Because I Can't Let Go of Summer
October 17, 2014Halloween Costumes Straight From My Wardrobe
October 22, 2014Last “chilly” season I felt pretty down about my everyday wardrobe.
Everything seemed so drab and miserable and apart from a few nice “going out” outfits I felt pretty rubbish every day. This year I am so determined not to do the same thing, so I have acquired some new bits, put them together with some old bits, and created some good Autumn “every day” sort of outfits to keep me cheerful as the weather changes. It also means I have some nice new outfits to blog, rather than “Retro Chick looking glum in a black dress and black tights”. The first “new to my wardrobe for Autumn/Winter” outfit comes from Boden.
A year ago I’d never given Boden a second glance. Now all of a sudden they’ve become one of my favourite fantasy shopping destinations, and real shopping destination.
It started earlier this year with a pair of nautical stripy leggings I desperately wanted for Roller Derby and could only find at Boden, then there was last weeks Summer dress in Autumn, and now I’m making it part of my Autumn/Winter wardrobe.
♥ Dress & Cardigan c/o Boden ♥ Beret – Topshop ♥
♥ Brooch – Vintage ♥ Tights c/o UK Tights ♥ Shoes – Clarks ♥
I don’t generally like showing off my knees much in Summer, but with Autumn comes opaque tights and I do like to wear shorter skirts occasionally, especially if, like with this dress, the neckline is quite high as I think it helps balance it out a little. There is a L version of this dress too, though, for those that like a little more knee coverage.
I also want bonus points for teaming my vintage leaping tiger brooch. It’s a shame it isn’t a leaping leopard, for the alliteration apart from anything else, but I thought it was at least a big cat and therefore filled my urge to theme and match everything with my leopard hat (which was £1 in the Topshop sale, bargain!) and dress.
Boden is not the cheapest place to buy clothes (unless they massively reduce them in the sale!) but I have been super impressed with the quality. They are one of those brands, like Clarks for shoes, that it’s worth investing in.
This cardigan, for instance, comes in 12 different colours, so is a perfect wardrobe basic, while the dress has gorgeous details like the beautiful pleating on the bodice, quality fabric and a row of teeny tiny buttons at the back (which, thankfully, aren’t the only way in and out) that make it feel really special. I found the fit is great, and I love that they have both suggested body size measurements AND the actual garment measurements on the site. My last 2 dresses from Boden have been a 12, and fitted perfectly, but the measurements mean that if I need to go up a size, like I did with the cardigan, it removes the guesswork.
Boden asked me to share some of my top picks from their site for Autumn with you, and this is something I am more than happy to do. A fantasy shopping list, which should I feel flush I shall invest in quick.
Isla Dress
The only reason I haven’t bought this already is that I’m never sure if the sleeves will fit my arms, I am rubbish at remembering to return things and this would be a pricy thing to get and not to be able to wear. I am TOTALLY in love with the style though.
Sophia Skirt
I love this winter floral, but it also comes in 2 damask colours which are gorgeous. A bit of a 50s feel and perfect worn with autumn knitwear.
Embellished Collar Jumper
It’s a jumper, with sequins. Cosy and glam. Sold! Not cheap, but in a pure merino wool I bet it’s super soft, and would look just gorgeous with a pencil skirt for low key every day glamour.
Evie Jacket
This 60s inspired faux fur jacket is perfect for cosying up evening wear, and it’s a classic shape that will go with everything and last years. That neckline shows off jewellery nicely too.
49 Comments
A Start on My Autumn Wardrobe and Boden A/W Picks: Last “chilly” season I felt pretty down about my everyday w… http://t.co/sjMdpWrRgZ
A Start on My Autumn Wardrobe and Boden A/W Picks: Last “chilly” season I felt pretty down about my everyday w… http://t.co/KAQmSxmBug
RT @Retrochick_uk: A Start on My Autumn Wardrobe and some @bodenclothing A/W Picks: http://t.co/0VIKvPvpjG
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I feel exactly the same as you – both about the cold weather (I never really feel like ‘myself’ when I dress for the cold – I always end up feeling so frumpy and fed up!), and about Boden, which I didn’t really give a second thought to until recently, and now I want pretty much everything. Definitely everything on this list – the green version of the Isla dress is top of my wish list at the moment: just struggling to justify actually buying it!
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Ooo this out fit is goood! Leopard brooch, yellow cardie and tights, everything! x
Thanks!
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Are you sponsored by Boden? (Serious q!)
This post was actually sponsored by Boden, it says at the bottom of the post, but it’s a coincidence that I also recently grabbed the Riviera dress I posted last Friday in the sale, I really had been eyeing that one up all summer!
I was really pleased when they offered to sponsor a post as I think recently they’ve had some really lovely bits in that fit with my style perfectly.
I think you deserve it, I’m sure they made a bonanza of sales from your earlier post x
Ha ha! It was a popular dress definitely! I was so excited when I saw it on sale! It seems so long to wait for a sunny day to wear it now!
Love the outfit – totally inspires me to jazz up my autumn wardrobe. On the Boden front, you probably know this already, but there are an amazing number of their gorgeous dresses (which don’t seem to age) available on ebay. Enjoy!
Yes, I was saying to someone earlier that it’s a good label to keep an eye out for in Charity Shops too as it’s not one that the people pricing up always know about, so it’s not one they whack the price up on!
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Hi there. I love your blog but have you changed the settings somewhere? I can barely read it on an iPhone – your menu keeps swinging across blocking everything and it jumps about. Boo 🙁
I have the same issue as Jane is describing!
Oh, it’s supposed to be a mobile theme! I’ll turn it off!
Thanks Gemma. Think that’s behaving better now 🙂
No worries! It’s supposed to be a responsive theme, but obviously there’s some problem with the menus!
I’m feeling the need to branch out on coloured tights. Black seems so boring.
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CUTE
The Isla dress is amazing… I also shy away from buying things that don’t look like they have a lot of give online, which is why so many of my clothes are jersey! I always assume Boden clothes are too long for me, and definitely too expensive, but I really should keep my eye on sales. I see more and more bloggers wearing pieces from them – Amber, who’s commented below, was wearing the most amazing coat of theirs on her blog recently! One to watch… CC x
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YELLOW TIGHTS OF AWESOME!!!!!!
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