Boden virgin... come talk me through some stuff

[thelunar66]

Just seen a little Boden catalogue that was in the Sunday Times today and, flicking through, saw loads of stuff I loved. Never looked at Boden before despite bein
g a mumsnetter of many years.

Can anyone tell me what the sizing are like... I mean if you could compare to a high street shop. Are they M&S big or Oasis small. I tried Redoute once and it was tiny!

Is the quality good for the price?

Are returns a hassle?

Are the colours on-line and in the catalogue true to life?

I imagine they may be a bit Next-like.

Am particularly taken by this

anyone?

Hi there

Sizing - I'd say generous, so size down generally. Similar to you I find M&S big, so follow that as a guide

Quality - I think it's good quality. The knitwear especially washes well

Returns no hassle at all - you can always get free return labels by using a discount code and I've found they process refunds quickly and without having to chase them. On the phone their service is good as well

I've found the colours true to the catalogue but sometimes there is a note on the website to say if particular colours are different in reality

I find the sizing fairly big although it can vary but exchanging things is a doddle if you buy with free p&P & returns.
Not next like at all IMO, quality when good is very very good but not worth buying full price just because it's so extortionate in the first place, look out for 15% off or £10 off £30. They're a bit patchy though, some things turn out to be awful and don't suit etc but as returns/exchanges easy it's not a problem to try things out.
Lots of 'review' type threads on here if you search, somebody has probably bought that top! Colours hmmm, I find they're pretty good on the womenswear, vary on the kidswear.

Customer service is excellent and refunds are quick and hassle free.

Sizing is generous, quality is generally very good. Colourwise, usually true to the picture but a pp said they do note on the page if there is any variation.

I don't think I have ever paid for delivery or returns as there always seems to be an offer on, so worth trying as usually costs nothing if you have to send back.

Thank you. This is sounding postive.

I have a 15% discount in this leaflet that was in the Sunday Times today. Plus it looks as though they will send me a free bag as a new customer.

I find the sizing varies.
Tops and T are generous, skirts are generous round waist but I find trousers small- maybe I am in denial that I am struggling to get into a 10!

Quality is fine - excellent customer service. The sizing can be a bit hit and miss.I find that cotton/linen dresses are too small around the chest but the jersey and wool dresses are perfect. Jackets and coats great.

very nice. find trousers are small but tops pretty bang on. skirts and dresses completely all over the place.

I wouldn't get their trousers anyway as I'm a 35 inside leg, which they do not appear to cater for.

There are couple of tops, a rain coat and some dresses and tunics I like the look of.

Oh.. and I meant to ask about their shoes too... are the ballet flats nice and flexible, or are they the horrid rigid type that take the skin off your heels?

Sizes are all generous (am an 8-10 but in Boden a 6-8).
All v necks are very low. Main reason for sending back clothes meant for work.
Quality of fabric varies a lot.
Easy to order/return.
Customer service is fantastic.

Shoes are generally very small and tight so I would size up (yes, I know it sounds a bit odd for shoes).

All useful comments here - customer service v. good, quality much better than Next, and, with careful planning, it's pretty easy to avoid ever paying full price, as so many offers are available.

On sizing, I find they are variable. In particular, that relaxed velvet top, though colours lovely, came up very small all over (even arms) on me - and noticed from reviews on site (a generally useful source of info) that I wasn't the only one to find this. So you may need to size up on this particular item.

I have a couple of pairs of their ballet flats or similar and would say they're pretty comfortable - but you do usually have to size up. Also, soles tend to be rather thin, so I get my shoemender to put on good solid soles and heels.

Hmm... just read the reviews on that lovely velvet top. Won't be buying that one as someone has said it is short (I'm tall).

The other top I fancied was this but given the comments some made about how low cut the v-necks are, am starting to have doubts.

I would agree with almost everything said so far - their sizing this year is very inconsistent so just watch out for that!

I find Boden great for the basics, ie great jersey scoop neck tops you can wear under cardis etc, good t shirts, plain shirts and cardis - I tend to stay away from some of the very patterend stuff/hotchpotch designs as they are a bit too "over the top" for me.

Their knitwear is also excellent and wears/washes very well and you will find that they repeat designs from year to year, so if you find something you like you can normally get a similar/modified verson of it the following year.

Their accessories are also fantastic and very good quality. Look at the lovely belts in the A/W range and the gorgeous blingy evening bag in the Winter preview collection!
I never pay full price as there are always discount codes available, (see the thread "promotional codes" here on Mumsnet for the latest ones) and I always get free post/returns.

Their sales are always worth waiting for also and you will get some genuine reductons on good wardrobe staples.

Their customer service is top class - one of the better companies, you need not worry on that score! and no I dont work for them!
Happy Shopping

Agree pretty much with everything else that has been said on here - good quality especially the more basic knitwear and t-shirts....I personally aviod the very fussy stuff. If you are worried about the glam top being too low cut try the uptown top - really nice shape and not too low. Definitely don't pay full price for anything and if you ever get free returns labels and don't use them then keep them for your next purchase!!