Despite my overdraft, I sneaked in a little Boden delivery this week. But it doesn't really count as between some late returns (that were credited to my account rather than refunded) and a gift voucher, I had enough to treat myself to a few things that I was still wishing for in the sale.
I kept it neutral and looked for classic pieces as per my 2014 resolutions...and here's how I got on with what arrived.
First up, the Evie Bag in Tan. I've been hankering after a tan handbag for a while now and ordered and sent back the drawstring one from Boden a couple of months ago. I really wanted a cross body so I've been keeping an eye on the Evie in the sale and it seemed stuck at the £59 level so I bit the bullet. Just as well as it's currently out of stock in the tan but available in other colours. Keep checking back if you want one and phone their customer services also. They can nab you a returned one before it hits the site if you're lucky!
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| Evie Suede & Leather Bag - Boden |
And here it is in the flesh...mirror photos today as I'm home alone!
The suede is so soft - that's what won me over. It's not a rigid bag - quite pliable and fits loads - much more room inside than the Canonbury Clutch. I like the top handle too - which gives you the option of taking the long strap off.
Verdict - KEEP
The second item is the Lightweight Button Back Jumper. I've been keeping an eye out for a nice grey jumper and I loved the detail of the buttons down the back. It's more fitted than the other button back jumpers on the Boden site but stock is limited - only a pink/grey pattern is left. I ordered it in the Dark Grey but can't show you the website photo as it's no longer available in this colour. Here's the closest I can find on google:
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| Lightweight Button Back Jumper - Boden |
and here it is on me:
So I ordered a 12 as the reviews indicated it came up a bit small but it comes up a LOT small! It looked tiny when I took it out of the packaging and while it fitted, it's a little too neat for my purpose. I think it would work great with a pencil skirt or tailored trousers for work but it was too neat to layer over a shirt or long sleeved top.
The buttons down the back didn't help as they were gaping a bit because of the neatness of the fit. I've never understood why so many button back tops are not sewn up at the back. It is pointless having usable buttons right down the back of a top or jumper. They are impossible to close up and when they gape, it makes your back cold!
Verdict - RETURN
Third item was the Emma top in grey. I've loved my navy version of this as worn on this post but again, the sizing was neat (or else the Christmas selection boxes are catching up on me!) so I ordered the grey in a 14.
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| Grey Emma Top - Boden |
The grey is more of a marl than the photo indicates and I would say it's darker too. Here it is on me..
It's a perfect fit...and I've ordered the navy in a 14 now. At only £10.50, I think it's a great buy. Not for everyone but it gives me the illusion of a bust and skims over the mum tum. If you're busty, it's probably not going to work as well as it's quite narrow over the rib area.
Verdict - KEEP
Last item is the Bow Front Blouse in ivory. I tried this on at my party in the plum colour and loved it but I wanted a brighter colour for spring and thought it would work well with my navy jersey jacket from Next. Here it is on the website where it's a bargainous £20 at the moment:
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| Bow Front Blouse - Boden |
and here it is on me:
I really wanted this one to work and I dithered over it the longest. I tried it with my navy jacket and it was just ok. I stood in front of my wardrobe and thought about the things I wear the least and patterned blouses are the main culprit. They're just a bit too dressy for my lifestyle and a bit too distinctive to wear frequently with the same bottom half. I concluded that while it looked nice with my faded jeans, that was its only option for me. I would find it too prim and proper with navy trousers or jeans. Right about then, I realised I was trying too hard to think of ways to wear it. Always a cue to return.
Verdict: RETURN
So what do you think? Did I do the right thing?! I'm consoling myself with the thought that it will be lovely to have some credit in my account to spend when I'm fading half-way through Frugal February!
Ax
Buttons that are the only way to close a top/jumper down the back are the stupidest invention EVER #fact.
ReplyDeleteI think you have kept what you need to and wisely returned all that doesn't work for you.
I do love a good show and tell!
I agree - what you've kept is working for you and you'll definitely wear them. The jumper with buttons on the back is a bit strange really. I can't imagine it working for many people. I also ordered two items from Boden from the last of their sale. They arrived today and both are keepers! I also ordered a pair of skinny jeans at the beginning of January and they are far too small. I only got around to returning them in the last day or two and I have to say, the Boden customer service is great. Can't fault them.
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I ordered the button back jumper a while ago and returned it for the same reason - just too small and too short (and I'm certainly not tall!). Love the grey top on you and the bag but I also like the blouse (well done for sticking to your guns though!). Great bargains! Lynne x
ReplyDeleteI think you're bang on the money. Such a shame the blouse at the end didn't work, it does look lovely. Tan bag is gorgeous and I had no idea you could get bargains like that at Boden! Will have to check it out now x
ReplyDeleteI think you chose just right and that bag is really lovely
ReplyDeleteI love the tan bag and I also love the starry blouse. The grey top really suits you. It's a shame about the blouse, but unless you love it and are certain, it's better to have the credit. Frugaldom is hard! Liz xxx
ReplyDeleteI agree with all your verdicts, but my favourite is the tan bag - looks so lovely. I've ordered the leopard print Myla bag and the black and cream ballet flats - will let you know how I get on!
ReplyDeleteAbbi
Liberty London girl has that star blouse, she wears hers with boyfriends........ I was tempted to get in the sale myself. The bag is a good buy...... x
ReplyDeleteI have the Evie bag in tan and it's been super useful. I have a spotty button back jumper but I would say not quite as fitted as the one you tried. The only thing with them is I constantly get people cracking the joke "did you put your cardigan on the wrong way"!!! It has put me off a little! I also had the star print blouse. I'm very petite and the 6 was large on me. Like you I couldn't really work out how to wear it and I ebayed it in the end.
ReplyDeleteI have the Evie bag in tan and it's been super useful. I have a spotty button back jumper but I would say not quite as fitted as the one you tried. The only thing with them is I constantly get people cracking the joke "did you put your cardigan on the wrong way"!!! It has put me off a little! I also had the star print blouse. I'm very petite and the 6 was large on me. Like you I couldn't really work out how to wear it and I ebayed it in the end.
ReplyDeleteI have the Evie bag in tan and it's been super useful. I have a spotty button back jumper but I would say not quite as fitted as the one you tried. The only thing with them is I constantly get people cracking the joke "did you put your cardigan on the wrong way"!!! It has put me off a little! I also had the star print blouse. I'm very petite and the 6 was large on me. Like you I couldn't really work out how to wear it and I ebayed it in the end.
ReplyDeleteThat bag is SO a keeper - truly fab. Gutted about the jumper for you and for me. I had my heart set on one of the print ones but it gets such bad reviews this season. Apparently rubbish quality and stupidly small sizing. Which for good old gazelle me is a pile of poo. I agree with all your choices deffo. Love the idea of the shirt, like you've said but I would honestly look like a newsreader in it - and a BBC one not a Sky one....... I think you have to be incredibly young and incredibly hip to wear it. Not that I'm saying you're not but I definitely am not! Good haul though.
ReplyDeleteLove your bag Avril & the grey Emma top, both are gorgeous. You definitely did the right thing in returning the items you did, if you don't love something immediately they're not going to be something you wear that often. I bet you're going to get so much use out of your new bag. Jane xx
ReplyDelete<a href="http://www.mymidlifefashion.com”>www.mymidlifefashion.com</a>
That bag is just divine, perfect and won't date so definitely a good buy. It is great to see you trying on the clothes as the catalogues can be misleading, a bulldog clip here, pulling up the neck with a pin there and voila the top looks and sits perfectly on the model! The button back tops I have looked at too but I am a bit thick across the middle and I agree with you about the shirt it looks fab on you and as an extra would be lovely but, if you are like me, I have to make every piece of my wardrobe work....otherwise I feel guilty for spending it on myself! Xx
ReplyDeleteBag looks good. I have the button back jumper in the grey spot and love it. I also love that blouse, I don't think it was that cheap when I did my order, so I'm off to have a look before I join you in Frugal February!
ReplyDeleteThe bag is just gorgeous....can't beat a tan bag!! That will go with so much!! Love the Emma top too.....such a flattering shape and good to dress up or down!! Shame about the sweater.....it looks perfect in the photo but some things are just not meant to be!! Save your pennies for something you really love!! xx
ReplyDeleteGorgeous bag Avril! The jumper is lovely, how disappointing it didn't fit. I'm with you on the blouse, I only seem to wear them in Summer or for work and not very often at that - more of a tshirt girl! xx
ReplyDeleteGood decisions Avril, the tan bag is gorgeous. I thought it would have looked too formal for me, but I see now it would work with so many outfits. I've just nabbed the canterbury clutch in Tan (thanks for thr heads up), but i have to buy a smaller purse as mine doesn't fit in it when its folded over. Your totally right about the star print blouse, I tend to keep my patterned blouses for work wear as they just look strange with jeans.
ReplyDeleteLove the bag! Its the perfect stylish Mama sack! I think you were right to keep what you did & return the others as they weren't quite right! Such a shame as both were lovely! Ax
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