Collectif’s AW line has been bumper this year, with tons of gorgeous pieces and new prints. Of the latter, one of the most popular has to be the Woodland Bloom print, a gorgeous dark blue topped with blooming flowers in dusky pinks, muted greens and soft pops of periwinkle blue. It’s such a pretty and seasonal appropriate floral print that for a while I couldn’t decide which piece I wanted of those made in this print; the swing skirt, or dress, or pencil dress? Finally I decided on the swing dress, Maria. It gives me broody, autumnal feelings, in a pleasant fairytale kind of way, so I took to the woods to shoot it.

Dress: Maria Woodland Bloom dress C/O Collectif
Shoes: Primark

This dress features a cross-over faux wrap style bust, which is demure for those more conservative amongst you. It closes with a back zipper and has a full circle skirt, so it takes a petticoat with ease.

The size chart said this dress runs true to size and that the 14 was for 32 waists, the 16 for a 34 waist. After my recent trip to America and some lazy I’m-back-home-and-can’t-be-bothered living since my return my waist is nearer 34, so I thought opting for the 16 seemed best as I suspected this dress might not have much stretch. It doesn’t have a huge amount of stretch but I do think it sizes generously, as it’s fairly loose on me and I could have sized down. As it is, I’m happy to belt it and know that I have a dress I can wear comfortably for times I don’t want to feel cinched in and restricted.

The Maria Woodland Bloom dress is available in UK sizes 6-22 for £60 and is available from Collectif online and in their brick-and-mortar stores, as well as globally from their international stockists.