Hello, I’m back after our week away which was so busy that I feel full of life again – and sunshine because we headed South. Anyway I’ll tell you all about that next week, today though I have the last of the summer drops for you from Boden who continue to be so supportive of this blog and therefore us as a customer group. As you know they’ve been working hard over the past eighteen months to return to their roots and regain the hearts of the women who first fell in love with them way back at the end of the 20th century. Their final collection for SS25 came out last week and I spent a happy morning sitting in a bikini while I had breakfast in the sunshine putting together my edit of the pieces they’d released. So let me show you what I think are the best buys before the season draws to a close.
A simple jumper in a beautiful colour
A few of you said you found it helpful to see the clothes on the model last time so I’ve added those in along the way. I’m starting with a very simple outfit that’s all about the colour of the jumper – it’s the most beautiful shade of teal blue and I feel it’s unique to Boden. I tried hard to get it in the short sleeved version this summer but I kept missing it so as soon as this long sleeved option popped up it was an easy pick. Here it is in Boden’s picture…
And here it is on me. It’s one of those wardrobe workhorses that will tone beautifully with blue denim but for now I’ve added summery white jeans although the camera kept picking them up as blue here.
As it was so difficult to capture the colour I’ve added a quick video below and if you put the sound on you’ll have a taste of northern summer which might be a balm to those of you who are sweating away in the south. It’ll also show why cotton jumpers are the perfect solution at this time of year up here. I’m wearing it with the white jeans that I showed you last month, they sold out immediately in white but this month they’ve been released in three different shades of indigo and I can understand why they’re getting five star reviews. The two button waistband is really flattering, the leg is just the right width – not so wide that it looks dumpy with flats and yet without the long flare that usually comes with patch pocket jeans for anyone who needs to avoid hems that trail in puddles.
In terms of sizing I found it better going down to a 10 on the jumper because I prefer a little more shape, if you want something looser go for your usual size. The jeans are spot on in my usual 28 inch waist – I usually find that a size 12 is a 28 – 29 inch.
A denim jumpsuit
When I featured the denim jumpsuit from Me+Em back in April a few people mentioned that they were looking for something similar but with less volume in the legs. Well now I’ve found it for you – and at almost half the price. Here it is on the model…
And here it is on me. Now I find denim jumpsuits to be some of the most hardworking pieces in my wardrobe but they have to be cut exactly right. I’m aiming for the Farrah Fawcett rather than the Mike and The Mechanics look so I’m always on the hunt for one that doesn’t have breast pockets but does have tailored seaming on the bodice instead – exactly like this. I also pay attention to the cut of the sleeve, again you’re looking for something a bit more feminine to take it away from feeling like overalls and this half sleeve is perfect. The zip front means that you can adjust it to work with your bust, I always wear it low because the deeper stopping point applies the rule of two thirds to the front line of my outfit visually. I’ve replaced the denim tie belt with something that will give better detail at the waist – this tan suede belt with gold metallic whipstitching is perfect for wearing with denim, echoing the orange contrast stitching.
The only slight problem with this jumpsuit is the length of the legs – I wish Boden had offered a long option. For me at 5ft 8 it just works with flats but an inch longer would have been better and I’d need three more inches for heels. So if you’re 5ft 7 or under this is going to be perfect for you. In terms of fit this is a 12 and it’s exactly right.
70s preppy chic
As soon as I saw this polo top I had one of those little skips of the heart. Once again it’s all about the design so let me show it to you on the model…
… and here it is on me. What’s so good about it? As always it’s all in the detail – the key thing is the deep button placket. As I said when I was talking about the zip on the front of the denim jumpsuit, you need to think about the various planes of an outfit and how you can work them to flatter the body. The very simplest way to do this is by drawing the eye vertically down the body, splitting it into the golden rule of thirds with three horizontal break points. So here, the deep placket finishes at the top third. I’ve deliberately paired it with a tonal bottom half to maximise the effect, if you paired it with white jeans you’d be split in two at the middle and so the power of the placket would be lost. With the dark bottoms the eye divides the body at another one third breakpoint at the top of the legs. Extra emphasis is added by the half sleeves with their horizontal striped trim so once again, the body divides at a one third point rather than in the middle.
You often see me wearing deep open necklines to achieve this effect and people respond by saying it’s easy for me because I have a small bust. This polo will do the same for everyone though because you don’t actually have to wear it as unbuttoned as I do for the magic to work, the vertical striped trim does it all for you. If you think about a standard polo shirt, the placket ends much higher so even when it’s unbuttoned you tend to end up with a games teacher look, it isn’t flattering – but this one really is. In terms of size, I’m wearing a medium and it fits well but I think a small would have achieved an even more fitted look. It’s also available in camel.
Now let’s talk about the ‘clean’ jeans because they’re a great solution for anyone who says they don’t feel comfortable in jeans. These people are often classics who prefer to dress less casually. “Clean’ jeans have the five pockets, the contrast stitching, the studs and any distressing stripped away. They’re more of a denim trouser than a jean and so they can feel a lot smarter. This style with the slip pockets, hook and eye waistband and neat, parallel wide legs is so chic. I’m wearing the 29 regular in the darker wash (but there’s a vintage wash too) and they’re a close fit – if you’re in between sizes go up on these. And think about length, at 5ft 8 the regular is just long enough for wearing with flats on me but if I wanted any kind of heel or even a chunky trainer I’d need the longer length.
Statement trousers
You know I always like to throw a statement piece into these Boden edits. I’m really keen to encourage them to keep on creating daring pieces at sensible prices and as they often release them in short runs, I always want you to see them first. These stunning trousers first came out in ivory back in the spring and they sold out in days because they were so well shot for the catalogue. The red ones don’t have a beautiful lifestyle shot from Boden yet but I can imagine they’ll go just as quickly when they do – think how amazing they’ll be when we reach December. So, here they are in the current Boden studio shot…
And here they are on me. They look so much more expensive than they are and yet they’re machine washable. Admittedly they’re long but it does say that they’re designed to be worn with heels and I think they need to be so that you sashay in them – something that you find happens automatically as you feel the fabric swirling around you. I absolutely love them, they’re elegant and yet they’re comfortable to wear – you’d have so much stand-out if you wore them to a party, especially if everyone else was in dresses – no midlife woman would be invisible in these. I’m wearing a size 12 and they’re perfect.
I really wanted to pair them with something a bit more party ready but those pieces haven’t landed yet and so I added this knitted jacket in a lovely red and pink combo. The thing I really like about it is that it isn’t pretending to be tweed which always makes me feel frumpy. Instead it’s a soft cotton knit which just makes it feel that bit more modern. It’s a warm jacket though in a heavy knit so one for cooler days. I sized down as lots of the five star reviews said it was boxy and it was the right thing to do – I love the fact that it’s such a perfect length for wearing with wide jeans, trousers and full skirts. There are five other colours available but this pink and red is definitely my favourite.
Bikini recommendations
Now this goes beyond my edit but I haven’t had time to do a swimwear post this year and I’ve been asked for recommendations so I thought I’d show you two of my current favourites as there were photos on my camera roll from last week. This first bikini is one that I bought last year but it’s available in the sale in most sizes at the moment. Here it is on the model…
And this is how it looks on a 58 year-old body at the end of a day in 40 degree heat! It’s a cup sized bikini and so it’s great if you’re looking for support with a bit of boost. I particularly love the texture which makes it feel and look expensive and it’s also available in green if you prefer a colour to black – also in the sale if you’re quick. I like the cut of the matching textured bottoms too – it’s hard to find bikinis that aren’t too ‘big pants’ which often aren’t as flattering as you hope they will be. It does mean that the deep slash of my appendix scar is on show but that doesn’t bother me like it used to – without that lifesaving operation I wouldn’t be here!
And here’s another fit that I love…
… I’ve had mine for a few years now so it isn’t available in this pattern any more but there are lots of other variations. I always think this cut is a good option if you’re looking for a bikini that isn’t too skimpy with clever use of pattern that distorts the eye. I often find myself wearing it on the last day as I was here because by this stage I’ve generally been eating lots and drinking wine so it’s a bit more forgiving to a well fed tummy.
And so that's my last Boden edit for Spring/Summer 25. I want to end by thanking them again for their support, without it I wouldn't be able to keep bringing this blog to you free of charge. So thanks to you to for supporting them in return, it's always good to shop with the brands who care about us as an audience and who listen to our feedback.
One last minute ticket for the Midlifechic overnighter
The happy outcome of a bit of a booking mix-up is that there's now one single place available for our overnighter at Malmaison in Birmingham on Saturday 9th August. It literally is a case of first come, first served so be quick if you'd like to join us. We have an optional Birmingham history tour that you can join in the afternoon followed by evening drinks with a bit of a style talk and then lots of time for dinner and conversation. If you still have energy after that we'll be retiring to the Malmaison bar so that we can keep on talking. After a good night's sleep there will be breakfast in the morning and then the afternoon is free for you to do as you wish before heading home. We'll be joined by Claudia Bradby who will be laying out her pearls for us to play around with.
The cost is £51.08 for dinner with wine which you can book via Eventbrite – here's the link to the last place for the person with the fastest fingers. Mal will then contact you with instructions on how to book your room so that you are added into the events taking place at Malmaison.
That's everything for today, I'll be back next week with a Midlife Lately all about the three elements of our week away. Have a lovely weekend and I'll see you then.
