Ponte Skater Skirt

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ImageAnother “second time lucky” with this Ponte Skater skirt.  I had first fancied it in the butterscotch shade but missed out getting it on sale, and by the time I got round to ordering it, it was sold out in my size.  I stalked for returns for a few weeks and managed to get one.  When it arrived I was really disappointed in the colour – I had imagined a butterscotch/camel shade and this was a horrible soupy greeny-brown, very dingy, not what I was after at all.  I did like the fit and the swirl of the skirt so I sent it back for the red and fig version.

It’s warm but not a particularly thick ponte, and it’s unlined.  There is a waistband and concealed side zip, mine is very tricky and I am being gentle.  Almost all colours and sizes are now sold out but there is a good amount of stock left on the Boden UK site… sadly they don’t seem to transfer stock, even if your order ships from the UK.

I am going to try shoe shopping later, I am dire need.  I wear the same shoes until they fall apart.  I’ve never been a shoe girl, guess that was out of the question with wide feet, but it’s high time I paid attention to my feet and got rid of the falling-apart pairs from years ago!

Skirt:  Boden Ponte Skarter Skirt mini, WG495, rustic red and fig

Top:  Lands’ End 3/4 sleeve 1×1 boatneck, A/W 2012,  simliar here

British Tweed Mini

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I bought this British Tweed Mini as a potential replacement for last year’s mini Tweed kilt which  feels too short now.  I ought to have spent longer reading the garment measurements as this new one is just as short!  I bought a size up thinking that since it was a straight shaped skirt, I’d need more room in the hip, but it was too large so I repurchased in my usual size and returned the other.  I’ve started doing this repurchase/return with Boden instead of exchanging, as things can sell out so quickly and Boden seem to be taking quite a while to do exchanges.  It seems that the other check colourway was the popular one, it is now entirely sold out, whilst a few remain in various sizes in the dark grey check I am wearing.

The skirt is indeed a straighter shape but with a little flare, gorgeous pink contrasting lining and the union jack label for British Moon Tweed.  It is made in Romania, would be better if that was Britain, but still.  There is a grey grosgrain ribbon trim at the waistband and a hidden side zip.  

Skirt:  Boden British Tweed Mini, WG499, in dark grey melange check

Sweater:  Boden, Must Have Jumper, A/W 2012, WK756

Shoes:  Target, Merona Melina Wedge, old 

Must Have Tunic

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ImageUsually I order anything tight or very fitted in a size larger from Boden and that works well.  I did that again with this Must Have Tunic but there was still so much pulling across the bust, I sent it back and ordered two sizes up.  I don’t think that was a smart move, I should just have accepted that it wasn’t to be… but I loved the bird print so much I couldn’t resist.    Apart from being too big I like this, it has 3/4 sleeves, is a nice heavy viscose, and it hangs well.  Perhaps it’s a little too short to be wearing with tights as I am, but I couldn’t find leggings to match.  

Have you got things you ought not to have kept but loved anyway, or is it just me?!  

Tunic:  Boden, Must Have Tunic, WL722

Tights:  Old Navy, old

Boots:  Old Navy, old

 

Printed Button Back Sweater, Coated Jeans

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ImageImageImageImageI saw this Printed Button Back Sweater on one of Girls Aloud (!) on a cooking show.  It may have been a summer version as it was a while ago, and it looks a lot lighter in this photo on Spotted.TV’s blog…  I’d dithered about ordering one, really thought they looked like backwards cardigans and although I haven’t changed my mind about that, I do like this one.  It’s wonderfully soft and I’m a sucker for anything dotty.  The placket at the back looks a bit wonky and I think the buttons are too big though, as per the photo below.  I didn’t read the colour description  as I was expecting black polka dots and these are very brown.

My jeans are Old Navy Rockstar Coated Superskinnies that I got last weekend with some SuperCash vouchers from buying the kids back-to-school things.  They look particularly unflattering in these photos, I didn’t feel that about them on, quite liked them and even ordered a pair in Navy blue that I couldn’t find in store.  They have a matte sheen, lots of stretch and a higher rise for a better fit than other Rockstar jeans I own.

Sweater:  Printed Button Back Sweater, WK851, in Bluebell/Loganberry

Jeans:  Old Navy Rockstar Superskinny Coated Jean

Warmspun Waffle by J Crew Factory, Boden Retro Necklace

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I don’t usually get the chance to shop at J Crew Factory, but during a recent outlet mall “school-shop-stop” I snuck in a peek and picked up a couple of things.  I have bought too many bright pink clothes recently but this Warmspun Waffle sweater was a good price and very soft.  I must admit I still haven’t figured out pricing in these outlet shops.  I guess the psychology is you think you’re getting even better a deal when the ticket price magically reduces at the checkout but it just annoys me – I may have chosen other things if I’d known their real price.  Anyway, I think I paid $30 or $40 for this, which seems ok since it’s a wool mix.

The necklace is Boden’s Retro Necklace, a nice solid piece that comes in the blue I have, and pink, green or grey.  My one complaint is that when you have it on anything but the shortest length (as I do in the closeup), the sheer weight of it will cause the top baubles on either side to flip inwards hiding the colour, and it looks odd.  If you look at the model shot you can see that this is happening to her too.

My skirt was an old pair of Gap 1969 bootcut jeans, I ripped the seams and turned it into a skirt.  Don’t look too closely at the stitching, it was a learning experience and I made more than a few mistakes.  These didn’t fit brilliantly when they were jeans, low rise and big on the waist, and that is heightened a bit now it’s a skirt and higher up on my waist… but I will chose another old pair soon and see if my second skirt can be an improvement!

Sweater:  J Crew Factory, Warmspun Waffle

Necklace:  Boden Retro Necklace, AK224

Skirt:  Old Gap jeans, chopped and sewed by yours truly!

Tights:  Boden, old

Boots:  indigo by Clarks Women’s Heath Harrier Ankle Boot

Lois Skirt & Fair Isle Yoke Sweater

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ImageAlthough it’s been cool enough to wear this Boden Lois Skirt in Aquamarine for some time now, I haven’t, because I have struggled with co-ordinating anything with it.  In a complete lack of originality and desperation, I bought the sweater they showed in the catalogue, ugh, hate doing that!

The skirt is a wool/cashmere mix, very soft, but of course dry clean only which is unwise for me.  But I loved it so.  It is a gentle A-line, I am happy with the shape, but I’m not so thrilled about the hip pockets.  As soon as I am brave enough I will sew them up.  There is a gorgeous yellow ribbon trim (the same “sulphur” yellow as the sweater I am wearing) and an exposed chunky zip with ribbon trim.  A lot of reviewers thought the skirt had too much fabric, I don’t feel that wearing it but I see it looks more voluminous in the photo here.  I would have liked to have tried the camel shade or perhaps the tartan but alas they are long since sold out in my size.

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The Fair Isle Yoke Sweater is lovely.  I nearly bought a  Fair Isle from Boden last year but lost my bottle and didn’t bother.  This one is so soft, not too much bobbling after wear, and is a good length for me.  I’ve worn it a couple of times with jeans and a gilet, and felt so warm and toasty.    I’m hoping Santa brings me another of these, only problem is which colourway to go for 😉

Sweater:  Boden Fair Isle Yoke Sweater

Skirt: Boden Lois Skirt

Tights:  Boden, navy, old

Boots:  Target, old, fringe cut off by me

Gratuitous Mini Boden shot

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ImageLove, love, love this Mini Boden Fun Mac – I want one in my size!  It’s rare for me to get a shot where my girl is half-way smiling and with almost a clean face, hah, so this will be a one off 🙂  This pattern is called “Sweet Rose My Street”, product code 35100, and like the other colour ways is sold out in the smaller sizes already.

Embellished Ponte Top

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ImageImageThis is another top I would never have looked at but for a blogpost during Boden’s Preview, I forget whose, sorry!  Growing up on Trinny and Susannah I thought I should steer well clear of round necks and embellishments, lest it draw attention to the old 36 DDDs (that’s 36E for enormous or 36F for flipping’eck in British busts 😉 ).  But sizing up seems ok and this Boden Embellished Top fits rather well and I’m pleased with it.

Probably a bit too much bling to be wearing for the school run, but it is surprisingly warm and of course stretchy and non-crumply so maybe not so daft after all.  I see now that the red and navy versions are on deep discount, perhaps I’ll pick up another 🙂

Top:  Boden Embellished Top, WL767, navy

Jeans:  Gap cropped, old

Shoes:  Naturalizer Women’s Nehara Ballet Flat

Boden Eliza Top

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DSC_9644DSC_9642I never thought I’d wear such a bright top,  I don’t even remember how it landed in my basket… must have been a good offer or a pretty Boden advert  – are you as suckered by those as I am?!   It seems to be a popular choice and is sold out in some size/colourway combos.  I have a few similar silk or silk-mix tops now and they are great to throw on in the evening with a pair of dark jeans and look smart but not overly so.

This Eliza top is a viscose-silk mix, and has a lovely chunky zip detail on the back although I haven’t opened it yet, fits over my head with ease as it is.   Its 3/4 length sleeves are just the length I like, in fact wearing some full length sleeves the other day felt odd and uncomfortable, I am so used to this shorter style now.  DSC_9647

I picked up these Indigo by Clarks Women’s Heath Harrier Ankle Boots the other day but I am struggling with them.  They’re extremely comfortable, a very good height to walk around in but the opening is quite wide as there is no zip, and I can’t get skinny jeans to stop bunching up, or straightleg jeans to go wide enough over the opening.  Will try them with tights and  a dress/skirt and see how they look.

Top:  Boden, Eliza Top WA474

Jeans: Gap 1969 Legging jeans, similar here

Boots: Indigo by Clarks, Women’s Heath Harrier Ankle Boot

Cardigan:  Gap Tango cardigan, Spring 2012