Trying on my Boden order - SS18 keepers and returns

Right everyone – the clocks go forward this weekend, it’s officially spring (whatever the weather thinks) and I have barely done any shopping this season. You rely on me to keep the inspiration coming so I’ve given myself a kick up the bum by doing an old Midlifechic favourite – the Boden order try on. Before I start I must point out that this is not a sponsored post or collaboration with Boden in any way. They still refuse to acknowledge us as their audience and they don’t answer any questions that I send through to them. The last thing I was told is that they’re not interested in blogs because Instagram is where the serious shoppers are and that “just now we’re focussing on a younger profile”(!)

For that reason I don’t often feel like covering them but when I opened the new catalogue, I had to admit that for the first time in a while there were a few pieces that caught my eye. So, I can’t give you a feel for the brand behind the scenes or the direction that they’re heading in. However I’ve put editorial interests ahead of my pride and made a big dent in my credit card. I will not be keeping all of these things – I don’t have the budget (note to self as much as you). This is a very low key post with no fancy photography, I just thought I’d share my trying on session with you.

Trying on my Boden order – SS18 keepers and returns

Boden Rachel Wide Crop Chino Trouser

As we continue to navigate the move towards a looser trouser cut, these jumped out from the catalogue as an easy to wear option. As soon as I can stand to bare my ankles, I imagine wearing them with both flats and heels and I want them to work for both office and weekends. This is how they look in the Boden catalogue:

This is how they look on me:

Rachel Wide Crop Chino Trouser (also available in pink, white and khaki

Verdict

So the first thing I notice (as always) is that I am long bodied and so these are cutting me in half visually. I deliberately tried them on with flats so that I could assess them at their least flattering – a two inch heel would make a big difference. Having said that I do quite like them. I can imagine them being easy to throw on with a breton in spring and a t-shirt in summer. I think the hardest thing about trying these wide crops is that most of us have worn them before (about twelve years ago) and so we have seen them go out of fashion. Our brains therefore reject them. Twelve years ago though the crop was slightly higher so there is a subtle difference.

Fit

True to size.

Keep or return?

I’m undecided. I’ve just ordered some navy trousers from Hush to compare with them with.

Boden Melina Paperbag Trousers

Now these caught my eye because they continue my love affair with red. I know some people find Boden’s red a little on the orange side and I would prefer it to be more ‘postbox’ too but I still like it. My thinking about these trousers was that with their high waist, they would help my legs to look longer. This is what they look like on the model:

This is what they look like on me

Boden Melina Paperbag Trousers (also available in navy, ivory and black)

Verdict

These surprised me. I had expected the frill at the waist to make me look bigger but because they come up so high it didn’t happen (can you see the two thirds rule working?). I really like them. The fabric is light and silky so they look and feel quite luxurious to wear. Because of this they would be difficult to pair with boots… although a satin sock boot would work. However they will come into their own with pointed heels or flats and of course sandals.

Fit

True to size.

Keep or return?

Keep – I’m going to be tempted to order them in another colour too.

Boden Salisbury Side Split Jeans

The last of the trousers that I ordered was these jeans which seem to be new in. I had my previous jeans post in mind when I saw them and quite liked the split hem. I imagined that it would give a straight leg look without being too flappy.

This is how they look on the model

This is how they look on me

Boden Salisbury Side Split Jeans

These jeans really don’t do me any favours. In the model shot they appear to have shading which is slimming to the thighs but in real life they don’t. I have to say that they are incredibly comfortable and if you are slim and leggy they will probably look great. I’m carrying an extra 4lbs thanks to my winter cake eating but even without that I don’t think they’d work on me.

Fit

True to size.

Keep or return?

Return.

Boden Sophie Fringed Flats

Actually these are reduced and since I ordered them they have almost sold out. There are still some available here at John Lewis and in fact that is often a better place to order now that Boden have made returns so difficult. I hate the fact that they use Hermes. They don’t have a model shot in the catalogue but this is how they look on me

Boden Sophie Fringed Flats

Verdict

Like the jeans they are incredibly comfortable and they would be great for days when I’m pounding the tubes in London. Given the predominance of red and navy in my wardrobe there is definitely a place for them. Square toes are starting to come through from the catwalk but they haven’t really hit the high street yet.

Fit

True to size.

Keep or return?

I think I’m going to keep them – I need some blue flats. It depends on the final balance at the end of the post.

Harley textured dress

I didn’t really intend to order this. I must have placed it in my basket when I saw the January catalogue and I didn’t notice that it was still there before I checked out. However, I like the colour and the fact that it is a midi-length update to the ottoman dresses that I have always loved. The waistline of ottoman dresses is usually flattering if you are long-bodied because it visually rebalances the ‘rule of two thirds’. It irritates me that it has 3/4 length sleeves though.

This is the catalogue shot

…and here’s a real life version

Harley textured dress (also available in a dusty pink and a deep green)

The first thing I noticed is that the waistline is lower than usual. This means that the volume of the skirt gathers just where many of us curve outwards on all planes which is unfortunate. If it had been an inch higher it would have made all the difference. It also isn’t quite midi enough for me and yet if I ordered the long, the waist would be lower still. I love the colour though.

Fit

True to size.

Keep or return?

Return.

Reviewing Boden Summer 18

Once I was in the swing of things, I couldn’t resist ordering a couple of pieces from the summer drop. I apologise in advance for my paper white legs and arms. I should probably have applied some fake tan but this was just a try on and I didn’t have time to faff about.

Boden Tie Waist Shirtdress

So, this was the piece that I was most excited about. I’ve had a bright blue shirtdress from Boden since the eldest was in Year Six (ten years ago ) and the cut really works for me. I’ve looked for another one every year but they’ve always had full skirts. Knowing that shirtdresses are going to be big this season, I was thrilled to see this and couldn’t decide between the green and the red. In the end the green won. Here it is on the model:

And here it is on me

Boden Tie Waist Shirtdress

Now this is me in my comfort zone. This dress will look better after it has been washed because the fabric needs to soften so that the neckline sits open (it just wouldn’t stay as it’s shown on the model) and the whole thing falls more softly. I love wearing block colour dresses in summer with contrasting bags and shoes. I can just imagine this with my orange bag… and my red one… I’m wondering whether to exchange it for a long though.

Fit

True to size

Keep or return?

Keep (but I may try the long).

Miranda Scalloped shorts

Here we go…it’s lily white leg time. I’ve liked these since I first saw them because I had a feeling that the scalloped hem would be kind to the leg, visually breaking up the thigh. I only wear shorts when we’re on holiday so initially on a cost per wear basis they are expensive. However I roll out the same shorts year after year so if they work, I will get my money’s worth out of them. I couldn’t believe it when I looked this week and they were nearly sold out. I can only think that people really have been consoling themselves with summer holiday shopping!

Here they are on the lithe twenty-something that is now Boden’s target customer…

… and here they are on me… at this point in the post I am wondering why I thought it was a good idea to include the model shots.

Miranda Scalloped shorts

As you can imagine, I haven’t even thought of unpacking my summer clothes yet which is why I’m trying these with a long sleeved top. What can I say? I like them although they crease easily – I hadn’t even sat down in them when this picture was taken. They would look so much better with a flowy summer top and you could wear them in the evening as well as during the day on holiday. Mr MC really liked them (well as usual he said everything was nice when I appeared in it but these sparked an extra flicker of interest)… but if I’m honest I don’t really need any new shorts and they are pricey. If I had a gap in my wardrobe they would be a great choice.

Fit

True to size – reviews say they come up small so I ordered the larger pair to try too but they were certainly too big.

Keep or return?

It’s hard… I can’t even imagine wearing shorts at the moment. I’ll decide by the end of the post.

Santorini Swimsuit

Don’t panic! I am definitely not sufficiently ‘beach ready’ to inflict this on you. I really rate Boden’s swimwear. It isn’t cheap but it’s very well made and it holds you in firmly. I have a couple of the Santorini tankinis from the last two summer collections and I love them. They are the only tankinis I’ve found that don’t look frumpy. The panelled design is so flattering – even if you’re straight up and down you’ll look as though you have curves in all the right places. As you know I’m not keen on one-pieces, I always feel that they stretch and shine over the midriff, making me look rounder. However I wanted to compare this to the tankini. I ordered the monochrome because I had a Tropezienne mood in mind.

Santorini Swimsuit

It’s a lovely swimsuit but doesn’t have the darker slimming side panels that the coloured ones have. I’m going to exchange it for the tankini because I really want black and ivory and I find that the flash of skin at the midriff seems to lengthen your legs. If I needed a coloured one-piece though I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend one from the Santorini range with side panels.

Fit

True to size.

Keep or return?

Exchange.

So, I hope that’s been helpful. You’ll be wondering what the final tally is … this is what I’m keeping.

Melina Paperbag Trousers

Sophie Fringed Flats

I’m ordering the tankini and the longer Tie Waist Shirtdress to compare but otherwise with it being the beginning of the season, I’m being strict on budget so I’m returning the rest (even though I may well re-order the wide leg crops).

I hope you have a lovely weekend. We’re going to watch the middle boy in his first role with a local theatre group tonight which is exciting. The play is Frankenstein and we’ve been told he has a small part but that as always, he makes it his own! Then tomorrow Mr MC and I are having a night away. It’s part of the Christmas present that I bought him which has gone a bit wrong but I’m sure we’ll have fun anyway. I’ll tell you all about it next week and I’ll probably post on Instagram @midlifechic whilst we’re there. Have a great weekend – won’t the extra hour of light on Sunday evening feel good?

Disclosure: ‘Boden order – SS18 keepers and returns’ is not a sponsored post

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