Boden: Fall/Winter 2016 Preview is Up...And a Summer Clearance Gets Started!

Barbara Dress.  Yes, the name of this dress correctly matches the Bush family member I could most see wearing it.

Well, you all...it is time again for another preview of Boden items for the upcoming months, along with the beginnings of the clearance sale for spring and summer items.  In the past these previews were earlier and the clearance was later, but whatever, since I am slow to get things posted, it works for me.  LOL.

Okay, so preview first.  I was pretty stoked by the last preview that happened last time.  In fact, I was stoked enough to chance ordering a few items early.  (This time the card was correctly charged, etc., miracle!)  I have received three of the four items (one was a dress for CW), and for the most part, they live up to my expectations.  So early fall 2016 is looking good.

Sadly the latter part of fall/winter 2016 is looking a bit dire and bland.  I looked and looked at the preview site in hopes of finding a "grab me" image for this post's first image, and the best I felt I could do was this gorgeously colored Barbara dress.  The cobalt certainly is striking, as is the seaming detail.  But then you view the other shade on the model and the frump comes up fast.  Sad!  I don't know where the way was lost, but seriously, Boden, I can buy these items for WAY cheaper at the Loft.  Or Target.  I am not sure if it's me (possible) but this new set of somethings is leaving me a bit blue (and not the bright cobalt blue either).

I am sure that Boden will turn it around for their holiday 2016 offerings, as they always seem to, and to be honest, besides their adorable summer sundresses, my second favorite thing they make are their pretty and sparkly holiday garments.  But my dollars are secure in my wallet for now for this particular set of months for this year. 

If you are so inclined to enjoy their preview, there is a code for 20% off.  It is 3M7K and lasts until my birthday (July 1!) at 11:59 pm.

I do have hopes to write up (a very brief, I am sure) picks post by Thursday, so if you have any thoughts on what you like, definitely let me know in the comments section.  :-)

This is one of the items I received in my preview order.  This is Floral Ponte Dress.  As I ordered the long version in a size 8, I knew it would be longer than this, and it does hit me right at my knee (the top part, though).  The dress fits well.  It is a touch big through the shoulders and neckline, but the hips fit great.  It is a very pretty dress, and the fabric is comfortable, stretchy, but not the sort of stretch that stays stretched out.  I chose well here and because it is short-sleeved I can wear it now as well as later. :-) The floral design is just as you see it here on the model, so they accurately represented it.  I suspect this will end up on their site sometime in early July.  I highly recommend it, and will get a photo of it on me asap.

This is the Mia Jersey Tunic, and I chose to buy it in a size 6 Long.  It is a true tunic, hitting right at my lower thigh.  It is a very flattering print, very slimming.  It fits well, nice and tight, but not too tight to be uncomfortable.  I think the modal/cotton blend should keep it shape and not shrink (provided I don't dry it in the dryer), but if it does shrink, I will just send it back and grab the next size up.  (I really hope it keeps the shape it is as I LOVE it the way it fits right now!)

I also ordered the Ottoman A-Line Dress in the size 6 Long.  It is cute, but I need to try it on with proper shoes and accessories to see if it looks cute on me, too.  Right now I have only tried it on barefoot and in a rush, so it looks a bit blah, though I love the deep pink color.  I also worry about it stretching out and not swinging back into shape, so the jury is still out on this one.

This link will take you directly to the sale.

Okay, so they aren't calling what is on right now as "clearance" sale, but it is the precursor to that.  Anyhow, the sale is on some items, and of those, only a handful are at the 50% off mark.  I am sure I will have some picks, but I have only just looked around (I was in Wisconsin over the past few days).  Do you all see anything that is a good buy at the newer lower prices?

If you want something that isn't in the sale, you can use the code 6R9E (it is published on their website under "new and now") for 10% off.  I suggest you use it only if you need something OR it was a popback you were desperate for.  ;-)

Alright, I hope to be back soon with more.  I do have hopes to publish a post on some recent sewing adventures, but if you want to see it right now, you can check out one of the projects here at the Fabric Mart blog. 

Boden: Pretty Ruched Wrap Dress. Three Other Reviews. And a Very Late Mention of a Sale.

So, yes, again, I am late to the "let's tell the few folks still reading here about the sale at Boden" party.  On the plus side, at least I am still trying to write here and not publishing it solely at Instagram.  ;-)  So A for effort?  Or at least a B-?

Anyhow, the sale finishes out tonight and is for 30% off dresses.  I  have a coupon at the blog (and at the bottom of this post) that allows you to get 25% off using the code 3H9P on other items not in the sale (I used it the other day to purchase a pair of shorts, for instance, along with a dress).  The 25% off does not take anything additionally off of the 30% off dresses, though.

I have one dress in this review pile, along with a pair of sandals, a pair of shorts, and a top.  The shorts and top have been reviewed before, but I've never formally reviewed the top, and this is a second colorway of the shorts.

Okay, onto the reviews!

Pretty Ruched Dress and Georgia Woven Sandals.  Size 6 Long and 41.  Sorry for the crappy picture quality.  I have a better, clearer version at Instagram.  I thought the one I emailed myself was better, but the phone lied to me.  Ha.

The length is wonderful for those of us who are tall, especially in the lower part of our frames.  Unfortunately for some tall ladies, this length does not translate in the bodice.  It is decidedly more short than what women with long torsos may need.  I am fine, but as I have mentioned (a gazillion times!), I have an unnaturally short torso for my height.  This doesn't bode well for me in talls at J. Crew where they lengthen everything, but at Boden, with them only concentrating the extra length in the skirt or inseam, I am set. 

The bodice is also very form-fitting.  For a jersey dress, I found it very supportive, and had I gone with a 4, which I sometimes can wear in the jersey tops, I would have been too constricted.  Definitely purchase the size that correlates with your bust and waist size.  That form-fit, though, is very flattering, and seems to suit a range of figures, especially in the surplice neckline.

You can really tell how short the bodice is here.  The skirt is very full, btw, and has pockets that are deep and generous.  (Perfection for teaching!)

The woven sandals are beautiful.  I need the 41 for length, but they do run wide for me in this size.  I know had I purchased the 40 they would have fit in width, but they would have been a touch too short.  This is often my issue, so I am going to get over it for once.  It is nice not having my feet fully fill up the entire footbed!  I may end up adding non-slip grips to the underside of the sandals if they stretch out, but for now they're fine.  I love the mix of gold, black, and pale pink.  It is really pretty!  The mix is also of matte leather, metallic leather, and patent leather. 

The print is lovely, and is interesting without being too much.  I did choose the red/coral as I have another dress from them in a similar style to the green version.  I have very little in my wardrobe this color.  I am definitely a citrus/forest colors fan, and the reds and purples are not really represented.  It's nice to wear something a bit out of my comfort zone.  :-)

The fabric is soft and substantial, a nice weight for summer without being too sheer.  Boden really did well with this one.  Hopefully they'll bring it back next year with new colors and prints!



Pretty Ruched Dress and Georgia Woven Sandals.  Woven sandals are nearly sold out in the navy/black/white version, but are pretty well stocked in the other two color choices.  The dress is nearly sold out in petite sizes, and the printed versions are selling well across the board (the long styles are pretty well-stocked, though).  Solid colors are moving a bit slower.

Richmond Shorts and Maggie Ottoman Top.  Size 10 6" and 6.  The shorts were formally reviewed here (the black color) and the top was given the "written" review treatment here (very short, though).

These shorts make me so happy.  I feel about the Richmond shorts the way I feel about the Turner pants from J. Crew.  They fit me so well.  I have worn and washed the black pair I own already a bunch, and they keep going, looking good, fitting well, etc.  I love them so much I purchased the green/teal color, too.  (And the white!)  I am selling half my shorts that I own (probably at the Facebook group for J. Crew/Madewell/Factory, if you are interested) now that I have a bunch of shorts that I either made for me or all these Richmond shorts.  I am never going back to bad-fitting shorts.  Woo!   The shorts review I did of the black (link is above) is valid for this pair, so I won't go into duplicate info, but these second, printed pair do deserve a bit of online love from me, too.

The ottoman top is more versatile than I thought it would be.  I initially thought it may not work with a busier print, but the pairing of this top and the shorts seemed to play nicely, so I am glad I accidentally put them right next to each other one day when folding clothes.  ;-)  The fit is really great for my frame, it hugs and conforms to my curves (or lack thereof up top), but doesn't bind or ride up.  This material is good! 

I have read that the seaming on the top has been off for some ladies, and that could mean the stripes don't match.  I have a good version, so if you buy a bad version, return it and send them my photo.  That is unacceptable.  Those machines in their factories have differential feeds/walking feet and can handle matching plaids and stripes.

The placement of the print matters on the shorts, too.  The version I have seems pretty good, but I would have hated for the big floral to be dead center on both of the front legs.  The more abstract, the better, in my opinion.

Both the shorts and the top are made from stretchy fabrics that conform, but do not stretch out.  That is key.  The woven stretch material they use for the shorts is especially amazing.  I want to know who they get their fabric from and get some for me.  It is really hard to find stretch wovens that give that much without bagging out of shape.

There is a small exposed zip on the back of the top.  Nothing obnoxious, really, but for some of you, it may give you pause.


Richmond Shorts and Maggie Ottoman Top.  The shorts are selling well, but there seems to be plenty available in the 6" and 9" length.  The 4" length is pretty much sold out in all colors.  (I can wear the 4", but think it is pretty short.  The 6" is short for women with longer legs, my inseam, btw, is 34".)

The top is selling well in the black and white stripe, but this blue version is still readily available. I think the black/white (especially when paired with the black shorts) looks very "prison-ready." 

Okay, that's all for now.  School ends tomorrow.  I do have a lot planned for summer, but it should be easier to get online and bug you all again.  Yes!  I have missed my blogging!

Below are the links to the sale the affiliate sent me.  Remember to use the code 3H9P if you need 25% off anything not part of the 30% dresses sale.