• Katya Houndstooth Pencil Dress [Collectif Clothing]

    Happy Valentine’s you gorgeous lot! This darling of a pencil dress is new for the Spring/Summer season. It has the most gorgeous sweetheart neckline, matching fabric belt (with holes), centre back zip and elbow length sleeves.

    The houndstooth print is a classic and in this vintage style it will be the perfect dress to play down at the office with a nice fitted jacket over it, or play up for a dinner date tonight with red accessories and killer heels.

    The fabric is quite stiff but stretchy, and true to size. I find most of these styles are a little big on the shoulders for me as I’m petite but I can get away with it. I find it similar to the Helene and Vanessa dresses for fit (both of which I also love). It also really accentuates the bust which, as part of the itty bitty committee, I really appreciate ha 

    Close up details of neckline and belt (and, oh hey boobs!)

    My heart will always be with pencil dresses, there’s just something about them making you have to wiggle when you walk that keeps me choosing this style over swings. Although this is a Spring/Summer release, (and it’s certainly light enough to wear for those seasons), this will really work during the coming weeks over Winter too with some layers and tights. I do love a dual purpose dress!

    The Katya is still available in all sizes currently and is priced at £55.00. Hope you love it as much as I do xx

     

    Also wearing:
    Bag: Collectif Clothing Carrie
    Necklace: Collectif Clothing Natalie Bead Set in Black
    Earrings: Splendette
    Bangles: Bow & Crossbones 

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

  • Hatches and Ribbons with Judy and Tess [Collectif Clothing]

    I’d like to introduce you to a few new gal pals. Judy and Tess. New this season from the Collectif Clothing Spring/Summer 2020 collection, are these gorgeous vintage inspired beauties. They really are truly reminiscent of the period too with their prints and styling. I just adore them.

    So first up we have Tess, which is a pencil style featuring two, large, front pockets, a centre back zip and comes with a matching fabric belt (which I’ve tied at the front in a bow).

    I’m in love with the bespoke hatch check print in navy, gold and white. The print is absolutely spot on for the era. I had earmarked this piece as my ‘must have’ this season and I wasn’t disappointed!

    The neckline is cut straight across which isn’t my usual style but I really like it on this dress. The hip area is quite wide compared to the bust but it’s pretty true to size apart from that, especially on the waist and bust. The length is good, sitting just below midcalf, giving a true vintage feel. I like it when my dresses still cover my knees when I’m sat down, which would have been a necessity for propriety back in the day.

    Next, in the same fabric, is the Judy Hatch Check Dress. She’s a swing style with a fabulously fifties, wide, collar and a great addition to the shirtwaister styles (which I have a particular penchant for).

    There’s a gathered skirt with pockets and buttons to the front. I’ve also added the fabric belt from my Tess to the waist as I felt it needed pulling in (it doesn’t come with a belt). The wide sleeves are typically 50s with their overhangs and turn ups.

    Without belt

    It’s longer than I usually wear but I quite like the length so I won’t be making any alterations. It sits at my lower calf but should be below the knee for those that are average height. I found it came up rather large, so would advise sizing down if you want a fitted look (or if you’re blessed up top, it will be perfect for you in your normal size). I definitely feel like a 50’s housewife in this style, it’s the perfect day dress.

    Finally we have Judy, the Ribbon Check Pencil Dress which is our last member of the vintage girl gang today.

    In the same style as the shirtwaister dress, with buttons to the front and open collar, this Judy is a fitted, pencil option, with a lovely nipped in waist and a very mid century marvellous bespoke print of navy and yellow ribbons over ivory cotton sateen. Another fabulous print which is so in keeping with the true vintage vibes which make me swoon.

    This version is much more true to size. You may even need to size up if you’re particularly busty as the waist and bust don’t stretch much beyond the Collectif size chart so check your measurements. It’s a great cut for me, sitting at my mid calf. The perfect Spring dress for running errands or lunching with your girls.

    I’ll be posting more new season goodies next time (subscribe below to be informed of new posts) but for now, I hope you’ve enjoyed a little look at these mid century marvels. Everything is available in all sizes (6-22) on the website.

    Also wearing:
    Dresses: Collectif Clothing
    Necklace: Collectif Clothing
    Earrings and Bangles: Splendette
    Shoes: E5P from years ago

    For reference, I’m a standard size 6 in Collectif. I’m 4’11 and wearing 4 inch heels.

  • Collectif Wanda Review

    Wow, Wanda is full of sass! A figure hugging pencil dress with matching, wide, belt and the cutest, winged, neckline detail to the front. It also has heart buttons with a faux centre opening (great for girls with bigger busts that hate gaping buttonholes). There is actually a zip at the back and a halterneck tie.

    I picked up both the polka dot and the green version last Summer but as they’ve been rereleased (here) I thought a review would be helpful for those wanting to grab it this season – especially as they’re adding new colours to this range, including a gorgeous little black dress option.  

    The black and white polka dot version is so much fun! It’s a stretchy cotton and is true to size. If you’re in between sizes though, or have a larger bust (D+) you will probably want to size up. I love to jazz mine up with red accessories – who doesn’t like a little monochrome with a splash of red?

    Black & White Polka Dot Wanda

    I also added the hat I featured here to it the other day, along with sunglasses and jewellery all from Collectif. Perfect for warm days basking in the sunshine – look at that sweet wing-tipped neckline!

    The light green one is a really lovely colour. Again, it has stretch in the fabric, however the waist band doesn’t really stretch and is bang on true to size – so if you’re in between sizes or even a little over the Collectif measurements for your normal size, size up with this one. This green is marginally smaller than my polka dot version and as I’m within the measurements, it’s fine – but I definitely won’t be wearing it to an all you can eat buffet unless I buy the bigger size (which I may still do, cause, you know, cake).

    Light Green Wanda

    They are really cute dresses, perfect for wearing casually with a cardi and flat sandals or vamping up with killer heels and a (faux) leather jacket. I highly recommend them; just size up if you need to and keep your eyes peeled for more styles coming too!

     

  • The Megan Dress IS Magic!

    This dress was the showstopper for me when I saw it back in February at London Edge. Channelling Wonder Woman design vibes (I am a huge Wonder Woman fan so this pleases me immensely), it was a match made in heaven for me! In the main image I’ve also paired it with the gold Collectif lamé jacket from a previous season, because obviously I needed my own kind of superhero cape to wear with it.

    Megan premiered at London Edge Feb 18

    As soon as it dropped on to the website on Friday afternoon, I nabbed one straight away and much to my delight it arrived on Sunday morning which is amazingly fast!  It’s a lovely midnight blue shade and a different texture to the normal bengaline with it being coated (which I love). The sweetheart neckline and belt are made from a copper coloured coated bengaline. Blue and copper are such a great pairing and it’s subtle yet wow on this dress.

    I bought my normal size (I’m a true size 6) and it was a perfect fit for me.  It has awesome boning to the top, making it wonderfully fitted. However, I would say if you’re lucky enough to have a larger bust or are in between sizes for the bust or waist on the Collectif size guide, you should size up with this dress as it is very true to size. The fabric is a stretchy bengaline but the top part isn’t as stretchy due to the structural boning. 

    Showing the detail of the neckline

    The bottom half of the dress has a slightly furry backing which makes it perfect for wearing to winter parties. I’m a huge fan of lined dresses so I can wear tights, but this was a great compromise for my cold limbs. The other thing I really loved is the addition of a belt loop! Many of our gorgeous Collectif dresses come with a belt which doesn’t stay put (tip: I usually use a velcro dot or hair tie in the same colour as the belt) but there were no such worries with the belt loop. I wore it all night and it didn’t budge once! Fist pump! woohoo! 

    Belt loop of dreams!

    Although it is a longer length pencil dress (35 inches), it still works as a great vintage length for petites (I’m 4’11 and with heels it cut on my calf). The taller ladies amongst you will look fabulous in it too. I cannot recommend this dress enough, it was everything I hoped it would be.

    Enjoy the Magic, ladies! Available to buy here for £49.95