Seashells and sun

Well, summer hasn't really arrived this year and most of my sunshine-y wardrobe has been gathering dust at the back of my over-stuffed wardrobe. As someone who is constantly cold, pin up styling can sometimes be a bit of a problem as it does involve a lot of dresses, skirts and little tops that just don't work with modern layering. When you've taken the time to put together a really cute outfit, throwing a long cardigan or jumper over it is the last thing you want to do. So to show off the fabulousness of some of those retro pieces you sometimes just have to deal with goosebumps and colds. Beauty is pain right ; )

I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for a late blooming summer, a few days or weeks of unbroken sunshine and the opportunity to go hosiery free and step out in some of my summer bargains. The summer sales have been abundant with tempting swimwear and picnic dresses that I know in my heart I probably won't be able to wear until next year. Not that that's stopped me investing in a few pieces to save for a sunny day.......particularly when the Collectif sale started..........

Collectif are one of my favourite brands for affordable, modern pin up styling. They usually run a couple of ranges each season, one inspired by more traditional vintage and another with more of a modern pin up vibe. Their summer pieces this year have been gorgeous - pineapples, strawberries and flamingos printed across a range of pieces. It was their beachy prints that caught my eye when they were first released though and my first basket addition as soon as the sale hit.

I snapped up this pleated skirt, covered in shells and seahorses for £27.50 down from £55.

The skirt has plenty of room for a petticoat and sits at the perfect point on the waist to hide the fact you've eaten 674 Mr Whippy's....

I paired it with a pair of old Topshop chunky heeled sandals to give a bit of height as I don't have the longest legs in the world and the skirt falls at a traditional vintage, below-knee length.

Now, let's talk about the cardigan.......

That cardigan has been reappearing in my dreams all summer and I kept dithering about buying it until it disappeared from the Collectif website, all sold out :( 

I kept hoping it might make a reappearance, bought the skirt anyway and waited to no avail. Then, while browsing other sales, found it with a £10 discount on the Audrey Stars Boutique website and did an internal fist pump before swiftly checking out!

Just look at the little lobster! 

I don't know why it makes me so excited but it does, it's just beautiful in all it's embroidered, crustacean glory! 

This cardigan is also a perfect shape and fit for wearing alone with a skirt or shorts as I did, or layering over a top or dress. The sleeve length is my ideal as I tend to turn up long sleeves and a short sleeve sometimes leaves me a little chilly. It teams perfectly with the skirt and would be lovely for a day on the beach collecting shells or afternoon tea at a coastal cafe.......

After thinking I'd never get my hands on that cardigan I was thrilled to track it down and don't mind that I may have to wait until 2016 to give this combo a proper outing. You can still get the cardigan in the sale in a size 10 at Audrey Stars Boutique along with lots of other retro bargains. The skirt is sold out on the Collectif site but you can get the similar Florence skirt in the reverse colourway in a size 12 or the Adele dress in this print in a size 22. You'll have to be quick though as the sales are almost over for this year!

All photos by the lovely Sally Molineaux