It’s almost as if you have to mark your calendar as to when new merchandise is coming in, so you can get a jump on it.

No idea why this will post here but not above?

Yes, Eld, and it is somewhat at odds with what we here about clothing retailers' desperation these days --- but maybe not. Fewer of them, and not willing to inventory a lot. Arggh

Ah, my big gripe!!

I had the exact same problem while trying to find a wedding dress three years ago. While I was only shopping online, it didn't matter. Whatever dress site I was searching through, as soon as I found the perfect match to my desires, it was either out of stock or no longer available in my size. I really "settled" when it came to the dress, but I had so much shopping fatigue at that point that's what happened . . .

Mtn - I can see the picture in both your first and follow up post.

At first, the op photo didn't appear. But coming back to this later, I see it.

Printing the catalog, well, you know that was laid out some time ago. But the website should certainly be up to date before you click on the item to order it! And come on, they probably know what size you usually order, so why not send you ads for things in your size range?

I totally understand lead times, but they need to, too. If i get a catalogue, and *that day* I logon, and cannot find inventory, they have failed. They wasted their money creating and sending it.

I have noticed that with multiple clothing companies and it's so aggravating. I've been trying to find a new swimsuit coverup and the ones I like won't be available until July or August. It's too late by then. Pottery Barn is especially bad with this sort of thing, too.

I was looking at a little console table at West Elm...delivery in AUGUST. What?

It is crazy! Has happened to me too. Perhaps Boden is sending out catalogs to UK first, then US? Or our postal service got it to you very late? We ordered a couch in November and they told us 4-5 months. Last month they called to tell us more like 6 months. We will have changed our minds by then!

I find that happens with online seed catalogs, esp. Rene's Seeds. People must start their seeds indoors very early to have so many varieties sold out already.

I got a dress at Lilly Pulitzer today. I like it but it's a bit out of my comfort zone! You know what's funny about it? It is far louder than anything I'd usually pick, but because it is "Lilly," I feel like the pattern is ok (in the right context). Also, its is a flattering fit.

PS It is cotton --- wow I did not think that! Pima cotton jersey.

Mtn, what is the style name of that dress? I, too, am looking for a throw-on, long dress to wear this summer - primarily to take to FL. I wish I had a nickel for every Lilly dress I’ve ordered and sent back. Love the prints - on someone else.

Palmetto maxi dress.

I don't know why companies send me catalogs at all. I know where to find them online. I mean, I do know that across the whole population it probably increases there sales, but it isn't very effective on me personally.

I was going to suggest looking at Garnet Hill as they used to carry Boden, but just checked and they don't seem to anymore ;-(

I've ordered some Boden tunics and the fit has been hit and miss. They look great on the model, but when they arrive, meh - so maybe you saved yourself an online return.

I like the dress you got, very pretty. I’m another who loves summer dresses like that, we have several local boutiques who carry good selections.

Kinda O/T, but I just ordered a custom tank top (for kayaking, etc) ... it’s a company that lets you upload whatever picture you want on it. I did, then checked the tracking the next day — it’s not showing it with the picture I uploaded. It’s showing this:

So ... I possibly bought a tank that says CUSTOM TEXT & IMAGE. Oh, well.

I see this with J crew, online new stuff, PB with that catalogs all the time, Boden is one of the worst and I ask PB how many are in the inventory of an item to know whether I need to order that minute or can think about it for awhile.

I am reaching capacity of most home decor though unless I get rid of perfectly good items.

Fwiw, I like the dress you ordered more than the Boden dress.

I also find the same thing with email ads. I sometimes see a cute whatever and when I click the photo to find it, there are only limited sizes. Not all websites are like this but some are.

I don’t know what the quality is like, but some cute summer dresses here.

https://www.naturallife.com

I got off the catalog lists and just do on-line. On many sites they show the availability.

I got off the catalog lists. How do you do that?! Try as I might, and I never opt in, but still they find me!

That's one pretty dress, even in yellow. Sue's suggestion of Natural Life is one I was going to offer. I don't understand fully why stock is low in clothing because whose been buying? Since I haven't gone anywhere in the last year, I didn't find a need to buy but boy am I ready now.

I think there is a lot of money floating around now (obviously not for folks who have lost employment😔) bc no one has spent money on travel or eating out, etc. People are tired of their old, sad clothes and are feeling optimistic about actually going somewhere to wear their clothes! And of course people who received them are spending stimulus. That combined with lower inventory might be causing the depleted stock.

Jinx, I bet that's just a filler pic they use for custom orders. I doubt they take a pic of every custom shirt to post for tracking purposes.