Today's $25 gift card giveaway is from Boden USA,
a British women and kids clothing and accessories company that makes fantastic items in classic styles and fun colors.
(And men's items, too! Thanks for pointing that out, Tonya & Rosanne!)
(And men's items, too! Thanks for pointing that out, Tonya & Rosanne!)
As I mentioned here, I've been searching for a classic white shirtdress with long sleeves, in 100% cotton, and a classic shape with a skirt that allows for movement. I already have a very clean-cut classic white shirt dress (kinda like this one), and I wear it a lot in the summer, but thanks to the stiffer fabric, it's got a crisp feel to it that makes it feel a bit dressy, and the skirt is very straight, which limits movement more than I like, so I was searching for something... Just right.
Over the last year or so, Boden has become one of my favorite labels. The detail that goes into their clothing makes me very happy -- a colored ribbon inside the hem, well-placed buttons, zippers that are perfectly hidden and patterns that line up at the seams. Each piece I've purchased has fit very well, and they offer tons of options in tall sizes as well as maternity clothing, and the hemlines on their skirts and dresses tend to be a flattering knee-grazing length that works well with heels or flats. I also love their cute bathing suits, Jackie O. style shirts, cheery raincoats, cotton tunics, and have gotten lots of compliments on their skirts.
Boden's linen Shirt Dress hits every note I want in a perfect white shirt dress (in fact, it's so great that after wearing it in white I ordered a second one in navy). The overall shape is crisp, but the linen keeps it relaxed, which makes this dress as perfect for the office as it is for a stroll on the beach, and as with nearly every Boden style, it is perfect for women at every age.
Here are the details that make this dress perfect:
-It is 100% linen.
-Full-length long sleeves with a button and tab to allow for rolling up on hot days.
-The collar is a classic cut.
-Buttons run nearly the full length of the front of the dress with placement close enough to avoid gaps.
-The buttons themselves are substantial in size, but not so big as to look trendy or cheap.
-Placket detailing has tiny tucks, which means that they lay flat and do not add extra bulk.
-Lots of darting through the waist gives a nice silhouette to the waist.
-Fabric belts are often voluminous, adding bulk and visual weight right at the point that is least flattering, but this one is thin enough to look good.
-But if one wants to replace the matching fabric belt with a leather one for a different look, the belt loops are wide enough to accommodate an average belt, and are placed at a classic height, not too high or too low.
-As the picture shows, the skirt is straight, but in person, it is a slightly relaxed version of straight, which allows for movement and also works well on body types with smaller waists than hips.
When it comes to white dresses, I tend to size up a little bit because white is not a forgiving color -- if the dress is tight, everything will show, and the dress will also look more sheer. With that in mind, here's a little help for the sizing: I am a size 10 at Ralph Lauren, an 8 at Gap, and with Boden, I usually wear an 8 regular. In this dress, I went with the 10 regular, and it is just right -- the 8 would certainly have been too tight in the chest for comfort, and would probably also be too tight throughout to be flattering. When I later ordered the navy, I stuck with the 10, so I would probably suggest that someone between sizes should size up a little in this dress, no matter the color.
And here's the great part! Not only is Boden currently offering 30% Off all women and children's clothing, but one lucky winner will win a $25 gift card!
The giveaway is open to everyone with a US-based shipping address, as the gift card is for Boden USA. For a chance to win, please leave a comment below (use the comment icon below, right, and don't forget to leave a name or some way to get in touch!), A winner will be chosen at random on Monday, June 30th (so you have a few days to enter).
Good Luck!
(Updated: The winner has been chosen at random -- thank you to everyone who entered!)
All images from Boden USA
I like the bathing suit
ReplyDeleteSopranoriveryahoo.com
I found them bc they sent me a catalogue so cute!
ReplyDeleteHey! It's Sarah H! Hopefully, I did this right for entering :)
ReplyDeleteI heart shirt dresses! Great post! ~Kat
ReplyDeleteLove their stuff! thanks! -Tanya
ReplyDeletetenx11@hotmail.com
Love the rainy day mac! Great post.
ReplyDeleteI would love a shirt dress but don't think I could pull off white.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post! I have such a hard time finding casual/business-casual dresses for summer that aren't too thin, too short, etc. I'm heading to Boden now to look at summer dresses. Yay!
ReplyDeleteSo cute!
ReplyDeleteI like the Maya Maxi dres
ReplyDeletevandenbossche3@hotmail.com
I love the long skirts!
ReplyDeleteI would get the Selina dress
ReplyDeleteelena150980@yahoo.com
Boden looks like a great company, I love the Maxi dresses!!!
ReplyDeletekcindyloo at gmail dot com
I love Boden! They have the most adorable children's clothing! Thank you!
ReplyDelete*kelly
kelly-tillotson@hotmail.com
Thanks for the opportunity! Boden has SUCH a great variety of things for everyone in the family. I especially love their swimwear for this time of year!
ReplyDeleteThat green & pink print bathing suit is ADORABLE!!!
ReplyDeleteI would get my son some pajamas.
ReplyDeletemaryannecochran@gmail.com
I like the clothing found on boden. Not long ago, I received their catalog.
ReplyDeleteI love the animal print bag! Looks perfect for summer day trips!
ReplyDeleteI love the bathing suit the other clothes are super cute.
ReplyDeleteheather hgtempaddy@hotmail.com
Love the kids' pjs
ReplyDeleteI like the high quality materials Boden uses
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute swimsuit for almost all ages!!! (meaning me too!!)
ReplyDeleteBoden has great men's clothes too. I like the Cotton Cashmere Polo Rosanne rosans4@comcast.net
ReplyDeleteTheir Mini Boden shop has the cutest things!
ReplyDeleteCarolsue
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
Thanks for the giveaway. They have a lot of neat items.
ReplyDeleteI love their jersey pajama bottoms!
ReplyDeleteurchiken at gmail dot com
Awesome giveaway! I need a new pair of white shorts!
ReplyDeleteI love the cashmere colourblock sweater.
ReplyDeleteI've never shopped at Boden before but all of their clothing looks so cute! I love the white shirtdress!
ReplyDeletejdmay210@gmail.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I'm looking for some new things for my summer vacation. Lots of good ideas! jenannhayden at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteThis gift certificate would really brighten up my wardrobe! It mainly consists of black, white and grey! lol
ReplyDeletegreat giveaway
ReplyDeleteI like the SUMMER JERSEY BLAZER. SO many cute pieces to choose from.
ReplyDeleteTheir clothes are so cute!!! Thanks for the awesome giveaway! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of falling for Boden. Their clothes are soooo cute!
ReplyDeletemsmaryjenkins@gmail.com
This looks like a great company. THanks for the giveaway!!! whovorka at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteLove Boden! Would love the chance to win! liannacone@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love Boden, but I don't know if I would use the gift card on myself or my kids!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletenikleigh(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Such lovely finds!
ReplyDeleteSeasidemermaid@twc.com
I'd buy some stuff for my lady. jamielovesweeping@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThey have some great kids clothing this would help me start back to school shopping.
ReplyDeletetinker111103@aol.com
I love that they have clothes for every one in the family! rg86 at nau dot edu :) thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI love their dresses but a little out of my price range :( winning a gift card would be a nudge for me to splurge a little! freshsamanthaaa (at) hotmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteI have been searching for the must have shirt dress and I've found it! It's a summer 2014 must-have fashion item...
ReplyDeleteI love that blue polka-dot coat in the first picture! CUTE!
ReplyDeleteLove Boden's things they look so classy and cute :)
ReplyDeletePlease take the time enter my giveaway as well: http://yna-aggabao.tumblr.com/post/89333605314/hey-everyone-thank-you-for-checking-out-my-blog :)
Beautiful clothes, I really like the bathing suits
ReplyDeleteThat really is the perfect shirt dress; I have been looking for one too!
ReplyDeleteI love the clothes at Boden. So adorable.
ReplyDeleteThese look great! casual and cute.
ReplyDeleteqweenb620@yahoo.com
I have loved Boden since I was first introduced to them several years ago. I love their fun prints, shoes, scarves, everything they have!!! My email is reidsrd@hotmail.com. Thanks,
ReplyDeleteNice items
ReplyDeleteI love bodens skirt selection! cute stuff
ReplyDeletecrazyweirdo33@yahoo.com
I love the skirts that they have. toastersareflying @ gmail.com
ReplyDeletei would love to win! eclairre at ymail dot com
ReplyDeleteCount me in!
ReplyDeleteI love that white dress very pretty
ReplyDeleteNever heard of them this would be a great opportunity to try their clothes
ReplyDeletecolleenmanese@hotmail.com
This is beautiful clothing.
ReplyDeleteI live their clothing, so cute and so durable!
ReplyDeleteI love the 2 jackets and the swimsuit -- very cute!
ReplyDeletemarilynnawara@gmail.com
I'm so loving the shirt dresses! I can totally see myself in one.
ReplyDeleter.williams1629@yahoo.com
I love the white dress.
ReplyDeletedonna444444@yahoo.com
Cute stuff! Love the skirts and jackets.
ReplyDeleteschutzme37@gmail.com
Such pretty skirts and dresses! I will have to check Boden out :)
ReplyDeletessremington at gmail
The clothing is amazing. I had never been to Boden's website, but now I have a new addiction :)
ReplyDeleteliannemboggs at gmail dot com
I've looked through you site and I really love things on it. Several items jumped out and my wife and daughter are drooling.
ReplyDeleteCute maxi dress!
ReplyDeletehrddiana556@gmail.com
Such a fun contest! julie07@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love the shirt dresses!
ReplyDeletegabrielle.dunai @ gmail.com
I love the sundresses! Thanks for the giveaway! sharoo1975@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI would love to win!
ReplyDeleteI love the polka dot hooded rain jacket. ingliskf at gmail dot com
ReplyDeletecute sundresses! aimee murad at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteLove the swimsuit. Everything is cute really!
ReplyDeleteCute stuff for summer!
ReplyDeleteI love when the new Boden catalog arrives in my mailbox! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteLove their clothing
ReplyDeleteI loved the COLOURFUL KNITTED DRESS.
ReplyDeleteit was in the girls section.
my daughter would love it.
kayleefaith1228@aol.com