Instead of Bode, why not Faux-de?
50+ links so you can get the look and still pay your rent
Other than perhaps The Row, it’s hard to think of another luxury brand in the last few years that have dictated what we all want to wear more than Bode. If you’re not super familiar with the brand, imagine I’m Miranda Priestly telling you that that patterned crochet sweater or quilted jacket you bought last year was picked for you in some room by Emily Bode. But while The Row exists on one side of the vibe spectrum, Bode (pronounced BOH-dee) is its mirror opposite. Where The Row is minimalist, Bode is maximalist. Where The Row’s clothing turns refinement into a trait you can embody, Bode makes clothing into rich tapestries of texture and details that you want to live in. Unfortunately for us bottom feeders, one thing they do have in common is astronomical price points.
I recently came across Trash Panic’s insightful essay on Bode where one of the points she makes is that people tend to ascribe much more monetary value to clothes based on the label inside, and that basically all of Bode’s brand identity is rooted in vintage and heirloom aesthetics but at exorbitant prices and with none of the actual history or character. Why do we find that $1200 embroidered Bode sweater so desirable when it’s $60 vintage dupe is sitting right there? So, naturally, I immediately started searching TRR for Bode inspired pieces. And wow did I find a lot, so much so that this is going to be Volume 1 of a 3 part series. Each will focus on what I consider to be the three distinct personalities that generally sum up Bode: Folk Art, Americana, and Art Deco. This first volume will focus on the Folk Art aspect of Bode, which to me means rich textures like velvet, lace, and embroidery, as well as anything that looks handmade or has heirloom-like details like fringe or patchwork. Stripes, beadwork, and floral motifs are other big ones.
On a related note, I removed the paywall on my last post about my hack for searching for vintage on TRR. Go give it a gander, it’s an actual goldmine for Bode inspired pieces.
Lastly, I have to say that these pieces are not being done justice when viewed from a distance. So many of them looked just okay in the thumbnail, and then were actually stunning when you clicked on them and zoomed in.
Top row L to R: Vintage - Unbranded Pink dress, $108 at 20% off
Vintage - Unbranded nightgown/dress, $95 with no markdowns yet
Vintage - Unbranded lace coat, $82 at 50% off - this, unbuttoned over a short lacy slip, dark sunglasses, and messy hair
Chloe sheer robe, $124 at 20% off - imagine just wearing this around your apartment
Saks Fifth Avenue hooded robe - $63 at 10% off
Middle Row, L to R: Vintage - Unbranded house coat, $123 at 70% off - cozy!
Emilio Pucci lace robe, $118 at 70% off
Vintage - Unbranded sheer turtleneck dress, $105 at 50% off
Ralph Lauren lace trimmed robe, $35 at 80% off
Neiman Marcus fringed robe, $34 at 60% off
Bottom row, L to R: Victor Costa floral jacket, $32 at 60% off - TRR says it’s graphic print but it kinda looks embroidered to me?
Vintage - Unbranded black sheer blouse, $33 at 75% off - has a tear but maybe it adds character?
Vintage - Unbranded cropped jacket, $69 at 40% off - This looks like it belongs in the American Folk Art Museum
Les Copains embroidered sweater set, $65 with no discount yet - matching sweater included!
Tach floral sweater, $66 at 30% off
Top row, L to R: Striped shirt jacket, $72 at 20% off - if you told me this actually was Bode I would believe you
Vintage - Unbranded lace bow top, $45 at 50% off
Oscar de la Renta sheer blouse, $70 with no markdown yet
Longchamp wool turtleneck, $44 at 55% off
Victor Costa black floral jacket - $18 at 75% off - kind of a casual version of the coat in the mood board, no?
La Veste bolero, $116 at 20% off
Red Valentino embroidered sweater, $29 at 80% off - embroidered florals? Very Bode
Bottom row, L to R: Natalie Martin striped shorts, $48 at 20% off - the tassel drawstrings are so cute
Anna Sui flared trousers - $76 at 20% off
Oscar de la Renta, $28 at 50% off - Bode styles a similar vibe skirt with a cropped bra top and black mary janes which would be so cute with this
Etro striped pants, $48 at 20% off
La Veste velvet pants - $130 at 10% off
Tory Burch striped pants, $60 at 20% off
Marc Jacobs striped pants, $49 at 10% off
Top row L to R: Joie crochet dress, $36 at 10% off
Dries Van Noten striped mini dress, $121 at 10% off
Suno printed silk pants, $37 at 25% off - when did TRR stop steaming the clothes?
Iceberg patchwork pants, $85 at 65% off - anything patchwork has big Bode energy
Second row L to R: Warm velvet trimmed dress, $80 with no discount yet
Teri Jon by Ricki Freeman lace dress, $52 at 35% off - this with pearls and those black velvet shoes
Rixo printed pants, $46 at 15% off
Emerson Fry wavy print pants, $30 at 40% off
Third row, L to R: Vintage - Unbranded floral embroidered pumps, $105 at 80% off
Manolo Blahnik brown loafers, $76 at 20% off
Kate Spade velvet oxfords, $44 at 20% off
Bottom row, L to R: Tom Ford velvet loafers, $89 at 65% off - I have no idea how these haven’t been snatched up yet
Lanvin suede loafers, $20 at 75% off
Fendi bow slides, $105 at 40% off, size 6
Gabriela Hearst straw oxfords, $50 at 65% off
Top row L to R: Vintage - Unbranded faux fur coat, $97 at 50% off - when something looks this good on the mannequin, it’s a safe bet it’ll be a stunner irl
Vintage - Unbranded beaded evening jacket, $62 at 60% off - the embroidered beadwork is absolutely unreal
Vintage - Unbranded midi dress, $52 at 70% off
Vintage - Unbranded paisley print dress, $45 at 80% off - **BFA hot tip alert: generally speaking, when TRR photographs something off mannequin, it means they couldn’t get it on the mannequin**
Tory Burch embroidered dress, $31 at 70% off
Middle row L to R: Buru plaid print set, $33 at 75% off - 2 for 1!
St. John Collection lace skirt set, $35 at 80% off
Warm floral print set, $50 at 60% off
Vintage mink shawl, $116 at 20% off - statement! accessory!
Kate Spade straw bag, $92 at 50% off
Kenneth Jay Lane beaded necklace, $66 at 60% off
Bottom row L to R: Alberto Makali pant suit, $42 at 60% off
Jason Wu fringed set, $43 at 70% off - we love a twofer here at BFA
Gloria Sachs pantsuit, $67 at 25% off - the jacket alone!
Vintage - Unbranded cashmere scarf, $31 at 80% off - it’s giving Edith Wharton
mood board image credit: Bode, Hypebeast, GQ, Kendam, The Impression