Sometimes I go through phases of collecting certain things for my wardrobe. Normally it’s a binge of a specific item, like handbags in colours I’ve realised I don’t have but need for new outfit pairing ideas. So, suddenly, I might begin buying several pairs of summer wedges, or flats, or long sleeved tops, or hair accessories. The focus is always on fulfilling a hole in my closet, an under represented category that would allow me to create more diverse and more interesting outfits once that category has been properly curated. Lately, one such binge has been for patterned cardigans.

I fell for this Collectif chevron piece the very first moment I saw it pop up on their website. It was one of their earliest released items from their AW17 line, but it recently got a restock so I’m thrilled to now be able to add it to my wardrobe. It definitely fills a small but gaping hole that my wardrobe and I were eager to see addressed.

Cardigan: Holly Chevron Cardigan C/O Collectif
Brooch: Vintage
Bangles: Splendette coloured Fakelite & Bow and Crossbones Glitter Lucite
Skirt: Old Hell Bunny

I am obsessed with the colours of this cardigan! Olive green is a colour I adore and always feel is much too hard to find adequately represented even among vintage inspired clothing lines, so it brings me great joy that Collectif have answered the call for representing olive love this season not just with this cardigan but several other olive pieces. (Off the top of my head I can recall a coat, a cardigan, a top, a dress and a skirt this season all in olive. I know, it’s almost too much to take even sitting down.)

The white and berry purple shades added to that olive create such a great fall combination that evoke snuggly, warm sentiments of the season while also being fun and presenting multiple colour outfit combination options. The chevron pattern echoes that fun feeling and creates a piece that feels both modern and very authentic to us vintage lovers.

The buttons are knit covered, a much more pleasing aesthetic detail than cold little plastic buttons, and the cardigan looks just as good with a few buttons left undone as it does buttoned all the way up to its rounded collar. The three quarter sleeves are flattering on everybody and the cardigan is surprisingly warm and thick for a piece that wears and moves like a medium knit blend, compared to the bulkiness of a thick blend knitted piece.

The best part is that this cardigan has a level of versatility that you might not immediately associate with such a highly patterned piece. It isn’t a true cropped length, the ribbed hem finishing at my belly button, so it’s just as easy to wear it over the top of all your high waist vintage style trousers and pencil skirts as it is to tuck it into a swing skirt or wear open over a dress. It’s work appropriate without being boring but it also has enough zing to look great worn socially, free to roam outside the relegation zone of your ‘work clothes’ muted portion of your wardrobe.

I asked for this in the size 16/XL and it’s a perfect fit. The waist measures almost 36 inches flat with stretch to 38 inches without any button gaping, the bust is 41 flat and 45 inches stretched without any gaping. The armholes are 21 inches flat, the sleeves 16 inches from shoulder to cuff, and the cardigan length is 23 inches from shoulder to hem. Basically, it’s true to size and comfy as hell, as well as too cute to boot.

The Holly Chevron cardigan comes in UK sizes 6-22 costing £50. Collectif have a handful of stores in London and Brighton, and online and in-store stockists all over the world.