Boden Fall Preview 2014

AHHH! I WANT TO BUY IT ALL!!!!

Okay, aside from the fact I cannot possibly buy it all, I found that there are some trends that I simply adore I cannot find on this side of the "pond" - and I think I'm willing to pay the duties and shipping for them too!

There simply is not an equivalent to this style that I love here. I've tried the J. Crew and the BR and left usually empty handed and generally frustrated. 

Things I love:

  • Bold patterns in neutral colours that are easy to mix and match
  • Navy, plum purple and other jewel toned colours
  • Machine washable
  • Fully lined dresses
  • Knee-length (or longer!)
  • Actual measurements 
  • Quirky patterns (bird trench!)
  • Natural fabrics

I'm glad there are still days in No Buy July so I can sort out my priorities and see what I can order. Boden is still pretty pricey even on sale; although their summer stuff is marked down quite a bit! I need to sleep on it to make sure I get the best "bang" for my buck!

Maybe I should fly to the UK with an empty suitcase? :)

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32 Comments

  • annagybe replied 9 years ago

    Love the plaid dress for you.

  • viva replied 9 years ago

    I think this company was made for you, Lynn. Echoing Anna on that plaid dress. Love it -- the color is amazing.

  • E replied 9 years ago

    I often covet clothes from British lines & can't seem to find any North American equivalent (like Toast: what is the US version of Toast?!), which makes me grumpy. So I'll be on the YLF charter flight with you! ;)

    I actually just got a pair of Boden trousers from Ebay that fit me perfectly and make me want more of their clothes, although their general style isn't perfectly aligned with mine. All of the choices you show are lovely & definitely seem Lyn-like! Do they not have a Canadian equivalent (like their US site)? If it helps, I'm happy to play courier.

  • carter replied 9 years ago

    Funny! That's basically what I did last month (at least with a partially empty suitcase)! It took 2 trains and a walk through a rather seedy neighborhood to get there, but we made it! My husband thought I had lost my mind. All that, and I only bought one item! My husband bought 2. The cut of their clothing just isn't right for me, but I love it all. Wish it loved me back the way it does you!

  • UmmLila (Lisa) replied 9 years ago

    The Boden style suits you very well, Lyn. And apologies id I have nagged you on this subject before, but I find the shoulders of their garments to run rather small and their busts to run rather large.

    I really like that plum ravello dress, also.

  • Kristin L replied 9 years ago

    They're all so pretty! I like the plaid one and the last, striped dress.  

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    Great looks, Lynn. I had a little peek myself: 

  • Alana in Canada replied 9 years ago

    Oh pitter pat, be still my heart.

  • lyn* replied 9 years ago

    Anna & Viva - I love the plaid Amy dress even in the previews, and I didn't get it because there weren't specific measurements up yet (I guess the dresses weren't made yet?) but now I can! WHEEE!!!! I love it! It's so pretty and would look so nice with my green cardigan!!!!

    E - Thank you for your kind offer. They don't have a Canadian site, so I must order from the UK one. They just bill me in pounds sterling, so I have to be careful :)

    Carter - I am so jealous you got to go to The Store. *GASP* ... *Hyperventillate* ... I'm sorry to hear that it doesn't love you though. :(

    Ummilla - The bust size is wonderful for me; I haven't run into too many shoulder problems, and usually I buy at least 1" extra in the boobage area, because I find it variable how they measure it sometimes. Thank you for letting me know your experiences :) It helps me find a good fit!

    K - I will have to try them all! *chuckle*

    Angie - I really love the pink jumper; that neck opening is so flattering, I'd imagine, with short hair!

    Alana - It's okay. I know CPR.

  • Beth replied 9 years ago

    Lyn, I just received their autumn email today and I loved what I saw! Their pieces are made so well and their sizing chart is dead-on in a way few are.

    Let's charter a flight over. :)

  • Thistle replied 9 years ago

    Wonder if a flight over would be cheaper than the duties. :)

    For some reason, I thought Boden was in the USA too. Probably a cheaper flight. ;)

  • Gigi replied 9 years ago

    Lyn, you need to hire someone who knows how to smuggle stuff across the border! ;)

    I can completely see you in that polka-dot jumper!

  • replied 9 years ago

    I love boden but they think I am too tall. I do buy kids clothes from them and they send free shipping/returns codes periodically. I am not sure if they do the same for Canada. Have fun shopping!

  • Laurie replied 9 years ago

    Boden does have a US site - at least online.  I've ordered from them several times. 

  • Laura (rhubarbgirl) replied 9 years ago

    The second to last time I was in London I went to one of the Boden stores too - didn't buy a ton but I did get a sweater I kept for years and years. I think they've got such unique prints, which work so well for you, lyn. I'm not as much of a statement print lover these days, but I do love how they have long lengths in so much of their stuff, and have had for years, before that was so common. And the precise actual measurements for each size of each garment are just fabulous.

  • Alexandra replied 9 years ago

    Hehe, yes to flying over with an empty suitcase. Those clothes are beautiful and right up your alley. I also like the pink sweater Angie showed, especially its neckline.

  • julieta replied 9 years ago

    I feel in love with Boden about two years ago. Finally I can get longer dresses without it being a maxi. I love their sales. The quality is usually great too.

  • citygirldc replied 9 years ago

    i love the little red 60s top in the catalog. I think I may just go and purchase that now. :) I love your choices too.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    Gorgeous picks Lyn!

    I think you've sorted out really well what your style likes are and when you find a designer/brand that has those items and fits you well, it's pretty hard to get that same level of satisfaction anywhere else.

  • Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

    I always enjoy looking at their line.  I appreciate the vigor of their colors and prints -- too bold to be twee -- and the ladylike fits.  It's right up your alley, Lyn!  I've not ordered anything, because I'm pretty sure the fits are rather J. Crew-like, and won't work for me.

    Others are right -- Boden has an US online store.  Perhaps shipping to a US friend and making a weekend out of it?

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    Book your ticket, Lyn, it's all your style!!! Love the dresses - hope you can snap up some deals or sort-of-deals. We order from the UK a lot for our boys - the DHL guy knows me by name (and credit card - I always hand it over for some hefty duties).

  • Beth replied 9 years ago

    Beth Ann, IME, Boden's fit is much less straight than J. Crew, and fits me well where J. Crew doesn't. It might be worth a try, especially when they run one of their free shipping/free returns deals. :)

  • replied 9 years ago

    Lovely dresses! I tried on a Boden dress in a consignment store this Spring. The color wasn't right for me, but the fit was perfect (a rare find in dresses). Like an idiot, I forgot what size it was. :(

  • Alassë replied 9 years ago

    Drat you, Lyn*. ;) Now I had to check out their fall offerings and order a top! I do like the skirt, dress, & belt I have from them - very good quality, though not made for a big waist-hip difference (had to tailor the waists slightly when I fit my hips).

  • lyn* replied 9 years ago

    Beth - I suppose their snappy chart reflects their origins as a mail order company! My catalogue still hasn't arrived!!

    Thistle - They have a website in the USA but it won't let me order from it because I am a canuck. Oh well! There's better sales on the US site too, and free shipping and handling. You americans are so lucky ;)

    Gigi - I'm sure I know a few people ;)

    Marin - Have you checked out their tall line? Sometimes I need the tall sizes and I'm only 5'7", so you might be right in terms of their lengths ... They don't have international shipping deals :(

    Laurie - They sure do! And free shipping and returns for you guys :)

    Laura - I hope that I can find some better quality stuff on their site. I ordered a Pointe dress last summer and I'm not thrilled with it. It feels like a huge oversized sweat shirt ... but at least it's comfy!

    Alexandra - When I was flying to HK, all the customs people joked with me about an empty suitcase until they scanned it! Empty!

    @ Julieta - Ironically, maxis are usually too long for me! HAHAHAHA....

    Citygirldc - Can't wait to see you in it :)

    Shannon - Boden is to me what EF is to you ;)

    Beth Ann - I agree with Beth in that the Boden sizes are less straight up and down. J. Crew doesn't fit me and my boobies, but it fits so beautifully on my friend who doesn't have much boobies. It makes me a wee bit jealous.

    Jackie - The DHL man has my cellphone number... >_<

    Claire - All the Boden things have slightly different sizes, so it's okay that you didn't look! I love their measurement chart for specifically every garment so you make sure for sure it fits!

    Alasse - The hip/waist thing is important for me to know; I have about 8" of separation between hips and waist, so that's often a tailoring point for me!

  • MsLuna replied 9 years ago

    Those are sooo lovely lyn!!! I like that multicoloured dress!

  • Jjsloane replied 9 years ago

    Lyn I'm with you - I love lots of it too and have been buying it for many years and the pieces I have bought are generally still in my closet. I definitely see your style in their line. I don't know why Nordies only carries Mini Boden and not Women's or men's. 

    They do have a a warehouse in Pittston PA (US) and they have a massive sale every year. Here's a few sample sales that happened this year, maybe there will be more? Might be cheaper than flying to UK
    http://www.journeytostyle.com/.....sales.html
    http://www.yelp.com/biz/boden-pittston

  • Neelie replied 9 years ago

    Lyn*, if you want to shop from the US site you can download hola to your pc and it will think you are in the US...it changes your proxy.  Works well for Netflix too.  It may be cheaper to do that and then have someone in the US ship it to you instead of ordering from the UK....

    Love the emerald green dress, you would rock that!

  • redrose replied 9 years ago

    Oh I love Boden too, absolutely drooling over this catalog. Trying to decide what I can get when the sales come!

    As a fellow Canadian I've searched high and low to find something available closer to home that is like their style, but have not been able to.

  • citygirldc replied 9 years ago

    I just purchased this a size 6 for fear the UK sizes were small and unfortunately it was a bit too big so I'll have to return this to get a smaller size.  I do love their Fall stuff though.

  • milehighstyle (Linda) replied 9 years ago

    Lyn, I know!  I was just going through the Boden catalog on the bus the other day, and I picked out a bunch of things too.  That plaid dress was one of them.  Trying to talk myself out of it after my July splurges, but it's hard.  I hope you get some of these picks - they look perfect for you. 

  • lyn* replied 9 years ago

    Katie - The plaid or the flowers?

    Jjslone - I definitely have Boden pieces; and I find they do require tailoring, but they're such good quality, it's not an issue to spend a little extra on it!

    Neelie - I use Hola for Netflix so I can watch Star Trek Voyager :) I don't think it will work for Boden because the US site doesn't ship to Canada. It's not too pricey - about 12 pounds.

    Redrose - I haven't found any Canadian equivalents either, although I think I should wait for the end of season sale to buy anything. Their sale prices are quite good!

    CityGirl - I am a US4-6 and I usually get a UK10-12 from them. The UK8 is definitely too small.

    Linda - I am carting my Boden catalogue around too! :) There's many pages earmarked!

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