Boden: Review Time. Just in Time for an Extra 10% Off!

Hey, all!  Before I do the three reviews I have slated for tonight, I wanted to let you know the "up to 60% off" sale has been upped to "save an extra 10% off with the code 4W7F!"  Yeah!  That's awesome.  :-)  Of course I am glad that I got a few items before the extra 10% off since those items are now sold out in the size I wanted, but I may have tossed a few things in that I need that are insanely reduced with the extra 10% off. 

Okay, so the reviews!

Ruched Waist Dress.  Size 8 Regular.  This is such a great dress.  I am a huge fan.  There are haters of it out there, which mainly comes from the gripes about fabric quality, but since I own a few lyocell items, I knew what to expect.  Lyocell is not a thick fabric, it is a thinner jersey fabric that has to be lined with another stretchy jersey to make it wearable.  It is possible to have a top in lyocell with no lining, but you definitely must line dresses for modesty (and Boden has here).

Anyhow, the regular was chosen specifically because I DID NOT want a dress that hit at mid-calf.  This mid-knee seems most flattering on me, especially when the rest of the dress is super covered up.  The 8 was a better choice than a 6, which I will sometimes pick in Boden jersey dresses.  I feel like the 6 would have been far too body conscious and I would have been uncomfortable in it.

The pockets are lovely, of the yoke style versus an on-seam version.  They are not substantial, so I couldn't hold my phone for the whole day, but it held smaller and lighter items just fine.

The ruched waist is so flattering, I really do appreciate the thoughtfulness of placing the pattern in the opposite direction from the dress's pattern, as it does delineate the lines nicely.

I really really like that the dress makes me look like an hourglass instead of a pear.  Success!

I went out to dinner at a nice steakhouse here in town.  I enjoyed my martini, but the intent of this photo is also to show you how modern and unique the pattern is.  The yellow is a bit brighter than this in real life, but not super crazy bright either. 

I wore it with my yellow Sybil coat and you can see it here at Instagram.  I really loved it with the coat.  It was a good outfit day!

Ruched Waist Dress. Not completely sold out, but getting close.  I love the other version of this print, but even I know that is one two many of the same dress/pattern.  Now if they decide to issue another version of this dress next fall in a different pattern, I am so all over it!

Fun Festive Jumper.  Size 15-16.  This is a Johnnie b. item.  I have a right sickness for fair isle sweaters, and this one with wee little Christmas trees parading across the top of it made me such a happy lady.  I have worn it again, this season, but in a bout of restraint (and likely no time), I didn't have a photograph taken of it from the day.  LOL. 

It fits well, it is about the size I'd want from a Boden (regular women's section) size 6, so I chose the right size for my frame.  I am smaller up top, so I can only recommend dipping into the Johnnie b. section for tops if you have a shorter torso and smaller "ladies."  The 15-16 is about equal to a size 6/small 8, while the 13-14 would be closer to a size 2-4.

My little man wears the Winter Sweater from the baby Boden line.  It stops at 3-4 (thank goodness, for a while they were stopping it at 2-3).  Since I knew he would be sizing out of it soon (SOB SOB SOB), I decided this sweater was worth the splurge.  It is sold out in many sizes (like the Fun Festive one), but like all things sale time, there are definitely popbacks, so keep an eye out for them.

The fun festivity continues on the back.  :-)

Fun Festive Sweater.  Sold out in almost all the sizes, but will pop back potentially!

Sabrina Top.  Size 6.  This one wasn't on my radar, but the catalog image kept calling to me.  I think I most loved the swingy shape and the pretty animal print.  The size is fab in a 6 for my shape, nice and fitted through the shoulders, bust, and arms, but flaring towards the hem where I need the ease the most. 

The side view shows that it does run a touch longer in back than front, which again, I need.  :-)

The fabric is a lightweight jersey that is opaque, so nice to wear.  It is a lyocell/cotton mix, and the cotton helps give it a bit of weight and drape, while the lyocell keeps it feeling easy and light.

Sabrina Top.  The sizes are running low in many of the colors.  I don't dig the other colors or patterns, but again, if they issue this in another print in another season, I'll be all over it.  BTW, the color in the shots above is a bit off.  The real color is closer to what you see above in the Boden stock photo!

Okay, that's all for now (and likely for a while).  I do know a few of my preorders from early spring will ship soon, so hopefully I can get a few of those up for perusal in the next few weeks.  :-)

Have a lovely day!

Remember to use the code 4W7F to receive an additional 10% off the reduced prices.

Boden: Summer 2017 Preview Picks!

Hey, I am actually keeping a promise of posting when I said I would.  December miracle, you all.

Anyhow, like I explained in yesterday's post, Boden debuted their Summer 2017 collection over at their Preview site.  They are also offering up to 20% off with the code 6U2J.  This code expires tomorrow night at 11:59 pm, so not a whole lot of time to enjoy it, if you plan to.  :-/

Okay, onto the picks!

Josephine Dress.  Aww, pretty punchy florals!  This print is repeated multiple times in other garments, and the colors are used in other items, as well.  (I see a lot of bright blue, pure yellow, mid-pink throughout the collection.) There is a lot of harmony between the pieces this season. 

I'm not quite sure if there is a hidden placket in the bodice, but it sort of looks like it, doesn't it?

Andrea Dress.  If this dress was about $40 less expensive, I'd be ALL over it in preview.  Alas, $160 is a bit rich for a dress I could likely recreate myself (I just sewed up a bias dress so I get the work that goes into aligning stripes like you see on the skirt, but still, oof on the price). 

Cosima Placement Dress.  This dress intrigues me.  Either the border placement of the florals on the side is going to look REALLY good or REALLY bad.  I won't know till I see it on a human body, though.  I personally would have put the florals in the center, but I do own the floral ponte dress, and it has florals up and down the sides, so it can work.  But in this busy of a print?  Hmm...

Belle Ponte Dress. This seems like such a practical choice.  The pockets, the solid skirt, the ribbed ponte fabric of the bodice.  I definitely can see a lot of DC working women this summer wearing it. 

Blackberry Dress.  I love the blackberry style and design, and am glad they continue to reincarnate it every season with cute prints.  It's been a while since I have seen one I have really loved, but this pretty blue with wee little sunglasses?  Yes, please!  I have it in this version, for reference.  (Recently worn here, too.)

Evelyn Dress.  Another pretty practical dress.  It has pockets, has modest coverage, and features a striking and bold print.  This could end up on my list, but Boden didn't publish the garment measurements on this one, so no Bueno.  I'll wait.

Georgia Dress.  This print is a variation on another one, but this one only features the leafy part of the print.  All versions, in all colors, are so very lovely.  This one seems especially based on mid-1940s prints, so it has a vintage thing going for it, too.

Jessie Dress. Swoon at the raining daisy chains.  What a beautiful garment!  I definitely need to see this on someone, though, since it says it hits at mid-calf.  I don't want a garment that long, unless it is really well-fitted elsewhere. 

Martha Dress.  This is the same print as the Georgia dress above, but includes the daisy portion of the print.  These prints!  They're sublime (well, for me, anyhow, you may disagree, which is totally cool, lol).  ;-)  I own the Martha dress.  I last wore it here, I believe.

Nina Dress.  I dig it.  Not sure I should, but I am into it.  I am thinking it will be great for teaching, you know with it being made from a jersey, having good coverage overall, and being bright and peppy enough to keep the kids eyes on you.  :-D

Rosamund Dress. The border placement here is so special.  Very subtle, but still very eye catching, nonetheless.

Ruth Dress. LOVE.  The color, the print, its everything.  But you knew that already from all the loving the green version of this print got above.

Savannah Dress.  I sob over this one because it is very unlikely that my pear shape will fit into this dress (the measurements are probably to straight from bust to hem), but I'll hold out hope that there is some subtle shaping in there somewhere.  If not, I'll enjoy others wearing it from afar. 

Make a Statement Tee. I like Boden tees, they are made well, and don't have the annoying off grain syndrome other companies' tees have (J. Crew, I'm a looking at you!).  This one will actually work well with the three skirts below, so yay for working with so many of the pieces from this season.

Lola Skirt.  Oh, a conversational print!  Of a beach town and sailboats and sunbathing ladies!  Yes!  The conversational print will always have fans, so never take them away Boden!  NEVER!  (SO MANY EXCLAMATION POINTS!  YOU CAN TELL I TEACH GRAMMAR!  NOT!)  ;-)

Richmond Skirt. Oh, pretty daisy/poppy print.  I love you.  Boden pencil skirts hate my hips, but I forgive you. It was their choice to use you on a pencil skirt instead of a more curve friendly A-line.

Tilda Skirt.  There's the new fun skirt, full of print and embroidery.  And all the fun skirt haters thought they'd won.  Ha.  Not even.  All of us quirky style types held strong and the fun skirt came back.  Yeah.  YEAH!

Okay, that's it!  Do you have any picks of your own you'd like to share?  I'd love to read them!

Don't forget about the "up to 60% off sale" going on at Boden's regular site right now!  I will try to get those reviews up tomorrow.  Maybe lightning will strike thrice! :-)

Boden: Summer 2017 Preview is Here!

Boden Martha Dress--here!

Well, the preview has been here a while.  Whoops.  Darn Boden for issuing a preview nine days before Christmas.  I suspect quite a few of us were too busy to dither around seeking out the preview.  I only happened upon it last night because my sister-in-law and I were talking about the Lolly Dress that she just loves.  I said the link to the Lolly dress will not work because it's in a preview, and I clicked the link only to discover that there was a whole new preview ready to enjoy.

I always get the email, and I did, but to be honest, the emails get pushed to the side when prepping for the end of the school season.  So I went back, found it, clicked its link to get the 20% off code.  I am just in time!  The 20% off code expires this Friday, so I have today to announce it to you all, and tomorrow I'll do my picks post, and there you have it.  *I am so on time.*  Snort.

Anyhow, the summer season looks very lovely, especially the dresses.  The overall aesthetic is a continuation of their amazing Spring collection (I wrote about it here), but more of an emphasis on the brights, with a particular flavor of greens, blues, and pinks.  There are even some very punchy floral prints, which you are either going to love or hate (I love, but I also made this skirt last year).

I do want to point out there is a new iteration of the fun skirt, but it has been renamed the Tilda Skirt, probably to get away from the "fun" connotation.  ;-)  I am tickled, and may buy one, but I am unsure as of now, since they don't have the garment measurements up yet (WHY!?!).

Okay, so the code is 6U2J and it expires on December 30, at 11:59 pm. 

You can get to the preview here.  :-)


Also, the Boden regular site has settled into "up to 60% off" clearance time, which means the fall and winter stuff is at the lowest prices they have been all year (barring a few popular items that would have been a lower price during diminishing discounts, etc., and are not reduced by much now).  There is no code.  I have two separate review posts from this fall here and here, and my Instagram account showcases a few items.  If I grab a few moments after doing the Picks Post for Summer 2017 tomorrow, I'll do a review post of items unreviewed by me so far. 

Hope all of you are well!  I am glad to be on vacation for a bit.  I hope you all are well and have had a lovely season!

Boden: Black Friday Reviews!

The Boden Black Friday sale is just "meh," at 30% off, but I know things are moving over there (some of the items I had been looking at were pulled from my cart after selling out), so I thought I'd put out a few reviews for those of you wondering about some of the items over there.

Bear in mind a few of the items I am reviewing are in the "clearance" section, so they aren't part of the 30% off, but there are at least a few from below that are from the newer "on 30% off" with the Black Friday sale (they are listed under Regular Boden). 

I have included the link to the sale, along with the code for the sale, at the bottom of the post.  :-)

Regular Boden:

High Neck Dress.  Size 10 Long.  I had initially tried this an 8 Long, and it fit, but just.  Since I knew I wanted it to not cling, I sized up to a 10 (which I do have to do in many of Boden's slim fitting skirts and dresses). 

Upon receiving the 10, I did find it fit far better.  I feel like the top half is quite blousey, but because it doesn't have a similarly blousey bottom half, it works.  If you are an inverted triangle shape, you will definitely be able to go with your smaller size since the bodice is rather forgiving.  If you are a pear shape, size up.  Trust me.

It is made from a heavier poly crepe and it is lovely, but very static clingy.  I took some dryer sheets and liberally applied them all over my tights and to the inside of the skirt portion of the dress.  It worked to end the static cling, and it also made my outfit smell fresh.  (LOL.)  You could also try this mainstay from my youth, which I used when I was in high school and my wool/poly skirt (I wore a uniform) would always stick to my tights.

Here is the Instagram shot.

High Neck Dress.  This one is selling decently well.  I would say if you'll wear it now, then grab it, but if you're not sure, you probably can wait for clearance pricing (which should be better than 30% off).

Mia Tunic. Size 6 Long.  I have already reviewed this here at the site (almost one month ago, SO SLOW am I at updates).  I wanted to give you all another view, since I am such a huge fan.  I am very happy to say that it washed well and didn't shrink.  But I did not put it in the dryer and I washed it in cold water, and I know that helps. 

Here's the Instagram from the day I wore it.

Mia Tunic.  I still think I am the only one who loves this.  Oh, well.  :-)  You all can wait for a better price.

Make a Statement Breton.  Size 8.  I sized up from a 6 to this in an 8 because I wanted to be able to untuck it and wear it loose over a pair of pants.  If I had bought the 6, it would have clung too closely for my liking.  The cotton isn't very substantial, so if you are used to Bretons being more heavyweight, be prepared.  It isn't super thin, but it is not a hard wearing Breton.  This top runs a touch long for me, so if you have a longer torso, you'll like this one. 

The print is so sweet.  I love the stripes, but the over-printed hearts, which from far away look just abstract, are so pretty and different.

Here's the Instagram from the day I wore it.

Make a Statement Breton. It isn't sold out in many sizes, but I know how Boden operates.  They will for sure not reduce these beyond 30% in clearance time.  They know women love their Bretons and will pay well for them.  So it's really neither here nor there when you buy it.  But if your size is in low stock or no stock, and it comes back, buy it now.

Priscilla Jacquard Dress.  Size 8 Regular.  I just love this dress.  To be honest, any knitted jacquard dress from them are my friends.  I have a few.  ;-)  (One of my favorites from last year, worn here. And another one, worn more recently.)

This dress runs true to size for their knitted jacquard sheaths.  Though the knit would allow it to stretch over my hips in the 6, I don't want to do that, I would rather it just fit with a touch of ease there. 

The dress is quite covered up, great for work, but pretty conservative.  I went with the regular length so as to avoid being too frumpy.  (Remember, I work at a Catholic school, so this means their long length would be really frumpy!)  It also helped to break up all that pattern with the lariat necklace from Stella and Dot. 

I am so appreciative for the subtle shaping at the back of the dress.  It fits very precisely. 

This photo was the only one where I could come close to showing you the actual color.  It is definitely blue, leaning towards a navy.  The white dots are more grey, but only just, and that is from the weave of the yarns.  This is not a brown dress, at all, but because of the hall light and my phone camera, it shows that way.

From the side.  It is fitted, but I am okay with that.  I used control top tights to help keep my tummy sucked in all day. 

Instagram here.

Priscilla Jacquard Dress.  This dress is not selling so well.  The other color way is doing poorly, too.  I think you all can wait to buy.

Clearance Items:

Carolyn Ponte Dress. Size 8 Long.  I waited a while to wear this, partly because I wasn't sure if I could get away with wearing it without control top tights.  Well, I did need shapewear, but I used a spanx like item instead (one that cinched my waist, too), so no tights needed.  I chose to wear it when it was in the 70s recently. 

This dress is made from a super lovely soft ponte, but dang, it's thin, so I had to wear a padded bra, too.  Shudder.  The bra fits well, but I am not used to wearing them, so by the end of the day I'm all, "get off of me, you cursed garment."  (I wear camis, typically, remember I am a 32B, so not exactly in need of support.)

Instagram here.

Carolyn Ponte Dress.  I would say this color is not accurate, I would say it runs a touch brighter than this.  The yellow is that yellow that is hard to wear by a lot of women, so I would keep this in mind.  It does come in a black, too.  The black is nearly sold out, though.

Jersey Swing Dress.  Size 15-16.  This is a Johnnie b. item.  They have changed the sizing at Johnnie b, so they no longer carry 16+.  I also think they have narrowed their fit, so a 13-14 is a bit slimmer than it was in the past (the size I wore in the past--in their tops).  The dress here is a bit of a tunic on me, but it worked for the occasion (hanging out with the family in Richmond).  It is a lot like this jersey tunic from Boden from last year, barring the pockets.  I really like this dress.  :-)

CW is wearing the dress in a size two sizes too large (she is a real 8 and this is a 9-10).  For now it is a long dress, but by the time she gets to age 10, it will likely fit more like it does on me.  (She'll wear leggings with it then.)  She makes me laugh with her combat boots, she looks like she belongs 1993. 

(She wore them as part of her Emma/Invisible Girl costume on Halloween.  You know the girl in the Miss Peregrine's home for Peculiar Children?)

Jersey Swing Tunic.  All sold out in the floral version, but there are a few sizes left in the red stripy version.  They also have it in grey.

Okay, that's all from me for now.  I hope all of you are doing well.  Hope you had a very Happy Thanksgiving and will have a happy weekend!
Make sure to use the code 3Y8N, the promo is valid from 11/22-11/28!