Burn all my Boden, this is why-

[darcymum]

I really like Boden clothes but just can't buy them any more.

1. Identikit clothes for the middle classes.

1. Boden clothes are very recognisable as Boden (make sure everyone knows you can afford them) I think that's half the point.

1. People show off about Boden (see above)

1. I have never been to a Boden sale but have heard they are a feeding frenzy, and for what, its only some clothes.

1. People see Boden as aspirational, they've made it if wearing Boden, I don't want to be associated with this materialism.

Anyone want to add to my list?

I'm not going to burn all my DCs clothes obviously, I'm just not going to buy them any more.

[EldonAve]

don't burn it
flog it on ebay

[Alouiseg]

I feel the same about Jack Wills for the dc.

[cyteen]

I'd never even heard of Boden before joining MN. It's only a brand!

[GreenGardenia]

Ah come on why do people get into such a knot about Boden?

If you liked the gear enough to buy, why does it make you resolve not to buy any more just because someone has told you Boden sales are busy, etc?

I can solve your problems - if you have any 11-y-o boy or 2-y-o boy stuff you can send it to me instead!! AND if you have any nice summer stuff for a 38-y-o woman wrap it up too!

[rookiemater]

Sighhh I kind of agree with you, but as a lazy middle aged woman it saves worrying about where to shop.

One to add to your list :-

1. Clothes are expensive yet all manufactured in China, don't think Boden supports ethical production

[mippy]

I;d never heard of JW until I moved to London, and I went to a vaguely posh university. I find the whole idea of logo'd clothing really quite de trop. Even having a logo on my glasses makes me feel like I'm showing off how much money I had to spend on them.

[Alouiseg]

Damn right mippy.

[uggmum]

I do know what you mean re:above, but I buy Boden because I like the quality. I never pay full price for an item. But they really last. My ds is wearing shorts that have already done 2 summers and they look as good as new. I then sell it all on ebay for nearly what I bought it for.
Ive never been to a Boden sale (only on-line) as Ive heard how bad they are and I am not that desperate for a bargain.

[onepieceoflollipop]

I have never ever bought Boden (like someone else said, I didn't know about it until I joined mn)

Anyway, a little brochure came with my Red magazine - 15% off. There is a ruffle t-shirt I have my eye on. I won't post a link because it is not in the spirit of the thread. (also people might laugh at me as I am not known for my style! It might be one of the horrid things in the book!)

[Patsy99]

Is Boden really aspirational? It's moderately expensive but that's not the same thing. Round these parts I think it's seen as a bit naff and home counties, the land that the 21st century forgot .....

[Alouiseg]

Yup! patsy99 spot on.

[PeppaPigot]

dont buy them then
who cares

[mippy]

I do have a Boden dress, though their short length is too long on me, and I'm pretty tall. I live near to the shop though, so I could go and try it on. It is that bit too expensive for me for what seem like very plain clothes.

[ProfessorLaytonIsMyLoveSlave]

Rory Bremner had a line about how he'd only gone to the Countryside Alliance protest march because he hadn't received this year's Boden catalogue...

[Fliight]

Sorry but what a strangely militant thread.

It makes a change from politics I suppose...some boden is good, some is rubbish, but I certainly don't buy it as a statement...you buy what is useful, what looks nice on you, and send the rest back using the free returns label.

I'd be mortified if anyone judged what I have to spend by my wearing some Boden item, or thought I was showing off.

[bellissima]

I like some of the 'plain' items, and find the children's stuff (mainly) good quality. I have aired my views on 'fun' and 'hotchpotch' a number of times, and just don't like a lot of the loud and immediately recognisable patterns - but then I don't buy them. You have a choice.

[lolabug]

I buy mini boden off ebay, the quality is good and it lasts forever.....and I dont pay their ridiculous prices...

[LaurieFairyCake]

All my home cunties friends wear Boden (including me)

My friend that lives in Chiswick says its terribly naff.

[lolabug]

Did you mean to call yourself that?

[cluelessnchaos]

I think the quality is not what is was and the sizings are a bit funny (or mine are)

[ThorNogson]

I don't buy Boden because it falls apart it is a bit frumpy and all that 'fun' and 'hotchpotch' stuff makes me heave.

If you want to show off about clothes don't shop there. Let your credit card loose on something lovely from Liberty or something.

[diddl]

People see Boden as aspirational-seriously?

[cloelia]

1. having spent ages ogling the catalogue and deciding where to spend my hard earned cash, they are ALWAYS out of the item I want, or there is an 8 week wait. So I give up and go shopping.

[niminypiminy]

And also J.P. Boden (can't bring myself to call him Johnnie) is best friends with Boris Johnson and I believe David Cameron. (But I'm a hypocrite, I do buy the boys trousers and anoraks.)

[EggyAllenPoe]

Wow - the politics of Boden?

isn't it enough just not to want to wear it very much?
I would be careful about casting aspersions on their production operation in China - generally the bigger name brands make sure their workers are in better circumstances than those who producers that don't have a name to protect.

I don't see it as aspirational, it is quite Marks-and-sparksy really. they do thekind of stuff (at best) I might find useful...not stuff that i would lust over for weeks.