How to mix and match a la Boden

Anne

Angie,

As I look through the Boden catalog, I am amazed at how they put pattern and color together. It looks random, but I am sure it is not. I have tried to analyze it to figure it out, but I am at a loss. Can you help me figure out how to put seemingly random separates together to create an outfit?

Thanks!

14 years ago

Dressing

9 replies

Latest reply was from Inge

kimlee

Veteran

Anne, I have had the exact same thought myself. There really seems to be no rhyme or reason, or perhaps I am just not following.

14 years ago

DressLover

Veteran

I know exactly what you mean, and I think it is part of the "Boden kitsch" the company creates. When mixing patterns, you want to look at elements such as color, scale of pattern, pattern design, etc. Sometimes I think Boden stylists purposefully ignore any of this analysis and just stick random things together, market it as kitschy and Boden-esque, and somehow all the pieces magically sell out.

You ever notice how whatever colorway featured in the Boden catalog sells before the other 3-5 colorways? Boden patterns and styles are very distinctive, and I think their clothes live and die based on those suggestions on how to style.

14 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I love how their web page lets you mix and match pieces together to make a complete outfit fitted on to a model, complete with accessories and shoes.

PS - I wish their clothes would die die die but that's just one eastern european bombshell's opinion.

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Anne, Boden catalogues are very Maximal. And you either like that look or you don't. I've written a post on beginner pattern mixing - it's a good place to start (Dresslover touches on that subject very nicely).

14 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I like Boden in general and feel they cultivate a fun sort of elite eclectic devil-may-care English countryside chic look. But I am sick of them running out of everything, like j. crew and recently Garnet Hill. If you like their look, their pieces really all suit each other more than mixing with other brands IMHO.

14 years ago

Ali

Active Member

Boden generally channel a blend of Sloane and yummy mummy, which is very upper middle class England, with a quirky edge.
I don't think I've ever seen anyone style Boden stuff (which is generally easily recognisable) anywhere near as maximally as the catalogue, which is selling the clothes as a substitute for the lifestyle in a lot of ways (a bit like the Toast catalogue if you have that in the US)

14 years ago

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

I think their pattern mixing works because they use the same colours in all their prints (by same, I mean the exact same shade of purple, or red).

14 years ago

Anne

Active Member

I can't figure the mixing of colors either. For ex., in the most recent catalog, they have several patterned skirts featured. When they highlight them, they show them with colored tops where the color is not repeated at all in the pattern of the skirt. I love the look, but I keep wondering if there is some deep, dark color secret to matching this way that I must figure out for fear of making a fashion fool of myself!

14 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

*smile* Anne, somehow I feel DressLover has a point and they just purposefully throw things together, knowing very well that Boden fans worldwide will absolutely love it:-)

I think picking one colour and starting from there, isn't a bad idea at all.

Here are two posts Angie wrote about this:
http://youlookfab.com/2010/03/.....beginners/

http://youlookfab.com/2010/06/.....-wardrobe/

14 years ago

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