Do you think Boden is frumpy?

[perceptionreality]

I always thought so....then this year I've caught myself liking one or two of their shoes

Is this a sign I am getting old????

hi boden bashers...

In general I absolutely adore Boden. It isn't cheap (for me!) so I wait and try scoop things up in the sale. Just taken delivery of their skinny chinos - and LOVE them so much I've ordered another pair in a different colour. Also some basic t-shirts, again from the sale - beautifully cut, slightly longer than in other shops, so flattering, some nice details. Saw one of their tunics in a very loud pattern and vastly reduced so thought - what the heck - and actually it's really nice on and although it looks a bit "Bodeny" I don't really care - it just looks nice and cheery on a horrible grey "summers" day...

The trousers are slightly higher cut than in other shops (who wants a muffin top spilling over) but not so high cut so as to be frumpy (take note M and S). Their tops are made in a gorgeous thick jersey fabric that, IMHO, looks good on lots of body shapes as it does hide lumps and bumps better than thinner cheaper fabrics.

I think most of their stuff is quite well cut. It lasts for a long time. I have some Boden skirts that are 7 years old I still wear. I agree some of their "louder" prints aren't for everyone, but if you can pull them off (not sure I can!) they look fantastic..

My only dislikes of Boden are that their trousers, even in a long, can be too short if you are tall. I think their shoes are too expensive. And their catalogue can set my teeth on edge with its sugary sweet wording and models that definitely do not represent their target audience. If it looks good on a size 8 lanky model I don't give a toss - if it looks good on a real curvy woman then brilliant.

I guess I'm not naturally an edgy dresser - I like things to be comfy, I tear around after kids all day, I'm not naturally stylish - jeans and a tshirt will often do me fine - but when I wear my Boden stuff I ALWAYS receive lovely compliments!

Yes in my opinion. I had a good look at the website the other day and the word "frumpy" came to mind.

I wish more catalogues like Boden would use models of a more average UK size. I'm a 14 (wish I was slimmer but haven't yet succeeded in dieting - bah) and I'd love to see more / any size 14 models. Boden, ifyou're reading, take note!

I"m in my fifties and buy quite a bit from Boden, generally in the sale as I think is a bit overpriced, but I do find it fits well, as I am quite tall and size 12-14 (small chest) and I buy a lot of their trousers, jeans, plainer tops and knitwear. The other alternatives in my price range, M & S and Debenhans do not fit me as well and this would definitely make me look frumpy.

I do think its for older people though, most of the reviews are from the 45 - 54 age bracket, Its not somewhere I would have shopped in my 20's and 30's.

We go to Boden parties if they're local, I think they really need to sort their sizing out. I'm a 14 but an 8 cardigan fitted me, Ordered a 14 shirt, swimming on me, reordered a 12, perfect, yet another shirt in a 12 from there barely does up. A 14 Carnaby coat swamped me.

Holo - models of the clothing of every brand or store are all very thin though. There aren't many exceptions! It makes me think that this is why there are always some pieces in every shop which look awful on most people - because at the design stage they were tried on people who are 6 feet tall and a size 6 - and literally anything would hang well on them.

Am in agreement with the posters who now favour Phase eight and Mint Velvet.I have bought more from these brands this year than Boden.
I also think the dress prices have risen alot over the past couple of years,jersey type dresses used to be around £60/£70 now nearer £100.
I know cotton prices have gone up but still think this is alot.

Apart from a denim skirt and a long sleeved t-shirt in the sale, I've not bought anything from Boden for a year.

Gave up buying for the kids as their tastes are no longer cute or twee.

However, all of the long lasting clothes that have washed well in my wardrobe are from Boden - their cardigans (what happened to their favourite crew neck stripey ones?), blazers, dresses (I have a couple that are perfect for birthday dinners, christenings etc) and a few other tops. I don't have any of their loud prints and only go for plain colours or dark prints.

I read somewhere at the weekend that they have a very different collection coming out in Spring 2013....hopefully they are now moving away from embroidered and beaded stuff and nasty patterns.

I know, Perception. It's just that becaues Boden does market itself quite specifically IMO), it should reflect what those people actually look like. I'd be very happy see any clothing company using more averagely-sized models. I like the Dove soap etc. ads which are more diverse.

I have a nice mac from there. Plain thoguh. Agree the patterns atr tto much at times.

I have just received the 50's swimsuit in the sale and am pleased to report it looks great and fits perfectly. For me this is an achievement!! I'm so happy. I did size up as the reviews recommended.

I have however sent back easy summer dress - frumpy (or maybe I'm to old for it at 48) and a T shirt which was too clingy for comfort.

I think Boden is going down the pan, tbh. I used to buy a fair bit of the brightly patterned stuff for myself to wear casually at home with the kids. I shop a fair bit at Net a Porter etc so like to think I am reasonably current and not too frumpy in my look. I have totally tired of Boden now. The so called 'fun' colourways for the last year or so look like someone shit on a plate then rubbed Johnnie's smug grinning chops through it to create the patterns. The clothes are boring as fuck and in many cases even more dire than M&S. The cardigans in particular make me think WTAF? This from someone who used to like a 'fun' skirt or two. I would not be seen dead in any of the Boden women's clothes this S/S. It's over for me.

I used to buy a lot for me, husband and the DC from Boden. Less so in the last 18 months. In part, this is due to credit crunch and I feel that Boden prices have gone up and offers and discounts have become less generous. My DS is now 9 and DD almost 8 - TBH they both think they are too grown up for Boden - sob. Husband still gets lots of shirts in the sales.
With regards to frumpiness, I think some stuff is and some stuff isn't. Avoid the applique, anything with the word 'fun' in the description, the garish colours and the tunics.

I rather like this from Boden
www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Dresses/Below-Knee-Dresses/WH342-BLU/Womens-Harbour-Provence-Riviera-Shirt-Dress.html?NavGroupID=4
A bit Kirsty Allsop I do concede but is it frumpy? Im tall so the print wouldn't drown me .

Are you curvy? You need to have a hourglass figure to look great in it.

For those saying that the clothes look great on the models but not in real life...

Well, yes they do, because the models are barely post-pubescent. I am a size 6-8, 5'9" ex model in my mid thirties, and the stuff still looks frumpy on me! When I say frumpy, I mean I look like a soccer mom, not the woman I'd like to think I look like (still quite hip, reasonably down with it and yet elegant and stylish - I got drawn to a thread on Olivia Palermo the other night and I realised there that she is the celeb I dress most like if that helps you get the picture! ) so really I can't imagine that Boden looks unfrumpy on anyone over 30. Sorry!

I think when you get to your thirties, you have to tread the line carefully on what can make you look frumpy. My sister is just 25, and the other day she bought a vintage tea dress. Looks AMAZING on her because she is brimming with youthful beauty. It looked bloody awful on me - really ageing, seemed to have the opposite effect on her.

Not hourglass exactly but quite busty with a good waist.

I did a survey about them the other day. It asked for my opinion on their prints. I didn't hold back.

However, I don't like the prints, or some of the styles, but the main reason I buy it is the colours. I just look better in brighter colours, and can't find them anywhere else.

eg: Next is always full of sludge brown and vomit yellow with little else. These make me look ill
M and S is just a mess and have too much red.
I look crap in any neutral, grey, navy, brown and black.

I could go on. I have a cool based skin, and need clear cool based colours and Boden deal with this really well. I really dislike some of the styles though. If I could get similar colours on the high street I would, butI have tried and can't

Like how many users have already commented, I think it has more to do with how you style the pieces and put them together, having looked at their collections, there are from time to time good key basics. I do think that their image and brand is quite twee and on the frumpy side though..

crivens thebolter if you think Boden looks frumpy on you then we're all finished...

I can see how, on the wrong shape, some of the stuff could look on the frumpy side - but how can their basics, which they do so well - look frumpy?

I always tell my dh to shake me if I ever look at boden or m&s clothes. Although at 35 I haven't long left I suppose. I will fight to the death in my mini skirts and skinny jeans

There's nothing like a skirt below the knee to add 10 years onto you is there?

I thought tea dresses were the current thing? They are all just below the knee. I think this looks quite edgy and chic, and I'm not sure they add 10 years.

However Idon't think a Boden skirt quite does the same thing

I look best in calf length. It just suits my shape better than others, and I am quite relieved it's back again, after being in the fashion wilderness for years. well not calf length but below knee.

I HATE my knees with a vicious intensity! I look 10 years older in a mini skirt!