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Original poster

Do we still buy from Boden?

51 replies

BrightnessFalls · 07/05/2012 23:58

I havent for at least 6 months. I saw my DN's this week and I noticed the youngest is wearing Boden that her older sisters had, which is a good sign but, her older sisters have had none from there for ages. Has the chain been broken?

OP posts:
EldonAve · 08/05/2012 20:55

I bought kids coats and some tops for me last year

The colours are all awful and the prices too high

Next, H&M, John Lewis all better & cheaper

Mrssamcam · 08/05/2012 21:00

Have bought a couple of things only- suede loafers and 1 pair of cropped chinos. Oh and a cardi. Everything else sent back.

A few posh dresses that are nice but not worth £160- waiting for sales.

Parasaurolophus · 08/05/2012 21:15

I do like Boden for staples, and find it is the stuff in my wardrobe that gets the most wear. The clothes generally flatter me, and the cut and sizing is consistent.

That said, I have bought very little this year because most of it was too garish, too obviously Boden. The things I wanted, like plain dresses and trousers, sold out very early and are on 5 week delays.

Original poster
BrightnessFalls · 08/05/2012 23:31

I bought a wool suit jacket from there about three years ago and people always ask me where its from. It really was worth the price but, thats about it. I havent bought anything for myself for ages.

The three DN's are practically over it. They are H and M all the way now. Its a shame but, DS is now expecting her 4th so, I may have to indulge. Although the baby stuff doesnt grab me. I think its great for 4/5 year olds but, once they have their own opinions its a no no.

OP posts:
FairPhyllis · 09/05/2012 01:39

The thing is, Boden were great when they were pretty much the only place doing a range of quality clothes in nice colours - when everyone else was doing sludge and black. But that has changed now, and the only thing that now makes them distinctive is the prints and the unchanging silhouettes of their clothes - but the prints are mostly pretty awful and I'm bored that the necklines etc are pretty much the same each season. Then there is the price factor - I just bought a couple of jersey summer dresses from Dorothy Perkins - much cheaper than the Boden ones and the quality is OK for a casual summer dress. So why would I pay ~$90 for a Boden one, especially when DP delivered free to me?

I do think the A/W season clothes are generally better than the S/S ones, and it's still one of the first places I would look for a wool coat or trousers, but there's now a lot of colour out there on the high street, so if I wanted a stylish and colourful top or T shirt or dress I wouldn't go to Boden. Plus a lot more UK stores are now delivering to the US.

I'd love it if they made things a bit more grown-up and streamlined: a bit more like J Crew or Banana Republic, but with a British twist. I'd also like to see fewer things in yellow/orangy/mustardy colours as I think a lot of people including me look utterly grim in them.

Queenofcake · 09/05/2012 01:53

I used to religiously kit my kids out from Mini Boden but around 2 years ago I felt the quality (although still not bad compared to some HS retailers) had dropped from what it once was.

Last winter or maybe last summer I felt they took the piss with thier price increases and I have not shopped thier since. I still love alot of their kids stuff and find myself drawn back to look at the catalogue and website from time to time but cannot bring myself to part with the hideous expense of the stuff anymore.

Like I say - a few years ago Mini Boden was fab. Unique design and a Boden quality. Always a little pricey but I didnt mind paying for it back then for both quality and design. These days the quality has dropped the prices upped and tbh other retailers offer similar clothing at much lower prices. The quaility no longer sets Boden apart imo.

Original poster
BrightnessFalls · 09/05/2012 12:29

For some reason, I can see Johnny selling it off, cant you? Maybe thats why the quality has got so cheap.

OP posts:
seeker · 09/05/2012 12:34

Second hand stuff used to fly on EBay. I actually had a couple of unsolds last month. Most put out I was!

Chewbecca · 09/05/2012 13:58

Nothing in the Chewy household from Boden this season.

DS is 8 and I won't buy anymore 7-8 clothing and 9-10 is too big at the moment, think he misses a trick there. Having said that, I feel the boys styles aren't right for 8/9 year olds anyway, they mostly look like toddler/infant styles.
For me I used to buy a few bits but the styling is just wrong this year, I did try a blazer but it wasn't a good fit and nothing else tickled my fancy.
The pricing does bug me too, you have to wait until the best offers come in as you know it's just a matter of time. I wish they'd just reduce all prices by 25% and leave it at that, at least then you could shop when you want to without feeling diddled if it isn't a discount day.

ElizaDoMore · 09/05/2012 14:34

I am weaning myself off Boden. I have a Breton top from this season and the bird jumper from Johnnie B and that's it.

Sold a few items that no longer suited on eBay and there are a couple of dresses from past seasons in the wardrobe. I reckon these will be ok for a while yet. Like most people, I have been disappointed that the quality of the items does not match the hefty price tag.

sue52 · 09/05/2012 14:41

I'm weaning myself off Boden. There was a time when I looked forward to their latest stuff. No longer. And Johnny, please get a new name for your hideous fun skirt.

Salamanda · 09/05/2012 14:45

I just bought my first thing from Boden! They are not at all my style usually but I was in need of a cosy hoodie and bought the Johnnie B cable hoodie in navy. With 15% off from a code I found on MN Grin Am now thinking children's clothes may be an unexplored source of lovely stuff!

daisydoodoo · 09/05/2012 14:45

i do still buy from Boden, but out of my budget at the moment.

The quality is fine and for the dd's aged 6 and 2 the prints and designs are great and not too grown up. but the ds' at 14 and 10 no longer like the brand and ds1 says johnnieb is a no go.

If i had more cash avaliable I would buy more, but at the moment the budget is h&m and tu. h&m fab for basics and some funky pretty clothing. good range, but can be hit and miss depending on which store you go into and wish they would get there online service sorted as my local h&m is small and don't often get chance to go next nearest town with a dedicated childrens h&m.

welovesausagedogs · 09/05/2012 14:56

Well i buy far less than friends with older children have bought. I think the declining quality is one of the reasons why along with the fact that sizing is a bit on the smaller side now and the fact that the prints compared to when there first started are a lot brighter and bold and cater for people with entirely different tastes. Its also the kind of brand that one or two children in your childs class will only wear boden and will wear a whole outfit of it and that puts me off buying things as i don't won't my son to have the same clothes as other children.

Maybetimeforachange · 09/05/2012 17:58

No no no and no. I used to buy for DS1 but they are still churning out the same old stuff 7 years later and it is far too expensive. I have never and will never buy the womens clothes, frumpsville at ludicrous prices I'm afraid.

slalomsuki · 09/05/2012 18:46

I bought some will jackets last winter which are great and have been commented on. Apart from that this summer the patterns have been to similar and not distinctive enough.

The boys jeans used to be good but they have lost the quality now.

hattymattie · 09/05/2012 19:33

Very expensive and declining quality agree and I'm sad cos they used to be great! My kids are also teenagers and so gravitate to the great mecca of H&M. I did get a mariner jumper though which I'm pleased with and a perfect parka which has been brilliant this winter. When they get it right they still get it right!

Northernlurker · 09/05/2012 19:39

I buy Boden and am very happy with the things I have. There are one or two things that I've sent back in horrow - this seasons 'weekend' tunic being the prime example but generally I'm happy. I like the cut and the patterns I choose - obviously there are a few that are not so good. I wore a wool tunic today for work and 4 people complimented me on it. I am a short size 22 - it's not easy to compliment me! Grin

mrsebojones · 09/05/2012 20:10

Well Johnnie seduced me over th bank holiday weekend and I ended up ordering a yellow jumper with 30% off. I think I was hoping to brighten up my wardrobe in the absence of any bright weather Wink
Well it arrived today... and it's horrid. Its not the crisp bright yellow it looked online, instead slightly sludgy. I agree with the reviewer who suggested it's the colour of 'baby poo'. So not a good look. So as DH is on strike tomorrow, he will be using his time wisely and making a trip to the post office with it...

Dancergirl · 09/05/2012 20:23

Yes still buy Boden here. But you have to be selective. Agreed that most of their prints are awful, with the exception of the more subtle ones. But a lot of their knitwear is lovely. And they do lovely shoes but they are expensive.

This year I've bought:

Capri dress
Como cardigan
Bell sleeve cardigan
Long Island Tee in white
Twist sandals in silver

I really love everything I've bought and wear them loads. But I also bought loads of other things to try and sent them back. I only keep things I love and send back anything I'm not sure about. And I never buy at full-price, they always seem to have 15% off.

The girls dresses are lovely, I buy in the sale.

Dancergirl · 09/05/2012 20:24

Also bought the photographer jacket in dark denim!

ameliagrey · 09/05/2012 20:32

I think the quality is okay-ish. I can't think of any other store that has better quality at that price TBH. Boden's main competitors are IMO Hobbs, Jigsaw, Kalico maybe, Phase 8, Fenn Wright Mansen, .........all aimed at the 35 and 45+ woman.

I think they price in line with the above- or cheaper.

That's not to say I buy a lot- I don't. Clothes of theirs that I have tired of have always sold well on Ebay.

Northernlurker · 09/05/2012 21:03

Hobbs and Jigsaw don't go beyond a size 18 though do they? I love that about Boden. They do clothes that fit me and flatter me where most High Street retailers don't bother.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 09/05/2012 21:09

NL - no they don't, which is a shame although I think that Hobbs sizes come up quite big.
I have lost some weight over the last year, but before that I used to shop in Boden much more, because it was one of the few places that catered to a size 20 in nice clothes rather than either granny items or cheap polyester.

orangeandlemons · 09/05/2012 21:20

I only buy dresses. They are the only company I can find who do long versions of dresses and skirts.

I am sick of hemlines being too short on regular length clothing. Am not sure if the dresses are made for taller people overall or it is just added on the length of the skirt. Judging by the fact that some waistlines sit above my waist, I guess it is just on the length, but that is better then nothing. If they didn't have different lengths I wouldn't buy from them

I have yet to find a dress that actually sits where my waist is, and not 2 inches above it Sad