Boden Winter 2013 Try On!

This is a photo heavy post - be warned!  It's all quiet now after a few visitors to the pre-party evening and I've sorted through the photos I took earlier when I tried on every size 10 and 12 in the party stock. It's amazing how things I loved in the catalogue didn't really work for me while others I'd never have considered buying, were gorgeous on!

Anyway, here goes with my favourites from the party stock...very rushed photos with little mini me's trying on around me too...first up - accessories

Shoes next. Not as much of the footwear range as I would have liked. No ankle boots - tho plenty of the dressier shoes and boots. And yes, the pointed flats are not for me - 40 was too big and the 39 was torture. Wide feet are not fun..

Now for coats and jackets - again, not as much of the selection as I'd like to have seen but it was great to try on the Fifties jacket. The 12 was way too big but the 10 was quite neat. LOVED the navy though and it's quite a heavy jacket and very cosy! The Everyday Mac was great as always - it comes up big. This 10 was huge!

Had been really keen to try the orange Saint Germain coat as I love a boiled wool coat. It's great - the orange was a 12 though and was too big. The 10 fitted better but was hard to photograph as it was black. The British Tweed Blazers are really beautiful - gorgeous material and very well made. Came up small though. I would have needed a 12.

Next up - dresses galore...and even though I'm not a dress girl during the day, there are some amazing options in the collection. Most of which would be great in the office too. First up, the Alexa Dress- gorgeous ponte style material in a vibrant blue. Looked great with the pink Canonbury Clutch

This next dress - the Lana Dress - was voted the best on mummy by the kids. Katie even came out from her hidey den under the table to tell me so! It's got pockets and sleeves and a really flattering cut if you like a nipped in waistband and a boat-neck collar. Both great if you're a pear shape.

 Can you believe it? I'm in tartan! It's the British Tweed Shift. I actually quite liked the pattern in this and the seams and pockets but it was nicer on the hanger. It would be another fab dress for the office with a shirt underneath.

Lastly, the spotty Audrey Dress didn't photograph well but I really liked it on but again, more of an office dress I think. And the Claudia jersey wrap style dress was way too long for me but for any taller girls out there - this is a great option!

Next up - knitwear. Now, I'm not the biggest fan of jumpers, especially patterned ones but I really loved the Fair Isle Cardigan in neon. The Fair Isle Yoke Jumper was surprisingly good in this colour-way too!

Christmas wish-list now - The Relaxed Cashmere Cardigan is just a classic. And an investment piece - one you'll have for years.

Also tried on the Cashmere Crew Neck Cardigan, the Printed Button-Back Jumper, and the Favourite Roll Neck (size up!).

Tunics now - starting with the Retro Tunic Dress which I loved but felt was a bit overpriced as it's not lined. Size down - I'm wearing an 8! But size up for the Must Have Tunic (right)..

I was thinking about buying the Contrast Collar Tunic but it didn't sit as nicely as I'd hoped on my waist. Definitely one for tights, not for over jeans so I'm going to try it on again tomorrow. The colours are simply lovely on this one - much more orange than the camera has picked up.

The next two are very Boden-esque. On the left, the Empire Line Top was true to size. On the right, the Gathered Band Tunic needs to be sized up. Neither style is my cup of tea really but the pattern and colours are great - good old traditional Boden! 

Skirts now - and more tartan!! Brace yourself! On the left, the Jumbo Cord Kilt. Surprisingly nice on and would look great with flat riding boots. On the right, the British Tweed Mini which has sold out in this colour-way. Going to be some disappointed shoppers tomorrow as it's really a great skirt. My issue with Boden skirts however is that I'm a size 11. All the 10's are too small and the 12's are too big. :(

Finally finally....tops...and I tried on quite a few, starting with the Modern Breton, which is not jersey or cotton - think of the Modern Woven Striped top from SS13. It's that same material with long sleeves. Not great on the hanger but better tried on. This was too big for me in a 12 and needed ironed! AMAZING in the pink and blue colour-ways online.

More stripes now - a selection of the striped jersey tops - all great value with the 20% off. Left top and left bottom - The Hamptons Tee. Top right, The Fun Breton and bottom right, The Essential Crew Neck Tee:

I'm a big fan of these Wrap Jersey Tops and I loved this berry coloured one. They are also great value in my opinion. Perfect for wearing with boot cuts or boyfriends when you need a closer fitting top or indeed for work. Size up!

This was such a pretty top off the hanger and great colours for me. If I didn't have something similar already, it would have been on my list.. The Bow Front Blouse. Would be great with a blazer and some heels.

Finishing with the two things, that (if I buy...ha!) are top of the list. Firstly, the Brondesbury Top. Again, didn't look like much on the hanger but it sits really nicely and this colour is always a good one on me. Loved the neckline too...

and the Off Duty Merino Jumper. Simply fab. It's exactly my kind of jumper and reminds me of a great one that I saw in the White Company last season, priced at about £50 more! This sits great, doesn't add too much bulk, is super duper cosy, looks amazing with coloured jeans and you'll be seeing it on the blog again for sure!

Phew...that's me done and it's now past midnight!! EEK...off to my bed now in preparation for the morning. Hope you enjoyed all the photos and if you would like to purchase with my party code, drop me an email to schoolgatestyle@yahoo.co.uk and I'll let you know what the code is. I'm not allowed to publish the code online anywhere so need to do it via a private email.

Night night all - will be back on Friday hopefully...if I survive the party! xx