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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:
Bodicea · 26/03/2017 22:11

For me I like their winter knits. If I need a black cardigan / plain boatneck top or something specific I can get it from them without scouting the shops and coming home with empty hands. It's good quality and I wait for the sales/ vouchers.
I find their summer clothes are styled too old for me. But I appreciate they are great for people that aren't slaves to fashion.

Love the kids clothes. I like that it's age appropriate and wears and washes well. My son lives in their trousers as they are lovely bright colours, not silly skinny, easy for my son to pull up and down, and wear and wash well.

blackteasplease · 26/03/2017 23:31

Its convenient. The website is very well laid out and easy to navigate. The usually have any basic type things you think you need. It saves going to the shops.

I have actually found it's good quality and lasts well, but i never feel at all stylish in their stuff. trying to phase ot out.

Zahrah5 · 27/03/2017 10:05

I was just wondering what other posters wear and where do they shop for business casual work clothes and some leisture dress up nice but still comfy clothes, aged 35-45, if Boden is so frumpy and old fashioned, etc.

BreatheDeep · 27/03/2017 10:12

Does everyone think this is frumpy?

To not 'get' Boden
Saltedcaramel2016 · 27/03/2017 10:14

Actually I think it is quite well made and the items I have bought are quite flattering and seem to last well. There is a lot of choice of colours even if some of the prints are not to my taste. Their swimwear is also really nice, I like the bikini tops as they have a light bit of padding that is inbuilt rather than annoying padding bits that have to be adjusted each time. They also to tall sizing which many places don't.

The prices though are crazy and it annoys me that they have so many offers instead of just selling it at a realistic price. Therefore I have only really bought it in the sale or at Boden parties where the host can sometimes get around 25% off.

NavyandWhite · 27/03/2017 10:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BreatheDeep · 27/03/2017 10:24

But is it frumpy? I have no idea what people think is frumpy.

NavyandWhite · 27/03/2017 10:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ElspethFlashman · 27/03/2017 10:26

Zahra I love Zara. Would have an entire wardrobe from Zara if I could.

DalaHorse · 27/03/2017 10:28

Green and white stripes are hard to wear as the colour combo would only really suit blondes.

What occasion would it be worn for? It's too dressy to be worn casually and too casual to be worn for dressy occasions. It looks summery, but the long length and sleeves would be too hot for summer weather. Also if the skirt part was horizontal striped it would be better, and it's an odd length. Just above the knee would work for this casual fabric.

Pumpkinnose · 27/03/2017 10:36

I wear quite a lot of Boden - mainly for convenience. I have two small children and work in a busy, professional setting. As much as I love it, I simply don't have time for clothes shopping. I am finding increasingly as pp have said that quality isn't as great as it used to be. I often buy a lot and only keep one or two items although I've done well in the past with jeans and dresses. I am a very curvy size 8/10 hourglass. I'd love to wear white company, mint velvet, whistles etc but the clothes all seem far too boxy and make me look pregnant - not what I'm looking for! Boden may not be perfect and need sifting through but they can cope with the fact I have breasts and a waist...

ElspethFlashman · 27/03/2017 10:38

Honestly even Kate Middleton would look like a stick of rock in that dress.

BreatheDeep · 27/03/2017 10:44

I don't like it by the way. But I don't think it's frumpy.

Which is the frumpiest of these? I think the white with pink one.

To not 'get' Boden
To not 'get' Boden
To not 'get' Boden
PickAChew · 27/03/2017 10:50

That dress looks 20 times better in the black and white, breathe

PickAChew · 27/03/2017 10:51

The stripy one, that is.

BreatheDeep · 27/03/2017 10:58

PickAChew - yes, I know. I have just clarified that I don't like it. Just that I don't think it's frumpy.

OneWildNightWithJBJ · 27/03/2017 11:06

I'm not keen on the adult clothes, but love the kids' stuff. Although only buy a T-shirt in the sale usually... I think the styles and patterns are lovely for kids.

DalaHorse · 27/03/2017 11:25

Breathe / the white one could be charming with some cat eye sunglasses and a slightly bouffant ponytail, as it's a bit 60s.

Zahrah5 · 27/03/2017 11:37

Breathe

I like the green wrap dress. I dont think its frumpy, i think it is a basic elegant timeless design, similar to pencil skirt or shift dress. I with the pattern would be a bit softer, this one is too harsh for me and would be too much for the office.

I love the middle blue one, I was debating ordering it last month but concluded I might end up looking like a nurse with that piping.

I work in an investment bank ofgice enviromnet, there is only so much room for fashion I can exhibit there and I look washed out in black and love colors.

BreatheDeep · 27/03/2017 11:48

I love the middle one too. Have contemplated buying it but don't think it would suit me.

The white one would definitely look frumpy on me but I can see it might look good on someone with a different look to me. I'm not a fan of it though.

I like the green one and it's the one I'd most like to know whether people think is frumpy as I would potentially buy it. I don't think it's frumpy but reading this thread has made me question things!

Zahrah5 · 27/03/2017 11:49

Elspeth

I find Zara too fashionable and maybe a bit youngish. I havent looked in detail on their stuff but I need solid clothes for the office, dresses which are not too short or have weird cut outs. I have spend last 2 months desperatelly looking for some spring dresses, which would be flattering, not too short, havent found nothing in high street retailers. As far as I could have looked with 2 year old toddler in tow.

Mummyoflittledragon · 27/03/2017 11:49

I don't think any of them a frumpy on the right body. I'm pear shaped. The two green dresses (green and white one and wrap dress) would suit me. I'd look hideous in the white with red flowers and very fat in the dark blue one. I'd definitely look frumpy in those two. And stylish in the first two. If the dresses look frumpy, it's because they're on the wrong body type. You need to know what your body type is. Not everyone can wear Boden I imagine.

Annarose2014 · 27/03/2017 11:50

I like the green one as it's a la Diane Von Furstenburg. The middle one will look horrendous on the thick of waist and the white one is "mother of the bride at a beach wedding", sorry.

ShanghaiDiva · 27/03/2017 11:54

I buy knickers, pjs, t-shirt material dresses and t shirts for my dd. The quality is excellent and price is okay if you buy in the sale. Zara t shits are pretty poor quality in comparison.
I have some plainer items for myself - black linen dress and some winter skirts. Dh used to get work shirts - he is pretty small so lots of bargains in the sales. Quality excellent, but shirts seem to be more casual now and more expensive - decent quality shirts from uniqlo are half the price.