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Boden Basic

Anonymous

I really needed a solid white/off white top for my wardrobe. I selected on this Boden top as one of the best offerings at the time.

I bought it in November 2018 and wore it for the first time ever yesterday. It took me a while to wear it because (1) the top did not excite me, (2) I bought it during the wrong season, and most importantly, (3) that tiny beige strip around the neck was off putting to someone that definitely cannot wear beige.

Beige!? I certainly must have settled out of desperation.

Although the shoulders fit perfectly, it is a little big through the body. Not big enough that it is a problem.

The reason I am posting is because the cotton against my body was sublime!!!! All day long I kept reaching up to feel the quality of the cotton. Boden quality is excellent. Their color schemes and patterns do make me wonder sometimes.

This top will be an excellent basic/essential in my wardrobe. It will get worn a great deal in the spring/summer. It probably will never excite me. I've decided that is ok.

Recognizing that I did indeed settle in 2018, it is my goal to minimize that in the future. I remember exactly feeling that desperation of needing a short sleeved cotton top in off white. I scoured the internet and finally settled on this one. It worked out ok for me.

What techniques do you use when desperation descends upon you but you still want to hold yourself to a higher quality of purchasing?

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anchie

Veteran

I was looking at that top myself, but the stripe was putting me off, since it will be less useful to me then plain color one. I need to replace my off white short sleeve sweater from last season Zara which did not hold that well.
If I think I need something and can't find it, I ask my self is there some outfit that I absolutely could not wear if I don't have that item. Answer is usually no, because there is always already something else in my wardrobe that can fulfill the same function and complete that outfit.

Anonymous

What a great idea, Anchie! I will do that from now.

jussie

Veteran

Hmm glad it worked out for you. I recently bought three tops with similar need: plain, workhorses, neutral, decent quality.
I had to use self discipline! I kept wanting more exciting items instead. But I stuck to my plan and got one navy top, one grey, and one black. Eventually I ought to also pick something up in cream or soft white too.

Anonymous

Hmm- my desperation of things ends up being shoes! They often go well past their expiry date since replacements are so hard. Unfortunately, I don't work near a cobbler anymore-and he's only ooen 9-2 What happens is that near the end of the wearing season, I need replacements and their hard to find then. I Should stock up earlier in the season!
I'm glad that top is working out for you! Maybe you should get a couple, since you know its a workhorse!

Kathie

Veteran

When I was in a wardrobe rebuilding phase, post career change, 6-7 years ago, I did settle a bit. My budget required that I look almost exclusively for sale items and consignment. But, I simply needed enough items to wear. I seem to recall that you’re rebuilding? I would definitely cut yourself some slack.

Now that I shop mostly to replace worn items, and add just enough to keep my wardrobe updated, my main rule is that, if something doesn’t get worn in 2 weeks, it goes back. The one exception is NAS, but even then, if I haven’t cut the tags by end of October, I return the item. For basics, I don’t settle. Similar to Anchie, I usually have something else that will work, so I wait until I find exactly the right item.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I know all too well how it is to be looking for a specific type of item, and you find one that *works* strictly speaking, but doesn't excite you. Invariably, for me, I'll stumble upon the ideal version a couple of months later, when it's a choice of either buy the new perfect one and let the old one go and bemoan the waste of money, or grit my teeth and use the old one, lamenting that the perfect version was out there.

Right now I'm being really picky in my search for one or two new pairs of summer sandals. A few old ones are getting rather worn, and I can pinpoint what makes me wear something a lot vs. what ends up being less of a workhorse. I try to stay patient, and walk away from the search when it starts to feel overwhelming. Not always easy because I start thinking the good stuff is going to sell out.

I am glad that top worked out for you though. I'm with you on not generally feeling Boden's colors and patterns, but their quality is great -- I love the two sweaters I got last year.

Style Fan

Veteran

Sterling, I am with you on Boden. I love their quality. Their patterns and most of their colours do not bring me joy. They bring me medium happiness. Now if I only bought clothing that brought me joy I would not be wearing much. I live in Canada. Sometimes medium happiness is going to have to be acceptable dearest Marie Kondo.

When I do find something that brings me joy and is PPP then I might duplicate or even triplicate. Last week I bought a bra after looking for a new one for months. I would have bought more of the same but they only had one in my size. I did the same with some T-shirts. I bought two because they brought joy and were PPP.

I think having duplicates helps. I'll see. Mr. SF has started to do this too.

Anonymous

Thanks Jussie! It did work out, but I was really lucky. I didn't wear it for five full months after having purchased it. That could have been a definite mistake. It does take a lot of self discipline to define a shopping goal and then stick to it. Congratulations on finding your three new tops. I do recommend another in cream or soft white.

Normally, I would duplicate, Suntiger. I am opting not duplicate this top due to the choice in colors and the fullness in the body. I think I can do better. Now that I do not have that panic need driving my decision making, I can shop more comfortably.

Good luck on finding shoes. They are indeed my hardest category to shop. I do stock up on shoes when I find them.

Thank you for weighing in, Kathie. Your tactic of returning something that is not worn in two weeks is brilliant. I don't know if I have the self discipline to implement that rule at this exact moment, but I am certainly writing it down for future use.

Janet -- you are so wise. If I should stumble upon the ideal version in the near future, I honestly don't know what I'll do. It is my goal to buy and wear what I bought. Should the perfect short sleeved top appear, I'll be hard pressed to hold myself to that decision though. You'll see it show up on some future monthly accounting of purchases.

Style Fan and Janet -- I'm so glad I am not alone in not liking Boden's colors/patterns. The quality is perfection. The customer service is excellent too. This shipping times are ridiculous.

Kirstjen

Veteran

I wouldn't wear a white/beige ringer T either. I don't think I'd ever have bought it, but I have a super emotional response to colors, and earth tones just WILL NOT DO. (The way I talk about this in my head is that you take a perfectly good color and mix it with dirt and you end up with earth tones. Yeah, I'm a little crazy...)

I have really picky taste when it comes to cotton T shirts, aside from color, too. And when I find something I like, I definitely buy multiples. My cotton T shirts MUST be pima cotton, or a cotton/modal blend is really nice too, because of its softness. I wonder if this is you, too? If so, you can find it, but it takes a little hunting.

Lands End used to have them. I don't know if they still do. Universal Standard T shirts are amazing in quality and texture. They just come in mostly ugly (IMO) or basic colors.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Settling,l know it well.l try and remember that the minute I buy something that’s not quite there l will find the perfect one and not be able to have it because I have already spent the money and that if Ilook in my wardrobe and get inventive I can probably manage quite well without until the right one comes along.l used to be a terrible settler but I have got much better but then I have more clothes than I used to have so the urge to accumulate has some what lesssened.

Anonymous

Their colors and pattern don't speak to me either-too much primary colors! If I get anything from them it'll be black

kkards

Veteran

the biggest thing i have done is not to buy too far advance of the actually wearing season; but if for some reason i do buy far out, i buy from a stores with a LONG return cycle....so for example i really really want a navy sandal, i tried last summer, but started looking in July, and ended up returning 2 pairs to Nordies. so this summer i started by search early. i have 2 pairs currently at home. 1 i'm 99% sure i'm going to return this week, and 1 i'm pretty sure i'm keeping. but, it won't be sandal weather here for at least 9 weeks, so i'll keep looking to make sure i'm not settling, and then return if 2 weeks into sandal weather i have not worn. yes, it's some money tied up, but i feel like, for me, it's worth it.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I'm in the "if I waited for perfection I'd be naked" camp.

My problem is items I buy that I don't have occasion to wear immediately but fill a hole, and have just one not perfect thing about them. Like they don't have sleeves, and I had no idea that the off white color was so difficult to work with. Ultimately I was trying that dress on with a top with sleeves and sat down. Luckily there was a mirror. I had no idea that the underside of my thighs showed from the side. I had tested the length from the front. That was the final blow. And another dress, well, I had an opportunity to pack it for a trip and didn't choose it. So both were returned to Nordstrom this month. When they are from Nordstrom I tend to keep them too long waiting to see if they will work later, or if I can find the missing piece to make them work. Luckily since it is Nordstrom it is usually not money down the drain but I want to stop doing that.

I am a shoe duplicator, thank goodness. I wish I had duplicated even more, as the last pair of two sets of triplication have worn out, or almost worn out (1 set mary janes - two black, I pewter, and the second set zip up shoes - 1 black/black patent, black/brown and black/red). The brand that fit my foot eliminated the last that fit my feet, and I have tried for years to find replacements but haven't.

Anonymous

You have described me to a tee, Kirstjen!! I want a comfortable feel against my skin and I will move the heavens to find what I want. I must have been terribly desperate to have settled for that Boden top. It met so many of my requirements. That beige ring is off putting. I will look at Universal Standard Tee Shirts. Perhaps they will have something I need. Thank you for the suggestion.

Cardiff Girl -- You are so right about not settling! I think that is next lesson I am going to have learn on YLF. I have been learning my lessons in stages. One new lesson gets embraced each year.

The colors and prints must speak to someone, Suntiger. I guess it just isn't us.

Anonymous

I understand shopping in advance of the wearing season, Kkards. Your lesson of not being able to find what you want deep in the season teaches us to start early. Angie reminds us of that every single year.

For some reason, that strategy is not analogous to this top. I can't place my finger on why I think they are different though. Perhaps because I think this type of basic should be available to me year round? No seasonality in my mind?

But if you want navy sandals you have to jump now. Shopping at retailers with solid return policies is the only way to go.

it has been a while, Barbara Diane. I hope you have been well! I understand exactly what said, and I think we have all been guilty of that behavior to some extent. Thank goodness for retailers with good return policies. I wish you luck in finding a replacement shoe brand. It is awful when that happens.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

So are you stuck with it until it wears out, or is it a placeholder until you find *the one*?

Anonymous

Fashintern -- It is a top that fills a hole in my wardrobe. I intend to keep it and wear it for as long as I can. There is no need for me to continue to shop for anything similar. So I wouldn't say I am stuck with it. The purpose of this post was a note to myself about buying out-of-season and settling for what I find in a panic.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Interesting that you were in a panic when you weren't going to be able to wear it for so long anyway. Would it help to schedule your buying, which is already carefully planned, on a calendar, or set some time guidelines?

Anonymous

I can explain, Fashintern.

I lost weight and my wardrobe was decimated. After three major and painful purges, I literally could just get dressed to meet my daily needs. I had pants I could add into the mix IF I could find a cream or off white knit top.

I started shopping immediately. I surely meant to buy something more season appropriate, but I found that Boden top. And the Forum was excited about Boden at the time so I jumped all over it. I acknowledged to myself it was short sleeved and couldn't be worn immediately, but I genuinely thought I was filling a major wardrobe hole. It turns out, I wasn't. I seem to have several off white tops that serve me well in the spring/summer months.

I got off track due to a sense of urgency. It is what I call "panic buying."

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

As someone who recently ordered a sweater because A) it was my colors and B) it was BODEN, I can understand! Once I realized how poor the fit was, I returned it. It's too late for that now with this top, but I don't see why you're stuck with it instead of passing it on, since "I genuinely thought I was filling a major wardrobe hole. It turns out, I
wasn't. I seem to have several off white tops that serve me well in
the spring/summer months."

delurked

Veteran

I decided based on this thread to return a Boden skirt I haven’t worn yet. It looks good in a picture, but it doesn’t make me feel great about myself at the waist area. And the fabric, though very nice, is so thick for our hot summers that I fear when I really hit the high temps I’ll never turn to it. I see it as a summer skirt. I’ve put it in a bag for return. I don’t feel like I’m going to miss it.

Ha. You didn’t know your thread was going to be all about me, did you? I’m glad you find the Boden top meets your current needs. I think if you end up wearing it a few times and don’t like it enough, you should consider passing it along. Likewise, if you found the perfect thing, maybe try it on. But also, it may be that you have other shopping priorities that take precedence. I’m biased though, because I said earlier I thought you should consider returning this top. I can’t quite tell even in your post if you’re glad you kept it.

Joy

Veteran

I am in this situation right now. I really want yellow jeans/ pants as a summer refresh but all I have tried are thin fabric or not high rise on me or more beige than yellow. I tried on 8 pair at the mall today and came home empty handed. I know eventually the right pair will show up, but it is maddening when I could be wearing them now. I have learned the hard way to wait

Anonymous

Joy — I am proud of you for not settling!!!!! You are too good for that behavior. The right yellow will come along soon.

Hi Delurked. I’m glad you decided to return the skirt. I do remember you telling me that I should consider returning this top as well, but months had passed since I purchased it and I was a bit embarrassed. I will wear it. It is a good basic for me. What you might be hearing in my post is a lack of excitement. Not all my clothes have to excite me. But if I had to do it over again, I don’t know what I would have done.

Fashintern — I wanted to swing back around and talk about the fact that I don’t always have to buy clothes to wear immediately. You are correct in mentioning that I should be able to buy for the upcoming season. My post didn’t seem to grasp that initially. You gave me much food for thought.

Gretchen

Veteran

I will note for future that Boden has a 365 day return policy. It's part of why I like shopping there - there's time for me to assess if I've made a shopping mistake.

But I hear you on the "almost right" top - it's why I have way too many white tops in my closet. I've learned that I'm team wear. If I'm not going to wear it in the next 30 days I shouldn't put it in my closet as I'll forget about it.

I also think it's important to be kind to yourself on shopping while replacing wardrobe. Sometimes that 'almost right' top or bottom is what's needed to get through 3-6 months. If this is isn't the right option, why not keep and wear for now, and celebrate when you find the better replacement?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Gretchen's response made me nod -- white tops are hard! I'm always in search of GOOD white tops that are not too flimsy and/or sheer, in good fabrications. White shows every flaw in workmanship. I had to retire two old white summer tops at the end of last season, and replacements are something I should be looking for.

Anonymous

Gretchen! I did not know that Boden had a 365 day return policy! I literally had no idea. How did I miss something like that!?

I have a lot of white and off white tops in my wardrobe as well. They are the glue that holds my spring/summer wardrobe together. Right now, I don't have a lot of "almost right" tops (obviously because of the Great Purge of 2018).

I am working on building a foundation. It is my goal not to add too many "almost right" items. There is a part of me that thinks I would have kept this top whether I bought it in 2018 or 2019. It is such a basic item for me that I know it will get worn a lot in the spring/summer.

I joined YLF as Team Save. I learned just how stupid that was when I was purging either new or nearly pristine garments in 2018. It is my goal to transition to Team Wear. Keeping my closet lean has forced me to wear everything! Everything gets worn! I've never typed those words before! I anticipate keeping a lean closet until my brain absorbs that lesson.

These are words to live by: If I'm not going to wear it in the next 30 days I shouldn't put it in my closet as I'll forget about it.

Hi Janet -- White tops are hard to find! That factor certainly contributed to my panic shopping. Panic shopping has never served me well. I could tell you stories .......

kkards

Veteran

Sterling and Gretchen....just want to clarify...while Boden does have a 365 day return policy....if you want a refund it has to be returned in 90 days, after that they give you a credit....still a credit is better than nothing.....

WHAT'S YOUR RETURN POLICY?

For purchases made through bodenusa.com we operate a no-quibble returns policy and if you return an item within 90 days of receipt (although this is reduced to 7 days on sale goods), we will give you back the amount you paid for the item, or offer an exchange, whichever you prefer, no questions asked. Sorry, but we're unable to offer exchanges on orders paid for via PayPal.

Earrings (where the internal packaging seal has been broken) and swimwear (where the hygiene strips have been removed) are non-refundable for hygiene reasons, unless they are actually faulty.

After our 90 day return period, until the first anniversary of your order arriving, you can still return anything that does not meet your naturally high quality expectations (things like wear and tear are included, though garments that have been mauled by pets, drawn on by nephews, worn while decorating and so forth, don't qualify). So if you’re not happy we will give you the option of exchanging your item or receiving a credit for the amount you paid for that item.

anchie

Veteran

Interesting about return policy. Even the same company have different return policy depending on country. Boden in Austria has only 28 days return policy. Zalando Germany has 100 days but here only 30 days. And these are actually good, since most have 14 days return policy.

ropeball

This is my go-to white top. I wear them regularly. Now, this particular brand belongs to a subscription business model, and not a regular retail store. But you can get it in the archive section. You don't have to subscribe to get in. They are my goto for work clothes.

It's called Liz Lemon, and it also come in unstainable version as well.
Hope this link got thru:
unstainable:

https://www.unstainable.ec/browse/lizlemon
regular:

https://archive.elizabethandcl.....p/lizlemon
It's not cotton, but it's soft and thick, not flimsy. It is pricey for a white top, but this beats other white top that I saw in other stores.

If you're wondering what unstainable means, for them, liquid get roll off the fabric for accidental spills. Spills happen to me before, and thankfully it did roll off.

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