Frustrated: Boden Sizing/Land`s End Shrinkage

Greetings everyone,

This post is more a request for help than a whine. I desperately want to join the Boden dress party, but find I am in-between sizes. Here is my saga:

So about 18 months ago, I ordered the Elsa Ottoman dress from Boden in a UK size 10 long, burgundy color with longer sleeves. It fit like a dream, which everyone confirmed when I styled it with pearls (a la Angie) and offset the leg line with cognac pumps and sheer hose (pic now removed).

Infatuated with Boden, I ordered more dresses in size 10, only to learn they had SWITCHED to US sizing for US customers—so I needed a 6 equivalent. Impatient with the buy/return carousel, I sent them back and went on the lamb.

Now that dresses are on sale and I see everyone else`s haul, I feel fortified to try again. I did note that my near-body double, Suz, was wearing size 2-4 (which I thought curious, bc by Boden standards I should be a 6). I stuck with my Boden-informed sizing—only to find that shoulders and hips are now too big. What gives?</p> <p>I think I am in-between sizes. Perhaps the more fitted dresses require a 6, while the looser styling might reqire a 4? I am also a bit taller than Suz (5`4” on a good day) and our length proportions are a bit different, so I prefer longer lengths to hit at or below the knee. Does that make sense?

Also, I am frustrated that I have to do this at all, as I bought four Land`s End ponte dresses a while back with fabulous versatility in fabulous solid colors, only for them to shrink in the cold wash/hang dry cycle. I have tried stretching them with the iron to no avail. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

7 years ago

Carla

Veteran

Maybe phone or chat with the Boden folks? I see they post an invitation to do so on their site. Since I'm in Canada (like Suz) My order goes through the UK site. I ordered size 12 based on the size chart posted and hope the items will fit. I'm a 6 or 8 in North American sizing but have a strong shoulder line so I always worry about where the shoulder seams sit. I did take Suz's advice and ordered one of the dresses (the Phoebe) in 'tall'. This is only my 3rd internet purchase and I'm hoping all goes well!

Return the Lands' End garments for a refund and let them know why you are doing so. They do have a guarantee, although they don't promote it the same way they used to do. When I first bought from LE 30 years ago the quality was amazing! So much of my kids stuff came from them, as did DH's clothes (they carried items for 'tall' folk). I still get the catalogues, but disappointments (thin fabrics and more synthetics) as well as the poor exchange rate on the CAD vs US means I shop elsewhere.

Aquamarine

If you click on the Boden sizing guide and scroll down, they offer garment measurements. I find those helpful if I compare an item (a dress, for example) to a dress (even non-Boden) I already have.

Also, I find Lands End disappointing these days. Gems are few and far between, and quality has mostly gone downhill. I have some t-shirts from 10 years ago that are head-and-shoulders better quality than what they offer now.

Kathie

For Boden, I check the actual garment measurements, which are listed in the sizing information. I’m a US 2-4 on top per their size charts, but with my strong shoulder line, lean more 4-6, and a US8 on bottom. However, I’m generally finding that Boden is cut generously through the hips, based on the size charts, and the amount of ease I prefer in garments. So, most of my Boden items are US6, with the exception of the Richmond pencil skirt, which is a slim fit. I’ve tried on a lot of Boden, and thus far, only the chino skirt was off, in terms of actual garment measurements.

LaPed

I am a very similar size to Suz as well, and almost always order a US4/UK8 from Boden. Sometimes I need to size down to a US2, but I haven't yet tried anything where I needed to size up to a US6, although sometimes the garment measurements make me think I ought to. As Kathie mentions, there is usually more ease in the hips than is indicated by the garment measurements.

Lands End quality seems to be in decline right now. My mother used to be a devotee, but has more or less stopped shopping there because the cuts are off and the fabrics feel much cheaper than they used to. I have several older Lands End items that are probably at least a decade old and appear indestructible; it's a shame they seem more interested in maintaining a certain price point than to maintaining their quality.

Anonymous

How frustrating for you! Lands End quality has definitely diminished in the past few years. A friend used to buy their swim suits and cover ups, new ones each year as she swims daily year-round. It seems the same suits she has ordered for years are no the same. I wonder if being part of Sears caused the decline. No experience with Boden here but have been tempted. If it were not for my casual life style and already having more than enough dresses that I like, I would have tried, and may yet.

Column

Thanks so much, everyone. I will especially look for garment measurements, which I do find more helpful. I did a dress cull today to see what I had. One new summer casual and one new summer dressy number would be nice, but if I don`t luck out this season, I am more than fine.

Unfortunately I have to agree LE quality is on down turn. I use to buy several dresses a season now I am lucky if I buy one with their 50% off deal. Aggravating.
I will have to check Boden in future- thank goodness I am at a good place in my wardrobe right now.
Good luck in figuring it out sizing- always maddening

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Rotten luck. I’m sorry.

You have to be VERY careful that you are ordering from Boden USA. That way your shipping is free and the sizing is American. Boden is UK sizing and the shipping is not free.

Also, ASK ME about Boden sizing. I can offer quite accurate advice.

Ordering some Boden items off the Nordies site instead is a risk-free option in the US.

All I can do is shake my head about Lands End. What a pity.

3style

I only shop LE in B&M at Sears. Quality and sizing have become too random online. But I had four successful items last fall. (1) HEWI well-fitting black lightweight trench coat that is actually good for wind and rain and looks nice. (2) Half-zip mid weight fleece top (3) outstanding quality and fit cotton classic cardigan in a fun but easy to style print (4) very warm thick and knit pants for lounging or quick errands. The fifth item was a plain black T-shirt that went through an awkward stage and seemed to take a few washings to mold to my shape.... So if you can get to Sears, they can still be worth a look.

Oh and I was also gifting my husband’s aunt with a bathrobe from them (again bought in person) which she kept raving about how much she loved it.

Leslie

Active Member

I have two cashmere sweaters each from Lands End and Talbots. The LE are 2007 and 2016, I believe; Talbots, 2011 and 2016. The older sweaters are in great shape with little pilling. The two newer sweaters are sad. The LE is pilling noticeably--I have a shaver that makes it presentable, but that means this $200 sweater is not going to last long because it will be see through after the shaving. The Talbots sweater is awful: badly pilled, and it looks like I have been wearing it for years while doing housework. I have a newer cashmere sweater from Talbots that is thicker and definitely cost more than the pilled one. It is holding up okay, but there is still too much pilling for its age and cost. This spring, I bought a cashmere sweater from a place called Pure, and it feels like wearing a baby kitten. It seems like better quality than any of my others, so we shall see. Oh, I have a 2002 silk/rayon blend sweater from Talbots that has a little pilling and some wear but looks newer than the 2016 sweater. So quality at these price points is problematic.

Suz

How frustrating for you. Online shopping can be a lengthy process for sure. And sometimes a specific maker just doesn't work -- wrong fit model. But considering you'd had success with Boden before, it's only natural to think you would again!

I agree with those who say to look at the garment measurements on the site and compare to your own. And also check the style -- I wear a smaller size in a fit and flare than I might in a straight dress.

Carla is correct -- because she and I are in Canada, we get our orders from the UK (by default -- we have no choice in this) and go by the UK sizing.

Fit preferences can differ, too, so even if our measurements are nearly the same, we might prefer a different size. I typically wear a 0 to 2 US at the US chain stores. But in Boden and Reiss I seem to be an 8 UK or sometimes 6 UK, depending on the cut.

Jane

I’m a Boden fan but UK based.

I do find Bodens on line chat helpline very good or may be it is worth a telephone call, again I have found them very good.

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