How can anyone afford to dress themselves in Boden?

[Prosecco]

I got a catlogue in the other day and the prices were through the roof. I know it's talked about on here a lot , but am I just not buying decent clothes if I don't pay these prices?

[castille]

Offers and sales. I don't think any sane person ever pays full price for anything from Boden, do they?

[hf128219]

Decent clothes are what look good on the individual. Not how much they cost.

[franklymydear]

because I'm quite well off - some people are you know

[LynetteScavo]

NOt all Boden clothes are decent,which is why they are talked about alot.

And if they were cheap we wouldn't covet them.

Sometimes they really get it right though, like the kids winter coats....

[lucykate]

sale time, discount codes, etc. have never bought anything from there at full price.

[cyanarasamba]

I get the odd thing in the sale - got pair of trews for £17 and a jumper for £25 last time. Jeans normally £25 in the sale and v good quality. No way would I pay full price. Don't normally bother with shoes or accessories from there.

Over a few seasons this builds up and means my "best" clothes are mainly Boden. I don't buy a lot of clothes but I also keep a look out in New Look, M&S and H&M for things which seem to be well-made.

Last time I went shopping noticed a lovely new (to me) range in Debenhams called Mantaray. If you like Boden you might like this?

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_10001_10001_65747_-1

[Prosecco]

Thanks all. I have seen the offer of the day thing but I don't check every day. It si the shoes I think I am most shocked about. Did see a lovely pair but could not justify £100. Are they ever in the sale?

[piscesmoon]

I can never see why people are so keen on Boden.

[LynetteScavo]

YOur right the shoes are mnega expensive...but they are also the best shoes I have ever worn.

They are in the sale, but I picked up a pair of £180 boots for £40 at one of the Boden travelling sales when it was near me.

All boots were £$0 and all shoes were £20. I've never been so excited in my life!

[cathcat]

Boden travelling sales?
Where? When? How can I find one?

[LynetteScavo]

The next one is in Oxfor...next week I think.

They only let people who live in the area know about them. (someone correct me if I'm wrong)

They are a maaaaad scrum. You have been warned!

[traceybath]

Shoes get massively discounted in the sale.

[Mimi1977]

It's all relative though isn't it? Some people may think M&S is expensive and others wouldn't think twice at buying Gucci.

For me, Boden is my everyday stuff for my basics and I don;t think it's expensive but reasonably priced for the quality. I have boden jumpers and dresses in my wardrobe that I've had for several years. The cheaper high street ones have faded, bobbled, shrunk etc so for me I'd rather pay more for longevity.

I am completely baffled however by the love/hate relationship people have with boden and people seem so passionate about it. I saw a thread on here once about people being aspirational who bought it which just made me laugh!! They're just clothes and we all have different budgets, backgrounds and lives which affect our style but can't see it matters which end of the spectrum you sit.

[LynetteScavo]

Mimi, have your Boden jumpers really not bobbled?

The boden jumpers I bought four years ago went quite horribley bobbly. Am I safe to buy them again?

[LynetteScavo]

So what would someone who bought Boden be aspiring to, exactly?

[franklymydear]

Personally I aspire to size 14 clothes that make me look a size 10 - 12

[HerBeatitude]

Um... they earn a lot of money?

Just a suggestion.

[MamaLazarou]

I can honestly say I have never laid eyes on a Boden catalogue. Hmmm... perhaps I am missing out on something, as they seem to be very popular on here. My favourite mail order clothing companies are La Redoute and Bravissimo.

[cathcat]

MamaL, be careful with those Boden catalogues. Once you are on their mailing lists you will get about 154 catalogues a year from them

[Heated]

Most people, I think, shop here there and everywhere rather than decking themselves out head to toe in Boden. Nor do they pay full Boden prices, there is always some discount available. For dh & ds the tops don't shrink but last and last, so no false economy & they fit my skinnies but Asda's cords are as good as Bodens any day.

[Heated]

Have had 6 already this season. They also have conferred a doctorate on me

[beaniebgivesupontheDMarsery]

this, for example, mings.

I have never got the appeal of Boden.

[Pogleswood]

Agree with everyone who's said some people have the money,and some only buy on sale!

Had a "Please order from us again" mailing from Boden once,with Johnnie Boden saying "we've missed you here - what can we do to encourage you to order again",and I couldn't quite make myself reply "sadly I'm not your target market income-wise but if you could make everything cheaper..."

[purplepeony]

I'd say their clothes are mid-range in terms of price. Cheaper than Jigsaw which has now gone sky-high, about the same as Kew, and more expensive than Next ( trashy now imo) and M&S, Top Shop, H&M etc.

For certain women of a certain age they fill the gap in the market.

I make use of the offers- got jeans for £33 and a cashmere cardi for £40-ish- they got my roder wrong twice so they took £20 off and I already had a 20% discount for it.

Guess it depends on your income- my BF buys Armani jeans at £150 a go and thinks nothing of it, as she says they fit her and last for years.