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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not 'get' Boden

229 replies

ClarkWGriswold · 25/03/2017 18:35

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?

OP posts:
coffeetasteslikeshit · 26/03/2017 10:11

InvisibleKittenAttack, you're right, I've just realised that my beloved Seasalt dress which I've had for 6 years now (and still looks like new) is actually a really weird length on me! I may have to get it altered as I love it so much (bought it on my honeymoon in the Isles of Scily).

HotSince82 · 26/03/2017 10:13

It won't make you appear to be frumpy and mumsy though, not unless you were already inclined in such a way in the first instance. 😉

NavyandWhite · 26/03/2017 10:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Manijo · 26/03/2017 10:16

haha I'm with you Clark It's very Home Counties. Bit frumpy overpriced and boring

Grilledaubergines · 26/03/2017 10:19

Not a Boden fan. A bit too frumpy for my taste.

People say it's middle class. I don't agree. I think people aspire to be middle class and Boden seems to be the benchmark.

As for being proud of being class. Really? I'm not sure I'd feel a sense of superiority on something o was born in to.

SleepOhHowIMissYou · 26/03/2017 10:41

Boden clothes are brilliant quality and stay looking good for years so they have a resale value on eBay.

I always use this excuse for paying the higher than High Street price for them.

I use the 20% off or fourth item free deals rather than wait for the sales because the really lovely things sell out pretty much immediately and seem to have limited availability.

228agreenend · 26/03/2017 12:28

Clothes are only frumpy if the style or colour doesn't suit you. Therefore what may look frumpy on one person can look great on another.

Flumpernickel · 26/03/2017 14:08

Ha, no, I dont think the PTA boot is a national standard, its possibly just a regional thing here Wink, and I say it in jest Grin, as it just so happens that all the mums (locally) who happen to sport the said boot style and boden/joules, are heavily involved in the PTA here. Just a lightearted observation on my part, I didnt intend to offend, Smile I enjoy people watching and how tribes are formed through subtle collective behaviours (read uniform in this case) , this clothing does seem to fit with a certain "mumsy tribe/demographic" surely that is undeniable?

Flumpernickel · 26/03/2017 14:10

For example, it is not considered offensive to jokingly mock hipster tribalism AFIK? I am not sure this is really that different.

SallyGinnamon · 26/03/2017 14:15

For those that think Boden is frumpy, what do you wear that isn't frumpy?

Flumpernickel · 26/03/2017 14:22

Everything looks frumpy on me Borders...Grin so the last thing I would want to do is make that worse! Wink

Jokes aside, I buy a lot online but I am plus sized, so somewhat more limited with choice, I buy what I think looks nice/modern and will suit from wherever works for a reasonable price really, my point is that I dont subscribe to a particular look or style and I (personally) feel that Boden screams a certain 'look' that to me looks bland and mumsy, sorry, it's just how I see it... Blush

Flumpernickel · 26/03/2017 14:24

I think If I was slimmer, I would search out independents and boutiques online more (by that I dont mean expensive designer)

NavyandWhite · 26/03/2017 14:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PhaedrusRising · 26/03/2017 16:38

InvisibleKitten find that with Seasalt too, so buy their tunics as dresses. They used to do a 6 (which was really an 8-10) but now they only seem to 8s though.

coffeetasteslikeshit · 26/03/2017 18:10

That's OK Flumper, no offense taken, I was just surprised and worried that I'd suddenly gone mumsy! I have flat calf boots, but only ever wear them with jeans, and under my jeans at that (please don't tell me now that that's uber mumsy Wink). Once spring arrives it's flip flops all the way for me.

BikeRunSki · 26/03/2017 19:39

I said to DH recently, that I wished Seasalt still did children's clothes. He said that they did..... but just in adult sizes 😄..... he's got a point, they don't do anything that would not look out of place on my 5 year old DD.

winewolfhowls · 26/03/2017 19:53

I just looked at the white company website idly as it was mentioned upthread. I've never before looked as I don't like white clothes.
So it transpires that they don't just sell white clothes. Who knew? Blush

PickAChew · 26/03/2017 20:03

Confusingly, white stuff seems to sell every colour but white! Often on the same garment.

Rainbunny · 26/03/2017 21:09

I'm a closet Boden fan (pardon the pun!) I just received a dress today that I'm in love with!

I admit their style isn't for everyone and tbh I've bought fewer and fewer items in the last few years, their recent stuff generally isn't appealing to me as much and I agree the quality has taken a dip (although the dress I just received is vintage Boden quality so I'm happy!). I mostly buy dresses and the odd top. Due to my boobs annoying habit of continuing to get bigger year after year while the rest of me stays the same size, I only buy their stretchy material dresses which work for my body shape. Plus I'm in the US currently and it's nice to wear clothes that are more unique because few people are aware of the brand.

I totally get the frumpy accusation about some of their stuff but their stretchy material dresses make me feel sexy without being "too much." I just got this dress in black and without trying to sound "up myself" it looks far better on me with my hourglass figure and larger chest than it does on the models, in fact it does look frumpy on the models but on me it shows my curves really well (I look crap in 99% of dresses so this is a rare find!).

www.bodenusa.com/en-us/womens-dresses/jersey-dresses/ww276-blk/womens-black-georgia-jersey-dress

Mummyoflittledragon · 26/03/2017 21:21

I've just spent a bomb there..... as a direct result of this thread. I needed a black dress for my stepdads funeral and this prompted me. I've bought 3 and will keep one.

pandarific · 26/03/2017 21:29

I think it is a very small town English mc 33-55 y/o look - very Kirstie Alsopp. Nothing wrong with that if that's what you're intending, but not my personal taste.

applecatchers36 · 26/03/2017 21:49

Think you can find all sorts in the range, live in London work in a large hospital and Boden very popular work wear for a larger and younger demographic. Got some great dungarees from the Johnny B range for myself. Swear not on their payroll 😂

bionicant · 26/03/2017 21:51

there's lots to choose from some naff stuff some nice stuff like any other shop.

InvisibleKittenAttack · 26/03/2017 21:59

There's a Seasalt shop in our town - the smallest size they stock is an 8, which does look more like a large 10/small 12.

Agree that since the block heeled black ankle boots have come back into fashion, lots of people on MN are in denial that they ever meant those boots as "Mum boots" and have now reassigned that label to the mid-calf rubber sole Germanic looking boots. They just want to think they are too cool for Mum boots, not that Mum boots are something they are actively buying now.

TheRealPooTroll · 26/03/2017 22:08

Not a fan of the adult stuff. Looks like it should be worn with comfy knickers that go right up to the boob underneath.

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