• Review: Collectif Giselle Palm Print Dress

    With glimpses of Summer starting to come back, today I tried on my Giselle Palm Print dress which I’ve had for quite a while now. I especially love the amazing palm print and vibrant teal background of this one which I paired with yellow accessories to make it really pop!

    I just love a bardot neckline and this one is fully elasticated, (as are the arms), so you can wear it on your shoulders or off, whichever you prefer. I actually preferred mine on my shoulder with this one. The neckline is also a sweetheart shape and has a little tie at the front to make it more or less revealing – much like the Sasha tops I previously discussed here. I really love this feature which enables the more busty and the not so busty alike to find the shape that suits them. 

    Pull tie strings at the bust

    Also just have to mention, POCKETS! whoop whoop! We all love a dress with pockets. It also comes with a waist tie which you can use at the front or back (I chose the back), or not at all! It makes a great hair band or neck tie if you want to be matchy matchy in a different way! There’s a swing skirt to this dress with a bottom ruffle which isn’t a style I would normally go for, but this dress is really pretty and looks different on to how I imagined it may look with a big ruffle on a short girl! It was actually quite windy in my photos and I loved how the wind kept lifting up the ruffle and making it super floaty – but never enough to be unbecoming of a lady!

    Up, up….but not away (thankfully)

    The fit advice for this dress is to size down for a pin up look and that was absolutely the right advice I found and would suggest you do go one size down in Giselles. I bought the smallest size so I couldn’t actually size down unfortunately, and it was a little big on the top for me. but I still love it and it will get lots of wear this Summer (as long as the sun sticks around!).

    Available in all sizes 6-22 currently, and reduced to £44.00 in the sale, there are also a couple of other Giselles to choose from if you prefer a different print.

    See you next time!

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    For reference: I’m a standard size 6 in Collectif and 4’11” wearing 3 inch heels

    Also wearing:
    Necklace and Earring Set: Natalie in Yellow by Collectif
    Shoes: Lulu Hun Juliette in yellow
    Sunglasses: Collectif old season
    Bangles: Vintage and Collectif Carrie in yellow
    Hair flowers: High Street many moons ago

  • Supplier Spotlight: ilovethe50s.com and Collectif Fairy Palm Dress Review

    Today’s review is of the Collectif Fairy Vintage Palm Dress in green which is such a summery print. I really like the colour of this one, giving off totally tropical safari vibes.

    The Fairy dresses are such an easy style to wear, I think I have around 5/6 of these beauties (maybe more – who knows what’s in the depths of my Collectif wardrobes!). They always feel really comfortable with their slight stretch in the fabrics, elasticated shirring panel to the back and adjustable spaghetti straps – making this an ideal choice for everyone to express their summer vintage style.

    Showing the elasticated panel to the back

    The dress is a pull on style (no zips to worry about) and features a full skirt. Those who love a petticoat will find it roomy enough to put one underneath should you wish to. I have it in my normal size and find it a perfect fit. I could probably size down, (as it has that light stretch and the elasticated panel), but I prefer my normal Collectif size as it then allows for comfort after eating. Bigger busted ladies, you’ll find it has ample room and the shirring expands to accommodate the ladies, so I’d buy your normal Collectif size. If you prefer a tighter pin up fit though, you may want to size down one.

    I love the detailing to the bust with these styles too – the prettiest of pleats meet at the centre of the bust where there’s a sweetheart neckline and matching green buttons all the way to the waist (which are just for show).

    Close up of the front pleat details and buttons

    The large, white, palm tree print is just fab and really goes so well with the green. Add some bamboo bangles and earrings for a Tiki inspired look or some flat sandals and a cute sun hat for  shopping on a summer’s day. It’s a very versatile dress and lends itself to being dressed up or down.

    White palm tree print on green, with the Carrie bangle and some Splendette

    I teamed mine with red (with hints of green), adding the belt from my Dakota skirt and my red Lulu Hun Veronica Heels (previous reviews of both on the blog) to make the green really pop. I’ve also added the Carrie bangles, the red Natalie bead set and an assortment of green styles from Splendette too.

    Accessorised with red
    Basking in the sunshine in my fairy dress

    To snap this dress up, and others from Collectif, my readers receive a special discount rate from the fabulous Ilovethe50s.com. Use the code ELLE at checkout to receive 20% off Collectif dresses on their site!

    They also stock a range of other brands and you’ll find some gorgeous Splendette goodies on there too. The website is run by the very lovely Karen, and all orders include FREE DELIVERY! It’s very easy to use, brands are listed clearly to search by and, once at checkout, you can use Paypal, Amazon Pay or Google Pay for a faster service or choose to pay by card. There are also speedier delivery options – first class is only £1 and there are next day options too if you need it super fast. If you sign up to the newsletter, you’ll also hear news first and receive notice of any further discounts on the site.

    The website began last year when Karen decided she wanted to change her work life and offer a range of beautiful vintage clothing and accessories which flatter everyone, regardless of your age or clothes size – something I’m very passionate about too as a 40 something! There’s a great range available so enjoy the discount gorgeous gals!

    Please note the discount code will run until the 31st May 2019. If you’ve enjoyed reading the blog and are interested to know more, please click subscribe at the bottom of the page for more reviews, info and discounts as they go live.

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    Disclaimer: Gifted ad – this piece was gifted in exchange for an honest review and a discount for my readers. All thoughts are my own and I would happily purchase from this company. Please contact me via my Instagram for collab work or ads.

    Stats for reference: I take a standard size 6 in Collectif clothing (33:24:33) and  I’m 4’11”, wearing 3 inch heels in the photos.

    I’m also wearing:
    Bangles: Splendette
    Sunglasses: Collectif (previous season)
    Hairflower: Ebay a few years ago
    Parasol: Collectif (bought from the outlet sale in Feb)