When Boho goes bad....

Does it ever happen to you, that in your head, there is a look that you have your heart set on, that will be simply perfect?

Except when you get round to trying it on... hmm, maybe not so perfect.  Maybe downright hideous?

This is the story of me and the Boho dress.

Which I had honestly thought would work.  I lamented last year at all the fabulous Mango numbers that people were swanning around with their tanned limbs and flatties, whilst they barely covered my bum cheeks.  (I know I shouldn't moan about being tall, but when every dress you try on = flashing your topiary at the masses, then yes, I shall moan.  MORE FABRIC PLEASE) 

So I was nearly overjoyed when I spied a couple early season (ridiculously early season but we all know, it's the early worm that catches the trend..) Boho style dresses that I thought I could stock up on and beat the masses. 

Until I tried them on.  Right.  Well.  To cut a long story short, these suck on me.  They are bad.  They are very very bad indeed.  I won't like - I thought I could pull these off.  Well.  I can't. 

I look like a total tool in them.  I don't know if it's that they're too young looking (I would never have though a boho dress could be *that* mutton but go figure - I clearly have a knack of lowering them to that level), if they're totally the wrong shape for me (which clearly they are) or whether they're just too short (again, check).  To be honest, it's probably a mix of all three which put together, equal a disaster.  

Rather gutted to be honest, as I thought with glads or sliders, these would be fab for the warmer Summer months.  But there is no amount of styling in the world, I have accepted, that is going to make these babies work on me. 

Starting in Next where I picked up this beauty.  On the hangar it is a beauty.  On me.... (and if anyone needed proof that I don't have botox....)

Moving on to M&S now, I didn't have time to try it on but I could see that on me, this was going to scream nightie.  Boy do I wish I could get away with this.  And there is currently 20% off dresses at M&S so go forth and shop.  I will definitely be back later in the week with a round up of more formal occasion dresses as I've had lots of requests and am in need of some myself. 

But in the meantime - if you can pull this off a) I'm supreme jealous and b) this is a great price for a beautiful quality dress - oh apparently it's a tunic.  It's a very long tunic then.....

Indigo Collection Embroidered Tencel Tunic was £45 now £36


Slightly less in your face boho with more of a tea dress twist to it - but this would be lovely in the Summer with some sandals - if it's a look that suits you..... 

Vintage Style Floral Tunic was £39.50 now £31.60



Mango have some gorgeous things in stock right now - personally I'm not convinced that their dresses are as good as they were last year, but they do bring out more stock all the time and we have only hit March (mind you, the sales are starting earlier and earlier so some June, we've now normally got Winter stock in.  Bonkers)

But seeing as on tall people, these are the equivalent of a vaguely oversized top, I can't say I'm too devastated.  However for those who are slightly shorter, these would be perfect.  

V-neckline boho dress from Mango £44.99



Ruffled hem dress from Mango £39.99 (do think I prefer the Next version for me though.. this one is definitely more boho than shirt dress I'd say)



Some full on boho at ASOS.  I'm not even going to try these and am drawing a line under the whole charade - I know that tops definitely work for me in this style so I shall fill my boots with those instead.  (which I will share, fear not) 

I so so want to be able to wear this. 

Glamorous Embroidered lace up dress with fluted sleeves £36


Glamourous mosaic print swing dress with tassel tie £30


A couple that are more expensive but if you love these (and for sure, some people do look amazing in them - even if you're not Sienna Miller or Kate Moss...) then you can wear them loads and I don't think they ever really go out of fashion. 

Maison Scotch Signature Dress in Print with a tie waist £90


Lastly there is one that I have high hopes for.  I'm not loving the fact it's £160 but if it looks as amazing on as it does in my head (there is precedent for this going very wrong by the way...) then I would get loads of wear out of it.  However I am not holding my breath... funny that.

Somerset by Alice Temperley Tie Waist Tile dress  £160


Finishing with my outfits from the last couple of days - apologies for having not been around.  I had a very belated birthday party last night with all our school friends so have spent the past two days cooking for 36.  Middle Eastern theme from my two new favourite cookbooks.  Not difficult but I totally underestimated how time consuming it would be.  Duh.  Great night was had by all - so great, I totally forgot to do an outfit pic.  (I wore the old Isabel Marant dress and blouse combo - an old favourite that was perfect for the occasion with good old M&S suede shoe boots)

But from the other day.


Silky cream shirt - Zara
Indigo Baxters - Topshop
Black Tuxedo jacket - Hush
Leopard print scarf - Louis Vuitton
Whiskey Medium Marcie satchel - Chloe
Tan cut out boots - Boden

Very relaxed evening ahead with The Voice and a chinese.  I love staying in on Saturday nights!

Have you thought yet about your Summer look?  One sniff of sunshine and I am itching to get into more Spring like clothes.  Does the boho look work for you?  If so, share your secret!