• Kiana Tutti Fruitti Dress [Collectif Loves Top Vintage]

    More rainbows from me today, especially fitting for Pride month! šŸ³ļøā€šŸŒˆ The Kiana Tutti Fruitti swing dress is an absolute dazzler from the latest Top Vintage collab with its vibrant rainbow stripes. I love how vivid and bright the stripes are as Iā€™m not much of a pastel kinda gal.

    It has a beautiful sweetheart neckline to the top which is edged in a contrasting red band and the adjustable straps are red too. The straps can be worn multiple ways with hook fastenings concealed on the inside for various combinations including straight straps, crossed straps in front, crossed straps behind, completely strapless or as Iā€™ve worn it here, with the the straps from the centre chest which is a really pretty option.

    It doesnā€™t come with the belt, I added the red one from another Collectif dress which worked really well as I prefer to have a clearly defined waist.

    Thereā€™s also a fitted bodice to the top and gathered swing skirt to the bottom with lovely big pockets. The skirt is full enough to wear with a petticoat as I did here:

    If youā€™re not much of a fan of petticoats, it also looks great without one too!

    The length is well over my knee and fit wise itā€™s quite roomy on the bust and has stretch so youā€™ll be able to fit comfortably in it though you may want to size up if youā€™re really blessed up top as thereā€™s a centre back zip so you are limited with the amount of room you have for boobage. Unlike many of the Collectif dresses, the waistband also stretches so if youā€™re in between sizes youā€™ll be fine too.

    The Kiana Tutti Fruitti is in stock in all sizes (6-22) for Ā£59 and this is one thatā€™s only available to buy online at Top Vintage or Collectif, or in Collectif stores –  you wonā€™t find it at stockists. I think of them as a limited edition range, so if you want it, you need to buy it when you see it as they donā€™t restock. I really love this cheeky little number – so much fun to wear with so many different ways to wear it, but such an elegant style too. Live your best colourful life! x

    Also wearing:
    Hair flowers: Collectif Kahula and old high street
    Earrings, Belt and Sunnies: previous Collectif seasons
    Petticoat: Hell Bunny
    Shoes: Lulu Hun Lorena
    Bangles: all Splendette

    For reference:
    Iā€™m 4ā€™11ā€ wearing 4 inch heels and my stats are 33:24:33. Iā€™m a standard size 6 in Collectif clothing and Iā€™m wearing the 6 in this dress above. 

  • Bright & Beautiful Demmi Deckchair Dress Review [Collectif]

    As Summer is drawing to a close, Iā€™m making full use of my sale buys and enjoying the last of the sunshine in this very sweet little dress, the Demmi Deckchair, part of the Bright & Beautiful range from Collectif. 

    Itā€™s super lightweight and made from rayon which is perfect for warm days. Iā€™ve previously spoken about its counterpart with the Astrid in this print, but this shorter version is really lovely too and great to have as a more casual option.

    As well as the amazing bright stripes, this dress has a gorgeous, sweetheart, neckline and adjustable straps which are great to ensure a good fit for everyone. The top part is fitted and has pretty wooden buttons running down the centre to the waist. From there, the skirt billows out with darts finishing at hip height. I really like how full the skirt part feels along with the fitted bodice. Thereā€™s also an invisible side zip to get in and out which is super handy and discreet.

    The fit is great for me. I love that itā€™s a mini dress version – which actually works as just a normal length dress for me! Itā€™s a wonderful length for petites and sits just above my knee (which to be honest, doesnā€™t usually get seen much now!). It will obviously sit shorter for those of average height and taller. Thereā€™s no stretch in the fabric so if youā€™re busty, you may want to size up and also if your widest part is on the waist. I found it true to size for me and Iā€™m really happy with how it fits.

    As the Collectif sale is coming to an end, this dress is now out of stock on the main site, however, you can still pick it up in selected sizes for just Ā£22 at SilkFred which includes free delivery too – bargain!

    Also wearing:
    Hair flowers: Miss Bellaā€™s Blooms and Collectif
    Sunglasses and Necklace: Collectif 
    Bangles: Splendette and Bow & Crossbones
    Earrings: Splendette
    Shoes: old favourites from E5P

    For reference: 
    Iā€™m a standard size 6 in Collectif Clothing and Iā€™m wearing a size 6 in this Bright & Beautiful range. Iā€™m 4ā€™11ā€ tall wearing 4 inch heels.

  • Jill Rainbow Stripe Dress Review [Collectif X Modcloth]

    Another day, another gloriously rainbow striped piece from the sunshine filled array of gorgeousness over at Collectif! Iā€™ve been keeping a close eye out for the new ModCloth collaboration pieces to drop since I saw them go live at ModCloth a few weeks ago. My patience paid off when they dropped last week and I snapped up the Jill dress sharpish.

    I love the shape of the Jill design – a flattering sweetheart shape to the neckline, wide pin tucked straps, a pleated skirt and THAT amazing print!

    I do have a confession though – I usually steer clear of a Jill as I find the straps to be too long for me. But as soon as I saw the rainbow stripes I was ALL IN, and Iā€™m actually super pleased I took the leap. The straps are a touch long for my body but not nearly as much as Iā€™d expected. I had planned to pop some body tape on my shoulders to hold them in place but to my delight, I didnā€™t need that at all and they stayed firmly where they were meant to. So the straps are definitely workable and not to be avoided going forward (which is wonderful news as Iā€™ve always adored the cut of this dress and there are many more Jill dresses which Iā€™m going to need now!). I think the ModCloth version is sized a little smaller than the Mainline range which has worked in my favour.

    I really like the tailored pleats on the flared skirt which make a nice change from a full circle. Itā€™s such a classic shape and very pretty. And although itā€™s not a full circle, there is still plenty of room for a good swish about.

    The Jill is meant to fall on the knee but Iā€™m itty bitty so it falls below mine (which I prefer). My knees donā€™t often get seen but swishing around I dared to bare the hint of a knee – what a devil! haha

    Thereā€™s a centre back zip for getting in and out of the dress easily and unfortunately no pockets but maybe these will appear in time (pocket lovers, I know you feel me). Made from 97% cotton, the dress is light enough for summer but the fabric isnā€™t at all see through, so although itā€™s a white dress with a diagonal print, there are no embarrassing moments stood in front of light sources! The fabric is great quality and thereā€™s a little stretch in it too.

    Thereā€™s also a matching yellow belt (sans holes but it does have belt loops and a stopper). I really like that the yellow has been picked out from the dress to accent with the belt – not least because yellow is my favourite colour but also because itā€™s so darned cheery! I also picked out the yellow with my necklace and hair flower, and chose to compliment the rainbow theme matching the green and yellow stripes of the dress with my heels and earrings. Plus, bangles (because we know you can never have too many of those!).

    Fit wise, if youā€™re plus sized, be sure to check the ModCloth sizing chart (which can be found on the last pic for the dress on the website). The new ModCloth range is sizing a little differently than last year so check your measurements against the new charts. For the rest of the sizes, itā€™s pretty standard and I bought my normal size which fits fine for me, but as I mentioned above, does feel smaller than the Mainline sizing (which Iā€™d tried on previously). So if you usually size down for a Jill, donā€™t with this one as itā€™s pretty true to size.

    Available in ModCloth sizes 4-30, this one is priced at Ā£93 as itā€™s a collaboration piece and there is another Modcloth collab Jill with a sweet lemon print which dropped at the same time (see here). If thatā€™s a little out of budget, there are non collab Jills in other prints (here) which are priced at Ā£55 and an array of other joyful rainbow goodies to choose from if the dress isnā€™t for you (here). I have my eye on a few more! Which will you go for?

     

    For reference:
    Iā€™m a standard size 6 in Collectif Clothing and 4ā€™11ā€ tall (small) with 4 inch heels on here.
    Iā€™m also wearing:
    Hair flower: Miss Bellaā€™s Blooms
    Bangles: Splendette and Bow & Crossbones
    Necklace: Thrifted
    Earrings: Collectif 

     

  • Astrid Deckchair Stripe Dress [Bright & Beautiful]

    What a treat! I love a rainbow dress and this beautiful Astrid Deckchair dress was kindly gifted to me from Collectif. It’s part of the Bright & Beautiful range which is the 1960’s and 70’s inspired sister label to Collectif Clothing. The Astrid is the perfect Summer dress with it’s array of radiant stripes and lightweight rayon for feeling cool, but staying chic.  And though I don’t have a deckchair, I do have a hammock – and this dress looks amazing while taking in the rays. 

    This is such a fun dress with its striped print, but is also very elegant with a fitted bodice at the top. A trademark of Astrid dresses is they’re usually trimmed with something delicate and this one is no different, using red ric rac this time. It’s a sweet detail and matches the flowy, carefree, nature of the dress. 

    There’s a side zip to get in which is super easy and the dress feels really comfortable to wear. There are pleats on the skirt falling from your natural waistline which give the skirt an extra swooshy feel as you’re moving. I absolutely love it! The only thing it’s possibly missing is what every girl needs – pockets, but it’s such a lovely dress that I don’t even mind forgoing those.

    I find Astrids true to size and though they fall a little longer on me, I actually don’t mind because they’re so floaty. I’ll wear it with some flat summer sandals too and brighten up a (socially distanced) barbeque.

    They’re such a great style and so easy to wear, I feel like everyone needs at least one Astrid in their wardrobe – and for an instant Summer injection, this one is a great choice! There are lots of other prints too in this design if full on stripes isn’t your thang though, see here. Just add sun x

    Let’s be having you, Summer!

    Also wearing:
    Hair flower: Collectif Clothing 
    Shoes: E5P
    Bangles: Splendette
    Earrings: Bow &  Crossbones

    For reference: 
    I’m 4’11” and a standard size 6 in Collectif Clothing and Bright & Beautiful. I’m wearing 4 inch heels in some of the photos.

    This piece was gifted to me, but all my views are my own and I only ever post honest reviews.

  • [London Edge Feb 2020 Part 5] Voodoo Vixen, Hell Bunny & More!

    As we take a little tour of the trade floor, I thought I’d show you some more highlights from the show. There were some great displays from so many brands and fab to see so many independent retailers exhibiting.

    The featured photo above shows a stunning display by The Seamstress of Bloomsbury. They always have a wonderfully vintage stand combined with Classic Bags in Bloom, whose bags are hand finished in the UK and look absolutely adorable with their vintage styling. 

    Hell Bunny always have a great centre spot showcasing their existing and upcoming designs.

    There were a few favourites I saw hitting the runway.

    Hell Bunny Python Rose Dress
    Hell Bunny Viva Las Vegas Top and Skirt
    Hell Bunny Pina Colada Dress and Noa Noa Mid Dress

    I particularly like the tropical Tiki print of the Noa Noa dress above which is full of exotic birds, palm frongs and hibiscus flowers – the perfect summer print! 

    Hell Bunny also had a range of shoes on display and I’m a sucker for a polka dot peep toe, especially if it has a bow on it. LOVE.

    Moving on to Voodoo Vixen with their exciting collaboration for Summer called Unreal Redheads (so I’m aptly drawn to it!). I really loved the cute designs and pastel shades of these two.

    This is the Trixie Gingham dress and features a pastel rainbow gingham with love heart pockets and buttons – adorable!

    The Hayley prom dress is a real head turner. I have a similar design which was hand made for me about 8 years ago as it’s such a classic vintage evening style and looks amazing on all shapes and sizes. Mine wasn’t resplendent in rainbow tulle though! I love it when straps sit delicately on the shoulders and the detailed pleating on the bust is fantastic.

    Beautiful tulle pleats

    The Jinkx Floral Tropical Print dress also stood out for me with it’s gloriously leafy and floral design. 

    The sweetheart neckline combined with heart buttons and elasticated sides for a perfect fit make this a great choice for holiday season.

    There were also some fun novelty bags from Voodoo Vixen – and I do love a novelty bag! I especially like the camera bags:

    It was also exciting to see Daisy Dapper at London Edge which are based in Sweden.  Their stand was filled with elegantly styled, vintage inspired, pieces and some were adorned with daisies!

    Lastly for today, my favourite piece from Banned Retro, was this Summer Sail Dress with it’s sweet open collar and border print full of bright sailing boats:

    I hope you’ve enjoyed the tour around London Edge, look out for the next instalment which will include Collectif Autumn/Winter 2020 range. Subscribe below to be notified when the post goes live x