Boden: 25% Off Dresses and Tops! Until Tomorrow Night, Thursday, October 2, 2014!

Well.  Look at that.  Yet another promo from Boden in less than a couple of days.  Not complaining, at all, but I will tell you all that I was surprised to see the email from the affiliate program this morning.  I substitute taught all day, and didn't even have a chance to open up the email properly until I got home, and this is the first point of today I could actually write this post up.  I wish I could have gotten the info to you earlier, but at least there is still a full day left to take advantage of this promotion.

Anyhow, this is all I have to tell you, but I *know* some of you will be excited to partake in this promo.  :-)  There have been a few reviews of dresses and tops in the recent few BWRRs, so take a look at those to see if what you need reviewed was reviewed.

In other news, my own frock creation is live and ready to be voted on over at the Fabric Mart Fashion Challenge Sewing Competition.  Do vote for me if you have any desire to participate in things like that.  My own blog post on the little red dress I created is here, btw.

Alrighty, night night.  After a full day with very very very energetic five-year olds, I am ready for some sleep.

Boden: Autumn/Fall 2014 Preview Picks (Knitwear, Shirts, and Tops).

UPDATE (July 21, 2014): Some of the fall 2014 items have rolled out, including many of the below.  I have received a coupon from the people at the affiliate program.  You can find it below this first paragraph or in the sidebar of the blog if you need a coupon.  I will eventually be updating this post with proper links to the items that are available, so you can easily find the items you love below on the regular site.  :-)

15% off with free shipping coupon that is valid once you spend $50 or more!

Hi!  Happy Tuesday, everyone.  Was meaning to get this post out last night, but time got away from me.  So I am going to dispense with the usual chit-chat and just move onto the picks already.

Today's picks focus on the knitwear, shirts, and tops from the Boden Autumn/Fall 2014 collection.  British readers, the links below say sweater, but that is pulled directly from the US preview site.  They are still called jumpers over at your preview site.  ;-)

As per usual, there is a code for 20% off with free ship and returns which will expire THIS Friday, May 23, 2014.  I will make sure to publish a post on that Friday to remind you all that the code is expiring so you don't forget.  The code is H6G9.  (That code is only for the United States, btw.)

 

Pattern Sweater. These two sweaters are on my radar because they are so cute with their ditsy birds and guards.  Adorable.  I have worn the Heritage hummingbird sweater from last year a lot (even dared to wear it with outfits I didn't photograph--gasp), so I know the style will work for me.  Only concern is that these will also be prone to pilling as the hummingbird sweater is...if so I will suck it up and continue my fabric shaving, but I really wish I didn't have to...

Spot Collar Sweater.  This sweater seems like it will be calling a few of you all by name.  It has a peter pan collar, darling dots everywhere, and is in a lovely shade of mid-pink and a dark pinky/plum.

Embellished Sweater.  This color for fall, yum!  And those beautifully placed jeweled dots!  This sweater is one of the handful of items that will not be debuting in late July.  The items that are rolling out with this sweater in late August all seem to be more formal or made for celebrations, so I gather rather than wait for the winter rollout to debut the festive wear, Boden plans on capitalizing on early birds by getting these out sooner than October this season.

This one seems to be a bit expensive for what it is.  The material composition is the same as the Pattern Sweater above (pill alert!), but those extra gems everywhere have given Boden and co. shiny dollar/pound signs in their eyes!
 

Grace Sweater.  Love this color.  Swoon!  Would have to wait for it on sale, but I do plan on waiting for it on sale since it is so pretty, and its shape is very ladylike.  It seems  to be the Sophia sweater (review here) made in a "solid," so if you have this spring's Sophia sweater and like it, you may want to consider this one.  Having said all this, the Sophia sweater sold out FAST, so I am not sure I will be able to get this once it rolls out, as it may not make it to a greater discount.  Sigh.

Hotchpotch Sweater.  Its a hotchpotch that isn't too crazy!  The other incarnations of this sweater are less tame, but I figured I would toe the proverbial line by showing you a hotchpotch item that likely will appeal to more individuals.  (Though if you are a fan of the crazy side of Boden, just go to the next item for your fix.)

Intarsia Plaid Sweater.  Ah, there it is, a bit of the crazy, wacky, fun side of Boden.  Look at that plaid--on the bias!  In bright colors!  Looking a bit 1970s!  :-)  Not sure what this will be--will it sell out because it is so unique and special or will it languish in the stocks waiting desperately for the right Boden customer to see its appeal and buy it?  Any thoughts?

Curzon Coatigan.  I initially wasn't going to include this in my picks, but its shape and color started to grow on me.  I also love how practical it is, especially if you live in a climate where winter may mean days where a true winter jacket is unnecessary most of the time.  Or for those of you in true winter climates, this topper would be great for indoor wear or for in the car whilst driving.  (I hate having a thick coat on when driving--what a pain!)

Charlotte Top. This top is very wacky, but it appeals to me.  I *think* I may be able to get this on sale later in the season, and I hope to.  I didn't even notice it until I saw the model wearing it (see the photo at the top of the post), but it looks really cute on her.  I love the plaid fabric with the darling eyelet.  I wonder if they took eyelet fabric and dyed it to have plaid or if they took plaid fabric and made the eyelets.  Any sewing fans have a clue on how this was done?

Chepstow Top.  In basket right now.  Will not let this one sell out like it did last year before I can get my hands on it.  I thought for sure this peasant style jersey top would be a dud last year and one month after it debuted I took a look at its item page only to be dismayed that almost all the colors and sizes were sold out.  Sad!  This year I plan on being a happy camper early on...of course knowing Boden, they overordered and I will see a TON of stock well into next winter's clearance time.  ;-)

Long Sleeve Breton. This top is always popular amongst Boden fans.  Heck, it's even popular amongst non-Boden people*.  I have a lot of Breton stripes in my closet (most supplied by J. Crew if I am being honest), but this color combo is really fresh and a bit different than what you usually see.  Even though I love it, not going to be buying it as, again, so many stripes already in my wardrobe.

*Why is it that when Boden was gifting all those items last year to all those "well-known" bloggers that they all chose the Breton top?  I started to roll my eyes every time I saw a blogger picking the Breton again and again and again.  If the c/o item was an actual "wow that's a Boden item," then I silently cheered them on for picking something that you can't find elsewhere (bonus points if it was an embroidered fun item).  The Breton people, btw, seem to have moved on from Boden since then.  Surprise!  ;-)  (But all of this can be discussed later, lol.)

Lottie Top.  I want to but this to wear to bed since it looks so comfy.  (Modal and Cottton jersey blend--YUM!)  But if it is going to be an item I wear as pajamas, I probably should wait for a really good discount.  I mean I guess I could wear it out in real life, but I really really really want it for loungewear!

Metallic Organza Top.  This is another top set to roll out in August.  I can tell you that from a sewing perspective, this top is not all that difficult to sew up, even with the underlayer, but that fabric is darn expensive, which explains the cost. (Say that with a discount this fabric is $10 a yard, which makes this top $15--1.5 yards estimated, but that $15 is before adding on the underlayer fabric, labor, marketing, etc.)  Even though it is all poly, all poly and organza does not mean bad quality.  Take a look at some of these poly organza items from B&J fabrics to see what I mean.  I purchased this spring's Embroidered Flower Top and will see how I like that one before I even consider this one, but I will say this one's beautiful floral embroidery is exceptionally lovely and would look amazing with a nice pair of slim black wool trousers and a pair of well-made ballet flats.

Paris Blouse.  I know last year's Paris Blouse had its fans, so I would be a bad Boden blogger if I didn't include this year's version, but I would have anyway since the fabric features little swans, all cuddled up, just so.  Because of the design, you would think it would read young, but from afar, you can barely tell what they are, and because of the wise color choices, all of the blouses are fine for someone older than ten to wear out and about.  The black and white version above is especially chic.

It features a relaxed fit, but is all viscose (woven--very shrinkable, be warned).  If you own this and have seen how much it shrinks and would like to chime in, please do!

The Shirt. Have to finish the picks with this button-up featuring British guards and the Union Jack.  Since I am getting the Pattern Sweater, I will not be buying this shirt, but if you are an Anglophile, you could always buy both and wear them together.  I would then live vicariously through you.  ;-)

Okay that's it for today.  I am saving the best of womenswear for last, tomorrow I will publish my picks on coats/jackets, shoes, and accessories.  This upcoming season features some amazing finds in all three categories.

If you would like to buy a popback from the diminishing discount, I provided a link below just in case you need it!

Boden: Catch of the Day Begins! Today 25% Off Knits, Tops, and Tees!

Hello!  I hope everyone had a happy weekend, and if you celebrated, a very Happy Easter.  We are currently on spring break, so I am actually typing this from a place that won't surprise any of you longtime readers of My Superfluities, Disneyworld in Florida.  :-)  What a surprise! 

Like our family annual journeys to see the Mouse, you can also count on Boden to have a "Catch of the Day" set of sales for a week every season, and today starts this season's.

UPDATE: I tried to get this coupon to work, but when I went to the checkout page, craziness came!  One item was at the reduced price, but the other wasn't.  So I went back and tried again with the link, and again, craziness.  Now both weren't working.  Well, huh.  Anyhow, it should all work out 'cause I have seen Boden's FB page light up when something doesn't work, but I wanted you to be aware of it in the meantime.  I will let you know when I can if they have fixed it.

UPDATE, PART TWO: Okay, I tried adding just one item and it properly reduced that price. So maybe you can add one item at a time and check out that way? It is free shipping and returns, so no harm, no foul, and I bet if Boden keeps seeing individual items being checked out, they may hone in on a problem. 

Up first are tops, tees, and knitwear, and of all the sales they have during the Catch of the Day week, this one usually is the most popular because everyone usually has their eyes on these kind of items for their wardrobe.  I have a few of the items in this day's sale, and I will briefly review them for you so you can decide if you had your eyes on any of the ones I have purchased.  There is also a good chance one of the recent BWRR has a review of whatever item you are interested in, so definitely check them out, too.  And, sometimes folks add reviews to my Boden reviews tab, and will be there ready to be read before I take the information and put them in a BWRR.  (Hint--to get the comments that are newest at that tab, make sure to click the header that says "sort by newest.")  There are no new comments as of this morning, but that can change throughout the week, so it never hurts to look.

Okay, as a reminder, the Catch of the Day is all you have right now.  So if you had you had hoped to use my 15% off coupon that was in the blog's sidebar for the last week, it isn't working, instead it reverts to the Catch of the Day promo.  So to avoid confusion, I took that coupon down for the week.  I have kept up the "new customer, receive a bag, and 10% off," since that appears to still work.  Now you won't get 10% extra off the Catch of the Day items, but if you had hoped to get an item and need it ASAP, that will still give you a *teeny* discount.  (And if you truly are a new customer, you will receive the bag, too!)

Regarding the tops in the sale that I have tried, most are winners, so I can fully give my thumbs up, but there are, as usual, things to keep in mind.


Silky Vintage Top--I chose to purchase the green leafy version in a size 6.  This was my absolute favorite from the rollout, but I haven't had a chance to wear it in real life.  The sizing is accurate, if a touch loose.  I wouldn't go down to a 4, though, since it is made from a rayon, which we know means there will eventually be some shrinkage.  It also features a row of self-fabric buttons down the back.  It is very retro and reminds me strongly of my grandmother's wardrobe from the 50s and 60s.


Must Have Tee--Already wrote a review of this one with a few photos.  Check out the review here.  Here is a post featuring it in an outfit of the day.  :-)

Button Back Sweater--Wrote up a review here.  (Use link in name of item, affiliate program does not have this item in its directory, sigh.)

Do you have any favorites that are on sale today?  Definitely let us know in the comments.

If you happen to see that Boden has fixed the shopping bag page issue, as well, I would welcome you all letting us know in the comments, too!  

Thank you and we'll talk soon!

Boden: Catch of the Day! Tops and Tees!

Good Wednesday morning, all!

I am going to keep this short and sweet since I have plans to do this week's BWRR this afternoon and if I am going to get it all organized, I better get a move on!

The deal for the "catch" is the same as it has been the past few days.  Selected items are up to 25% off.  I only choose items for these blog posts that are the full 25% off.  Some of the items I choose may be the only color that is on sale at the 25% off, while with other items, all colors may be 25% off.

If you decide you want to try something in addition to the items that are 25% off, my blog's sidebar coupon will still get you 15% off (with free shipping) on any item not included in the "catch" sale.

Okay, onto the few picks I have from today's sale!

Alice Lace Top.  This is one that I own, having purchased it in the preview.  This shade and the ivory are the only ones at 25% off, while the grey and navy are 15% off.  I found this top true to size, and very soft, with a pretty cotton lining.  The green shade is actually a true emerald, so very pretty.

I have read the reviews and many women are saying it is too boxy, and I would agree with that to a degree.  I had envisioned the top would fit me the way it fits both the fit model and the catalog model and it does fit like it does on them.  I think it fits them a bit boxy, so if you prefer a more fitted look, size down unless you have larger ladies (since this top is most fitted at the bustline).

I could review this top in today's BWRR or I could review the Heritage Sweater below, but I won't have time to do an IRL review of both, so if you have a strong preference, please let me know.

Heritage Sweater.  Like the Alice Lace Top, I purchased this one in preview.  I am surprised to see it in the 25% off sale, since I thought this particular sweater was the biggest hit from Boden this fall, but I guess you need to really like hummingbirds and/or fishing lures (the other color features that) to want this sweater.  Oh, well.  :-)

I have a photo of this one at this blog post with a written review of it, however if you *really* want to see this one in real life, let me know and I will feature this as an IRL instead of the Alice Lace top.

Tuileries Top.  I find this yellow intriguing, so I threw this one in the picks today.  It is a viscose/silk blend, and some of the reviews are a bit wary since the top is a bit sheer, however I could see this looking beyond adorable with a cute cami under it, and tucked into a sleek pencil skirt.

All colors of this top are on sale, btw.

Olivia Top. This one is from the Johnnie b. line and reminds me of something we would see at Anthropologie.  If you can wear a women's smaller size (say 0-8), you might be able to make this one work on you.  I looked at the measurements, and while the size 15-16 would fit, I would size up to the 16+ so it could be a bit more flowy and free.  (My measurements are 35, 28.5, 40.5.)  It is viscose, too, so that would worry me since viscose does shrink, even when you baby it in the wash.

Both shades are in the sale.

Evie Bag.  This bag in all colors is inexplicably in the "tops and tees" sale today.  I guess if you want this bag, you are in luck.  :-)  I have this navy shade and since I had actually been searching for a navy bag for years (no one really makes them anymore), I bought it in preview. 

I would say it is "regular" purse sized, much smaller than many of the bags I use, but definitely bigger than a clutch.  I don't have plans to use the strap since I think it looks clunky, but it is nice to have that as an option.

Okay, that's all for now...let me know if you have a preference for a review of the Alice Lace top or the Heritage sweater.

Save up to 25% off with Boden's Catch of the Day Sale!

Boden: Summer 2013 Preview Picks. Part Two of Two.

As promised in yesterday's post, my 1000th (OMG!!!) post would be my Boden Summer 2013 Preview picks, part two of two.

For more information on the summer preview, do head on over to my post from yesterday.  (It also contains all of my dress, accessories, and knitwear choices.)

BTW, before I begin, I went over to the Boden FB page and begged them to "pretty please with sugar on top" put the garment measurements on their clothes so that those of us that aren't models can choose wisely from the preview before the preview 20% off code expired.  Well, they listened!  Woo.  I feel pretty excited that social media can work that well.  :)

Okay, here are my picks from shoes, skirts, and tops.

Breton Sweatshirt.  Well, it's official, Boden has now made the Breton in every shape and fabric possible.  :)

This doesn't mean that the derivative style is played out, though.  Really...there is nothing wrong with loving stripes in a heavier weight for the cooler days.  (I would not choose this for summer around here, but I would happily buy this now and wear it now until April.)

As with other Boden sweatshirts, I would probably size down to a 4 rather than a 6, since all of my other sweatshirts in the 6 are too large.

This particular style will likely sell out, since this is the first time they have offered the Breton in this style.

Jersey Maxi Skirt.  I don't need another maxi skirt, since the one I have in navy is fine for now, but I do highly recommend buying one if you think it would suit your frame and lifestyle.  I love how easy, yet vaguely elegant the longer swishy skirt feels in midsummer.

I don't care for the way they styled it in this shot, but I have a feeling many of you lovely Boden fans could come up with some awesome ideas.

Marcy Top.  If you like the look of the lace dress and can't either a) afford it, or b) imagine yourself in that dress, then this darling little top may be a great substitute.  And as a bonus it can go from casual to dressy very easily. 

This one will probably sell out in this shade since the model looks so beautiful wearing it.

Off Duty Mini.  Boden sure likes the name "off duty," huh?  Anyhow, I love staples in a wardrobe, even if I personally only own a handful myself (I guess I have a penchant for the unusual).  This skirt can pair with all sorts of tops, and in a pinch (provided you buy the long length) could work in an office environment as well.

Oh, and it has pockets!

Penny Loafers.  I suspect this shade of nude will actually be darker in real life, which to me, is better, since I would prefer a pair of shoes to be just a bit darker than my skin tone.  This pair could be an incredible addition to most wardrobes since it clearly would work in all seasons.  I would wear them with a darling printed mini and graphic tee, with no socks.

All leather construction, of course.  Boden is one of the last mass market retailers still doing this, so thank you, Johnnie, for not cutting corners there.

Piped Short Sleeve Top.  I adore this shape and print, but it is a viscose, so I will reserve judgement until all the reviews are in.  The other colors are pretty, too, but this shade (mid grey/purple) is my most favorite.

Spotty Bow Espadrille.  I know you all, and I bet 25% of you just went, "oooooooh, I want those!"  Cute as can be, right?  The bow, the dots, the slight wedge.  Girly and over the top, and that's okay.  :)

T-Bar Demi Wedges.  Consider these leather sandals as the practical, yet cool, antidote to the bow espadrilles above.  While the bow espadrilles are perfectly at home in a garden party and brunch, these demi wedges are exactly right for strolling on the boardwalk and at late night tapas meals.  (Can you tell I need a vacation?)

Textured Party Top.  If the Clara dress from yesterday was too expensive or was just a little too "Mrs. Brady" for you, then maybe you should consider the top made from the same fabric?  My favorite bit is the cap sleeve.

Okay, that's it!  I enjoyed compiling my lists, and thank you for having the patience to allow me to create two separate posts.  :)

Do you have any picks from the shoes, tops, or skirts?