Champagne tastes, Bud Light Budget
July 27, 2011 12:55 PM Subscribe
Help me find fashion similar to Boden for Women, but less expensive. Or tell me to suck it up and just buy Boden.
Examples of what I love and what I'm looking for inside...
I'm finding that I am repeatedly drawn to the look I can most easily describe by directing you to the Boden catalogue, though that definitely isn't the only brand I like (to be honest, haven't purchased anything from them yet). I love the casual yet flattering look, especially of the skirts and dresses. Am a huge fan of the boot/dark tight/skirt and dress look. I'm short (5'1") with narrow shoulders, a bit of a tummy, relatively slim calves, and a large chest (D cup). I find wrap style tops, and scoop necks most flattering. Need to be careful about cleavage for work. I'm 41, so want something that doesn't age me but that doesn't look ridiculously young, either.
At a quick glance, I love dresses like this and this. I like this top and this.
From REI, I like this. (Much more in my price range, but my sister owns two of them already so felt weird buying it).
Basically, I'm looking for some easy-wearing pieces, that work for my relatively casual workplace, that are comfortable, that ideally can mix and match, and don't cause $120 each. Conversely, if you have tried Boden and think nothing compares and it's worth every single cent, let me know that, too. Thanks!
I'm finding that I am repeatedly drawn to the look I can most easily describe by directing you to the Boden catalogue, though that definitely isn't the only brand I like (to be honest, haven't purchased anything from them yet). I love the casual yet flattering look, especially of the skirts and dresses. Am a huge fan of the boot/dark tight/skirt and dress look. I'm short (5'1") with narrow shoulders, a bit of a tummy, relatively slim calves, and a large chest (D cup). I find wrap style tops, and scoop necks most flattering. Need to be careful about cleavage for work. I'm 41, so want something that doesn't age me but that doesn't look ridiculously young, either.
At a quick glance, I love dresses like this and this. I like this top and this.
From REI, I like this. (Much more in my price range, but my sister owns two of them already so felt weird buying it).
Basically, I'm looking for some easy-wearing pieces, that work for my relatively casual workplace, that are comfortable, that ideally can mix and match, and don't cause $120 each. Conversely, if you have tried Boden and think nothing compares and it's worth every single cent, let me know that, too. Thanks!
Have you checked the Boden website's clearance section? Most of their stuff ends up there eventually at like half off. All the summer dresses are on sale right now.
posted by leesh at 1:00 PM on July 27, 2011
posted by leesh at 1:00 PM on July 27, 2011
Boden has pretty substantial sales. I don't think I've bought anything there full price. Get on their email list and they send out regular sale announcements.
posted by gingerbeer at 1:07 PM on July 27, 2011
posted by gingerbeer at 1:07 PM on July 27, 2011
I, too, wish my entire wardrobe came from Boden. Alas, my wallet is screaming, "Target!" But have you tried J. Jill? I have found great deals on their sales racks. And Ann Taylor Loft. Both of those places have sections for petites, which may also be good for you. And they both have email mailing lists -- if you sign up you'll get coupons and sale notices. Basically, haunt the sales racks and use the coupons.
posted by BlahLaLa at 1:20 PM on July 27, 2011
posted by BlahLaLa at 1:20 PM on July 27, 2011
I have bought some things from Boden (a jacket and some sweaters) before, as I really like their style, but found the garmets really, really boxy and unflattering.
The styling on their website and catalouge doesn't really indicate their shape, and makes them seem more fitted/tapered than they actually are. I also thought that their sizing ran large, and inconsistent from item to item.
They have a decent return policy for sales (although they do charge for returns), but just a head's up if you are buying something without trying it on.
posted by Ideal Impulse at 1:21 PM on July 27, 2011
The styling on their website and catalouge doesn't really indicate their shape, and makes them seem more fitted/tapered than they actually are. I also thought that their sizing ran large, and inconsistent from item to item.
They have a decent return policy for sales (although they do charge for returns), but just a head's up if you are buying something without trying it on.
posted by Ideal Impulse at 1:21 PM on July 27, 2011
Lands End Canvas isn't exactly Boden, but is pretty close and cheaper.
posted by k8t at 1:40 PM on July 27, 2011
posted by k8t at 1:40 PM on July 27, 2011
Seconding Ideal Impulse. I bought Boden for 6-8 years but stopped. The cut is very hit and miss, as noted. I'll add that their quality went way downhill a few years ago, and I refuse to pay even sale prices for clothes that I well remember being better made a few years ago. I'm talking bad/loose seams, cheap fabrics, glued on trim, etc.
I have occasional luck with similar styles from Garnet Hill. Prices aren't cheaper, but the clothes are usually of higher quality.
posted by ImproviseOrDie at 1:51 PM on July 27, 2011
I have occasional luck with similar styles from Garnet Hill. Prices aren't cheaper, but the clothes are usually of higher quality.
posted by ImproviseOrDie at 1:51 PM on July 27, 2011
I have a similar style and build, though I'm taller. Talbots is often good. I like Garnet Hill, too, but have never ordered from there (and they're similarly pricey, too.)
I've been happy with everything I've bought from Nordstrom. Their Caslon brand is good for basic but pretty tops that wear well. If you live near a Nordstrom Rack, you can find some gold.
If you like the Patagonia aesthetic, you might like some of the dresses from Title Nine. Athleta has some casual-office-friendly stuff too.
I like 6pm.com for sales, though you have to do a little bit of digging around sometimes. Usually I figure out a few brands I generally like and filter that way.
posted by Metroid Baby at 2:05 PM on July 27, 2011
I've been happy with everything I've bought from Nordstrom. Their Caslon brand is good for basic but pretty tops that wear well. If you live near a Nordstrom Rack, you can find some gold.
If you like the Patagonia aesthetic, you might like some of the dresses from Title Nine. Athleta has some casual-office-friendly stuff too.
I like 6pm.com for sales, though you have to do a little bit of digging around sometimes. Usually I figure out a few brands I generally like and filter that way.
posted by Metroid Baby at 2:05 PM on July 27, 2011
I love Ann Taylor Loft. Sign up for their email updates and they'll send you lots of sale offers.
Also, since you like the wrap style, you might like this dress.
posted by hellochula at 2:22 PM on July 27, 2011
Also, since you like the wrap style, you might like this dress.
posted by hellochula at 2:22 PM on July 27, 2011
You can also get new Boden dresses at a much lower cost on eBay
posted by Mchelly at 2:23 PM on July 27, 2011
posted by Mchelly at 2:23 PM on July 27, 2011
Adding to what Ideal Impulse said above, their "longer" versions of skirts/dresses are not as much longer as they suggest. That probably wouldn't matter since you're 5'1", but there might be a different sizing problem that would annoy you.
Really, I think you can find a lot of the Boden "look" (sort of preppy, sort of classic, but cutesy-er) for less $$ at Gap and Old Navy. Of course sometimes everything in those stores is hideous, but any store is that way really. And I agree with those who said Loft. That last top you linked looks very Loft-ish to me.
posted by DestinationUnknown at 3:31 PM on July 27, 2011
Really, I think you can find a lot of the Boden "look" (sort of preppy, sort of classic, but cutesy-er) for less $$ at Gap and Old Navy. Of course sometimes everything in those stores is hideous, but any store is that way really. And I agree with those who said Loft. That last top you linked looks very Loft-ish to me.
posted by DestinationUnknown at 3:31 PM on July 27, 2011
I love Boden and would have a full-on Boden wardrobe if I could.
I've had to settle for buying from their clearance section or getting stuff on eBay. There is also a mysterious Boden-wearing woman somewhere in Central Minnesota...her stuff keeps popping up at secondhand shops around town. Unfortunately, she's a few sizes smaller than me. Curses!
posted by Elly Vortex at 4:27 PM on July 27, 2011
I've had to settle for buying from their clearance section or getting stuff on eBay. There is also a mysterious Boden-wearing woman somewhere in Central Minnesota...her stuff keeps popping up at secondhand shops around town. Unfortunately, she's a few sizes smaller than me. Curses!
posted by Elly Vortex at 4:27 PM on July 27, 2011
Garnet Hill definitely has some really nice looking clothes that are made well. In my opinion, as long as you're willing to return items that aren't up to par quality-wise or don't fit you perfectly, it's totally worth the higher price. I've rationalized these purchases by calculating cost-per-wear, and also keeping myself from buying an item in every color (I just get the color I think I'll wear most).
I've also had really good luck with Ann Taylor Loft - and they almost always have a 40% off coupon or sale just around the corner.
Anthropologie's sale rack takes some effort to go through, and some bravery to try on items you wouldn't normally pick out, but I've found some great clothes there at a huge discount. I've also gone to try on full price items, then watched for them to go on sale. Anthropologie stores get new items every few days, so many pieces (but not all) are bound to make it to the sale racks. This takes some willpower, though. Works best when you limit your time in store to 30 minutes or less (the Domino Pizza rule), which for me is about the maximum exposure time before I get absorbed in the store atmosphere and start thinking I'm going to re-do my whole house and wardrobe to look like I shop exclusively at French flea markets. Also known as the Pottery Barn effect.
My only experience with Boden was from ordering a pair of flats that looked really cheap and ugly when I saw them in person. They were returned. Same thing with some shoes I ordered from J.Jill. They looked so different from the photos online! My rule is that it's okay to pay a little more as long as the item is made well and fits well. Otherwise, I will just suck it up and pay the return shipping. Better than having something in my closet I don't wear.
posted by belau at 5:37 PM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
I've also had really good luck with Ann Taylor Loft - and they almost always have a 40% off coupon or sale just around the corner.
Anthropologie's sale rack takes some effort to go through, and some bravery to try on items you wouldn't normally pick out, but I've found some great clothes there at a huge discount. I've also gone to try on full price items, then watched for them to go on sale. Anthropologie stores get new items every few days, so many pieces (but not all) are bound to make it to the sale racks. This takes some willpower, though. Works best when you limit your time in store to 30 minutes or less (the Domino Pizza rule), which for me is about the maximum exposure time before I get absorbed in the store atmosphere and start thinking I'm going to re-do my whole house and wardrobe to look like I shop exclusively at French flea markets. Also known as the Pottery Barn effect.
My only experience with Boden was from ordering a pair of flats that looked really cheap and ugly when I saw them in person. They were returned. Same thing with some shoes I ordered from J.Jill. They looked so different from the photos online! My rule is that it's okay to pay a little more as long as the item is made well and fits well. Otherwise, I will just suck it up and pay the return shipping. Better than having something in my closet I don't wear.
posted by belau at 5:37 PM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Boden has an (at least) annual Warehouse sale in PA, so if you know anyone in the area you can bribe them to go for you. My aunt works the Boden sale and the Lilly Pulitzer sale and gets $200 dresses for $9 (seriously, she comes home with trash bags full of the stuff).
If you don't know anyone in the area, but it's totally worth it if you know you love the clothes. If not, I would check ebay for the styles you like. The nice thing about boden are the clean lines, so if you're really in love with a piece you may be able to find a seamstress that can copy well for less.
posted by elvissa at 6:56 PM on July 27, 2011
If you don't know anyone in the area, but it's totally worth it if you know you love the clothes. If not, I would check ebay for the styles you like. The nice thing about boden are the clean lines, so if you're really in love with a piece you may be able to find a seamstress that can copy well for less.
posted by elvissa at 6:56 PM on July 27, 2011
I think, maybe, you might like the little mini-alterations people enjoy making to their clothes and then blogging about nowadays? Looking in particular at the neckline on that green top, but also at the overall aesthetic. Have a browse through refashion co-op (some things will be ghastly, you will titter -- but there are many good ideas there too). You can shop out minor alterations to corner dry cleaners pretty cheaply.
posted by kmennie at 7:16 PM on July 27, 2011
posted by kmennie at 7:16 PM on July 27, 2011
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posted by stellaluna at 12:59 PM on July 27, 2011