To not 'get' Boden

[ClarkWGriswold]

Just that really. I've never bought anything from there admittedly but it all looks hideously over priced and 'samey'. I just don't get the MN love for it. Is it a status thing?

I can't afford Boden but I like it. Lovely fabrics and cut well. A couple of friends wear a lot and I think they look great.

Of course it's not everyone's style .. nothing is.

I worked for Boden when I was a student. I worked in their distribution warehouse. It was fairly boring work packing boxes but a nice company to work for.

The qualitys pretty good for high street,
it's cheap,
it's basically my whole work wardrobe

What's not to like?

Not too tight, too short or too revealing.

Their casual clothes are a bit average, maybe a bit frumpy.

I agree with PP that their (kids) swimwear is crap

Ten years ago I remember watching a mum order over £300 of stuff from Boden during our kids swimming lesson and feeling jealous.

However, browsed through the recent sale and wasn't tempted by one thing. In the past, I'vevgot t-shirts in some lovely colours. Now they most are white, navy, white with blue stripes, or navy with white stripes.

I think the price has gone up, and the range has decreased.

Saying that, the few bits I buy do last well.

I love Boden, most of my wardrobe is from there. The other bit is Joules.

Not fussed if it makes me a stereotypical PTA mum. It's good quality, fits me well and isn't expensive.

I've bought one or two things from Boden but I'm not a big fan of most of their stuff. I find a lot of it a bit fussy and frumpy, and some of the prints are awful. Sorry, but a lot of it looks like a slightly nicer Per Una to me. Fine if you like it , but it's not really my bag.

I love it for my DSs. Bright colours, nice patterns, good quality. Their reversible hooded t shirts are brilliant. I only buy when there is a sale/20% off code/they send me a £10 voucher so I feel like it's pretty good value too.

I wouldn't buy anything for me from there - mainly because of the price.

I recently bought a t shirt from HUSH and sent it straight back. It was £35 but the cut was really unflattering and the material really cheap. I have nicer stuff from Tesco!

I was just saying I'd love to live in a world where £18 for a basic t-shirt is "not expensive".

I'd love to live in a world where I bought all designer stuff like some friends I have. (£150 for jeans, £1K for a handbag.)

It's all relative.

I have never bought anything from Primark. I don't have a Primark near me anyway.

I might buy an £18 T shirt if it was a particular colour or had a slightly different trim. I buy Uniqlo ones for £9 but the colours are limited and the style is very basic.

Compared to Jigsaw or Comptoir , Boden is cheapo!

I have a bit of a love hate thing with Boden! I used to buy stuff for DS - for a while it was the only place I could buy smart pull up trousers for boys (DS has sn so could not manage zips etc) but them they stopped that style at age 12 - but I could still get second hand ones from ebay. They washed very well. I got a card ( with a £10 voucher) recently celebrating 20 years since my very first purchase from them ( a work dress in the sale)- which made me feel ancient! (Well I am I suppose!) I have made some mistakes when buying for myself- but I am hopeless at selecting things that will suit me from mail order whatever the brand ( I get it right for DH and DS). Comments from other people are helpful- as I am an unusual shape ( big busted, smaller hips- very tricky for work dresses). I have 3 short cashmere cardies , ( bought over the years) and these have been extremely useful- possibly the best ( and most costly) things ever bought for myself by mail.. I have bought 2 things from Hush - both highly rated on MN and the site and been disappointed with both- too thin and casual for work.

I think quality is something to bear in mind. My kids bought Primark Y shirts at uni and said it was hardly worth paying to have them laundered.
A Boden T shirt lasts me 2-3 years as long as I don't spill my dinner on it.
Can't say the same for the Primark ones I've seen.

I've got trousers that are now 5-6 years old and still look as new.
Some things are stupid prices- yes- but you wait for the sales.
Some things are hideous - yes- just don't go there.

I might buy 3 items a year from them and they are all basics that last for years. I don't do high fashion or trends.

I have some of their t-shirts which have lasted years and still look good. In fact I am wearing one right now, along with a cotton cable knit jumper by American Apparel who are not in business anymore, and a pair of Gerry Weber black embellished jeans which cost about £90 but which I purchased using department store vouchers I had been given for my birthday. As you can tell I don't have a look, and I do like comfort.

When I used to do the school run some of the mums used to wear the Boden macs/raincoats with the bold floral patterned print. It was quite obvious. This is the East Midlands so nowhere near Reigate !

Out of interest, all my Boden stuff is casual. I can never seem to find work stuff. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Catholic Kidston made me laugh

Best comment so far...

"You don't have to like it"

I like the colours. The sizing is too boxy and does not flatter me. I also think it's expensive for what it is.

We're in the USA and no-one wears it here! Kids stuff is fab for under 10s, esp toweling shorts and underwear, they last forever. I wear bistro crops and ravello tops for work, I also quite like their shoes. I don't own anything hotchpotch or that shouts Boden however....

I love Boden. I'm middle class and 'mumsy' (not bothered about fashion, fat and want clothes to hide that, rather than have breasts dolloping out in meetings). The clothes are good quality and I can afford them. Their coats are ace. The kids' stuff is lovely.

(Not sure when being middle class became an insult but it does get thrown around on here a lot. I don't understand it, really. I love being middle class.)

Maybe OP you'd care to tell us where you buy your clothes?
Be interesting!

I reckon that most women under 30 don't get Boden but having said that one of my DDs is under 30 and has a few tops and Ts from them, all in the sales or bought with vouchers they have sent.

If you buy in Sales you get heavy discounts. Also they do no quibble refunds if you are unlikely to get to the shops you know you can return if it doesn't work.
I mainly buy work stuff as PP says it is pretty conservative. But I get their trousers, Bistro, Chelsea as cut suits me. Also their pencil skirts good quality and hold their shape. Have bought shoes again for work some heels, some flats.

I didn't shag Jonnie Boden ffs.

😂

I like Boden. Love the kids stuff, only had a couple of bits for myself.

The frikkin ruched top though, I hate. Bought a size larger and it clings to my non-pregnant-but-looks-pregnant tummy and rides up with every step. Not exactly flattering like they said.

Quality is a bit hit and miss, and as people have mentioned expensive,but they have offers on back to back. They don't expect people to pay full price. Ever.

It's just clothing!

I buy from there because the fabrics are decent quality. The dresses are designed for English pear shapes which are perfect for me.

Mind you I'm still wearing stuff from 5-6 years ago so I can't comment on current stuff.

I don't get why people like Primark. Awful creasy, staticky fabrics.

I only like the kids stuff

I wear their tops and cardigans to work. They look more expensive than the new look and H&M stuff I wear in the weekend.

Because they are more expensive???

It reminds me of Emma Thompson's clothes in Love Actually. Boring, mumsy and practical. It's the ultimate middle class Mum driving an MPV style. Urgh.