• Adalaide Yacht Stripe Swing Dress [Collectif X Modcloth]

    I adore a striped dress (as you know), but even more so when it has a nautical nod. This piece by Collectif is from their collaboration collection with Modcloth.

    It’s absolutely perfect for Summer and the heat wave we’ve been having of late. Made from viscose it’s super light and flowy. I felt so cool in it, despite the temperatures soaring!

    It has a bold, bespoke, yacht stripe pattern in red, white and a slim line of blue too (which I hadn’t previously noticed in the pic before but upon arrival was delighted to see). To the front, there’s a fitted bodice with sweet peter pan collar and keyhole detail. This works really well together and looks effortlessly chic.

    Not only that, but this dress has side seam pockets! (hand resting nicely in one in the pic above). Woohoo! We all love a good pocket, I know. It also comes with a circular belt (no holes unfortunately) and has a centre back zip. 

    The dress flows out from the waist but isn’t a full or half skirt. It does blow beautifully in a breeze however, and has the perfect amount of swoosh for walking around on sunny days. Who would want a full skirt on a yacht, anyway?! hehe.

    This dress has a lovely, floaty shape and feel because of the fabric

    I chose my normal size (6) in this dress and it fits perfectly. As with all Modcloth collab items, the sizing is the same as Collectif from size 6-16. However, if you’re size 18 or above, follow the specific Modcloth size chart as it then differs slightly (found on the Collectif site, here).

    The Adalaide Yacht Swing Dress is available in sizes 4-30 (which is amazing; I love how inclusive those sizes are at both ends) and costs £77. This elegant new design is also available in plain navy (here) has also been released on the mainline collection in a different striped colour way for £55 (see here).

    Pockets are everything <3

    Also wearing:
    Shoes: Lulu Hun (see previous review, here)
    Hairpiece: Miss Bella’s Blooms
    Bangles and Earrings: Splendette

    For reference:
    I’m 4’11”, wearing 6cm heels and I’m a standard Collectif size 6. 
    For full transparency, this item was gifted to me but I only ever write honest reviews, all based on my own thoughts. 

  • Pinup picnic, for one [Collectif x Top Vintage Collaboration Caterina Review]

    This year we’ve been treated to another gorgeous collaboration between Top Vintage and Collectif Clothing (you can view the full Collectif Loves Top Vintage range here). There are some very cute circus prints as well as a very fabulous harlequin (which I am eyeing up but I don’t suit pale colours so I’m hoping it’ll return in a bolder colour, fingers crossed!).  Also included in the collection is this sweet little Caterina.

    The Caterina is a very popular style (you know I already have quite a few!), but this one is super special because she’s sleeveless! It’s the stuff of dreams – a sleeveless pencil Caterina. No more trying to figure out how to bunch sleeves up under fitted cardigans just smooth, smooth, lines!

    No more bumpy sleeves!

    I find I’m being drawn more and more to red clothes again. They used to be my staple as a brunette, but since I became a redhead (almost a decade ago), I always avoid red clothes thinking they’ll clash too much. Well I’m truly over that now. Maybe current world events are encouraging me to stop getting hung up on the minutiae as they don’t matter. So, I’m embracing red, clash or no clash. It’s my favourite shade – that bright pop of lipstick red.

    The fabric is cotton with a little stretch but it has a linen look and is lovely and light to wear for Summer too. As a classic 50’s shirtwaister dress, it has sweet wooden buttons running down the front (to the hip line) and these feature on the front pockets too. It has a matching belt with holes as well which is a great addition and I found it true to size for me, if a little bit generous on the hips. I’ve found a couple of the pencils are similarly sized this year. I may run it in a fraction but it gives me room for Covid essential pudding eating, so I’m not all that fussed.

    Close up details of the beautiful neckline and buttons

    I paired it with mint, but it will go well with so many other colour combinations too, I just adore anything on the turquoise scale with red. I’m currently knitting something in these shades and hadn’t realised that when I look around my home and clothes, I tend to put them together A LOT! ha

    Stay safe and I hope you can enjoy a little pinup picnic of your own in your garden or even a floor picnic in your lounge while the sun is shining. We may not be able to get together, but we can carry on looking fabulous until we do! Have a great Easter, until next time cuties x

    The Collectif Loves Top Vintage Caterina is priced at £55.00 and is available in all sizes from 6-22 on the website.  

    For Reference:

    Also Wearing:
    Cardigan: Collectif Lucy Strawberry Cardigan from a previous season (but Abigail would go so well too).
    Sunglasses, Bags and Necklace: All Collectif
    Bangles: Some vintage, mostly Bow & Crossbones
    Peep Toe Shoes: New Look (many moons ago)
    Brooch: Made by me
    Everything else – vintage/ retro bits and bobs from my house

    Stats:
    I’m a standard size 6 in Collectif clothes and I’m wearing 4 inch heels in the photos. The dress sits on my mid calf which is a perfect cut for a vintage look. You can cinch in the waist with the belt for a classic 50’s silhouette.

  • Chrissie Lobster and Cactus Jumper [Collectif Clothing]

    I’m a long time fan of the Chrissie jumpers, with their cute puffed shoulders, round neck and cropped length, they’re always perfect for pairing with trousers and skirts or popping under a cardigan for a twin set feel. However, Collectif have really knocked it out of the park with the novelty style Chrissie jumpers which are new this season! I absolutely love a novelty print, so these made my heart smile.

    Crazy for Cacti

    The cactus version has a vivid green pattern on black and is a really stand out print.

    I tucked mine into my Frankie swing trousers (oh how I wish Collectif would remake this style!) and added a bangle stack and green and black jewellery to accessorise. The fit is true to size but a little looser than the next I found.

    The lobster print is amazing! Who doesn’t love a lobster design? The bright red lobsters on navy make a real statement with its chevron pattern.

    Lobster love

    I wore it with my Trouble Maker jeans from last year and red and blue accessories.

    As mentioned earlier, the lobster fits slightly more snug than the Cactus version on me, both still true to size though.

    They’re 100% cotton and easy to wash and wear, they keep really well. I have Chrissie jumpers from years ago that have worn really well.

    The Cactus version is currently available in all sizes except 10 at the time of writing, and the Lobster is available from sizes 8-22. Both priced at £37.50.

     

    Also wearing: 
    Necklace and Earrings: Natalie Bead Set and Tiki Earrings both by Collectif Clothing
    Bangles: Splendette and Bow & Crossbones
    Trousers and Jeans: both Collectif Clothing (old season stock)

    For reference:
    I’m a standard size 6 in Collectif Clothing and wearing my normal size. I’m 4’11” and wearing 4 inch heels.

  • [London Edge Feb 2020 Part 2] Sheen Clothing

    With a range of vintage and modern styles, I was delighted to meet the lovely team at Sheen on my visit to London Edge. I mentioned them on the blog at my last visit (see here) as I really liked the Helena dress which was showcased on the catwalk that day.

    Helena Dress

    With it’s beautiful neckline, long sleeves and full skirt, this was a stand out winter dress for me. More recently, I fell in love with the aptly named Heart dress which is so insanely pretty, it truly captures hearts.

    Photo Credit: Sheen Clothing

    This year, the stand was bursting with colour and unique prints, featuring their Spring/Summer looks.

    So many styles!
    In every colour and print

    There is something for everyone, from fun and flirty playsuits to casual day dresses, all the way to evening wear. My favourites from the current line are these playsuits which have the sweetest details:

    Arlene Playsuit
    Jana Playsuit

    The charming Summer prints, daisy buttons and lace detailing at the sweetheart neckline make these a perfect choice for lazy Summer days or exploring on your holidays. The Jana went down the runway and looked gorgeous. Just add a wide brimmed straw hat, sunglasses and some wedges and you’re set!

    Jana Playsuit

    From the new collection, my favourite picks were from the Capsule Collection. These nautical fancies are just spectacular!

    Ahoy there! Sailor Trousers
    Sailor Skirt

    I adore a novelty print and these cute little crabs on a blue and white stripe really make a statement. The waistbands with their double covered buttons are a really nice feature too. They’ll be available as cropped trousers or a swing skirt, both with pockets (yay!).

    Then I spotted this dress and I couldn’t contain my excitement:

    With a little nod to the super hero in all of us, this elegantly styled dress has beautiful detailing to the shoulders and neckline. And with a border of cheery crabs scuttling around the hem (I couldn’t fit it all on one photo sorry!), this fun design is bound to be a big hit.

    You may also be able to pick these two out of the stand photos which I really liked:

    Photo Credit: Sheen

    A casual shirt dress with a fun print is my ideal sunny shopping day attire. For cooler days I’d throw on a cardigan and tights with brown boots. This style of dress is very versatile so the Morgan Shirt Dress appealed to me.

    Bette Dress Photo Credit: Sheen

    And then there’s Bette, with her fabulously bright toucan print, combining my favourite colours (turquoise and yellow). This halterneck pencil dress ties at the neck and features a sweetheart neckline wth bow tie to the front. It’s the perfect cocktail dress for a tiki bar or summer barbecue party.

    There are many more styles coming too, and while the brand is usually only available via stockists, Sheen has exciting things planned. In around a month’s time, a new ecommerce store will be available on the website, meaning we can buy direct! And everything is available in sizes 8 to 22 which provides a good range.

    You may also have noticed on the stand that the brand name will be changing – from Sheen to Timeless. There’s a definite shift happening within the company and while most items are available in cotton currently (some polyester), they’re becoming a more environmentally conscious brand. To that end, the textiles they plan to use going forward will be sustainable which is a great step forward for those of us that enjoy fashion but want to think about our footprints on the planet too.

    I’m looking forward to exploring the new website when it launches!

    Look out for Part 3 of the London Edge previews, or subscribe below to be notified of the next publication x

     

     

  • Clair Mini Polka Dot Skirt Review [Collectif Clothing]

    Polka dots are such a classic pin up/rockabilly look and the Clair skirt has the sweetest mini polka dots in white on black with a matching belt in reverse.

    I love the contrasting belt

    It’s a stretch fabric and has side seam pockets – yay! The length is good, sitting just below my knee. I actually made a mistake and sized up in this one and needn’t have as it’s true to size. However, with the belt to cinch in, I can easily get away with the larger size.

    There’s a centre back zip and the belt has a buckle with holes. I popped a black petticoat under mine for extra floofiness which immediately makes you want to swoosh about in it.

    I do love my accessories, and these Wicker bangles from Bow & Crossbones and clear, jewelled, bangle from Splendette were the perfect combo for stacking with this outfit.

    Bangle close up because they’re gorgeous

    This skirt is super cute and I love monochrome outfits paired with my red hair (add red accessories to achieve your own pop of colour – or bright pink/yellow work well too). I’ll be wearing it with cropped black jumpers and black tights while I wait for Spring to appear. There are a couple of items in the Clair range which I’ll add on, like the matching top and a pencil dress which I am just dotty about- have you seen the bow detail?! Irresistable!

    The skirt is already sold out in larger sizes (currently 6-14 available on the website), but stockists should have some too and it’s priced at £52.50.

     

    Also wearing:
    Top: Mahina top in black by Collectif Clothing
    Handbag: Carrie in black by Collectif Clothing
    Necklace: Natalie black bead set by Collectif Clothing
    Petticoat: Hell Bunny
    Bangles: Wicker from Bow & Crossbones, Clear jewelled from Splendette
    Earrings: Splendette

    For reference, I’m a standard size 6 in Collectif Clothing but wearing a size 8 in this article. I’m 4’11” and wearing 4 inch heels.

  • Matalan Petite Review – Papaya April Ankle Grazer Jeans

    I don’t shop on the High Street much, but I was browsing (monstera covered) homewares when I happened upon the petite collection at Matalan (which had launched five years ago apparently!). The range is limited, as with most petite collections, but there’s enough to provide a petite gal with a good few options for Summer.

    Available in sizes 6-18, I tried on a few things in a 6 and the proportions were on the large side for me personally. However, there were a couple of pieces which were great. 

    I loved this green Paisley Shirt Dress which had a strong 70’s vibe. There are buttons all the way down the centre, on the cuffs of the cropped sleeves and a pull through belt. It’s a cool midi length, but it would be too long for me without heels. They aim for 5’3″ and under, so it would probably be great for the top end of that height range if you only wear flats. Add some tortoiseshell earrings and a scarf in your hair for boho chic, a comfortable heel for a great office look or flat sandals and a wicker bag for a shopping day. Or you know, if you’re trying it on in a changing room, the barefoot look works too….

    Matalan Paisley Print Shirt Dress

    The best buy I found were the April Embroidered Ankle Grazer Jeans which have the most amazing embroidery panel and pom pom trim! (you know I’m all about the pom poms). They’re a skinny fit style with pockets and were actually a really good length (22 inch inside leg – slightly cropped, above the ankle) and fit (no bagging around the waist, the waist was actually in the right place, no extra length in the crotch area which usually happens with standard sizing on petite gals).

    Matalan Papaya April Embroidered Jeans

    At £18 they’re an utter bargain too. Limited sizes are left online but they had plenty in my store so it may be worth calling ahead to see if yours has them.

    I paired my new jeans with the Collectif Ronda top which continued the pom pom theme and added more colour to what would make a perfect summer bbq outfit. It was such an easy to wear outfit and will be perfect for mooching around in the sunshine too.

    I’ll keep my eye on Matalan from now on – I like to support companies which are trying to provide us with a targeted range; that way it’ll encourage others to do so (the same with collections aimed at tall people, too). We need more like this to jump on board and think about torso sizes, waistbands, leg length etc. We are small in stature and in number, but we’re still a target market prime for the taking. Fingers crossed for more petite lines in the future!

     

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    For reference, I’m 33:24:33 and a standard size 6 in most shops. I’m 4’11” and wearing 4 inch heels in the main photos.

    Also wearing:
    Belt: Lisa belt in blue from Collectif (I had to add a couple of holes to make it fit)
    Shoes: Lorena by Lulu Hun
    Hairflowers: Lucina by Miss Bella’s Blooms
    Bangles: Mix of Splendette, Bow & Crossbones and Vivien of Holloway