Every summer, Mini Boden contacts me to see if I want to partner with them to promote their back-to-school clothing collection and each time, I’m like— YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS. Of course I do. Mini Boden is my absolute favorite line of children’s clothing. I like their adult clothing too (check out my awesome bird dress up top!!!!), but my clothes are kind of beside the point.
Picking out back-to-school clothes this year is an especially big deal because Harlow is off to kindergarten this fall. *SOB*
Her style is easy though. It’s pretty much in line with my own. We like dresses, mismatched tights, layers, lots of color and adorable accessories.
You can pretty much pick anything in the Mini Boden catalogue (as long as you skip the pants) and Harlow will be on board. She loves the little sequined details.
She loves the pops of color.
She loves the animal appliques.
She loves the thick cable knitted tights. (She even begs me to wear those to camp in 80 degree weather.)
I didn’t need to show her the catalogue to ensure she liked her clothes. I just picked everything I wanted her to wear and she loved it all.
Mazzy is much tougher. Last year, Mazzy and I really struggled trying to figure out her style. We both knew what it was NOT (no dresses, no pink, nothing babyish, nothing plain, nothing long sleeve…) We pretty much settled on jeans, t-shirts and sneakers. Although, exactly what t-shirts is a puzzle I still haven’t quite cracked. I know she prefers “cool” and “sporty” as opposed to “pretty” or “trendy.” But her definition of “cool” is very different than mine.
I have learned that Mazzy needs to pick out her own clothing or else nothing will get worn. When she and I first looked through Mini Boden’s fall collection, which is inspired by Wind in the Willows, I was a little worried. She selected one thing— a pair of striped sweatpants and an owl t-shirt. She also fell in love with a pair of rainbow hightop sneakers and a pair of gold sparkle hightops. That was it.
I told her we needed to pick out at least three outfits for the shoot but she insisted she didn’t like anything else, so I decided to select the rest of her clothing on my own and see what happened. Typically, when I look through the Mini Boden catalogue, I’m attracted to the show-stopping outfits that jump off the page— the striped rainbow sweater dress or the pink skirt with the big fox pocket, for instance. (I bought both for Harlow.)
I think that’s what Mazzy saw too when she flipped through and determined there wasn’t anything else she wanted. But Mini Boden has tons of more basic items that are lurking in the pages of their catalogue and I found myself earmarking things I normally wouldn’t have noticed— like jeans with heart patches on the knees, a pretty white button down, overall shorts, brown suede boots and a polka dot hooded sweatshirt.
When the clothes arrived, both girls tore through the packages excited to see what I had chosen. Mazzy was especially excited, holding up each item and exclaiming, “Mom! I actually LIKE this!” Thank god.
Her rainbow hightops came a few days late and I swear she stalked the mailman until they arrived.
The girls also got some back-to-school accessories like a backpack, a fox bag that converts into a rain jacket and an umbrella that they will have to fight each other for an rainy days.
I got a few items for myself too.
I tend to get really practical clothes because I know that’s wha will get the most use.
But in an uncharacteristic move, I ordered a navy bird button-down dress with a yellow ribbon sash. In truth, I ordered it because I thought it would look good in the photos.
I was right and I $%$#@ love that dress.
Not only does it give me a showstopping outfit to wear for once, it has these covert buttons on the underside of the closure (in addition to the regular buttons) so that there is no pulling or gaps around the chest. Best construction ever.
And it’s nice to look as cute as my girls. Well, almost.
For one last photo op, we recreated the inside cover of my book which (fun fact!) was a photo we had taken a few years ago from a previous back-to-school Mini Boden shoot.
I think Mazzy and Harlow are just as cute as they were back then.
And definitely just as well dressed.
GIVEAWAY: $500 Boden Gift Card
If you’d like to win a $500 Boden gift card to use on yourself or Mini Boden clothes for your kids…
1) You must be a daily or weekly subscriber to the Mommy Shorts newsletter. If you are not already a subscriber, you can subscribe here.
2) Then check out the Mini Boden site and leave a comment below telling me the one thing you or your kids must have for this school year.
Winner Update:
Congratulations to Rylie Burch! Please email allie@mommyshorts.com to claim your prize!
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All photos were taken by Christine Han.
This post was sponsored by Mini Boden, but we would be buying and loving their clothing regardless!
My daughter needs those cable tights in every color! Love that they are footless as well! Like Harlow, she loves her dresses.
The cardigan with the snails!
My daughter would love the underwater jersey dress!
My little dude would love the layered vehicle t-shirts – a car, an airplane and a train! What could be better??
My daughter loves the clothes with the animal appliqués. I think she would also love the dress with the kitty face on it. I have also been impressed with the quality and the ability to hold up despite an unruly toddler running around in them. My younger daughter has been able to wear a lot of hand me downs!
My boys are entering 6th and Kindergarten! They would be all about the EVERYDAY JOGGERS and RAGLAN t-shirts! Every color needed! 🙂
My son would like either one of the novelty zip up hoodies or the superstar bouclé sweatshirt.
First, thank you for opening my eyes to this clothing line. Love, love love it.
Second, my little man needs those glow-in-the-dark dino shirts!!
I have a soccer-playing daughter and the hoodies would be perfect for the chilly nights on the soccer field!
I love everything, but would get the hoodie with the airplanes for my son!
The jerseys ballerina dress for my girl
And the sporty appliqué shirt for my 18 month old who is obsessed with any kind of balls. There’s surprisingly not many tshirts with balls on it that I can find
Ooooh ai love the SUMMER HEART POCKET DRESS. Sho really looks good in that tupe of dress.
My daughter would love the animal overall dress. It’s the perfect mesh of her and my styles!
I love buying things from mini Boden for my daughter but this year I am also shopping for my 13 month old son. I love the cars printed duffle coat and all the knit waist pants.
In need of some new teacher clothes after dropping 2 dress sizes. Loving the Alda Dress in navy. But my list of wants is way too long. In love with your top from above, too. Way. Too. Many. Decisions.
My daughter would love the Animal Overall Dress. Thanks for the giveaway!
What terrific and trendy clothes! Our daughter would love the rainbow shoes and asked if we could get a cosy for her new brother who arrives next month 😍🌈
My girls and I love the overalls!!
I am already a subscriber. Our Samantha needs a new parka. She loves http://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/girls-coats-jackets/coats/g0044-blu/girls-school-navy-the-parka
The printed dress with cars! My daughter was born in the midst of a boy boom so all of her classmates are boys. She loves when the boys compliment her clothes and that usually happens when there is a pattern the like (cars, dinosaurs, etc).
My daughter is all about clothes with animals. The Superstitch Pet shirts are going on our back to school list 🙂 I personally love all the rainbows and overalls for her too.
Omg the yellow overalls!!!!
My girls would love these jackets!
http://m.bodenusa.com/en-us/girls-sweatshirts-fleeces/hoodies/91402-grn/girls-holly-green-marl-shaggy-lined-hoodie
Pretty much all of it! I have 3 girls, with 3 different styles. But Boden has adorable things for all! I love the jersey ballerina dress (polka dots) for the younger two, and anything denim for my soon to be 6th grader. The shorts overalls on Mazzy are adorable as the jeans. The bunny pet t-shirt is perfect for my animal loving middle daughter. And my youngest preschooler would love the sweet dresses, like the rainbow knitted one. 🌈
Thanks so much!
Must have T Bar leather flats!
Rainbow high tops for my 7 year old!!!!
I really like that COSY TEDDY HOODIE. Looks cute and would be so soft for her this fall/spring to use at school
So.Many.Things. I love the bird dress for myself & the red polka dot jersey ballerina dress for my daughter.
Mini Boden is the BEST!!! I love their Pretty Collared Smock Dress and Leather T-Bar Flats Harlow was wearing. Classic style and great quality!
My son would flip over the vehicle applique shirt. He’s just starting to talk, but some of his favorite words are car, truck and vroom. I love it because it will be getting cold soon and he needs some long sleeve tees. And of course I need to get the cars cosy all-in-one for my infant to match his big bro!
Mini Boden is our absolutely favorite!!! My son loved the gray mar beetle tshirt and my daughter wants the skirt with the frog pockets. So cute!!
My little guy is 13 months so doesn’t quite need back to school clothes yet, but I LOVE the crocheted cardigans 🙂
Love those rainbow sneakers!
Glow in the Dark Dinosaur T-Shirt!!!!!!
I love those rainbow high tops so much! The rainbow dresses too! So cute.
I’ve been loving mini Boden for years. Their ribbed tights are my favorite and this year I love their printed jersey play set dresses and that rainbow dress! So adorable.
My kids would love the superstich pet tshirt and the printed shaggy lined hoodie. It is all so cute!!!
The fox bag that turns into a rain jacket would be perfect. We just moved to the rainy coast and my youngest will be starting nature preschool in a few weeks which means lots of outdoor, rain or shine!
We have a lot of second-hand Mini Boden shorts, so I’m familiar with the brand. But those shirts! So cute. My little boy would look so cute in any of the appliqué or patch shirts, but I think my favorite is the British guard and the dog.
I love all of the dresses!!
We would love one of everything! But if I had to pick it repulsive be the glitter high tops!!!
Sorry about the auto correct!! It would be the glitter high tops!!
The leather t bar flats in pewter make my practical side and my fun loving side very happy. My girls would love them too
Love the stripy crew sweater for my son.
Ingrid starts preschool this year and is really into rabbits so the Animal Overall Dress with the rabbit face would be fun for her. For me, as a teacher, the Posy Shirt dress or the Sophia Shirt dress would be a nice addition to the closet.
Mini Boden is a DREAM! I would love for Baby Lauren to have the applique dress with the goose on it with the matching striped leggings! This outfit is too cute 🙂
http://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/baby-rompers-play-sets/play-sets/y0038-mbl/baby-wren-blue-pin-spot-appliqu%C3%A9-dress-leggings-set
I love all of the striped long sleeved shirts for the girls. Just like you, I like to buy practical clothing and I also do the same for my daughter (most of the time), so those striped shirts are perfect!
P.S. I only found one romper for older girls. I really wish they did more with all of the cute prints I saw on their dresses. We can’t refuse a cute romper in this house 🙂
Augh! So hard to pick a favorite! I am going to have to pick the cord pinafore with the flowers. It is so cute and I love the layering possibilities.
Love the pet pocket t shirts and animal appliqués. My boys would love them!
My daughter would LOVE the rainbow high tops like mazzy, she loves everything 🌈. There is so many cutest dresses too!!
I LOVE the little boys Crochet Friends Cardigan with the frogs – this will look SO adorable on my 1-year-old!
My oldest will be starting preschool next week and I think the Sherpa-lined Anorak would be a great outer layer for the fall. We live in Pennsylvania and it can be freezing in the morning and 80 by the afternoon, so layers are a must have! I would do the “Beacon Blue Multi” as the fun stripes will help him stand out in a crowd. Love Mini Boden for their fun prints and timeless style.
My daughter is a true “Mazzy” when it comes to her clothing style—we call her Sport Spice from time to time. No dresses/skirts/ruffles/bows, although pink and sequins are ok somehow 🙂 Those Rainbow HighTops are *so* her style—cool, colorful and oh so cute (just don’t tell her that last part!)
So happy to be introduced to this company! I love so many of their pieces, but was especially drawing to the fun Jersey playsets and the crochet applique cardigans. I can’t get enough if the little woodland creatures! 🐸🦊
I want the Pretty Cord dress in every color for my daughters! Such cute stuff
Would love the boys rainbow all weather waterproof jacket for k and frog zip up hoodie for c!
The woodlands animal dresses are my favorite, although daughters will have other opinions.
I’m going back to school this year, so I browsed the website for myself. I absolutely need the Atherstone Ankle Boots in Gold, which would of course pair nicely with the Sophia Shirt Dress in Saffron Regatta Leaf (you’ve convinced me I need a dress like this with your button explanation, I HATE button gaps).
I love all mini boden! I snapped you when I saw your delivery how jealous I was!!! I love the jersey ballerina dress. My daughter loves a good twirl dress. She also picked out the pretty sequined shirt. She is into anything sparkly and girly right now.
LOVE Boden. I am eyeing the fun cord pinafore for my baby girl 🙂
My boys need that rainbow all weather jacket!
Ohhh, I loovvveee their dresses….the patterns and styles are amazing. My boys would love the shirts with animals on them. The popsicle shirt is super cute too!
Suede Desert Boots for my 13 year old and new jeans for the ten year old. For the cousins lots of the cute dresses.
My daughter starts kindergarten in a few weeks and must have that Florasaurus Colourblock Dress. She’s seen the Jurassic World exhibit 3 times this summer 🙂
I loved the short overalls that Mazzy was wearing and the odd one out t-shirt with rainbows. My 4 year old daughter would love all the colorful dresses too!!
My girls are now wanting to always choose their clothes, but I know both of my girls would LOVE the “superstitch dog tshirt”. I also know they would love any of their striped leggings and sparkly leggings. The brown suede boots ar also so nice.
The polka dot ballerina jersey dress and all things rainbow!! LOVE mini Boden!!!
My son would love the big applique t-shirt with the dog on it, since it looks quite a bit like his new puppy.
The girls look great in all their new clothes. Since I have a son I winks get him some of the tees with the motorcycle and other designs. I would get myself the Elizabeth Tweed Blazer. It would be perfect for work and to wear on a date with skinny jeans.
I personally am a big fan of the animal striped shirts! I love how they look like a normal shirt first then I see the animal incorporated in it, so fun!
My 3-year-old is starting to be like Mazzy–he wants to choose what he wears and when. Still, I love the t-shirt with a frog applique on a giant stack of books, and I think he will too!
So there are many things that I love for my son, but he’s like Mazzy and needs to pick his own things. I still have items with tags on them in his closet 🙁 I think he would pick the slub rugby shirts and I really like the Zissou Yellow/ Grey Marl all weather jacket. As for myself… I think I would need to add the Edwina Ottoman Dress to my closet! It would be perfect for a conference I have coming up.
Love the animal face overalls and the dinosaur dresses, but my daughter would love every single item!
Striped dress with the 🌈 Pockets!! ♥️♥️
My daughter wants pants and long-sleeve shirts all year. Except when it’s freezing outside. Then she will want her summer dresses. She would love all the applique long-sleeve shirts and the leggings with the tigers. I would buy her all the dresses and they might be worn once (because I made her) before they were too small.
My son would look perfect in the colored corduroy overalls!!
My daughter LOVES cars (and trains and any sort of vehicle), so I know she would love the “Blooming Traffic” hopscotch raglan shirt. So cute! I love everything Boden on her 🙂
Really loving those rainbow high tops and the blue cardigan. So cute!
I really love the Kitty Animal Overall Dress and my cat-loving daughter would adore it too. Thanks so much for this opportunity!
Oh my goodness so much cute stuff! Need the warrior knee sweatpants, the sherpa lined anorak, and some reversible animal print tees for my son. My infant daughter needs the hotchpotch jersey dress and cosy collar dress! Love your newsletters.
The little boys fishermans jacket! My son needs a new raincoat, and there is nothing cuter than a bright yellow coat on a 2 yo.
There is so much! I love the Fun Sweatshirts (boys) in green and the race cars.
Love the Navy Party vest!
We are such huge Breton stripe fans the stripy jersey dress is going to be a basic for both of my girls! The cozy vest is a close second though.
My son would love anything with animals or cars, but I need, NEED, to get him the adventure shorts with stars. So adorable! http://m.bodenusa.com/en-us/boys-shorts/22504-nav/boys-mystic-star-adventure-shorts
LOVE ALL THEIR DRESSES- esp the fit and flares with bold patterns. Plus the Sophia Jacket is to die for.
So many must haves!! The rainbow striped all-weather water proof jacket is a must, the rainbow applique jersey dress, the animal overall dresses in every color, and I need 2 of each so my girls can match!! Super cute clothes. . .LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!
Must have owl backpack!
My daughter is a girly girl and loves dresses so any of them would be amazing but I think she’s especially love the rainbow dress and the pretty smocked dress. As for me…. I’m sure eying up ordering her one of the all weather coats!
That fox into a raincoat. GAH! My 7 yr old is obsessed with all things fox. She can tell you anything about all of them. Its insane and impressive!
So much cuteness – how to choose? My eldest would like the mouse jumper and I’d probably have to get it in my youngest’s size as well since she wants to be just like her older sister. The rainbow sneakers are also awesome.
Oh my god!! So much cute clothes! I have a little girl who is 9 months and will be starting preschool this fall. We live in Florida so attire must be light and breathable. I love the stripey dress and legging sets!! They are adorable and very practical for a tiny preschooler. Love the use of patterns and color!
My son would pick the airplane swim trunks, or any of the vehicle graphic t’s. I would pick some of the lined sweatshirts or nicer sweaters for him! Too many options for my girl to pick one favorite…
My daughter (and I) LOVE Boden. So cute. Love the colors and whimsy. I know my daughter would love the Woodland Friends Dress, The Fun Applique Dress (with the RAINBOW!), or the Stripy Jersey Dress (with the rainbow pockets!).
I would get the Active Zip-up Hoodie for my son
My oldest daughter is 4 and obsessed with all things dresses. That striped dress that Harlow is wearing is amazing–I would definitely have to buy that!
My 4 year old son was very into the bright yellow fisherman’s jacket. I love MB’s clothing for it’s fun applique shirts and the fact that they wash so well. We have been Bodening since infancy and we can always pass on the clothing to another kiddo because of the quality.
The Wind in the Willows line is adorable – would love to get some of those items for my rising Kindergartener boy. He’s just as picky about his clothes as is Mazzy!
My daughter Josie (3 1/2) is super girly (I’m not!) and loves all the rainbows, colors, details, and patterns to mix. She’s super opinionated and must have input or won’t wear it (as you mentioned with Mazzy). The swing dresses are a favorite, but she’s really got her heart set on the sequin tees and animal pocket skirts . . . because they will twirl the best. : )
My 2 year old granddaughter would love the rainbow applique dress. We have to draw rainbows every time we color.
I love the Boden animal inspired prints! My little one is not yet in school but she is at daycare full time and will need some new play shoes for all of the walking she’s doing these days! Thanks for the entry opportunity!