Black Cherry - A #PSOOTD Vintage Reproduction from Collectif

My wardrobe is filled with dresses and  cardigans from vintage repro wonders, Collectif. They without a doubt are one of my favourite brands to wear, as it's impossible to not feel fantastic in their curve loving range.

I was the lucky recipient of the stunning  Cherry Stem Print Dolores Dress as a Christmas present from the sort-of-but-not-quite-mother-in-law, and audibly gasped upon opening it. Firstly I felt so happy that she knew me so well, but I felt like a 50s screen siren twirling around in circles.

Dress: Collectif

Tights: M&S

Red Shoes: Vintage

Red Roses: Pearls & Swine

Necklace: Gift

Red Petticoat: eBay

Bracelets: Vintage

I have a few different designs in the Dolores shape, but this is definitely my favourite print. The Dolores is the perfect dress for anyone who has a large bust as the sweetheart neckline is very accommodating. The fabric also has a little stretch which is great if like myself, you're in-between sizes.

I wore this outfit to DJ in last month at Whiskey Kittens, and probably had as many compliments on the look as I did on the songs I was playing which is always nice. I just can't wait for Summer to arrive so I can wear this without a coat and cardigan at every event I go to!

Until next time,

Diana xx

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(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

Wild Rose - #PSOOTD Featuring The Rose Print Embellished Collar Dress From F&F True

A little while ago, I absolutely fell in love with this beautiful Rose Print dress from the F&F True range. I must have snuck in under the radar and nabbed one of the last ones as it's sadly no longer available on the website, but I am so completely in love with the Autumn colour palette.

The dress is made up of a lovely rose print, fully lined with a embellished collar. And best of all? Despite the lining and sparkle, it's one of those mythical dresses which can still be thrown into the washing machine!

Dress: F&F True

Tights: M&S

Shoes: New Look

Roses: Pearls & Swine

Rings: Vintage

It's one of those dresses which straddles the line between day and evening, and as such was the perfect item to wear on a visit to Hampstead's Kenwood House on my birthday weekend.

I teamed it with a vintage 50s Kelly Bag, burgundy tights from ASOS and a matching cardigan from Primark. As well as some beautiful art and a cream tea, I also had lots of fun jumping in the piles of crunchy Autumn leaves! I seem to be wearing a lot of this colour at the moment, and I'm really loving it!

To view the current (amazing!) F&F True collection, click here.

Until next time,

Diana xx

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(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos unless otherwise stated. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

If Love Is A Red Dress.

This dress was picked up a few weeks ago by chance at a £1 Vintage sale courtesy of East End Vintage Clothing. I'm not kidding - it cost me one whole English Pound or two thirds of a cup of tea in most high street coffee shops.

I brought it on a total whim, feeling that it looked like the most hideous 80s piece of costume wear I'd ever seen when slung across the rail. I'd figured it could be the basis of a good Halloween project, or for DJing an 80s set somewhere. I never in a million years expected to slip it on and fall in love!

I don't even know where to start - the colour, beading and (removable) shoulder embellishment are all delightfully garish, and yet somehow their forces combine resulting in something which looks more theatrical or operatic. I actually feel like an 80s glamourpuss in the dress, which is insane considering it's not a show-stopper and is made entirely from polyester! I can't quite put my finger on what it is, but I LOVE it. Goodness knows where I'll ever wear it to, but it's another one to add to the crazy what-was-I-thinking side of my wardrobe!

Dress: Vintage.

Red Roses in hair: Pearls & Swine.

Art Deco Ring: Tatty Devine.

Tights: Simply Be.
Boots: Primark. 

I suspect that I'll remove the over the top shoulder decoration / brooch and team the dress with a black belt and black heels to bring it up to date. I think it still needs some big Joan Collins hair and a cocktail to finish the look, and I really cannot wait to rummage through their £1 rails again soon.

Until next time,

Diana xx

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Summertime Blues.

Recently I visited East End Vintage Clothing with a few friends to rummage through the rails of their £1 vintage sale. With it being a wet and grey Winter morning, we were viewing it more as an exercise in finding somewhere for good coffee and a catch-up, but the chance of a purse friendly vintage bargain was too much of a good offer to pass by.

I've been to what feels like a million of these sort of things, and usually see nothing but rails of denim shorts and leather jackets - neither one being something I'm inclined to wear. However I had gone along with the hope of picking up some oversized lumberjack shirts and knitwear for keeping warm in the studio, but was thrilled to come away with a few cute dresses too!

These three dresses cost me the grand total of £3. I also brought a vintage cardigan with a brown and cream print and a green lumberjack shirt which goes perfectly with my high-waisted skinny jeans when shooting in the cold. I gave the light blue dress to a print loving friend as it wasn't quite right on me, but fell utterly in love with the other two. The red dress in particular I had brought almost as a "costume piece", but upon trying it on, I was really shocked to see how much nicer it was when not just on the hanger. (There will be a blog post coming up on Friday with the red dress!)

The blue dress with it's frill-bib front and white lace collar captures the transition from 50s to 60s style perfectly. It's a little clingy at the moment,but nothing which some magical undergarments can't smooth out! I'm looking forward to Spring arriving so I can team it with a cute cardigan and some footless tights and ballet flats for a look which is both fun yet smart and still nods to my vintage sensibilities.

Dress: Vintage.

Red Roses in hair: Pearls & Swine.

Red Necklace: Thrifted.

Tortoise Ring: Tatty Devine.

Tights: Simply Be.

Boots: Primark.

I wore it last night to see Wicked with my sort-of-sister-in-law, and teamed with it with a simple grey cardigan from H&M and a vintage dark navy headscarf with white polka dots as it was pouring with rain.

I can't wait until they have their next £1 sale, as it was definitely worth getting up early for to make the pilgrimage to East London. I also can't wait to show you the red dress in my next post - it makes me feel like I should be an extra from the 80s TV show, Dallas!

Until next time,

Diana xx

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(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

Girl Across The Street: AX Paris Lace Cuff & Collar Dress from Simply Be.

If Rock and Roll's my boyfriend, Northern Soul is definitely my lover. As much as I love my 50s style fashion, show my a good 60s style swing dress and I will swoon every time!

When I saw the AX Paris Lace Cuff & Collar Dress from Simply Be, I knew that I just had to have it. I don't wear swing dresses very often, but the dainty lace cuffs and collar meant it was love at first sight. It seemed to touch at lots of my favourite styles all in one garment - certainly there was a huge 60s influence in the shape, but the colour way and detailing meant that it also leant in a slightly Victorian gothic direction too.

Dress: AX Paris Lace Cuff & Collar Dress from Simply Be.

White Roses in hair: Pearls & Swine.

Heart Necklace under collar: Tatty Devine.

Teardrop Ring: Tatty Devine.

Tights: Simply Be.

Boots: Primark.

Bag: Vintage.

I wore the dress out for a cinema date with my beau on Saturday night and felt like some sort of vintage doll in it. With it's gorgeous monochrome colour combination and swishy swing shape, I felt as if I should have been spinning some vinyl on a battery operated record player! I'm very tempted to wear this when I DJ at the next Whiskey Kittens, and will be bringing lots of Northern Soul records with me for sure if I do!

Until next time,

Diana xx

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(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)

Just Dance.

Since my NYE disaster, I had been dying to wear this dress again and give it a proper outing. It's a dress very much made for dancing, and feels very 80s despite it's bodycon style. The shoulder pads give it a strong shape, and I felt like a proper riot girl rebel upon slipping into it - part Ditto, part Joan Jett but with a whole lot of wiggle.

Dress: Yours Clothing.
Roses in hair: Handmade by Bink at Pearls & Swine.
Necklace: Custom made Whiskey Kittens necklace with lightening bolt from Punky Pins.

Art Deco Ring: Tatty Devine
Lighting Bolt Ring: David Bowie Is Exhibition at the V&A.

Tights: Simply Be.

Underbust Body Shaper: Simply Be.
Black heels: Yours Clothing.

I was genuinely surprised by how comfy the dress was - the sequins are on top of a soft, stretchy fabric which pulls in without being overly clingy. The wrap design brings cleavage and curve to the forefront, so is very much a dress which will get attention. 

Although it's not my usual style, it certainly brought out my inner diva. And although I'll always feel much more like myself in my circle dresses, it was nice to dress up in something a little bit different.

Until next time,

Diana xx

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(All photos (c) Diana Thompson / Fashion Loves Photos. Please do not reproduce without written permission.)