Bought & Thought

With reviews and hauls over the past couple of weeks, it's been a while since I've done a simple 'Bought & Thought' post.  I can't recall where I first spied this dress, in some magazine I think and I had to track it down, because it looked so gorgeous.  It's from Boden and I buy a lot for my youngest nephew from there but haven't paid much attention to the adults section if I'm honest.  I therefore didn't know anything about their sizing or if they even went up to my size.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the dress in stock, in sizes 6-22 and bonus, it was in the sale!  I'm usually an 18-20 though I'd say a 20 has been more accurate recently, so I thought I'd read the reviews to see if I should size up, down or what!  I was completely overwhelmed by them, there were just so many and all with conflicting opinions and points!  I did that internal thought process of trying to make myself hate it "it likely won't fit me anyway", I'd probably look like a sack of tatties in it, I don't have any money, I don't even wear clothes just now, so it's a waste of time!!  Then I saw Char rocking it on her blog and took that as a sign that I was supposed to buy it, afterall I did love it really.  So I took another look at the reviews and it had been further reduced in the sale (another sign!) and made my decision.


I went for a size 20 (because the 22 had gone, so the fear of it not fitting and 'sizing up' option was taken away, which helped) and in the longer length/tall because I didn't want it too short.  I'm so glad the 22 wasn't available at that point, because the 20 is definitely roomy enough.  I probably could even have gone for an 18 (certainly last year, pre-illness it would've fitted).  It's one of the few dresses I own that isn't pulled tight across my chest and is neat at the armholes (usually they gape).  The waist is a little big, but it's comfy and at the moment that's all that matters.  The length is not quite mid-calf, but definitely below the knee (I'm 5ft 5") and is perfect as I wanted it a little longer for wearing in summer, bare legged.  It's got a V back (not too low) with a centre back zip (I can get it on without opening the zip) and is fully lined.  Both lining and outer fabric are cotton and the colours of the print were exactly as I expected (a lot of reviews mentioned the 'dull' colours).  I absolutely love it.  I wore it to the doctors last week and kept it on all day (usually I'm desperate to get out of 'restrictive' clothes).  I adore the retro shape and print (which was actually inspired by a laundry bag from the 40's) and it's made me more confident about buying from Boden, now that I know I actually fit their stuff!  The Nancy 'Riviera' dress is still available in all sizes (6-22) and is reduced to £35.60 (there's also two other prints available) or there's a skirt in exactly the same print, also in the sale for £20.70.  Have you bought anything from Boden before, do you like this?

As for the quote above, I'm not sure who originally said it, but it's one I've heard and lived a lot.
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