Boden Reviews: An Anna, a Hannah, and a Mia.

Hello, all!  I wanted to get this post out before the "birthday" diminishing discount sale ends on Thursday night.

I have only bought a smattering of items from fall and winter.  Like I mentioned in my picks post for Boden's Spring 2017 preview, I really am not feeling the love for Boden this season.  The items I have from fall and winter are wonderful, they just are not "knock my socks off" wonderful.  To be honest, I am glad for them specifically because they are more conservative and allow me to have easy, comfortable, modest clothing for my job as a teacher in my school.

That being said, the current sale is pretty good if you have items you will wear now or are selling out.  The link to the sale is in the bottom of this post, but also in the sidebar.  You do need to use the code 8Y3R to receive 25% off the items, though.  The 25% is not off any clearance items or any items that are more than 25% off.

Reviews:

Anna Dress. Size 6 Regular.  I love this mix of prints, and the retro look to the dress is appealing.  It is a perfect "Catholic School teacher" dress.  If I had bought the long, it would have been even more modest, so keep that in mind.  This is a very covered up dress.  :-)

Like all jersey dresses from Boden, this fits the way I expect it to, so the 6 was the right call for my frame.

This side view shows the mix of prints nicely.  The prints are very "feed bag" looking, and I am reminded of 40s prints when I see them.  The green is more muted than it appears on the model below.  I think I prefer this teal color, but I was expecting something more vibrant and green.

The sash is sooooooooo long.  SO LONG.  I don't love its length, but it did up nicely enough, and the wrap effect at the front was pretty.

Here is my Instagram shot.

Anna Dress.  See how bright that green is?  Anyhow, the dress is nowhere near selling out, so unless you need it, or you need the modesty for your job, give this a pass till a better % comes along.  :-)

Mia Jersey Tunic. Size 6 Long.  This was one from my summer preorder that came through in August.  It has just gotten cool enough to justify wearing it.  I do really like this one, especially how the "lines" are placed just so, and with the seaming, I feel like my shape is framed well.

This is a touch on the tighter side, but the tighter side is up top, where I do not carry my weight, so it works for my pear shape.  The sleeves are slender, as is the shoulder and bust area, so definitely bear this in mind if you have the triangle shape.

I definitely don't love my choice of white socks with loafers, but I lol-ed when an Instagram friend said I was channeling Michael Jackson.  All I needed was a singular sparkly glove.

It comes to mid-thigh, and as this is the long, I know I can only wear it with leggings to teach.  I could maybe get away with thick tights and flats for going out, but not for school.  If you are shorter (I'm 5'8), you could make this work as a dress if you order the long.

The color is a mix of olive greens and greys and black.  

Here is the Instagram shot.

Mia Jersey Tunic. I think I may be the only one who loves this.  It is very much in stock.  Super fun to wear, and I definitely think this is in my top three of this season, but I am solo loving it, apparently.

Hannah Seam Detail Dress.  Size 8 Long.  This reminds me so much of the Hartland, I suspect they just renamed it and did something to it with regards to the pockets.  I was attracted to the birdies on the print (see photo below), and not the silhouette, but in the end the dress fits better than I thought it would, though it is very large in the bodice compared to the room I have below the waist.  It isn't so extreme that I can't wear the dress, but I feel like I should be wearing a size 36D bra to make this one work properly. (I wear a 32B by comparison.)  You can really see how much it sags in the next photo.

But it is a good choice for my lifestyle, and I enjoy wearing it, so it's a keeper.

The birdies!  And the sagging bodice area, lol.

The cord fabric is so soft and it is a bit stretchy.

Hannah Seam Detail Dress.  See girlfriend above has no curves like I do, so she can wear the size 2 properly.  My bust would probably best work in the 2 (redonk), but my hips need the 8.  Oh, pear shape...

This dress is also not a huge hit, but seems to be doing better than the Anna or the Mia.  The green Hannah is fully stocked, but some of the other colors are not.

Here is my Instagram shot.

Below is a link to the sale.  Do any of you have any good choices to share?  BTW, don't forget to use the code 8Y3R:

Boden: Spring 2017 is Live! And Some Picks!

Oh, work.  You vixen. 

I was actually over the moon excited about the new Boden preview (I received the email last Tuesday), and I really really wanted to share it with you all here, but dang it all, I had to you know, grade, plan, sleep, etc., so I decided I should probably wait since I like the money I get and I do actually really like the job.  So I put off my desire to share and waited.  :-)

There are some really adorable, sweet, pretty pieces for Spring 2017.  FINALLY, BODEN.  Finally!  They seem to have remembered the things that initially drew people to them and designed items for those of us that truly love quirky, colorful patterns in flattering, feminine silhouettes.

The email included a code, and since the preview is not affiliate related, I can share with you (normally I am bound to share only affiliate created coupons and codes).  It is 4M2V.  It gives you 20% off with free shipping and returns. It also expires October 28.

Tomorrow, Boden will be having a new sale, the diminishing discount sort.  It will mean that your basket (barring clearance items or items more than 25% off) will be reduced by 25% off.  This will go till Thursday.  I have a coupon for it at the bottom of this post and I will make sure to update the sidebar of the blog before tomorrow morning.  (I think I can also do a very quick review post, too, of items I have purchased over the past few months--a lot less than I used to, but there are still a few cute items to be had.)

Onto the (VERY) pretty:

Fleur Fitted Dress. Come on.  Swoon.  The border print is used so exquisitely in both versions.  LOVE.  As I own this Martha Dress, I think I will preorder the navy and red version.  It is made from a lovely stretch cotton blend, so I know it will be perfect, as most of their stretch cotton blend items are.

Martha Top.  This lovely print also shows up in a non-border print version as a top. 

Isabelle Dress.  This print is very Boden.  It has the punchy colors, bold florals, and tailoring we {{had}} come to expect before Boden decided to become Britain's purveyor of a whole lot of blah.  I mean we all know they have had winners over the past few years, but the items were not as plentiful and you had to seek them out amongst the sad-looking tees and frumpy trousers. 

Philippa Top.  Yep, the punchy colors are reversed on this stunning little number.

Riviera Skirt.  This is the one item that reminds me most of Boden circa 2008.  The lines are a bit more fitted (the fun skirts of the past were a bit more bell shaped), but the return to this kind of skirt with a nice friendly pattern is welcome (by a whole lot of us who read or write here). 

Martha Dress. This print is verdant and reminds me of being in a lush growth of watercress.  I love the Martha Dress (I bought my last one in a size 8 regular, which is true to size and not a long, which I normally choose). 

Rita Ruched Dress. Instead of buying the green Martha dress, I am going to get this ruched dress instead, which features a border print in a precious pink floral.  It is a lyocell knit, so I am going to size up to an 8 R instead of a 6 R as the lyocell combined with this fitted silhouette may be too tight for my frame, especially my lower half.

Riva Jacquard Dress.  Okay, I know this seems more current Boden than that of what they have done in the past, but I do see a need for dresses like this in a lot of our wardrobes.  I personally love having a structured, forgiving knit dress in a comfortable shape, that features pockets, for my daily teaching work.  The red color is also very alluring, and is a right pick-me-up.  It does appear to be very tomato colored, so if you are a cool coloring, then this may be too warm of a red.  (It doesn't seem to be that true red that all skin tones can wear.)

Posy Shirt Dress.  I am not preordering it, but I really wonder if I should since most of the cute printed shirtdresses made by Boden sell out right away?  This is a print of a botanical garden so unusual and unexpected.  This print in the skirt reminds me a whole lot of this seaside skirt from J. Crew back in their golden years.  Love!

Marina Dress.  This dress would get a whole lot of action in my closet.  I could wear it with tights and a cardigan in winter, but leave it be with sandal for summer.  I don't think it will sell out so I will wait to buy it, but it is on my list to purchase.

Isla Dress.  What a special garment!  I love the mix of the darker print with the lighter one.  It is a print and not a jacquard.  Sometimes jacquard fabrics have a reverse weave on the back and so you can use both sides in a garment much like this.  I think, though, a process like that would have made this a whole lot more expensive, as jacquard fabrics are much pricier than stretch cottons.  (Also not super spring or summer friendly!)

Lily Ponte Dress.  It's the big sister of my Floral Ponte dress.  :-)  I do really like this one, too, but I think I have to hold off and hope for reviews before it sells out, since my curvy lower half is not really suited to this kind of shape.  I need to know more about how it fits before purchase.

Lolly Dress.  This bird print seems very subdued from this vantage point, but if you zoom on in, they are really cute.  This dress also has pockets.  :-)

Lucia Dress.  So simple, but so elegant, so lovely, and so utterly perfect in linen for a summer night out.  Yes!  Good, Boden!

Off Duty Slim Jogger.  Haha, I know, I know.  But I love them.  And I would wear them.  All weekend long.  (With the tee below.)

Juliette Top.  They are birds!  Wearing sailor hats.  Oh, so so cute.  This is a Johnnie b top, so it will only fit if you can wear a women's size 6 or smaller (the 15-16 is equivalent to a large 6 or small 8).

There is a lot more to love.  Definitely check it out. 

Anyone else as jazzed about the return of the Boden we all know and love?  (And I really hope they read my gushing review so they know some of us are really stoked!)

Here is the link to the current diminishing discount sale at Boden, 25% off for their 25th birthday. You must use code 8Y3R to get the 25% off! 

Boden Reviews: Ottoman A-Line, an Alisa, and a Patti!

I won't bore you all with too many details, but yes, I am alive, yes, I am fine, and yes, I am definitely a full-time teacher with three kids.  It's a bit insane.  If you've been here, you get it.  ;-)

Okay, so Boden sent out a postcard saying there would be an "up to 40% off" sale starting today, but it wasn't until today that I realized it was a mid-season sale.  (MID-SEASON!  CRAY!  It's been a fast few months!)

The sale is decent!  I think there is a bit of a lag in sales based on what is in the sale (a lot) and how much of it is reduced to the 30-40% off.  I have plans to ask for a discount adjustment as I made an order last night (I had a voucher set to expire), and though I received 20% off, the two items I purchased are now 30% off.  Does anyone else get the sense that barring a few items, very little is selling well?

Anyhow, links are in the usual places, in the sidebar and at the bottom of this post.

Onto the reviews!

Ottoman A-Line Dress. Size 6 L.  I LOVE this color, but I wasn't so sure about the dress initially.  It came off as a bit blah, a bit frumpy, but I am glad I held onto it.  It needs major accessories and such to be a good item.  Since I usually wear prints, I am also a bit uncomfortable with that much solid color all over me.  But I do really like the look with the scarf, the shoes, and the sunglasses. 

I think I will like it even more in the winter with a cute long necklace and burgundy tights and a pair of low heels. 

It is a bit big, the 6 L is almost a touch too big all over, and I normally wear an 8 in these ponte dresses, simply because I would prefer my lumps be skimmed over than on display.  (I don't have that issue with the viscose spandex jerseys they make, their fabric there is very beefy and does many good things for my curves instead of showing the not so awesome bits off.)

The L is not that long, so if you are truly very tall, this will likely hit at mid-thigh.  At 5'8" and a lot of leg (my outseam is 42"), I am at three inches above my knee, which is the highest I'll go for school or mass.

It didn't stretch out the way other of their ottoman ponte dresses have, so big thumbs up there.  They might have decreased the cotton and increased the spandex content to achieve that.

Ottoman A-Line Dress.  This dress is not selling that well.  The green is doing fabulously well selling, but the pretty lighter pink version I am wearing is fully stocked.  I wonder if it is a pink thing, but I am here to sing the praises of its loveliness!  (It is also 40% off!)

Alisa Dress. Size 6 Petite.  I did buy the petite.  I did not want a midi dress, and though I know that is what they meant for the dress to be, I know that this style dress (higher neck, short sleeves, and full skirt) will definitely, for sure, look very frumpy on me.  NOPE.  I did the whole "sister wife" thing back in the '90s, and not going there again! 

Anyhow, the good:

1. It is a very cute design, like little dandelions or bubbles.  The blue color is very flattering and neither too soft or too bright.

2. The length in the petite is fine for my frame, a couple inches above the knee.

3. The waist was high on me, which I need as I have a short torso.  (This is like a "bad" for most of you.)

The bad:

1. See #3 above if you are long-waisted. 

2. The material is a bit odd, I like crepey rayons, but this one is more sheer than the ones they have used in the past.

3. The pink is nearly see-through.  I immediately sent it back as I didn't want any underwear on display (I wear nude for the most part, but if sunlight were to peek through my legs, you would see the outline of my legs).

4. I personally was fine with the shoulder and neck fit, but it was bordering on tight.  I have a size 6 upper body (sometimes a 4) at Boden, so beware when buying, especially if you have a larger upper body.

5. There are zippers at the shoulders.  They were weird.  I would rather they be super visible, or not there at all.  Or just add a darn zipper somewhere else for access.  Seriously!

Back View. This material was very rumpled on first inspection. I did spray it with water and hang it to dry, but I definitely haven't ever seen that in most rayon crepe I have encountered.  Odd odd stuff here.

I am keeping it, it does seem to work for me, but this is my cautionary tale if you have particular things that drive you crazy, I'd rather you not buy and be saved the return. 

Alisa Dress.  The blue is selling far better than the pink.  (Umm, lining, Boden, ever think about it as a possibility?)  This dress is at 30% off.

Patti Flat Point. Size 40.5.  Love these!  And though they are a decent price now, I am so glad I bought them when since they are all sold out in my size (I prefer the 40.5 to the 41 for my size 9.5 foot as I have a very narrow foot, and the 41 is often too wide).

I especially love that they match so many of my outfits, since apparently I own about 3,989,513 items in this deep peacock color. 

The comfort level was fine, but I definitely had to apply bandages to the back of my feet after wearing them all day while teaching today (no socks, fwiw).  Usually it's a one day issue, as the leather stretches out in length enough that I never have to do that after the first day.  I know, for sure, the 41 would have been too wide as the 40.5 width was perfection.

So I say going normal size for length and width, but if your feet do run a touch wide, maybe size up one to compensate for this width being potentially more narrow than other Boden shoes.

The dress I am in is the Clementine Jacquard Dress, Jade/Dusty Pink, Boden, which oddly enough, is still available at Boden (it is from Fall 2015). 

It's a good design.  The point is very feminine, but not an absurd point that can look comical.  The coverage on the toes is nice, as I am not the hugest fan of toe cleavage (I find I look pointy or something, and I don't love my toe cleavage, lol).

Patti Flat Point. This color and the yellow are nearly sold out.  The others are not selling as well.  These are all at 40% off, which is a very good price for what you get.

Okay, that's all.  It may be another nearly two months before I can post again, but really, sincerely, I hope I am able to do a post earlier than that.  :-)  Missed you all!

Hey, it's creepy bent neck girl! But click on her and you will get to the sale. :-)

Made by Me File: Vogue Couturier 2439. It's a Valentino!

You can pretty much guarantee that if I am silent here AND on Instagram, I probably have been delving deep in sewing, and that was for sure the case this past week and weekend.  (I haven't even used Instagram from Saturday forward, and I blame the oversaturation of sewing for that, as Instagram couldn't be any easier to use.)

Anyhow, there is a Vintage Pattern contest running over at Pattern Review, and though I really (honestly!) don't care about winning, I like to have an excuse to make something, and this contest seemed the perfect kick in the behind to get my sewing mojo on and get a dress done in time for school to start (and with the perfect retro flair, the way I really like it).

I have in my stash of patterns this beautiful Vogue Couturier pattern from Valentino from 1970.  I have a real sickness for these older patterns.  There's also the Vogue Paris Original patterns that are lovely, too (I made this LaRoche pattern a few years back).  If I see that one or a few are for sale and they will suit me and fit me, I'll put in a bid on ebay or purchase them outright from Ebay. 

There is a lot of history on Vogue designer patterns, and this very recent (as in yesterday) article from the New York Times explores it a bit.  They even mention Valentino in the article. 

I knew most of what was in the article, but it always bears repeating, the garment on the cover of these patterns ARE the garment as designed and shown by the original designer, and the pattern makers from Vogue use that as their base for their patterns.  So I was basically recreating the original garment that Valentino crafted even before I was born.  This is still true today, and the Anne Klein dress that I copied was from an original from the Anne Klein line.

Obviously I really dig the style and silhouette of the dress and if a current designer or clothing company made a dress like this, I would want to buy it.  The pockets are integrated into the front dress design, and those belt carriers are part of the dress design, and are NOT added as a waistband feature from a waistband pattern piece.  Instead they are part of the dress front and pocket and dart pattern piece.  (All in one.  When you see the instructions below, you will agree with my hesitation in cutting my dress fabric in the convoluted design they wanted me to...of course it worked out, clearly, but I couldn't believe that design would lead to what you see above.)

The dress, as made up, is very pretty, but practical.  I made it from a double knit, so it is very comfortable and stretchy, but the pockets and belt add a level "I didn't know I needed these features until I had them here."  I now want all my dresses to have these details.  Especially the pockets, which are not your typical inseam pockets, hiding from the world.  These are integrated on the front and help showcase the unique seaming. 

Nearly all my belts fit in these carriers, and the fancier, jeweled belts helped create a more formal look, while this patent leather one suited a more casual outing, like teaching school, or going to church.

The mockneck is very comfortable, and though it could read frumpy, the sleeveless and fitted bodice help keep it from looking too dated.

Though I have few plans to wear the cloche with the dress, I did like the look, and would possibly pair the two for the right occasion.  :-)

The back was far less complicated than the front, but I will say the dart that extended from the back yoke to the hip was one of the longest I have ever encountered.  It also integrated the belt carriers into it, so there was a bit of finagling there, too.  There was also an additional back carrier that had to be created by making a welt insertion for the facing piece, and that terrified me that I would place the welt in the wrong place and ruin all my work.

Because my hips are larger than the pattern called for, I had to bring my seam allowances from waist down from 5/8" to 1/2".  If this had not been an a-line skirt, I would have likely had to add allowances to the pattern itself as no straight skirt from this era would ever fit me in a size 12 (the hips on a size 12 are a 34, I am that plus 5!).

The mockneck called for hook/eye closures that are hidden, but I wanted to use a loop/button closure.  I wish the loop was a bit tighter, but I don't think it totally ruins the look of the dress, either.

I love this fabric.  It was exactly right for the job.  The weight of the double knit means I can wear it in non-summer months, but it also meant I didn't have to try a designer pattern from 1970 in a non-stretch woven.  Plus, it even looks a bit like the original Valentino dress fabric (though I know that was likely a brocade of some sort).

Here's a good closeup of the fabric, the carriers, and the pocket detail.  So glad this all worked out.  :-)

Yeah, those are the (dang) clear directions.  But look at the illustration for #2, that was the shape I had to cut.  I mean, it makes sense how that becomes what you see on me, but it does require a bit of a leap of faith that it will all work out.

If you would like to see my pattern review, it is here.

In other news...before I even started my pretty Valentino dress, I had to complete this ridiculous Piranha costume.  I used Simplicity 2853 for the pattern, and yeah, I recognize it doesn't look a thing like the pattern shows.  That was because I took a lot of liberties with the design.  It all worked out and the swim team LOVED it (or was scared, rightly so).  What a monstrosity.  LOL.  :-)

Okay, that's all for now.  I hope all of you are doing well, and I'll be back soon.