Boden: Terese Jersey Dress Review, Diminishing Discount Sale, and Fall Preview 2017!

Hi, all!  Happy Sunday.  :-)

I received a postcard in the mail when I returned home that announced that Boden was going to start a diminishing discount sale today (as did many of you, including Keilexendra, thanks for the tip in last post's comment section).  From today until Thursday, Boden has 25% off all current season items.  After that, it reduces to 20% off, and finally tapering off to 10% off.  You do need to use the code 5N3R.  There is a link to it in the sidebar, as well as the bottom of this post.

I have plans (hopefully not best laid and gone to waste) to publish daily until Thursday with reviews of items I have purchased but have not reviewed.  I always wear all my Boden items immediately (or when the weather becomes appropriate to wear them), and can get them onto Instagram easily enough, but doing any sort of in-depth reviews, well, meh, life happens and it gets pushed down.

Before I do the review, I also received an email telling me that I could order from the Fall Preview 2017.  I plan to do a picks post (as per usual), but since the 20% off code doesn't expire until mid-May, I'll do the picks post a bit later on.  :-)

Today's review will be for the Terese Jersey Dress, which I bought when Boden had the last big sale (the one where we could take the additional % off, I wrote about it here).  I was attracted to it, but wasn't sure what it was I liked about it.  It probably is the color more than the print, but after wearing it today, I definitely am glad I purchased it.

Terese Jersey Dress.  Size 8 regular.  I decided to go for an 8 (one size up from what I normally wear in their jersey dresses) and in the regular length (I normally wear long in their dresses).  I know that the lyocell fabric is very clingy and I just prefer it not be insanely skin tight (just fitted, thankyouverymuch).

I was having issues editing these photos this morning. I think the combo of the deep pink/red of the dress and the light green of the trees meant my camera's white balance was thrown off.  I tried my best, but I think this photo is the best at showing the colors of the dress the best, but be aware that the flowers are mint green and light blue and that is not showing at all in these photos.

I love the length of this dress.  It would have been three inches longer in the long, and I don't think I would like the dress that long.

I do also really like the detail at the waist, it really nips everything there, so if you like details like that, you will definitely appreciate the way they do it here.

This is a dress that shows off your curves, so buyer beware if you prefer a looser fit, especially from the back.  This is only balanced looking on me because the sleeves are longer, so it fools the eye into thinking the top half of my body even comes close to matching my lower half (the bane of the pear shape, ugh).

This dress is sold out in some of the sizes in the blue colorway, and some of the pink/red sizes are in backorder status.

One of the reviews mentioned how nice it would be to have this in some solid colors, and I definitely agree.  I'd love this in a green, red, or teal.

Okay, that's it for today.  I think I may wear the Classic Shirt (I purchased the beach conversational one) or my Richmond 7/8 pant (I bought those in the crazy floral colorway).  It's meant to be raining and raw both Monday and Tuesday, and both of these will keep me warm and also allow me to feel sunny and colorful, even if the weather here doesn't agree.  :-/

Remember to use the code 5N3R to receive the 25% off until Thursday.

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: 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: 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: Fall 2016 Preview! And a Couple of Picks!

Textured Knit Skirt (here) and Textured Knit Top (here)

Before I start in on the Fall (Autumn) 2016 Boden Preview, I wanted to let you all know what I have been up to in my life.  :-)  As you may remember from last year, I made a full suit for my son for his First Holy Communion.

Well this year was CW's turn, and I made her a very fancy pants lace dress for her First Holy Communion.  Hers, though, is mine cloaked in lace.  I knew I wanted her to wear my original 1980s dress (which was also handmade for me), but it was needing an update.  At some point, I will write up a post on it since it took nearly as long as it took me to make Rex's suit, but it will be a bit.  Still working a lot, still sewing a lot, and still running around a lot.  I make amends with the blog every couple of weeks, but it definitely doesn't feel like enough.

Okay, so onto the Boden Preview.  When CC first mentioned it in the comments in this post, I went immediately to the site and nearly sobbed over the boring.  I was all, "that's it, they have officially determined they want nothing to do with the Boden they used to be, and I may just have to sit in a corner and sew up some happy dresses in Swedish folk prints instead."  (Which I probably still will do, lol.)

Today I realized I hadn't gone back, and they definitely updated from that first visit.  There are some really cute items, and I actually have a basket full of items.  I haven't done that in years!  That doesn't mean I will pull the trigger (don't love the way they charge cards for preview orders), but I know that I will likely want a few things this fall from them.

There is a code for 20% and it is 5D9T.  I don't get affiliate commissions on preview sales, so I know I can legitimately give the code.  :-)  (I can only give current season codes that the affiliate program gives me, I have one right now, it's in the sidebar and the bottom of this post.)

My picks list is short, but mainly out of necessity of time, which I only have spare bits of in each day.  I hope that you all will add your favorites to the list in the comments!

I obviously love the Textured Knit Top and Skirt at the top of this post, but I hesitate trying it myself with my pear shape.  I may give it a go, but I will probably hold off for the time being.

High Neck Top (here)

It's kind of weird, but so is my style.  I love the severe cut, and would definitely pair it with sleek pants (think cigarette shape) or a cute knit a-line skirt (tucked in, of course).  It also has pockets (!!!).

Mia Top (here)

This is a pretty little mid-century inspired silhouette with a fun print that isn't too wild.  It has a design in the back that reminds me of the back of my Martha dress (review here), and so maybe this is this year's name for the Martha of the past two years?

Fab Fit Tweed Blazer (here)

I love the Moon collaborations with Boden.  I own a few items from this partnership, and I adore them.  They wear well, come in beautiful shades, and are well priced for the craftsmanship and fabric.  This year's blazer is very modern-looking with its especially pointed lapels (they thinned them out, too).

Floral Ponte Dress (here)

I am always such a sucker for a border print, and in a ponte, well yum.  Body forgiving fabric, in a green ponte, with a border print?  Well, I am sold.

Hannah Seam Detail Dress (here)

I don't about this shape for me personally, but the pockets and the print are awesome.  The print is wee little birdies (that from far away read as an abstract).  Swoon.

High Neck Dress (here)

Sister to the High Neck top (above), this is just as beautiful, and because this color combo is more sedate, it is also more appealing to more people.  I am almost 110% sure my body shape wouldn't work with this style, but if it ends up coming up in the reviews it fits pear shapes well, I will definitely bite.

Lucinda Knit Dress (here)

It is the updated version of the Amelie Dress (see it here on me) that I know many of us loved.  This is super cute, but the colors are pretty blah, and I already own more than enough grey knit dresses for ten women, so I will say no.

Mia Knit Jersey Tunic Dress (here)

This is the second appearance of a Mia in this picks post.  :-)  I don't think this especially looks like my style or what I expect from Boden, but I dig it and want it.

So there were no accessories or shoes on show for us, and with the expiration of the 20% off code happening in a few days time (the 13th is the last date you can use it), I don't think they will have any on show for us this time around.

For those of you interested in current season styles/discounts for it, below is the link to the current sale.  You have to use code 3K9M to receive the 15% off, though.