sure it's been done before but *is* Boden worth it??

[MissChief]

should I relaunch my spring self courtesy of B or would my pennies be spent more wisely elsewhere? Never bought from them before!
I like fairly classic smart casual clothes by choice, not been trendy since my increasingly distant 20s.

Are Kew tops long in the body? I'm 5'8" & long-waisted so find most shops' tops are too short. Gap usually okay and Petit Bateau, but their stuff very basic - more for layering under more interesting things. Also expensive unless you raid the sale.

Oh, & Boden tops way too short for me, so I don't risk it. I quite like the trousers though (not the capris), but I've got a small waist compared to my hips, so maybe that's the cut...

Scampdoodle: I've got a small waist and big hips too and finding trousers that fit is a nightmare. So Boden ones fit you? Anywhere else?

To be honest, Issymum, for me it's been more of a case of ruling out particular styles rather than finding a brand that works for me. I go for lower-slung waists, so bypass the problem. Low-slung waist, wide or straight leg, so NO tapered or skinny cuts. If I have to go bigger than a 12 then it's probably not right for me.
I've got trousers from Boden, M&S, Oasis... I recently bought a fab pair of Levis, fitted, but straight leg - it doesn't mean you have to live in baggy trousers for ever!
However, a lower waist line means ones tops have to be long enough, hence my original query!

I've recently bought some stuff from Boden for the first time. The winter woollen tank tops were very disappointing - pilled terribly and not cheap. I ordered some summer stuff too and sent most back (thought the fabrics very cheap, apart from one top. I think for the price, the quality is not brilliant - now wish I'd sent the top back too as I've seen better around and it hasn't washed very well. The catalogue is very seductive and I do like the prints they use, but I'm afraid for me the quality just isn't there for the price.

Tops start off on the small side and shrink when you wash them. Other things I've bought have nearly always gone back as either they're a funny shape or the fabric is cheap and flimsy. Given that it's the same price as Jigsaw I really don't think it's worth it.

I have bought a few bits in the sale for my DS's & have been impressed with the quality.
Not keen on the majority of the womens bits, so have never bought anything for myself from there.

I had never bought it for myself until recently. I got a t-shirt and it was such a lovely fit I ordered several more in a range of colours. very please with them all. I ordered a lovely cardi, again, great fit and flattering. Two skirts and another cardi got sent back, not really Boden's fault though - they just weren't quite right. It's certainly better then Jigsaw (have barely bought anything else for about 4 years and am getting very tired of it) I work on the basis of ordering a whole load of stuff on the assumption that I will send some, or possibly even all, of it back. Ordering something is the equivalent of taking it in ot teh changing room iyswim.

just seen sponge's post - I thought the tops were quite generous sized, they haven't shrunk and it's better quality than jigsaw, which I think is increasingly shoddy.

I'm 5'1" so never had a problem with short tops!

Is this the second one Fio ??

No, I meant was this the second thread you clicked on.

Would agree re children's clothes. I used to buy lots of women's stuff there too, but in the last few catalogues, there has been less and less stuff which I like for me at the price. The sales are great, but for full price stuff, I would tend to buy from Kew or Monsoon (very unfashionable I know but I love it!)

I have enormous knockers and Johhnie tends to flatter the flatter chested woman. I bought a couple of pairs of trousers 2 years ago which rather grabbed me round the crotch and had to go back. Not a good look. Am always happy to look at the beautiful catalogue which seems to be posted to me every fortnight but can live without most of the women's stuff.