-
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 & CrossbonesFor Reference:
I’m a standard size 6 in Collectif Clothing and 4’11” wearing 4 inch heels -
Making Blue Monday, Red! [Collectif Clothing Bella Dress]
So apparently we should all be tired of January about now. If you’re feeling it, I hope the rest of Jan passes quickly for you. I’m certainly looking forward to Spring as I always do – I’m definitely more of a sunshine baby than a winter one!
Banishing those winter blues has been helped a lot by an unexpected sale buy for me. I’d seen this dress almost a year ago and it was love at first sight, naturally. What’s not to love with its gorgeous Poison Ivy vibes?! However, I never wear red as I feel it clashes with my hair too much. I used to wear red a lot as a natural brunette so that took some adjusting to almost a decade ago when I became an unnatural redhead.
A few weeks ago, maybe around Christmas time, I’d noticed ASOS Marketplace were stocking Collectif as a boutique. I’d browsed and seen my normal size wasn’t well catered for on there so thought nothing of it. Then the Bella pencil dress, (which was sold out in most sizes on the Collectif main website), was hollering at me from the screen, begging me to click on her, despite knowing a 6 didn’t show up in my search.
So I succumbed, as you do, because obviously if I click there may be a 6 which was hidden and wasn’t on the search, right?! Wrong. But lo and behold, an 8 was available. The ASOS Marketplace was reduced half price, just as the main website, but it also includes free delivery. So, I took a punt and figured I’d just return it if it was too big.
It was shipped super fast but wasn’t by the normal DPD delivery from Collectif, I think ASOS must hold stock and it was delivered by Royal Mail (order placed on a Thursday evening, delivered Saturday morning). The return shipping is to Collectif direct, so you don’t have to worry about using the Marketplace as a platform to buy from, it’s all very easy and legit.
It was just as I remembered, so beautiful with it’s delicate leaf and rose strap detailing on the shoulders, boned bodice, silicone tabs and lightly padded bust (to allow you to go braless if you wish) with a matching, wide, velvet belt.
The prettiest straps I tentatively put it on and all my concerns were gone. It was a lovely fit! A 6 would have been perfect but I could definitely get away with the 8. The fabric has stretch in it but the bodice is quite fitted. Best of all, there’s room for puddings, so I’m very happy with that! So if your size isn’t available (limited sizes left), you could try a size up as I have. I love cinched in styles like this, but which are roomy enough to eat your own bodyweight and still feel comfortable. I felt instantly sexy when I put it on.
Red hair (and dress), don’t care. So I’m no longer going to rule out reds anymore and embrace the clash with my hair. It’s taken me a while to get there but this was definitely the dress to do it!
My new SS20 stock has also arrived so it really will be goodbye sale, hello Summer next time on the blog. See you then! x
-
Collectif AW19 Collection
The awesome new Lookbook is now live at Collectif for this season (see here) so I thought I’d drop a few real life photos in for you to see what they look like close up and personal, which can sometimes show a little more detail than the editorial pics. I already previewed some of the collection back in January (see here) but I’ll include the rest of the photos you can see in the Lookbook now they’re live which I’ve been dying to share with you!
So, firstly is the Alice in Wonderland inspired collection. This is just so cute. I love a good toadstool!
Claudia In Wonderland Cape Coat Reverse side is the Cheshire Cat smile! Peta in Wonderland Dress This matching Wonderland Cardigan will also be coming soon, On to the Blackwatch tartan which is just dreamy. I have this myself and will review it fully shortly. Blackwatch tartan IS winter. The Dolores dress has velvet buttons added this year too which is a really lovely addition.
Caterina Blackwatch Dress Next up is the gorgeous Caroline Cape. This was a staple in a lot of our wardrobes last year as it came in black and red previously, and I love the addition of this beautiful green.
There are some very sweet cardigan and scarf sets coming, including the Allie Woodland version which was included in the lookbook. I only photographed the geek check though so I’m including that here. They come with a matching scarf – how cool is that! And more velvet buttons <3
On to the Monet Woodland Pine Check trouser which is a lovely autumnal wide leg with a fab check and matching belt.
Next is the Courtney Polka dot occasion dress which is just fab! I love its frothy layers of tulle
Closely followed by Giselle, which is perfect for any pink princesses and guaranteed to brighten up any occasion!
The Caterina Sunset Stripes is a really lovely design. The colours are fantastic on this one.
The beautiful Bernice Plain Faux Fur Coat follows in a lovely burgundy. I really like the wide brown belt which is included too.
On to the fluffy Cara cardigan, which will be available in a few colour ways.
The we have the showstopper Sheena Leopard Cape which has a hood. It’s super cosy and fleecy with a velvet feel on the black.
The Byna Pencil Dress in black is shown next, which is a lovely stretchy bengaline and features a pretty strap detail to the front.
The Caterina Geek check dress is just fab. I love the bright yellow running through the monochrome check and anything geeky, I’m in!
The Blackwatch Pearl Coat has been seen quite a lot due to spoilers this Summer, but I’ll include it again anyway as it is a thing of beauty!
The very whimsical Aurora Occasion Swing is next which features a black chiffon overlay with balloon sleeves, pink floral embroidered roses to the neck and sleeves and pink sash belt at the waist.
The Dolores Half Sleeve Midnight Floral Swing Dress is another perfect Autumnal staple. It has those gorgeous velvet buttons again too!
I don’t have a clear photo of the June Apple Swing Dress, but you can see the design either side here (and a sneaky peek at another dress coming soon)
The matching cardigan looks like this. Will you be brave enough to take a bite? With those cute red buttons, I think you will!
The very fabulous Heather Hooded Swing Coat returns in this glorious burnt orange for Autumn.
Along with the signature style Bonnie trousers in a Pumpkin Check – the bright orange check is just amazing!
And this print is also available in a Mimi dress
I don’t have photos of the Lila Magic Mesh Skater dress, but I can tell you the spooky theme continues on other dresses, so those of you that are Halloween all year long won’t be disappointed!
The Trixie is such a popular dress and every year everyone waits to see which new designs will drop. This year, we already have the Golden Polka Dot version (available to buy here) as well as a few others to come, but the Midnight Moon appears in the Lookbook with its soft velvet and sparkly moons and stars.
The Jessie Rainbow star cardi follows, along with the Alexa Rainbow Star Swing Skirt. The multi coloured stars are so sweet on these.
I hope you’ve enjoyed browsing through the real life pics and look forward to hearing about all your AW19 purchases! I’ll share mine soon too. Feel free to add your comments about this season to the bottom ↓
-
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!
