I can’t bring you any insight at all on Boden. It isn’t just me, they don’t communicate with anyone I know in the over 40 blogger world. They do seem to feature 20 and 30 something bloggers quite regularly on their site but that’s as far as it goes. This means that I don’t cover them as often as you might like me to however, I do have a few favourites amongst Boden’s latest collection.
Boden’s latest collection – working wardrobe
The hero piece that has really caught my eye is this midi skirt.
A proper midi, one that comes to your mid calf, is a very easy way to be on trend when you’re over 40. We know how to wear them because we’ve worn them before. It’s all about the rule of thirds and making sure that the skirt is the dominant piece. So you either tuck your top in or make sure that it doesn’t fall too far beyond the waist.
This is simple elegance. In terms of footwear, midis look lovely with a classic pointed court, a block heel or a pointed flat. They also work really well with calf hugging knee boots for a Doctor Zhivago look. You could wear ankle boots but I find that can be tricky with this sort of skirt. To pull it off, you need to find exactly the right cut of boot for the shape and length of your leg from knee down.
This skirt is also available in a red and navy stripe or glade green. I have an affection for the black and blue – not only is it a chic and versatile combination but it is also the same as my eldest and youngest sons’ school colours which they wear with pride. It would be great for Speech Day!
This is how I would wear it:
- It’s good to see Boden offering a true navy rib roll neck rather than a lighter mélange. This is a mix of merino and cotton to reduce irritation and it is currently 20% off. The fact that it is ribbed means that it will be slim fitting thus balancing out the full skirt. (US link)
- This black and blue spotted blouse really appeals to the co-ordinated side of me. The thought of black and navy spots contrasting with black and navy stripes makes me sigh with happiness. You would wear this blouse tucked in to the skirt but it would also look great worn with skinny jeans. (US link)
- For anyone who feels the heat, this featherweight polo neck is a good alternative to the jumper and it is now 30% off. A great wardrobe basic, you could use it for layering throughout the Winter (US link).
- This is the slightly OCD side of me coming out again but just think – black and blue striped skirt, black and blue spotted blouse, black and blue shoes. It’s subtle but oh – the joy! If I was still working in a formal office – or if I had a smart event of any kind coming up, this is exactly the outfit that I would wear and they currently have 20% off. (US link)
- The hero of the outfit is the ottoman striped skirt. Wear it with tonal navy or black…or contrast completely with a white shirt. It would also look great with camel – or burgundy, it’s more versatile than you realise.(US link)
- For those who prefer to add contrast to their outfit, these Mary Janes in grey leopard would balance the outfit and they are also in the 30% off sale. You’ll notice I’ve chosen shoes with a sturdy block heel to keep the look up to date. (US link)
Boden’s latest collection – weekend wardrobe
In terms of a weekend wardrobe, Jan and I have recently been talking in the comments section about the impact of wearing just two block colours for a pulled together look. Although kick flares and crops gave us an alternatives to skinny jeans in the Summer, it is more difficult in Winter and so skinnies seem to be set for another season. As we already know, pairing them with boots of the same colour makes your legs look longer. The core column of the outfit, pieces 2,5 and 6, works as a figure defining, solid block of colour. Grey is then overlaid as a soft accent.
- This boiled wool coat is my favourite of Boden’s coats this season and it is now 30% off. The cocoon shape has been around for a few seasons now and so our eyes have adjusted away from the slimmer city coat shape to a more relaxed look. Boiled wool and raw edges are a huge trend so I suspect this will sell quickly now that the weather is getting colder. (US link)
- There is a world of difference between a pale denim shirt and a dark denim shirt. Both play a key role in any wardrobe and pale denim is more ubiquitous but it is the subtle dark denim that will give you an air of Parisian chic. (US link)
- If there is one cashmere jumper that every woman should have, it is the relaxed grey V-neck. Very few people don’t suit a soft grey. Pairing it with crisp white is obvious but contrasting it with a dark navy like this is more dramatic. (US link)
- I make no secret of my love for the snow leopard print. This ponyskin bag will pep up lots of outfits this Winter and the strap is removable so it works as an evening clutch too. (US link)
- These are Boden’s new skinnies. I haven’t tried them yet but they’re getting good reviews because they are bi-stretch. It’s great to see them in a proper dark indigo which makes them smart enough to wear for a lot of workplaces as well as at weekends. (US link)
- The leg lengthening navy boot, these can also be flattering for those who like to wear an ankle boot with a dress as they reveal the delicate ankle bone (US link).
Other pieces I like at Boden
As you will know there is a trend for everything velvet this Winter. I gave my two velvet jackets to charity as part of my Mari Kondo clearout in the spring! I have my eye on this lovely navy one but I’m still trying to decide whether I would prefer a looser lounge style without buttons.
Despite the fact that I have never been a tunic wearer, I like the idea of layering this one with a shirt and long cardigan for winter. However I have been deterred from buying it by the price. It is 90% wool and 10% cashmere but it costs more than some of the cashmere items. Something strange is going on with Boden’s pricing matrix for knitwear this season. I’m waiting until the reviews start coming in.
I featured these kick flares in my early Autumn piece and I still really like them, especially as they currently have 20% off. They have good reviews and I’m considering them in this burgundy colour to make a change from the navy, black and grey trousers I wear in Winter.
Cropped kick flares (US link) now 20% off
I’ll be finalising my Autumn shopping list after my trip to London when I’ve had a look round the shops with my friend.
International delivery: In the US, delivery is free on orders over $49. Boden deliver to European countries for £7.50 and worldwide for £15. More information here.
New slippers
It must be a sign that you’ve reached midlife when your day is made by the arrival of a new pair of slippers. However I have a good reason for my joy. When we were renovating our house, we installed underfloor heating throughout most of the the ground floor but when we reached the kitchen (which is right in the middle) we ran out of funds. My view was that we should push our already overstretched budget that bit further. Mr MC’s reply was that if we did, the whole project would implode and there would be no house.
As longstanding readers know, we have ancient wells connected by tunnels running the length of the ground floor. This means that the kitchen floor is the very definition of “bone chillingly cold.” Normal slippers do very little to help and, as my feet turn blue in the Winter, I have been known to grumble loudly about the decision we made.
So, with an Autumn chill already in the air, it was good timing when Morlands of Glastonbury sent me these to review this week.
Lea Slippers from the contemporary range
Imagine the Rolls Royce of slippers – they are the most luxuriously soft and comfortable slippers I have ever worn. Not only are they made from sheepskin but they also have a proper sole which means the cold does not penetrate them.
Morlands are a lovely old English company who have been making sheepskin slippers for nearly 150 years. They made the sheepskin flying jackets for the RAF pilots who fought in the Battle of Britain – this includes my very own dad and I still have his jacket and hat.
They also made Edmund Hillary’s sheepskin boots for his nights spent in bivouacs as he was conquering Everest and they make boots for the British bobsleigh team. With this legacy they should be the answer to my woes. They have a wide range of different styles and they even do a leopardskin print but I like the simplicity of this pair. They fit very nicely with this year’s Hygge trend for everything cosy.
So, you may be surprised to see slippers on Midlifechic but there is nothing better than the feeling of putting these on after a day spent in pointed heels – although I have to track them down first. I keep finding the boys trying to push their big feet into them, ugly sister style, when they come home from school because the sensation of the sheepskin is just so lovely.
International delivery: shipping costs £9 within the EU and £15 to the rest of the world. It is free within the UK.
I have fallen a bit behind with my emails again so apologies if you have sent one recently, I’m not ignoring you, I will catch up soon. I do always try to stay on top of the comments though so that’s the quickest way to share your thoughts (although I know there are the two holiday posts that I still need to catch up with). In the meantime, I hope you all have wonderful weekends, full of sunshine. I’ll be back on Tuesday.
Disclosure: thank you to Morlands of Glastonbury for the toe saving gift of the wonderful slippers. As always, my review is an honest personal opinion.
Other Autumn posts you may have missed
A review of Inès de La fressange at Uniqlo
The colour palette for Autumn 2016
