do hope more colour ways come out in future collections as it feels lovely to wear – fingers crossed!

     

     

    For reference:
    Height: 4’11” wearing 4 inch heels
    Stats: 33:24:33 and a standard Collectif size 6 (which I’m wearing here)

  • Collectif & Lulu Hun Review: Galactic Tshirt and Susan Heels

    I love pink and black together, it’s such a classic pin up colour combination. So when my Galactic Attack tshirt from Collectif arrived a couple of months ago, I knew I’d be pairing it with pink! My matching Maddie jeans from a few seasons ago and Outlaw jacket were the perfect choices.

    This tshirt is ridiculously cool with it’s mid-century, sci-fi inspired, graphic on black. I’m so glad Collectif have ventured into tshirts in this style, as they’re so easy to pop on with some capris or rolled up denim and immediately give you that pin up look (you could pop a bandana in your hair, and you’re done!).

    ATOMIC!!<3

    This one features two pin up space gals with rockets, spaceships, planets, stars and the moon. I am obsessed with everything atomic, so I can’t tell you how happy that combo makes me!

    The tshirt is made from cotton jersey and is nice and stretchy. I actually bought the size up in the tshirts thinking they may come up a bit small, but there was absolutely no need. You should buy your normal size as there’s plenty of room in them and they’re a really comfortable, true to size, fit.

    Perfect for a casual pin up look

    There are a few other styles with this fantastic retro print, including a Dolores top and dress and a blue cardigan. We are also promised a Matilde skirt which is one of my favourite styles of skirt, so fingers crossed that arrives too.

    I don’t think I’ve reviewed my Outlaw jacket before, (despite having owned it for a couple of years now!), so here’s a quick run down in case you’re considering joining the pink girl gang! (which, of course, you should).

    She is roomier than the stretch versions so you may be able to get away with sizing down in this one. The sleeves are a bit long on me but will be perfect for anyone of average height – I just roll them up a little bit, which is how I wear most cropped jackets anyway, so it suits me.

    The jacket is fully lined in a gorgeous pink satin which gives it a very luxurious feel. The soft pink denim is perfect to pair with so many rainbow pastels and of course, black. It lifts any outfit up with its biker babe vibes and with two front pockets, it’s practical too. I wear it a lot and have the blue and foiled versions too (the blue sizes the same as the pink) because it’s such a versatile style so you can’t just have one colour, can you?

    I finished my pin up outfit off with the Susan heels from Lulu Hun which are new this season.

    Ooooo new shoes!

    I absolutely adore a good sling back heel, a peep toe and a platform – and these have all three! The ultimate pin up heels!  There’s even a sweet bow to the front.

    Bow detail

    Although they have a 4 inch heel, it’s a chunky heel so much more comfortable to wear, and with the 3/4 inch platform, in reality, the heel is only 3 1/4 inches. There’s also a normal buckle for the sling back so you can adjust it to suit your own comfort.

    Lulu Hun Susan Heels – perfect with pink

    I love these heels and will need the red and green pairs too, obviously. They will be perfect with 40’s and 50’s style trousers and dresses alike, making them a great investment.

    I would also add a neckerchief to this outfit – I have a pink chiffon scarf I would have worn with it too, but I liked showing off the tshirt graphic so much, I didn’t want to cover it up. Hope you like this ‘glam-casual’ (I just made up that term but it kind of fits), pin up, look.

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    Full outfit details:

    Earrings: Splendette
    Necklace: Vintage
    Bangles: Splendette and Vintage
    Hair Flowers: Ebay (Collectif sell orchids)
    Pins: Mostly Punky Pins
    Sunglasses, Jeans, Jacket, Tshirt and Belt: Collectif
    Shoes: Lulu Hun

    For reference:

    I’m 4’11” and a standard size 6 in Collectif Clothing and a standard size 4 (37) in Lulu Hun shoes. I have narrow feet.