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Kiana Tutti Fruitti Dress [Collectif Loves Top Vintage]
More rainbows from me today, especially fitting for Pride month! š³ļøāš 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 Iām 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 Iāve worn it here, with the the straps from the centre chest which is a really pretty option.
It doesnāt 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.
Thereās 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 youāre not much of a fan of petticoats, it also looks great without one too!
The length is well over my knee and fit wise itās quite roomy on the bust and has stretch so youāll be able to fit comfortably in it though you may want to size up if youāre really blessed up top as thereās 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 youāre in between sizes youāll be fine too.
The Kiana Tutti Fruitti is in stock in all sizes (6-22) for Ā£59 and this is one thatās only available to buy online at Top Vintage or Collectif, or in Collectif stores – you wonāt 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 donāt 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 SplendetteFor reference:
Iām 4ā11ā wearing 4 inch heels and my stats are 33:24:33. Iām a standard size 6 in Collectif clothing and Iām wearing the 6 in this dress above. -
Carmella Polka Dot Mesh Swing Dress Review [Collectif]
This darling of a dress was launched last year but was rereleased this Summer and Iām 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.
Itās such a pretty design with two layers. The overlay is really delicate with a sheer fabric and velvet polka dots scattered over it. Itās 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. Thereās 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 Iām out on the razzle dazzle!
As the buttons stop at the waist, the overlay doesnāt 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, itās a perfect fit and I really like the length which is cut on my mid calf as all good vintage dresses should be. Iām thrilled with it! Itās a full swing skirt so Iāll likely wear a petticoat underneath it for a more fancy pants look, but in the summer sun, I couldnāt 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, itās reduced down in the sale to an amazing Ā£27 from Ā£90! The mid range sizes are all still available at the time of writing so Iād bag yourself this bargain (and size up once) – you wonāt regret it!
Now, off to a socially distanced, end of summer soirƩe!
For reference:
Iām 4ā11ā and wearing 4 inch heels in the photos. Iām 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 -
Lilla Swing Starfish Dress Review [Collectif]
As soon as I knew this dress was coming, I couldnāt wait to bag it! So the day it dropped on to the website, I bought it and it is just as good as it looks on the website, if not better!
This summery little number has the cutest bespoke, red starfish, print against a dark blue background which adds to its nautical feel. Itās such a clever design, with the full swing skirt to the bottom and a bikini top style which has scarf-like halter neck straps to tie at the back of the neck.
You might think there isnāt much support going on with this dress (which I was concerned about too) but itās actually really supportive as the back of the dress is all joined together and features a centre back zip to get you in and out easily…..and how sweet are those starfish?!
A normal dress at the back with a zip The top is quite small though. Very small chested girls will be fine with their normal size, but anyone with some boobage will likely need to size up. I bought it in two sizes to see which suited me best. Iām a C cup and I couldnāt get the girls in my normal size, although the waist was perfect for the skirt. I donāt class myself as big chested, but when buying bikini tops I always have to size up twice to fit properly (and my normal size for the bottoms), so I had expected something similar for this style of dress. Iāve kept the size up as my boobs feel much better and arenāt squished, just sitting pretty! The waist is bigger on the size up obviously, but thatās not really an issue with the belt which cinches in – and thereās always room for seaside treats now! haha. I may take it in a smidge at the sides which is easy to do a itās hidden under the corners of the crop top.
The belt is a lovely wide style with circular buckle, in the same vibrant red as the starfish. I love how I can be matchy-matchy with my hair hehe.
As a woman in my 40s, I was a bit dubious about the cut out triangle below the bust. Questions like, āam I too old for that?ā crossed my mind for a nano-second – then I realised, sod it! You only live once and you should wear what you love, regardless of age! So here I am, belly out and strutting it and loving it! ha.
Feelinā myself ha Iām so glad I bought it, and if you havenāt already, you really should! Itās still in the sale (here) in all sizes, down to an amazing price of Ā£19.25 – what a steal! You wonāt regret it. Shoulders back, boobs forward and rock that look!
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For reference:
Iām normally a standard size 6 in Collectif, but Iām wearing the size 8 in the photos above. Iām 4ā11ā and wearing 4.5 inch heels.Also wearing:
Hairflower: Collectif and high street
Bangles: Splendette and Bow & Crossbones
Earrings: Splendette
Sunnies: Collectif
Shoes: These are old faves which are no longer available -
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! Iāve 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 Iām actually super pleased I took the leap. The straps are a touch long for my body but not nearly as much as Iād expected. I had planned to pop some body tape on my shoulders to hold them in place but to my delight, I didnāt 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 Iāve always adored the cut of this dress and there are many more Jill dresses which Iām 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. Itās such a classic shape and very pretty. And although itās 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 Iām itty bitty so it falls below mine (which I prefer). My knees donāt often get seen but swishing around I dared to bare the hint of a knee – what a devil! haha
Thereās 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 isnāt at all see through, so although itās a white dress with a diagonal print, there are no embarrassing moments stood in front of light sources! The fabric is great quality and thereās a little stretch in it too.
Thereās 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 itās 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 youāre 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, itās 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 Iād tried on previously). So if you usually size down for a Jill, donāt with this one as itās pretty true to size.
Available in ModCloth sizes 4-30, this one is priced at Ā£93 as itās a collaboration piece and there is another Modcloth collab Jill with a sweet lemon print which dropped at the same time (see here). If thatās 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 isnāt for you (here). I have my eye on a few more! Which will you go for?
For reference:
Iām a standard size 6 in Collectif Clothing and 4ā11ā tall (small) with 4 inch heels on here.
Iām also wearing:
Hair flower: Miss Bellaās Blooms
Bangles: Splendette and Bow & Crossbones
Necklace: Thrifted
Earrings: Collectif -
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 Ā£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 Ā£55 (see here).
Pockets are everything <3 Also wearing:
Shoes: Lulu Hun (see previous review, here)
Hairpiece: Miss Bella’s Blooms
Bangles and Earrings: SplendetteFor 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. -
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 & CrossbonesFor 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.
