If you’re a regular around these parts you would have seen me wearing a Boom Shankar piece or three.
This is a Sunshine Coast-based label that I’ve known and loved from before blogging days.
It’s stocked throughout Australia and online at its own site and Birdsnest but many people first discovered the label via its stall at the iconic Eumundi Markets.
It’s a label that very much runs its own race without looking at trend forecasts and simply following the fashion crowd.
It’s a label that’s equal mix quirky, colourful, a little retro and a whole lot of fun.
It’s also a label with a big heart, with designer Dui Cameron heavily involved in a number of aid projects in India.
Many of Boom Shankars styles are so popular they’re repeated each season but in different fabrics and colour ways. Fabrics are generally either 100% cotton or a stretch cotton lycra mix like in this dress.
The Model
Boom Shankar Tinku dress – Geo $79
and Me
Boom Shankar dress* (I’m in a size 16)| Ruby Olive necklace* | Zatchels satchel from AlsoKnownAs* | Swedish Hasbeens sandals | Uberkate rings
The first thing you’ll probably notice about the dress is that on the model it looks quite short. Way shorter than I’d wear a dress.
The model is clearly of model-like height proportions but on me – a 166cm girl – it falls beautiful to just above the knee. This is the universally most flattering dress length.
I love this brightly coloured geo print. It’s the perfect statement on its own or you can continue the colour theme and add in more pops of colour with accessories.
I love my Swedish Hasbeens for working with this cut of dress and the Zatchels satchel picks up on the blue in the dress and completes the look.
For me, this is the kind of dress I could also wear with flats for a simple, casual look. Its under-bust styling works for me – it elongates my short waist.
I’m also a big fan of the pockets. They sit beautiful but offer us somewhere to put our keys and maybe a lip gloss when we’re out and about.
Would I find Boom Shankar in your wardrobe? How did you first hear about the label?
*These items were gifted to me for editorial consideration. Full disclosure policy here.
Comments 56
Looks much nicer on you than on the model in my opinion.
Thanks Karen … I like it on the model too. I’m just a different height/shape.
I bought this print in the long version last weekend while we were at the Eumandi Markets. I absolutely love it…..so comfortable.
Oh great buy and love those markets!
Great dress and a really great shape on you too!
Thanks Vicki … can’t wait to wear it again!
Oh this is such a fun look on you Nikki! You really suit the colours and your accessories just make it. I am seriously tempted! I have 2 metalicus dresses in a similar style so it would suit my shape…and reach my knees, just as I like! Not sure whether you or Birdsnest introduced me to Boom Shankar but I’ve admired their funky patterns for a while. Great post! xx
They do do quirky patterns so well Julie!
You look so damn spunky in this outfit! I love the cut of this dress and the print is so fun and summery. This is definitely going on the Shopping Wish List…
you’d look more spunky in it!! That’s for sure x
Five star look 😉
Thanks Annabel!
Love this dress on you!
Thanks so much!
You will be pleased to know I just brought the above dress and another one. (my first online dress purchases!) Loved this dress…it really suits you! PS. I am going to the Perth blogging event tomorrow night & will bring a copy of your book to sign. Look forward to hearing your presentation.
Well done Lisa … and look forward to seeing you tomorrow night!
Stunning stunning dress! You look amazing! Love!
x Kirsty
http://geelongfashionista.com
Thanks so much Kirsty x
I love Boom Shankar – great prints and colours. This dress look beautiful on you.
Thanks so much.
I’m a big Boom Shankar fan via Birdsnest (great choice great service), I have a few pairs of their Guru pants – the best for a Sunshine Coast summer, & a pair of the new Habibi pants. I was wearing them yesterday on Kings Beach! Did you see them??! The dress looks terrific!
LOL – I didn’t see them but there were a lot of people on Kings Beach yesterday!
LOVE this dress! Gorgeous.
Thanks Emily x
LOVE Boom Shankar. First saw her at the Eumundi Markets and because of the name (not the clothes) and its association with quote of Neil from the Young ones (“Boom Shankar – may the seed of your loins find the belly of your woman”) I laughed. Then I looked at the clothes and they were fabulous. Great how the style has evolved. Thanks Nikki x
LOL – yes Kylie! I love how it’s evolved but is still true to its core design elements.
I have an old Boom Shankar dress in my wardrobe I think I heard about the label from you Nikki ,not sure though.
I love the pattern on this dress it is gorgeous and looks so lovely on you,I love the Swedish Hasbeens with it too,are they comfy shoes I’ve wanted to ask you.
Thank you for another great Model and Me post Nikki I really like them Xx
They are comfy Lisa … I’ve tried other brands in clog-style sandals but none have come close to these. Having said that you might need more support in the sole for your knees.
I have a boom shankar dress from last year and a gorgeous shirt bought this season. I do prefer the dresses in the stretchy material though as I’ve foudn the non-stretchy ones a little less forgiving 🙂
Totally agree. The stretchy ones are quite generously sized but the plain cotton are…well, not!
I think their sizing is pretty true to size but I do need a little stretch in my more fitted garments as I don’t find it comfortable in the heat without!
They are true to size and yes the 16 in this in a plain cotton would probably be too tight on my hips Holly.
They are true to size and yes the 16 in this in a plain cotton would probably be too tight on my hips Holly.
When I saw how short the dress looked on the model I was thinking I was going to scroll down and see you with a slip underneath, but glad to see it’s actually a more flattering length for most of us.
No Boom Shankar in my wardrobe. but the way this dress cuts in under the bust (my slimmest point), usually works well on my body too.
Most models are at least 10cm taller than me so I always use this as a guide when I see them in garments!
I’m a BIG fan of Boom Shankar and am loving this dress! I first found them at the Eumundi Markets – possibly in the late 90s? Certainly a very long time ago. I loved their kids clothes for when my daughter was small too – but now she’s almost a teen, she has a fashion sense all her own 😉
Yes you would have seen them there in the late ’90s!
LOVE this on you. I’d love it on me too but not right now while I’m breastfeeding. I once bought a Boom Shankar Skirt around 9 years ago while on our honeymoon while in Noosa. It was a patchwork skirt which got a lot of wear but I ended up selling it because as I put weight on it didn’t suit my shape. I love their dresses and prints so once I’m out of this bf season, I will be adding a dress or two from Boom Shankar. This look looks fabulous on you. I reckon it’s one of my favourites to date. Stay cool today if you can. Have a great Monday. x
They still make those signature skirts Bec!
Looking absolutely gorgeous! Finding it hard to believe that you will be in Perth tomorrow. Have a safe trip. I’m really looking forward to meeting you.
I’m finding it hard to believe … so much to get done today! See you tomorrow night.
This dress looks lovely on you and has helped me to decide, that my wardrobe would benefit from one ;). I had my Boom Shankar catalogue out last night and was umming and ahing about this number.
I first heard at the label through a combination of your good self and Birdsnest.
I have a number of their winter dresses, from a fabulous sale and I also have a couple of their skirts. Friends from work recently got togeather for lunch and the dress code was “Boom Shankar”.
What a fabulous dress code for a friends’ lunch!!
What a fabulous dress code for a friends’ lunch!!
have to say yes to a dress in qld heat nikki! … the line really suits you and
love those colours, picked up beautifully with your accessories! … have a good day! having lunch with a friend … no dress here! stormy!!! … love m:)X
Enjoy your lunch Merilyn … great way to start the week!
What a great dress! It looks fabulous on you.
http://www.libbyslifestyle.com
Thanks so much Libby.
Do you know that I’ve never actually bought Boom Shankar before? I know, I’m surprised too. But this might be just the one to get me there. The waist line is perfect for me too, and don’t you just love a pocket!
I just do, it’s the small things. Can’t do a hip pocket but pockets like these, a big yes.
I have this exact dress and I get many compliments when I wear it. It is so comfortable. Bought it on Birdsnest. I love birdsnest for finding something different yet affordable.
I bet you get compliments Leonie! Birdsnest is such a good source.
This dress looks great on you Nikki.I love it, the pockets are very cute x
They do add to the dress Sarah, thanks!
Amazing dress Nikki which looks fabulous on you. I love that it has pockets. Enjoy your Monday. V x
I love that too V – have a great Monday. Hope your mum is getting better!