Good news about the clamdiggers - I can't wait until we get to see photos. I still find clamdiggers a bit baffling, so I'm looking forward to seeing how you make them work.

Too bad about the crinkle dress. I've been thinking about ordering it but hesitating because I suspected that it might not look that good on my figure. It's just so cute and comfy looking that I've been alternately trying to convince myself that it will look better than I think and realizing that it's not going to do what I want it to do. I'm sorry it didn't work for you.

I'm glad the clams work for you Laura. It's like a birthday present!

I was also curious about that dress but somehow my intuition just told me it wouldn't be flattering and I guess in your case I was right.

If I ordered those clams, I would have to get a tall! I want to order them just to seize upon the rare experience :)

Will you be experimenting with tunic lengths this week?

Thanks for the report, Laura! I am going to order the exact same size as you and hope I have as good luck.

I ordered the same colors as you a couple of days ago, and am now very excited to receive them! Thanks for posting this follow-up. What are you planning to wear with them?

Laura-
I just tried to order and I have a question-How did you get the free shipping and discount? Is there a code of which I am unaware?

Laura - great news! Is the rise mid or high?

Woohoo! That’s great, Laura. I can see several YLF'ers sport these. Would you say that they run big ? My guess is that they do. They start at a UK 8 which is a 2 (UK 6 is a zero). I can't wait to see them on you.

Also, I’ve had these styles on a few lasses this season and they're pretty good:

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....pid=646536 – you’ll need to hem or roll. They have been VERY popular – many sizes sold out.

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....pid=641328 – good stuff !

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....pid=626631 – nice too

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....pid=641333 – only had them on one person and they fit quite well.

Angie, Boden lists measurements for all their garments on their website. It's such a marvelous idea. I don't know why more stores don't do the same.

If anyone comes across any inexpensive clams (less than $50), let me know. I didn't find a good pair last year and I really want to break out of wearing full length jeans all summer. I keep checking NY & Co but all their crops are either evil length or have too low a rise or both.

Thanks Laura. I have been contemplating some Boden skirts, so now I may add to my order and try the clamdiggers. I had been trying to find some for summer without much luck.

Susan -- I get the Boden catalogue and they usually have codes for free shipping and returns and also discounts. I also get e-mails from them weekly with various discount offers. I would look at retailmenot.com or freeshipping.com for coupon codes if you don't get their catalogue.

Thanks, Laura and Angie, for posting some possibilities. Like Maya, I'd prefer to find something under $50. I haven't had any luck finding the Levis curvy cut 528 which Tanya sported last year (have only found them full-length).

Tarzy, the Boden site lists the front and back rise of the garment of each size under the "body/garment measurements" tab.

Laura, is the discount/free shipping code you used still good? Maybe I could swing the Boden clams with a discount.

Yay, I hope others try and like these too! I did try one pair that Angie posted from BR -- the third one, the "urban cuffed cropped jean" -- but it had a dressier vibe to it. The Boden clams are casual all the way, which was just what I wanted for summer. Yes, Angie, I would say they run big, since I am a size 6, and I was able to wear the smaller size in that range (size 6 equates to either a 10 or 12 in UK sizing).

I got 15% off and free shipping and returns, which was on offer on their web site the day I ordered. I just missed April 1, when they had 25% off, so it might be worth watching for a bigger discount.

Tara, they are mid-rise -- 8.7" (as Maya said, the body size/garment measurement feature that Boden offers next to its product descriptions on the web site is so spectacular). And the inseam is 15", so now I know that anything longer than that will be "evil capri" length on me.

April & Maya, about tops, Boden shows the clams with a tunic top that hits at the widest part of the hip (what?? that seems like a bad idea to me). I'll try a couple of tunics, and I'm going for graphic tees and cardis too -- at this point I am so used to wearing skinnies that nothing bothers me anymore :)

I took the plunge last night and ordered both the white and the denim. I found a discount code that worked for me last night and it was 15% off, free shipping and free returns. That made the clams $54. The code I used was EE78. Hope it works for you guys!

Great Dani! Let me know how they work. In my opinion, they are definitely worth $54. Shipping is usually a $10 flat fee so it is a good offer. It feels like such a victory to cross this major summer wardrobe item off the shopping list!

Hey Laura, how tall are you? I'm thinking of ordering some myself. I'm 5'8 and just wondering whether to go for the R or L. I'm thinking R.

Ha, never mind--even with discounts, I'd end up paying over $70 for these. I think I might get a second pair of my perfect $19 Joe Fresh Style straight-legs hemmed instead! (Style J1 for other Canadians--they rock).

Laura, thanks for sharing info on the Boden clamdiggers. They are nice and do look quite casual with the faded denim. Also it is good to learn so much about how Boden sizes run so I can feel more comfortable ordering from them for the first time.
Angie, thanks for sharing the info on the BR finds. I LOVE those pants. They are just enough change from what I bought last year to make clamdiggers seem new again. Last year I bought the AX and they are quite low rise.
I am getting so excited for spring!!!

Brianna, I was going to say the regulars would probably be short on you. I'm only 5'2 and 17" is right below my knee. I know I have frighteningly long legs but I'm sure they're still not as long as yours since you're 6" taller than I am.

But you're not getting them so it doesn't matter, hehe.

I would love to go to one of those Boden trunk shows - I am very intrigued by the product line and really like the printed dresses & skirts. But I am reluctant to order since I have no idea how the sizes run and what the fit is like. Yes, I know they give measurements on the website!!! I guess I just need to see an item in person to get a gauge for whether Boden's for me or not.

Anyway, if anyone is looking for a budget option, I bought a pair at old navy several weeks back during the Gap F&F sale. These are available in two washes (unfortunately, not white) and have the classic (Sweetheart) rise - I ordered online since I wanted to get the petite. I think combined with the discount, I ended up paying just $14 for them! They are on sale for $20 right now:

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....pid=634153

Wow, that's an amazing price on the ON clams. I tried those too (leaving no retail stone unturned ...). I really wanted traditional pockets on the back so I passed, but I hope you post a photo so we can see them!

shana, those look good! I did not find those at ON last weekend and instead ended with these http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....=616669002

Even after trying it at home with several tops, I'm not comfortable with the low rise. I might just have to get these online and try them on. I usually like the fit of a medium rise though.

I would like to try the ones from Borden but even their shortest length measures 2" below my knee. Laura, is the fabric thin enough to not seem unsightly if I roll the legs about 2"?

hehe, Laura, I like that - "leave no retail stone unturned." That is definitely my motto in my current financial state! Yes, these do have flap pockets which I LOVE because I have a non-existent, flat bum (thanks to my second child). No amount of squats & lunges are helping so I am always excited to find jeans with flap pockets! I haven't worn mine yet but will definitely post photos once I break them out.

niva, I also did not see these in the store. They seem to have a different selection in store vs online. I wanted the petite size anyway so I ordered online. Anyway, it's definitely a mid-rise although the petite rise is (disappointingly) a little lower than the regular sweetheart rise which I tried on in the store and seemed perfect. I can always take measurements for anyone who is interested.

Hmm -- the Boden site claims that their 8 is the equivalent of a US 0. I'm hoping that's true, though now that AT and BR have moved the bar by adding a 00, who knows what any of these numbers mean.

Niva, 2 inches below the knee would be just about at the widest part of your calf, yes? I think that's supposed to be a flattering length -- or were you hoping for something shorter, to increase the cooling-off factor?

Incidentally, right here on YLF there is a sponsored link to Boden that offers 10% off, free shipping and free returns. I love free returns -- totally removes the risk factor of online shopping!

April, I remember reading in the Boden catalog that an 8 is equivalent to a 2, but if you're a 0 it might be a bit big in the hips. I hope they work for you but I fear they might be too big. Boden makes a curvy, pear-shaped cut in my experience.

Drat. Curvy and pear-shaped is not me, alas.

I just checked to see if I misread the site, and what they have done is basically said "If you're a 2, get the 8. If you're a 0, get the 8." Interesting.

April, this particular UK size 8 won't fit you. I can guarantee it!

I tried the ON clams today (all styles) and all of them had too low of a rise for me. Too bad, because the price was right!

Oh, Angie, say it isn't so... :(

Like Laura, I was really excited about having a summer item all ready to go, long before the season actually begins -- instead of doing what I usually do, which is waiting until the weather is stifling and I am desperate, and then finding that all the small sizes are long gone.

Ah, well -- I will try some of the other choices that you all have posted above.

Oooh... I may have to try the BR clams. Normally I hate BR jeans, but I noticed that the descriptions say they fit like the Martin's, which I love. So maybe BR has gotten wise? I did not see any of these at my local store this weekend (though admittedly I am now trained to walk right past all the denim since it never seems to work).

Meanwhile, I have two pairs of clams I ordered from Macy's when Tanya posted before about their sale... one is Levi's the other is Ralph Lauren. BOTH are higher-rise, Maya - you may love these! They both fit pretty darn good. Just can't vouch for the stretching-out-too-much factor (which annoys me about lower priced denim). I think I will have to try the BR clams too, and then decide which to keep.

Oooh I forgot about the Levis. I meant to try them a long time ago but I wasn't sure about what size to get and I just forgot about them. What size did you get Shiny?