There was a hint of Spring earlier this week in New York City, and I took full advantage to try out one of my sure-to-be favorite transitional warm-weather looks…
Boden has been killing it lately! Absolutely slaying the game, in my opinion. Their print scale is much better than it used to be, their color combinations within items rock, I love that they show real-life outfits plentifully on their website, and perhaps most importantly, each season’s collection has a cohesive color palette and silhouette palette! It’s so freeing to know that a dress I like, such as the Martha Dress ($150 + 15% off) you see on me will have several coordinating cardigans to choose from in fit, color and length. If other brands want to know why their sales are suffering right now, this in my mind is the main cause.
Many of you here are probably too young to remember the days of ordering clothing from catalogues by phone (or mail!), but in my childhood that’s exactly what we did (and I’m only in my early 30s! Technological advancements of the last 20 years blow me away). These days, Boden is one of the few stores that has no stores in the USA so it can be a bit of a mental hurdle to buy from them when you’re not sure how the sizing will go.
I’m not sure that people know that Boden makes individual size charts for many items! In my experience they are more than 90% accurate, with the main challenge being that I am curvy and sometimes the size chart takes a slightly straighter body into consideration. Usually however I find their sizing charts spot on, and if not the customer reviews are sure to reflect that!
No matter what your shape you’ll want to size up in this dress as the cut of the skirt is made to hug. I’m in a 10 here which is what I take in sheaths, while in flare or a-line dresses I am typically a 6. The Martha Dress can easily be belted — this one works very well for that purpose!
Today and tomorrow you can take 15% off your Boden purchase with the code 8R3M. I shared some of my favorite Boden picks recently in these posts: 1 | 2 | 3. More Boden outfits coming soon!
Roxy you look so pretty in these pictures! I love how inspiring your whole ensemble is for this coming Spring and you're really making me look forward to warmer weather!
Jess i left msg for u where u reviewed ur purchase :). Im sorry i was a little late as i have a house guests in my house since 2 days. They will be leaving Sunday 😉
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Thanks Jess! It's beautiful again today in NYC and it is such a breath of fresh air after feeling like the wind might take my face off these last couple of months.
How lovely Roxy! I know how you feel about the weather as it's been raining like crazy here in California and flooding everywhere even down my street. I kind of feel like a caged animal dying to get out in the sunshine lol. I just can't wait for warmer/sunnier days ahead so I can wear all my new and old Spring/Summer dresses!
Hey Nam, there you are! I'll have more reviews coming right up for you as I've done some more shopping lately including Kate Spade purses. I need to slow down at that store but a couple of those hand bags are irrisistable.
Sure Jess?Thanks so much. Ur very sweet
What a lovely outfit! And I remember when you got that bag so I'm glad to see you are still using it 🙂
That dress looks fantastic on you! 🙂
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Thank you so much klj1!
Hasn't it been amazing out this week? Love this weather!
Love that dress on you, and the bag of roses makes the outfit even more cheerful.
I totally remember calling or mailing in my order – I used to be a huge catalogue shopper. I think I will have to give Boden another look!
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Yes I agree! I could take this weather for a few months. It seems like in NYC the summer and winter both last forever, while spring and fall are so fleeting. It's nice to get a taste of it now.
Oh and I highly recommend giving Boden a shot! Although their returns are slow, the policy is so wonderful and they really are helpful if you chat with their CS!
wow!!!! love ur style and u look lovely Roxy 🙂
I LOVE the individual size charts for each particular item!! I have found them to be spot on and very helpful!
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Agree! They make all the difference…although production consistency would be EVEN BETTER, if there is a reason for fit differential (i.e. shape of the dress) then the chart should be detailed about it. And Boden does that!!!
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Yes!! It was quite the hunt to land this bag and I doubt I'll let it go until it breaks or dies. It's held up so beautifully.
Funny side story, it turns out the designer behind Jo Handbags is a friend of a friend, and I ended up in rowing classes with her several times!
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Thank you so much Nam!! You say the most wonderful things.
Roxy, your pretty, spring-y, New York-y pictures made my day. Spring still feels so far away to us up here (I'm about 9 hours northwest of NYC!)–it's amazing to me to see the ivy growing in all the NYC planters. Enjoy!
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We purposely sought out houses with some green or buds to them! But I have to tell you — that ivy may be fake! We have camellias in bloom and daffodils peeking up, but it's not at all green here.
LOL it was almost that here in Boston too. I've got all the windows open and the house smells so nice.
I am sure that you made your students' day letting them sit outside for their exam. What do you teach? One of my happiest college memories is of my writing class taking our final exam on my roof deck. I lived right across the street from the school and it was a glorious day in May. (Chianti may have also been a part of that exam). 🙂
Wow, stunning! And the outfit really does feel like Spring.
Thank you so much for all the posts this week, and for sharing the tips on Boden's sizing.
Wishing you lots of fun and adventures, or fun and relaxation, or, whatever you desire for your trip!
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You're welcome Eina! So glad you like the outfit and thank you very much!!
That's too funny evb! Lucky you!
Soooooo gorgeous!
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Thank you Cynthia!!
Lol rub it in whydontcha?! It was raining here today, tho, which is promising.:-)
What a great dress. I love the print and color combination.
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Me too Lori, it has vivid hues that make me smile.
Ahhhhh……..Boden! One of my favorites right now – thanks to you, Roxy! And you are rockin' that dress!
I'm a bit curvy and Boden works so well for me! Items are classic or updated, not faddish.
Yes, sizing can be tricky and returns take a while – agreed. But worth it for me.
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Thank you luvlucytoo!! I agree that Boden is very curve-friendly, though my lithe friends also find it delightful! I don't know how they make their dresses fir most bodies but I'm glad they do. And it's lovely to hear your take on the brand too. 🙂
Forgot to mention – if anyone has questions, the Live Chat is a great help. The associates have been spot on with sizing for me.
Thank you Roxy and EA for introducing me to Boden! That dress is brilliant on you! I also like the way they put care into the presentation of the poly packaged clothes–so carefully tissued and pressed.
On an OT note, someone may have already mentioned this but have you taken a look at J.Crew's paint spattered collection? Still SMH and not at all inclined to buy, no matter how “limited edition” they are.
Yes, I saw that. I'm wondering if it's “limited edition” because they only made a few pieces knowing how horrible they were yet were still curious if they would actually sell.
Are we thinking sale tomorrow?
I am hoping sale tomorrow…although I am not sure that there is anything that I want to buy! Hmm… Ahh, I almost always find some little gem.