To wonder what MNers seem to have against Boden?

[orangutangerine]

As a relative newbie to MN I've noticed numerous negative comments about Boden (don't worry, I don't work for them or anything ). Am I missing something?

Granted, I don't buy the adult stuff, it's a bit dull and not my style.

However, I do buy several staple pieces for my DCs from Boden, and I have to say, they last for ever as the quality is good. I don't like all the styles but can usually find something I do like.

If you don't like Boden, why, and where do you buy DC's clothes from instead?

I tend to do a few disposable playclothes from supermarket, some bits from Next, rest from Boden, M&S, John Lewis or Vertbaudet.

[Lotster]

It's overpriced for a start.

[porcamiseria]

its the middle class cuntery smuggness

that said, I do have some stuff from there!!!!

[cornprawnringJasonDonovanstart]

I get a lot from Boden - so easy

[joydivisionovengloves]

I don't have a problem with Boden but I do have a problem with referring to children's clothes as "pieces"

[BitOfFun]

I really like the children's clothes, but try to pick stuff up in the sales or on eBay, as I think it's a bit expensive.

[upahill]

It's either bloody dull or 'tries to hard'

I get my kids stuff from a skater shop in town that sells DC, Nike Duck and cover.
When they were younger I just did a bulk buy at Kendals. Before that when I was skint I would buy from TKMaxx. I was so broke I would buy in the clearence sale and get clothes for the following summer.

I used to get Animal, quiksilver, billabong and so on for £2 put it in the wardrobe and it would do the following year.

[Lotster]

"pieces"

I do actually have a nice pair of boots from there too, bought in the sale because of said overpricing.

Adding on to what Porca said...

There's an "alternative" school near us, where artistic, middle class peeps send their kids.

There's no qualifications, strict rules or uniform (man) but actually there is really because everyone wears their Boden hoodies...
Classic of the Boden smuggery.

[cornprawnringJasonDonovanstart]

My ds2 loves it. Ds1 not so keen.

[Bramshott]

Most of MN has a love/hate relationship with Boden!

[GetOrfMoiLand]

• it sells patterned skirts which is describes as 'fun'
  

• there are a group of MNers who start threads 'look at Johnny's latest offering' as if calling referring to Johnny fucking Boden by his first name makes the MNers in question more interesting and profound.
  

-it is overpriced.

• you have very frumpy woolen tunics which look lovely on the lissom 22 year olf models, however they are less flattering for a 40 something mother with a slightly portly tum. They know their target audience, why can they not have models of the correcr demographic?
  

• the colors and sludgy in the winter and zany bright in teh summer.

[cornprawnringJasonDonovanstart]

The skirts are vile I agree. Jersey dresses perfect for work though.

[KaraStarbuckThrace]

I'd never heard of Boden before I found MN.
I wouldn't recognise Boden even if some Boden-dressed woman came and smashed me around the head with a tray of home made cup cakes.

[orangutangerine]

joydivisionovengloves - Hahahahah I've just read back my post and it does sound very twattish doesn't it. Can't believe I used that phrase.

porcamiseria - like the name, DH is Italian and I know the key phrases. . So, it's smug middle classes thinking that making disparaging remarks makes them feel smug about not seeming like cunty smug middle-classes .

[GetOrfMoiLand]

"I wouldn't recognise Boden even if some Boden-dressed woman came and smashed me around the head with a tray of home made cup cakes"

lol that really made me laugh.

[joydivisionovengloves]

OP- your twattishness is forgiven!

[MilliONaire]

I am the proud recipient of my very first ever boden order today! I guess I qualify for the demographics - almost 41yr old sahm of 1 dc, tall, slim size 12..

Having said all that, I have never bought clothes from the internet before as I generally like to feel them and see them but by this stage of my life I have a very good idea of what fits me and suits me and am less likely to go off the walls totally style wise when ordering.

Still, in order to be safe I bought the day the sale started.

The quality is fabulous imo - I got a merino wool dress and it is heavy and warm and fits perfectly, the atenttion to detail is lovely and as far as i am concerned it is age appropriate for me and my style. I don't dress 'mumsy' at all and like all shops i think it all depends on what you select. I also though the dress was amazing value at £33. Can't go far wrong with that.

I think the stuff is similar in style and quality to Jigsaw and whistles (both of which I also like).

If that makes me smug....so be it, at least I will feel nice and sparkly in my new sequin scarf in my smuggery!!!

There is also no awareness of boden whatsoever where I live so no middle class secret boden clubs here!

[togarama]

Is there? The style of the adult clothes doesn't appeal to me but I don't have anything else against them.

Haven't really looked at the kids' stuff. 90% of DD's clothes come from charity shops, friends with older kids and/or grandparents. At an age where clothes only fit for a few months, most shops seem like a waste of money.

(I think this implies that I'm not their target demographic anyway...)

[PaisleyLeaf]

Some of the kids stuff is fun.
But at 39 I just feel too young to be dressing like a 60+ year old with ruffled necks and those prints! The style really makes me think of Aunty Mabel from 'Come Outside''s blouses, even the models don't look good in it.

[containher]

In my previous 'life' I was a Nanny in London. All the 'bosses' were clones of each other. They all wore boden. The epitomy of middle class. That said- secretly I like the clothes- but too expensive for me.

[BadPoet]

Because their aspirational lifestyle image is undeniably twee. Obviously their clothes are not to everyone's taste (whose are?) but I am not particularly adventurous or even stylish probably, and I like being safe & comfortable in Boden sometimes. I have two dresses which are complete staples, plain black and plain grey. I generally don't like any of the men's stuff.

I LOVE the fact that they do proper adjustable waists or drawstrings on kids trousers and skirts, it's really hard to find things for my skinny two. I buy some of those at full price (well, with whatever code is floating around). My kids don't have many clothes and wear them a lot, so it's worth it for us.

I would only buy tops, jumpers or dresses in the sale.

[Megatron]

Where I come from 'pieces' are sandwiches. Kids stuff is OK I suppose, adult stuff just not to my taste. Overpriced too.

[alemci]

i like Boden and i find it good value in sales. also they have lots of offers so i don't find it that expensive. i buy it because it is good quality and i am not too bothered about high fashion. the coats are good, ordered new one this year but my old one from 5 years' ago is still going strong.

The boots are good as well and often half price in sales.

my daughters like Johnnie Boden as well. i agree some of it is a bit naff.

[orangepoo]

Kids stuff is nice. If you stick to basic stuff and buy it with discount codes - like 15% + free delivery or £10 off £30 then the prices are OK, although on the high side of OK.

Kids basic stuff is good quality - washes well, lasts well, looks nice.

Another thing I really like about mini boden is that you can get a variety of colours (ie not just pink for girls) and you don't have to sift through racks of stuff only to find they don't have the size you need - simply click on the size youwant. Also, the clothes come nicely packed and don't have those fecking horrible plastic tags stuck through them like everything in the shops. I have never had any problems with anything from Boden.

I don't buy it for myself for various reasons - I am too tall, adult stuff is too pricey for me, I am not really into clothes.

[StarlightPrincess]

I wouldn't buy a thing from Boden because I don't fit into the demographic that the clothes are aimed at (middle class 40 somethings). Even if I were, I wouldn't buy from there as they're frumpy and boring.

I wouldn't buy my DC's clothes from there because they are just too dull and twee for my liking, not to mention ridiculously overpriced. I get their clothes mainly from H&M, because they are funky, fashionable, excellent quality and cheap!