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Carmella Polka Dot Mesh Swing Dress Review [Collectif]
This darling of a dress was launched last year but was rereleased this Summer and I’m so glad it was! I totally missed out last year having thought – do I really need another evening dress?! Well, clearly the answer was a resounding YES! Always buy the dress haha.
It’s such a pretty design with two layers. The overlay is really delicate with a sheer fabric and velvet polka dots scattered over it. It’s fully detachable so you can wear it over other dresses too, which is a great feature.
It has sweet little buttons (with elastic hoops for ease of closure) to the front and one at the neck where it fastens into a keyhole shape. There’s also a belt which goes through belt hoops on the outer layer too for a snatched waist. My belt was a bit long so I folded it over, but would do my usual trick of a Velcro dot when I’m out on the razzle dazzle!
As the buttons stop at the waist, the overlay doesn’t meet at the front, so you always catch glimpses of the under dress, which looks really elegant and flattering as you move. The overlay is unfinished at the hem which I really like as you can see the mesh floating over the dress instead of being drawn to a heavy border.
Underneath, the base of the dress is a strappy bengaline number with a sweetheart neckline. The straps adjust, which is brilliant as it can fit taller and shorter gals in one short tweak of the straps. I always size up once when I buy anything made from bengaline and I made the right choice with the larger size for this one. Aside from that, it’s a perfect fit and I really like the length which is cut on my mid calf as all good vintage dresses should be. I’m thrilled with it! It’s a full swing skirt so I’ll likely wear a petticoat underneath it for a more fancy pants look, but in the summer sun, I couldn’t handle a petti!
Squinty McSquinty in the Summer sun Just look at those gorgeous little sleeves and the shirt style collar! To die for. If you missed out on the Carmella Polka Dot dress too, or overlooked it by any chance, it’s reduced down in the sale to an amazing £27 from £90! The mid range sizes are all still available at the time of writing so I’d bag yourself this bargain (and size up once) – you won’t regret it!
Now, off to a socially distanced, end of summer soirée!
For reference:
I’m 4’11” and wearing 4 inch heels in the photos. I’m a standard size 6 in Collectif, but wearing a size 8 in this one which is the size of a 6.Also wearing:
Earrings: Starlet Jewellery
Hair Flower: High Street
Sunnies: Collectif old stock
Shoes: Iron Fist old stock -
Party Time! Collectif Florence Dress Review
With Halloween now behind us, my thoughts spring forward to festive events and all the upcoming parties we’ll be attending. With that in mind, I had to share the beautiful Florence Occasion Swing Dress from Collectif, which is the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in a long time!
The sweetheart neckline is divine and the bodice is boned for a great fit. The trim is all in black velvet (yummy) and the straps (also velvet) are adjustable – woohoo! I do love an adjustable strap.
Adjustable straps + boning = winning! The velvet adornment continues at the front with a cute bow detail and the swing style skirt is hemmed with a velvet edge too. It’s extra pouffy from a netted underskirt, followed by a black satin overlay, and finished with the most amazing tulle layer covered in glittery polka dots which graduate with an ombre effect. This is a total head turner of a dress and you will bedazzle everyone! I can’t tell you how in love I am with it (though you’re clearly getting the gist).
Beauiful ombre detail on the glitter drops and velvet bow to the front. Satin layer with glitter drops tulle overlay, and velvet hem trim details The fit is bang on true to size, so if you’re in between sizes, you should size up as the waist doesn’t stretch.
I’ll be donning this fabulous beauty of a vintage inspired gown at the next Collectif Party, and I can’t wait to see where you all wear yours too! For more occasionwear inspo, I’ll be adding a few more posts soon with more options to look the belle of the ball this year. Bring on the fairy lights and champagne coupes!
Ready to party! UPDATE: By happy coincidence, the Collectif x Modcloth version of this dress has also just launched today. You can find it here. It’s a little cheaper and doesn’t have the velvet edged hem but is just as pretty.
Also wearing:
Gloves – Original vintage evening gloves from an antiques fair a long time ago
Shoes – Lulu Hun Susan Heels in black
Earrings – Collectif Clothing Mansfield Hoops
Dress – from Cherry Red Vintage -
Collectif Emery Dress Review
This divine, blue satin, gown dropped into the Spring/Summer collection recently and it is such a pretty dress; I knew it would be perfect for a wedding I’ll be attending this summer so snapped it up.
It features a bardot crossover neckline with fold over vintage styling to the collar which wraps all the way around. The skirt hangs beautifully with the box pleats, though I’ve also added a petticoat underneath mine too for extra fullness (I will steam it, I just couldn’t wait to try it!).
The bodice is boned giving it great structure and there are rubbery strips on the inside of the dress which keep this gorgeous dress firmly in place. The bust is padded which is an awesome feature for anyone wanting to go braless. I wore mine with a strapless bra though.
Here’s the view from the back – I love the sweeping v shaped detail on the collar line.
Fit wise, I found it quite roomy in the bust area and will need to make some small adjustments. If you’re busty, this won’t be a problem! The waist was true to size and the length was a perfect vintage cut on my calf.
I highly recommend the Emery dress for any summer occasion you have coming up. It would look fantastic at a prom or swing dance too!
It’s available in sizes 6-22 and is dry clean only – so no testing it in the washing machine, lovelies! Have fun being twirled around in this amazing frock!
For reference, I’m a true size 6 (33:24:33) and bought the 6. I’m 4’11” and wore 4 inch heels in the photo.
