Baukjen yay or nay?

[JessiCake]

In my ongoing quest to redefine my post-baby (4 years ago...!) post-40 (just) style, I am now perusing the latest Baukjen catalogue with my morning coffee... stuff looks nice but it's not cheap even with 25% off. Worth it? I'm in the market for some slightly smarter-than-T-shirt, good-quality, grown-up, well-fitting tops. I find Boden very boxy and can be frumpy on me. How does Baukjen compare?

[RubyWinterstorm]

Boden IS very boxy/shapeless, but works well for straight-up-and-down body shapes.

I just threw out my Baukjen catalogue, as all the clothes are styled on models with no hips/figure of a 10 year old, so I imagine their clothes are not suited to curves...?

Saying that, I once ordered a dress from there and it looked very indecently curvy on me, I had to return it to the shop as it was too sexy (my teen boys would have refused to go out with me )

Can you try some things on and return? To get an idea?

[JessiCake]

Ruby - ha! Yes I had noticed that the models are all absolute stunners with legs like gazelles... I am neither of those things sadly!

Are they good at returns (the only reason I persist in ordering from Boden actually, as they are SO good at returns) or is it a faff? If the former then yes i will defintely order a few bits and bobs and see how they fit... I don't love the sexy fitted stuff but there are a couple of really nice plain jersey tops that look as if they would upgrade me a bit from my cheap-and-cheerful Gap basics.

[TheWiseOldElf]

Their jersey dresses are FAB imo. They're tight but I don't find them indecent because the jersey is really thick and good quality and skims over all the lumps and bumps. They wash really well too. I usually buy in sales or with discount codes. I always like the look of other bits and pieces in their catalogue but I haven't bought anything else.

[Temporaryanonymity]

I love Baukjen! I have loads of stuff from there and I have been really impressed with it. The only thing I have been disappointed with was the jumper dress I bought. I bought it in the sale thinking it would have been the same as the one I bought a good few years back, which I wore to death. It wasn't at all, and basically was a sack.

I wait for the sales, I haven't bought anything at full price. I bought a jersey jumpsuit which was massively reduced. I could not have justified it at full price.

[RubyWinterstorm]

this code gives you 20% off and free delivery and returns

WELCOME317

[MummaGiles]

Ooh I'd been having the same musings about baukjen. I may take the plunge and order some bits.

[KatharinaRosalie]

Love it, very nice quality and does not bobble/fade even after numerous washes.

[Floisme]

I've only ever ordered their ruched skirt which was disappointingly thin and flimsy. Some of their models put me off too and I can only hope it's Photoshop and that they're really not that shape.

That said, I've also had their catalogue and I've pre-ordered:
the Ella top in grey.

I'm not a huge fan of viscose but the shape and fit looked to be exactly what I was looking for and with 25% off plus free delivery and returns, it seemed worth a punt. My size is out of stock so I'll have to wait a couple of weeks - hopefully they won't charge me till then!


I've also tried on a couple of their jersey dresses in second hand shops. They were a bit too full-on body con for me but they did look good quality - no bobbling even though second hand.

[BikeRunSki]

The jersey is very clingy and unforgiving. My

[OpenMindedSceptic]

I like their fitted tops and some dresses. I am 32F with fairly flat (ish) stomach and find it very hard to buy a decent top that does not make look like I am wearing a tent.
Having said that I think the quality has gone down last couple of years. I've recently ordered a replacement for very well loved scoop neck long tshirt and was shocked by the quality. It was thin, see through.. awful! Nothing like the one I had bought 5 years ago.

[WhiteHairReally]

Here's a review

www.midlifechic.com/spotlight-on-baukjen/

that might be of interest.

[TheMightyMing]

I've a wardrobe full of Baukjen, I love it. The leather stuff is beautiful.

[Eastpoint]

I don't like it at all, I tried after reading rave reviews on here but it doesn't suit me (5'6" 32F, flat stomach & wide hips & shoulders)

[BarchesterFlowers]

I have got some of their dresses, thicker jersey, sort of bandage like. They are OK, not an absolute favourite of mine but I bought them in the sales and they are fine for work, wash and wear.

I haven't worn them much, mostly because I have gained weight this winter through illness and I really can't worry about holding it all in in them, roll on spring when it could be another matter. Oh wait, it is spring!

[verite]

Their liv leather leggings are fantastic.

[Bluntness100]

I got the catalogue today too, and I also flipped through and binned it.

It seemed a little like hush, but for some reason the models. Unlike the hush ones really put me off. I actually thought their bodies had been stretched, which put me off the clothes.

I'm fairly sure they looked great in the clothes to start with, but inwas totally distracted, all my mind could think was if you have to stretch their bodies to make it look good then what hope has a normal person got. So in the bin it went...might have another look see if the jersey dresses are appealing.

[PickAChew]

I see the stretching. Why are this model's elbows in the middle of the rib cage? Elbows typically sit just above the hip bones.

www.baukjen.com/uk/shop/baukjen/tops/calvin-top-caviar-black.htm

[RubyWinterstorm]

I just thought the model looked odd, I thought "nice she can be a model, looking so odd"

But i also thought: if you have to be that kind of build to wear the clothes, they are not for me.

[Floisme]

I think some of the stuff would actually suit curvier shapes so the choice of models / photo shopping doesn't work at all.

[stephenisjustcoming]

Jeez. Just clicked onto the website to see what PPs mean and woah! either that stretching is out of control or they've found the first human-giraffe super race of models.

I wish Baukjen would use a few size 10-12 models, at the very least. I get a catalogue every few weeks and it goes straight in the recycling because I literally cannot elide myself with those models enough even to imagine the clothes on my size 14 body.

[Djangor]

I don't think the models are photo shopped or stretched. I think one or more just has different proportions to those usually used by other brands. One of the fair haired Baukjen models has a long neck & quite a long torso in comparison to leg length. Most models used by other brands have long legs relative to their torso length. We are all different shapes & proportions & I definitely don't have the standard model shape with lovely long legs so I think its interesting to have someone with different proportions.
As it happens I don't think that off the shoulder styles suit people with long necks & long torsos - & Baukjen have quite a lot of this style at the moment. For me other styles look better on that model & whenever I try a poloneck I wish I had a longer neck like that model.

[Eliza22]

Christ! Why can't we have clothes modelled on real shapes? I'm not suggesting 55 yr olds who (like me) are beginning to see the ravages of time but just not straight up and down, adolescent boy- lookalikes. I know women like this exist but they're not a majority. I bin all the catalogues which drop through my letterbox for this very reason....pointless looking, as I have curves, an arse and tits.

Baulkjen....if you're titless/no arse/long legged/and washboard stomached. Otherwise don't bother.

[Wanda354]

I love Baukjen in photos but don't rate the quality of the items I've ordered (and sent back). I have tried a couple of dresses, and one of the ruched skirts. The jersey from which all 3 were made is quite thin and therefore really clings to lumps and bumps. I did keep the skirt as it's handy for casual summer wear, but I had expected it to be something I could wear year-round and dressed up for work. The dresses I sent back.

I am 165cm and around 63kg with a bit of a tummy and 32F boobs. Maybe if I was tall and thin the clothes would look better - but then most clothes look better on the tall and thin!

I just find the quality of Baukjen disappointing for the price. In contrast, I find Winser London garments really good quality, and flattering. Used to be only available online but now seems to be available in HoF and John Lewis. They have some nice tops that can be worn casual or dressed up. Nice dresses too. Lovely thick, stretchy jersey that skims rather than clings.

[Gah81]

Half my wardrobe is Baukjen but you have to be careful what you pick.

Dresses or skirts - yes, but only if they are their double-layered jersey, otherwise it IS flimsy and unflattering.
Coco shirt and any tops with ruching/non-single-layer-jersey - yes (otherwise same problem as above)

I'm a curvy hourglass (35-25-37) and their dresses flatter me in all the right places while still being demurely cut (below the knee, not too much cleavage) but their sizing runs a bit large, be warned.

[knowler]

I like it but it is probably worth ordering a lot (if cash flow allows) to try on at home and send back. Their returns and customer service is very good. I've got basics from there - tanks, long line tshirts etc that are years old and still look great. I also live in their Neath trousers and have about 5 pairs

I'd give it a go as for me, it definitely has offered a 'post baby' casual but stylish (a bit!!) option.