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Home » Culture and Criticism

Product Crush: Boden’s Lana dress

Submitted by on January 2, 2014 – 12:44 PM17 Comments

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Do you have a crazy long waist, and like the optical illusion of a higher and smaller one?

Do you crave a dress that is nice enough to wear to work; will actually “dress up for” a date with a chunky necklace; and can still survive a trip to the Mountain time zone without wrinkling, then get thrown in the wash? Is this dress of your dreams pockety?

Good news, kids: it’s called the Lana, Boden sells it in three colors, AND it’s on sale right now (I paid full price and I’d do it again).

The less-good news is that those of you who fear a boatneck may not love it, but! The fabric has enough give that you could put a cute little pointelle crew or tissue turtleneck under it. Throw on a brooch or a nice fuzzy cardi; eye fooled. (Can you tell Wing and I have some experience hacking outfits that look like shit on one of us so that we can both buy it? “I can’t have this yellow next to my face, dude.” “Cut the top off and make it a skirt! …No?”)

I do not work for Boden, and if you get me started on how their frustratingly cute sweaters hit me right on the love-handles and make me look like a bag of yarn potatoes, you’d best have packed a lunch, but the Lana is the shit: reliable three-season dress, comfy but not in a shleppy way, definitely paid for itself after two wearings, and if your new year is going to include a bunch of interviews, it’s a great investment.

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17 Comments »

  • Jen S 1.0 says:

    Do they have anything for us short waisted gals?

  • Sarah D. Bunting says:

    Everything is pretty much for you short-waisted gals, especially the sweaters; the dress just makes me LOOK short-waisted, for once.

  • Jinxie says:

    It’s got pockets, is great for long-waisted gals AND has a boat neck?? SOLD. I almost sprained something, I dove for my wallet so quickly.

  • Linda says:

    Jen, I am 5’2″ and their Riviera Shirt Dress is a miracle working piece of clothing. I got mine a few years ago, and while it doesn’t appear on their website right now, it seems like it comes back in either spring or fall. It is more of a work piece than for dates, but it is just SO magically slimming and shape making and cute! Highly recommend.

  • Kari says:

    Dammit, Sars. Because I haven’t, you know, already spent way to much money in the last 30 days. But I can’t resist a boat neck, and a pencil skirt, and it’s on sale? Forget about it.

  • attica says:

    P-p-p-pockety? OMG, click!

    Hyperventilating, here. I love a dark grey dress nearly more than any other garment.

  • Sarah D. Bunting says:

    I was considering getting the red as well — shocker — but it looks SO RED. If anyone else goes for it, let us know how it looks in person!

  • Jaybird says:

    You’re kidding me, right? Someone somewhere makes clothes that are actually INTENDED for short-waisted chicas? I’m 5’3″, have lost 35 lbs. over the past 3 years (still have about 20 to go) and don’t dare wear bright colors for fear of small children coming up to me all, “EH oh, tubby CUSTAAAHHHD”, so it’s nice to know some clothing manufacturer somewhere knows I exist. Or women like me, anyway.

  • FloridaErin says:

    I had never heard of this company, but I just looked at their spring dresses . . . dammit, Sars. I’m going to be so broke.

  • Kim says:

    Dagnabit, Boden. I want to love you so hard…but I’m less “short-waisted” than “built like a fire hydrant.” Someday…somedaaaaayyy! (And good on you, @Jaybird–I have a bit further to go than you, and am just about to toddle off to the gym for 2014’s first mad crush of resolutioners, sigh.)

  • Jaybird says:

    @Kim: Girl, if I can do it, you can probably do it better. I’m willing to bet I’m a bunch older than you, so you’ve got a youthful metabolism on your side! :) Three years of daily Zumba and bellydance…I had expected to get a lot further than I have.

  • attica says:

    Okay, so mine came yesterday (that’s pretty fast), and I love it to bits. The length is great, the below-the belt area is very pooch-forgiving, and the fabric is unusually beefy. Thumbs up!

  • Sarah D. Bunting says:

    [disappears in fairy Buntmother puff of sparkles]

  • Jaybird says:

    “Bibbity bobbity BOO!”
    –Sars

  • slices says:

    @Linda, is your Riviera in a solid or a print? B/c it’s back now for spring, but only in a large circle print in 3 colors. I ordered it b/c I too am short and in need or slimming/shape flattering garments especially for work, but am admittedly very leery about the loud print. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

  • mcvitski says:

    Love this dress! It came today, and it’s everything you said and more. So flattering and forgiving. I buy Boden for my 7 y/o daughter a lot, but not as much for myself. Thanks so much for the crush.

  • Sarah D. Bunting says:

    You are welcome! I just wore mine yesterday and I had to fight the zipper a little bit in the velvet part, but other than that, Platonic perfect dress. (For me.)

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