I love getting to try new-to-me brands here on the blog, especially when they’re small businesses, so I’m thrilled today to introduce Weekend Doll to my little corner of the internet. Weekend Doll have been on the scene for almost a decade as a stockist of independent vintage-inspired brands, but this year they launched their own line! I adore when small businesses take the leap into producing their own pieces but even more so when they are dedicated to producing it at home here in the U.K., as Weekend Doll is. That decision is a result of not only wanting to support the British manufacturing industry but also as a conscious effort to reduce their environmental impact by limiting the travel their wares must undertake in order to be ready for sale. With all of those things in mind, I was certainly very excited to try my first Weekend Doll outfit.

Skirt: Green Classic A-line Skirt gifted by Weekend Doll
Top: Striped Boat Neck Sweater gifted by Weekend Doll
Necklace and Bangles: Catkin and Mouse pieces by Splendette 
Hat: Freya by Belbeina Lee
Capelet: Sabrina cape previously gifted by Dolly & Dotty
Bag: Old JustFab
Shoes: Old Banned booties previously gifted by Blue Banana

Since dressing vintage I’ve gravitated more towards dresses because they are so simple to throw on, instantly achieving 70% of an outfit in one move. There’s something so lovely about the sheer versatility of separates though, and I really admire folks who prioritise separates in their wardrobe in order to achieve maximum outfit combinations. I own far more dresses than separates, probably at a ratio of 6 to 1, but if there’s one thing I know it’s that the cardinal rule of buying separates is to buy the piece that can be worn with several other items already in your wardrobe. Well, correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think anything screams ‘wardrobe staple’ more than a black and white striped sweater and a solid coloured flared skirt!

Both of these pieces are so classic and versatile that there is literally no room for denial. A well fitted striped sweater will work year round, for almost every occasion and even every aesthetic, as relevant today as it was 70 years ago. With a swing skirt and vintage aesthetic, yeah, of course it looks incredible, but with jeans and boots too, as modern as can be? Also incredible! There is practically no way to mess up a striped sweater. This one is soft and stretchy, so comfortable to wear you will reach for it day after day. And the skirt? That, too, will work for modern folks, looking just as cute worn with a tucked in graphic tee and boots as it does styled out to its full 40s potential.

The skirt is part of Weekend Doll’s own line, and all the materials used in its production are sourced from the UK, with an aim to use sustainable materials where possible, (something that is much harder for small businesses to achieve, it should be noted, as they have to work with smaller budgets and resources than large brands.) The button used to fasten the waistband is plastic free, made from the seeds of corozo palms to produce a finish that looks and feels like hard resin, a detail I really appreciate. The crepe fabric is great quality with a reassuring weight to it. There are pockets in the side seams, a detail that will never, ever go underappreciated by any woman, I’m sure, and there is even a lovely red contrast piping detail lining the inner seam of the waistband. It’s small touches like that which make a big difference to how people feel about an item of clothing, as it makes it readily apparent that thought was put into every last tiny detail. This skirt was clearly made to be worn over and over, and to last, as clothes used to before fast fashion warped all of our expectations. 

This forest green is one of my favourite colours, a shade I will joyfully wear year round but feels extra special to me in autumn and winter when I naturally gravitate towards richer tones. Wearing a more 1940s outfit is unusual for me, even after 8 years of dressing in vintage inspired fashion, so it was really lovely to stretch my styling muscles with these two pieces. The fit of both is so excellent that it made my styling job incredibly easy, because fit truly does make or break an outfit. 

This sweater isn’t part of Weekend Doll’s own line, made instead in Europe by one of their stockists, Pretty Retro. It’s also a top quality piece, made from a soft and stretchy mid-weight knit that doesn’t have that cheap, thin feeling similar pieces on the high street often have. The boat neckline is just a little sexy but still wholly modest, while the cropped length is perfect for all your vintage outfits. The wide ribbed hem emphasises the smallest part of one’s waist, no doubt part of why the overall fit is so flattering–so flattering, in fact, that it’s making me wonder why I don’t wear sweaters more often. The half sleeves add just that right amount of arm coverage that can serve you practically year round, particularly in English weather. It is, simply put, a staple piece. 

I asked for the skirt in the size XXL/18, and the sweater in the XL-18-20. The skirt measures 38 inches flat with a little give, putting it in line with the size chart. It’s 27 inches long, and machine washable on a cool gentle cycle. The sweater is 42 inches flat through the bust with stretch up to 48 inches, while the waist lays flat at 31 inches with stretch to 40, so it’s also spot on to its size chart. It, too, is machine washable. 

The Classic 1940s A-line skirt comes in Green, Burgundy and Brown in sizes XS-XXL (equivalent to UK sizes 8-18,) while the Striped Boatneck Sweater comes in sizes XS-XL (covering UK sizes 8-20.) Weekend Doll ship worldwide and offer some lovely wide legged trousers, sailor shorts, tops, and tea dresses as part of their own range. 

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Disclaimer: The skirt and sweater featured in this review were gifted to me by Weekend Doll in exchange for an honest review. Various other items included in this outfit were gifted to me by their respective listed brands in exchange for past reviews. All opinions expressed are truthful and my own, with no input from any of the companies listed or any other individuals.

COVID-19 NOTE: These pictures were taken alone and safely in a secluded outdoors area with no other individuals present, thus practising strict social distancing measures in an effort to help reduce the spread of Covid-19.