Boden Weekly Review Roundup: Weekender Edition.

So I was supposed to publish this yesterday, but in the world of *imperfect* timing, our internet was down, and I couldn't get a reliable hotspot connection with my phone.  I know you all lived, lol.

Anyway, before I begin this fairly involved review roundup, I wanted to mention a few things.

1. This week's special offer (called the weekly offer by Boden) ends tonight.  It basically means that a set number of items are 20% off, and if you use the 15% off coupon code at my site (sidebar and at the bottom of this post), you will end up receiving around 32% off.  This week's items include many pieces of knitwear and some random assortment of other bits and bobs.  (Womenswear is here, menswear is here, and children's is here.)

2. I received a lot of e-mailed reviews this week.  It was great!  Please do consider sending any written or written/photographed reviews my way, if you ever have a chance.  I know it takes time, so do know that I am very grateful for all the things sent my way.  :)

3. I am thinking of starting a new blog series on "Reader Boden Outfits of the Week."*  There are so many wonderful outfits out there created from older Boden pieces, and because they are older, they aren't included in the review roundup.  I really love seeing them, though, because it is inspirational to see how folks incorporate Boden into their outfits, since Boden (especially old Boden) is very unique to begin with...many people go my way, incorporating them with more subdued preppy pieces, but I have seen it all, from edgy bits paired with soft Boden jumpers/sweaters to full-on multi-colored/pattern explosions.  I don't think I could make it a weekly thing, since I barely manage to get the BWRR done weekly, but I think I could manage to get it in twice a month.  If you are on board, you can start submitting photos to me at dinagideon AT aim DOT com.  When I get five total outfits (including something from me, not hard, since I wear Boden near daily), I will publish a post. Sound good? 

*I have all the Anthro blogs to thank for this idea...I love how they put their collective imaginations together.  Boden is sometimes over the top and crazy, and I think Anthro is a bit like that, too, so it makes sense!

Okay, onto the roundup!

(NOTE--The new arrivals on Boden's site do not have their own links at my affiliate program.  For all new arrivals, please use the text link below photos to go directly to their item page.  All clearance items have a direct link through the stock photo.)

Regular Boden:

Weekender Dress.  Size 8 Long.  This is the soft red color.  It is meant to be a summer dress, since it is made from linen and cotton, but I wanted to wear it last weekend for my brother's birthday dinner with my dad and stepmom.  So I just wore it with a warm merino wool turtleneck, thick burgundy tights, and some Anthro accessories to winterize it.

The 8 long is too big in  the  bodice, but feels nice in the skirt portion.  I briefly considered sending it back for the 6 long, but then I remembered that summer 'round here is HOT, STICKY, and unpleasant.  Having the loose linen/cotton skimming over my curves would feel much better, so I decided to keep the 8.

Plus the waist is pretty fitted, so I think sizing down to the 6 would make the waist a touch too fitted for my liking.

The side zipper is a bit of a bother, it zips fine until the waistband, at that point mine was a bit sticky.  By the third time I had zipped it, it was fine, but the first two times, I thought I had received a lemon.

(So watch for that in yours.)

Obviously I figured out I needed to iron the skirt after I was fully dressed and had taken this photo.  Duh.

The photo shows how loose this dress is through the bodice and hips.  If you are really petite, definitely size down.

The aubergine of the Phillip Lim bag is a really nice sister color to the red of the dress.

I finished the full "winterization" by adding a J. Crew Factory bella in the same burgundy/aubergine seen in the bag and tights.

Close up of the fabric.  It was nighttime, so this color is a bit muted, but you can see the creamy white threads mixed in with the mid-pink (not really soft red, if I am being fully honest, lol).

The fabric has a bit of a shine, but not "OMG, my eyes" kind of sheen, more of a soft lustre.  I am not drinking, I swear, hard to describe the effect without sounding drunk or high.  ;)

Weekender Dress.  Fully stocked in all the colors.  I thought it would be a best seller since previous versions all sold out, but I am wrong.  Maybe it will sell out?  But not looking like it right now.

Hand Knit Jumper.  I bought this the last time it was part of the 20% off weekly offer.  (It is again part of that special, so if my review doesn't put you off, you can get it for around 32% off until midnight tonight.)

I bought the extra-small because I sort of knew this one was gonna run HUGE.  And it does.  The extra-small fits me exactly right, sort of like it should.  But I wear a size 4 or 6 in Boden tops, so clearly this is fairly oversized.  If you wear a size 2 or sometimes a 4 in Boden, this one will likely be far too big on you.  It also runs a bit short, so if you have a long torso, this one will be too short.  Also, the sleeves end right at the elbow.  I carry no weight in my arms, so this particular style of shoulder/sleeve looks fine on me, and actually helps bulk up my narrower upper body, but if that doesn't describe your particular situation, this may not be the right sweater for you.

In the end, I am keeping it for me because it does work for me, but I think if Boden had wanted a winner for all body types, they would have either shortened the sleeves or lengthened them, and would have made the neckline a deeper boatneck style.  I would also recommend that they bring it the waistline a bit to make it less boxy.

The color is lovely, and true to what you see on Edda up in the stock photo.  The knit is very thick cotton, and is a looser knit, so keep the prickly things away from it that could catch on the knit.

You can tell these were made with love, though.  I think I will wear mine a lot, especially as loungewear, since it is cozy and cuddly.  :)  (And one day grab an outfit photo for the review roundup!)

Reviews From CC:

Collared Cardigan.  A very nice cardigan that is warm enough to wear now and will be cool enough in the summer because of the open crochet pattern. It is very feminine and dresses up an outfit.

Modern Woven Top. This top is boxy, but the duck egg stripe is such a spring color an looks great with duck egg cami.  The colors are really vibrant.

Soho Blouse. (I bought the ivory and navy) have just enough sheen to them and have some beautiful gold buttons that makes the shirts really dress up a pair of jeans.

(I hadn't even noticed the gold buttons, CC, thanks for pointing them out to us!) 

Off Duty Sweatshirt. I also bought the Off-Duty Sweatshirt in quartz melange, and while I was not dissatisfied with the color, I was with the size. It was absolutely super-huge. I didn't even know what size I would take in it, it was that wide and long. I felt like there had been some mistake (and maybe there was an error, because it was more than well, let me go down a size or two, there just wouldn't have been anything small enough)! So, I did return it.

Ballerina Wedges.  I also bought the Ballerina Wedges, which were also too big (and I couldn't go down in size there, either).

Notting Hill Knit. The Notting Hill Knit Jumper was also big (kind of like the sweatshirt). I rarely, rarely return anything either, so it was that bad.

Reviews from Anna:

 

Jersey Shirt Dress.  I also received my preview order and it was a bit of a disappointment, mostly because the Jersey Shirt Dress in cherry red didn't work out at all. The waist is high and the hem is short (I'm 5'5 and it hit me almost half way up the thigh, which with the high waist looked like a kindergartener's dress). I haven't decided if I will exchange for long, or just return.

Mini Saddle Bag. My second purchase is OK but I'm not smitten with it - it's the Mini Saddle Bag (brown with pink stripe) - it's OK, the strap is long enough to wear as cross-body, but something about this little bag makes me think of Old Navy accessories - i.e. not worth $100 price tag.  

(It is part of the weekly offer, too, this week, now $80.)

Reviews from Chocolate and Woolens*:
*Sizing note: I'm 5'4" and measure 37-29-39.

Rosebery Dress. I got this in a black, in the size 10R. It fit nicely, the viscose is very heavy drapey, and the neckline was high enough to wear without layering. Super comfortable. I did think the waistband would have been better 2 inches lower, but I kept it anyway. Wore it and got compliments. I tried on the black Gemma wrap dress at Banana Republic later in the day and liked that a bit better, and it's cheaper.

 

Chancery Dress.  I ordered a 10R in charcoal melange. The color was very dull and flat. It ran big all over, and I would have been better with an 8. It really did nothing for my figure and made me look rather boxy and drab. It went back. 

(This one seems really popular, so I am especially grateful for this review!  Good to know what size to get, since this one will probably sell out!)

Classic Belt. The leather is very stiff, and I found it too thick for belting skirts at their natural waist. Going back.

Everyday Socks. The packaging on these is great, and the socks were soft. They are all set for gift-giving, which I what I plan to do with them. Very cute.

Modern Pencil Skirt.  I bought the denim in a 10R. Very nicely made, fully lined, nice fabric. Skirt hits the knee. Unfortunately, I'm really not sure this is the greatest cut on my pear shape, so I might not keep it, but it's a very nice piece.

Thank you to all of you, CC, Anna, & Chocolate and Woolens for your great reviews!!!

Johnnie b.:

 

Johnnie b.  CC included some extra reviews for us! 

After hesitating about Johnnie b, I did order some items for my daughter.  The items are more modest than last year's Johnnie b, which I like and so did my daughter (and frankly we did not order many things, because the skirts, shorts and dresses were all too short).  The Peasant Top and Cable Hoody are very nice.  The boots fit her as well, and she has a couple of items to try on yet (the Knitted Dress, the Fifties Dress (in polka dot), and the Slouchy Jumper.  

Clearance Boden:
Reviews from Poppy's Style:

Off Duty Jumper.  Joanna takes the off duty jumper out and makes it sing.  (Take "note" of her post's title...can't resist a pun.)


Must Have Jumper.  Joanna shows why this sweater is a must have, even if ballet flats were a bad choice that day.  :)

Reviews from What Lou Wore 365:


Roma Jacket & Pintuck Tee. The snow came to Britain, and Louise held her own in these two pieces.


Pimlico Dress.  I positively love the way Louise styled this dress (she has the red version).  So pretty!


Crinkle Jersey Shirt.  I think Louise chose the exact right shirt for her mustard skirt rut.  :)



Sarah Dress & Pretty Crew Neck.  Louise had more snow to deal with (again, while the US struggles with its snow--almost none here!), but again, looking lovely in clearance Boden.


Review from DaniBP Mop Philosopher:

Metallic Jacquard Coat.  How great is it that one of my favorite Canadian bloggers was able to get such a lovely Boden Limited Edition coat to wear with a gorgeous and classic sash?  Johnnie Boden, if you read this, or someone who works for you does--I beg of you, please get our lovely neighbors to the North their own Boden site, so they don't have to pay OUTRAGEOUS shipping/customs charges to receive your items from you in the UK!!!

Okay, congrats to you if you made it through this week's Boden Review Roundup. There certainly was a lot out there!  :)

Thanks, again, to everyone who contributed a review!

Below you will find the coupon for 15% off and free shipping (remember it is stackable with the weekly offer, too):