OOTD (Let's Go Party!) And Boden Cashmere Cropped Cardigan Review

So yesterday night we had this big party to attend and I wasn't in the mood at all. I decided what I was going to wear at the last minute (which never happens, normally if I have a party to go to I start to think about the outfit very early, even if as a last-minute person I typically change something before leaving).
Anyway, because the venue is one of the most beautiful party venue in the city and the dress code said "dress to your best", which was a big vague, I decided that you can never go wrong with black in NYC and pulled out a JCrew party dress that I had bought a long time ago at a sample sale and was waiting for an occasion to be worn. I kept the accessories to a minimum, I was feeling "less is more":

I bought that little minaudiere in Italy last summer (with the matching flat sandals), it is by Max Mara and it is a re-edition of an original design from the 60s. The best part is that it has a chain (that can be hidden inside) so when you want to have your hands free you can wear it across the body.

Because I had been sick all the week I didn't want to risk to catch a cold again, so I topped the dress with the Boden cashmere cropped cardigan. I had been eyeing this cardigan since it came out and finally pulled the trigger when I saw that the quantities were getting low and a 20% off came around. It was waitlisted until December but I received it last week. I have to say that when I opened the package I was a little bit underwhelmed: with all the favorable reviews of Boden cashmere (compared to JCrew) I was expecting something more. I might be partial to the JCrew cashmere but I found it a little bit scratchy and I didn't like the buttons at all, so I put it in the "return pile" without really trying it on with a dress.
Yesterday night I ended up wearing it a little bit out of desperation, since I don't have any other "little black cardi" (I have a love/hate relationship with black sweaters) and in the end I really liked it. It hits at the perfect spot and I noticed for the first time the velvet trim on the button placket. I still dislike the buttons, so I think that I am going to invest and exchange them with some more "dressy".
This is the US size 2 (the smallest), which fits me perfectly:

I might buy more colors if this ever hits the sale section. By the way, today's "Catch of the Day" is sweaters but unfortunately this one is an exclusion (however, the more pricey Embellished cashmere cardigan, which is not cropped, is part of the promo)

Now, let me tell you something: you can never be overdressed at a party in NYC. I saw some spectacular dresses yesterday nigh, even if the predominant color was black with some all-gold sequin numbers and two or three red dresses (really over the top).

OK, have a nice weekend. After being waken up at 5 by my daughter I came back to bed around 7 and slept until 10.30 this morning. Yay!