• Kelly Playsuit Review [Collectif Clothing]

    This is an absolute dream of a pastel pink playsuit and it’s based on the original concept by Collectif Design competition winner, Kelly Goulias. All the main elements are there to whisk you away to the 1950s and a few details have been added to give that Collectif twist on a vintage staple.

    So let’s take a look at this playful little number. It has a stand out crossover feature to the front and ties as a halter neck to the back. This gives such a great flattering silhouette as it’s a fitted bodice with princess seams.

    There are small wooden buttons to the front, the type we usually see on Caterina styles and they work great on the playsuit too and go great with the pink.

    The adjoining shorts are bloomer style and if you’re like me, I kinda had a wobble about the thought of bloomers but when they arrived they were more of a hint to bloomers than the big bulging style that word brings to mind! They have small gathers at the side of each short and it’s just enough voluminosity to keep it cute and not overwhelming. I absolutely love them!

    The playsuit has a low back and you can just about see how the halter ties at the back of the neck here.

     

    There aren’t any pockets, sadly, but that’s the only downside to this style. Everything else is just perfect.  It’s really comfortable to wear too and I know I’m going to get LOTS of use out of it over the Summer – which for me is unheard of really as I rarely get my pins out, but this little number just needs to go places!

    Fit wise, I’m wearing my normal Collectif size and it’s a lovely fit, if a little roomy. The material has some spandex in it which allows for movement and a little stretch so there’s plenty of room for ample busts or if you’re in between sizes for the waist. I actually prefer the slightly looser fit as it allows me to move around easily while still being pin up perfection in this gorgeous little playsuit! I added a belt in a complimentary colour, but it doesn’t come with one. It doesn’t need one but I always prefer to cinch in my waist, even when relaxing haha.

    The Kelly playsuit is available in sizes 6-22 and costs £49.00. In typical 1950’s fashion, there would often be a matching gathered skirt to be worn over the playsuit when you’re meeting friends for lunch etc as shorts would be considered a little too revealing. So you can also compliment the ensemble with the Kelly skirt which is also available at £45.00. It has the same matching buttons which can be left open to reveal the shorts underneath and it has pockets if you were missing those too. I’m not usually a pastel pink kinda gal, but this set has seriously turned my head and I may need to get the skirt at some point to live out my Mrs Maisel fantasies x

    For reference:

    I’m 4’11” and wearing a size 6 in the playsuit above. My measurements are 33:24:33 for assistance with sizing guidance. I’m wearing 4 inch heels.

    Also wearing:
    Sunnies: Collectif previous season
    Shoes: B.A.I.T and High Street
    Hair flowers: Collectif previous season and High Street
    Bangles: Splendette and Bow & Crossbones
    Earrings: Bow & Crossbones
    Belt: High Street
    Gloves: original vintage

     

     

  • Adriana Top Review [Collectif Clothing]

    This crop top may be small but its impact is mighty! In a gorgeous bright red, cotton, the Adriana top has halterneck straps which tie at the neck.

    I love the sweetheart line and pleating details at the bust. I added the Cocktail O’clock brooch at the centre which I think adds a nice touch too – already feeling ready for Summer, despite only just dipping a toe in April!

    There’s an elasticated back which makes for a comfortable fit as the shirring is super stretchy. If I could have, I would have sized down as it runs a little large on me (though anyone busty will have plenty of room so you should order your normal size). I’ll sew it in when I get to it, but I think I can get away with it as it is if I decide to be lazy.

    There are matching shorts available (here), but I wore mine with high waisted trousers and jeans while it’s still a bit cooler. As a woman in my 40’s, it’s very rare for me to put my midriff on display, (especially in public, that’s usually saved just for the garden!), so I’ll probably end up wearing a loose white shirt over it, tied at the waist. Either way, it’s going to be the perfect top to wear as we heat up and will go with so many things. I had planned on maybe wearing it around the pool with some wedges – but maybe next year!

    The Adriana top is £27.50 and currently available in sizes 12-22 on the Collectif website

     

    For reference:
    Checked trousers: Collectif Clothing Bonnie Gingham trousers (sassy pants from a couple of seasons ago)
    Blue jeans: Collectif Clothing Kirsty jeans (also previous season, super high waisted stretch denim)
    Bangles: Bow & Crossbones (black set and blue),vintage (red)
    Earrings: Collectif Clothing Tiki Earrings (red), Bow & Crossbones Double Dot Hoops (blue/yellow and red).
    Hair flower and necklace: so old I can’t remember, sorry! but likely the high street many years ago.

    I’m a standard size 6 in Collectif and wearing size 6 in everything above. 

  • [London Edge Feb 2020 Part 3] Bow & Crossbones

    I’d missed the fabulous Bow & Crossbones last time they exhibited at London Edge as I ran out of time, so I wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice! Heading over to their stand, I was greeted with such a friendly welcome from Camilla and Taz. It’s so nice when people you only know via social media turn out to be as lovely in the flesh as they are online.

    Bow & Crossbones make fakelite and 50’s inspired bangles, necklaces and earrings, but also sell true vintage, kitschy cool, items. I love Cam’s work and often wear her pieces which you’ll have seen in previous posts – in fact I was actually wearing some Bow & Crossbones when I met her! You know I love a good accessory.

    Bangle stacking is easy with B&C!

    The Kane Wicker collection (which I’m wearing above in Coco and Black) is just unbelievably good, made better only by the fact that part of the new season pieces are two tone wickers! That’s right, you heard correctly,  TWO-TONE! 

    Spot them on the second row up in all their funky glory

    I have no idea how it’s even possible, but it looks incredible. With earrings to match, these are so ridiculously cool. I think I may have let out an audible yelp when I first saw them. So they’re definitely on the list!

    Offering us another sneak peek of what’s to come, these awesome octagonal bangles were showcased too, look at all the gorgeous carving:

    I love shaped bangles but they never fit my teeny wrists, so when Cam said the new collections going forward will always be available in all 3 sizes (Princess, Queenie and Goddess), I was thrilled! Such great news, right?! whichever size you need, we’re all catered for.

    There were lots of gorgeous earrings to look at too and I’d already spotted the Dot earrings which were released recently. They’re double hoops and super cute.

    Dotty about these! Photo credit: Bow & Crossbones

    To my surprise, when I picked them up, they were so much lighter than I expected! No droopy lobes for us, ladies! I’m going to be bagging a few of those too.

    Hope you’ve enjoyed a little preview of all the goodies coming this year from B&C, in the meantime there are so many pretties available on the website and make sure you drop by on Friday evenings for the market nights which are fab! x

     

    Look out for Part 4 of my London Edge round up which will be coming soon. You can subscribe to the blog below which will notify you when it publishes to be a step ahead 🙂