Review: Collectif Judy dress and Lucy cardigan

***Disclosure: Collectif gifted me the dress and cardigan in this post for review***

Hello, lovely readers – I am back!

Much has changed since I was last here. I have a son, Theodore (although we call him Teddy), who was born in November last year. He is a delight, even with the smelly nappies, sleepless nights and ringing ears. He’s currently snoozing next to me, and I fully anticipate that this blog will take me several times longer than usual to write.

Looking outside my front door (observing proper precautions), the world is in the grip of a pandemic, and the UK is in lockdown. It’s a scary time.

To take my mind off things, and with Teddy on a slightly more regular schedule in terms of napping (and without the pressure of making sure I’m doing something to socialise the little sausage every single day), I’m hoping to take some time to get back into blogging, dress up a bit and even set my hair every once in a while.

So, when the lovely people at Collectif asked if I’d like to review something from their new range, I took it as a sign. I’d already spotted the Judy teacup stripe swing dress on the website, and thought it would go perfectly with the Lucy forget me not cardigan.

I’m wearing a size 18 in both items, and I would say both are true to size, although there is a bit of room in the dress, so if you’re between sizes (and don’t have a large bust like me), you may be able to size down.

So, let’s start with the dress.

The pastel colours are really pretty in real life, and I’m not sure these photos do them justice! It’s a perfect dress for Spring or Summer, and when we’re allowed over the door again, I can see myself wearing it for a picnic in the park, a stroll around a stately home, or an amble around Ambleside (or, indeed, any number of other towns in and out of the Lake District). I slipped it on easily over my head, but it also has a zip and the buttons are fully functional, which isn’t always the case with shirt dresses!

The skirt is nice and full, and I added a petticoat for extra drama. When wearing it over the summer months, I think I’ll add a slim white belt and white shoes, and possibly a big floral brooch on one of the lapels.

IT HAS GINORMOUS POCKETS. As you may be able to tell, this pleases me. If I like a dress, and then find out it comes with pockets, that like turns to love very quickly.

Now, to the cardigan. The material is nice and soft, and it has good stretch to it. The cream colour makes it easier to coordinate with the rest of my wardrobe than a bright white one would, and the bunch of forget-me-nots on the right-hand side means it feels a bit fancier than others in my (extensive) cardie collection. I can see myself slipping it over dresses for now, then wearing it buttoned up with skirts when the weather starts to turn cooler. 

I do have a bit of a thing for cardigans with 3/4 length sleeves; it’s easier to accessorise with bangles, bracelets and the like, and I tend to roll my sleeves up when wearing long-sleeved tops anyway (not sure why, it’s an unconscious thing), so 3/4 sleeves make things a bit easier!

Both items feel high-quality, and I think I’ll be wearing them for a few seasons to come (hopefully somewhere other than the garden…). You can buy them here:

Dress: https://www.collectif.co.uk/clothes-c1/flared-dresses-c3/judy-teacup-stripe-swing-dress-p13205/s108122?cid=GBP 

Cardigan: https://www.collectif.co.uk/clothes-c1/knitwear-c13/lucy-forget-me-not-cardigan-p12875

A note on accessories: the hair flower I’m wearing (which can also be worn as a corsage) is part of a set from Miss Bella’s Blooms, the name necklace is from Tatty Devine, the bangles are from Splendette, bag is from Okie Mo and the shoes are from Lulu Hun, bought in the Collectif sale a couple of months ago.

Lovely to have be back with you all, and speak soon!