Holiday Cocktail Style: Collectif Penny dress

A little while back I showed you two lovely Stop Staring! cocktail dresses suitable for holiday wear. I promised a third option from Collectif, and that’s what I’m reviewing for you here! Meet Penny, an attractive sweetheart front-cross halter strap wiggle dress made from stretchy black bengaline.

Bengaline is a comfortable, flattering fabric that works incredibly well in vintage wiggle dress styles. The Collectif Penny is no exception. The cut and construction are fabulous, and the fit is very good. This is the kind of dress that is snazzy enough on its own – look at that bodice! – but dresses up really nicely given its neutral color and sleek lines.

More pictures and review after the jump…

I purchased the size 16 not knowing how the hip would fit. I tend to wear the US 14 in most Collectif items, but anything fitted at the hip usually forces me to size up. Turns out I could’ve worn the 14 as the bengaline Penny is super-stretchy, but the 16 fits and looks fine. The only issue I noticed was a big of bunching at the sides as the back is a teense big, but I can’t say for sure it wasn’t simply the waist seam wreaking havoc on a short-waisted girl. For reference, I’m 42-32-48.”

If you’re eyeing the cotton blend gingham version of Penny, be aware that there’s no stretch at all.

I’m wearing Penny with deadstock vintage earrings and vintage lucite bangles. The shoes are Polly of California reproductions by Remix. Under the dress, I’m in Spanx and a Wacoal strapless Red Carpet longline bra.