What age are people who wear Boden?

[MollyBerry]

I don't mean children but the grownup clothes. I've always wrongly or rightly associated it with middle-class mums, am I wrong? Am I just stereotyping here?

[juneau]

I'm 39 and I probably buy three or four things from them each season. Their trousers and skirts don't fit me, as they seem to be made for people with no waist, but their shoes, dresses, jumpers and tops are fine. I never buy anything described as 'fun' or any of the ugly prints that scream 'BODEN', but it's fine for wardrobe basics and good quality leather shoes and boots.

[HappyAsEyeAm]

I wear lots of Boden. I'm 38, but I've been wearing it since they brought out their petite range, which I think was about 3 or so years ago. The petite fit is realy good for me, and I'm delighted that they're always expanding it. They have a far more varied petite collection than any other store I've found, online or on the high stret. I am a big fan. I agree that you have to be selective, though that is the case in any store.

[goingmadinthecountry]

I'm nearly 50. Tops are too short but I have quite a few dresses and tunics I buy in the sale and wear for work. Bought my first stuff there at about 40. Never bought anything "fun" or too quirky though.

I am probably Mrs Boring - Phase 8 and White Company are both on my go to list, though I'll look anywhere except Next. If I was slim, Me and Em would be on my go to list.

[mypavlova]

I'm a firm fan, been buying from them about 5 years, early 40s now. They have great office clothes. This AW, love the breadwinner skirt, bistro crops, 60s heels, merino jumper, cowl neck jumper. As a clear winter, really bright intense colours suit me best, as well as navy and silver, and boden does these well season after season.

[applecrumbleandcream]

I'm 39 and quite like a few classic pieces which can be worn season after season, but most of it I find too frumpy, screams Boden and way way too expensive. Only ever buy for dd regularly as I like Mini Boden clothes.

[scarlet76]

37 and wear Boden here because:
The quality is better than Dotty P, New Look, H&M
They do a petite size 6 which fits me well
Their customer service is second to none

I avoid the bonkers patterns, hotchpotch and favourite garments.

[Carolmillen]

'It's the type of wardrobe you own if you don't think much about what you're wearing.'

[hazelnutlatte]

I'm 32 and have just discovered boden in the past year (thanks to mumsnet)
I don't think I'm frumpy but I also don't want to shop in River island etc any more - all the neon / graffiti print / crop tops on the high street are really not my style!
Boden do sell some pretty frumpy clothes (if its described as 'fun' then its probably frumpy) but also lots of basics and work clothes that are good quality. They also do lots in petite which is good too.

[DontmindifIdo]

I'm 34, and have been wearing Boden since 30, I had ds, moved outside the m25 and they found me, sent me a very nice catalogue. I intended to just buy a few things for ds, but somehow a couple of tops went in my bag too. I now have quite a lot.

you do have to pick carefully. While I think there are quite a few things that suit me, I can't see someone 20/30 years older carrying them off, similarly, there are things clearly aimed at an older audience that would look frumpy on me. I think actually they are quite clever in that, i cant imagine theres any woman who would wear everything in their range, but they have things that will appeal to a selection of ages and body shapes. (and their petite jeans fit perfectly, I struggle to find jeans that fit so they can be forgiven a lot for that)

[GeorginaWorsley]

I wear some Boden at 46 and very middle class
Not as much as I used to though.
I like their slim 'bistro' trousers,slim chinos,straight leg jeans.
Also some less patterned dresses.
Not as impressed with tops this season,am not liking the shapes.
Find more that I like in phase eight,mint velvet etc
However Boden do have excellent sales and customer service superb.

[polyhymnia]

Mmm, not sure it's necessarily for women who want to fade into background - all depends what you choose and how you wear it.

I have lots of Boden pieces and my natural style was described as 'flamboyant' by a professional fashion designer I was talking to the other day (in a good way, I think!).

[BuggedByJake]

I'm 40 & don't really buy it for me. I find the odd thing that's ok but most of it is frumpy.
Love it for the kids though.

[AmberNectarine]

I'm 28 and wear some. Disagree with blending into the background - I don't think my bright pink desert boots achieve that.

[Pinupgirl]

Age is not the problem with Boden. Its for women who want to blend into the background and not draw attention to themselves-definitely not for me! Even Johnnie himself said it was for women who didn't want to be sexy-again not me!! Frumpy,frumpy,frumpsville imo.

[Lonelynessie]

I'm 25, I don't really like the clothes for me (but buy a lot for dd's) but I do like their some of their shoes.

[pootlebug]

I'm 37. I've occasionally bought the odd thing along with some bits for the kids, but when it arrived sent everything for me back because it feels too frumpy. I feel like I'm not old enough for Boden.

[Rooble]

I'm 43. First thing I bought from them was when I was 26. I couldn't see anything in this winter's catalogue that would make me look under 65. Everything was spectacularly frumpy.

[Marylou2]

45 but have been wearing it for 10 years. Husband and kids do too. I rationalize the cost by thinking of the quality/ longevity of the clothes and also no parking/starbucks/spontaneous makeup purchasing as it's all done from the sofa.

[polyhymnia]

I'm not slim though like to think I'm classy!

Just to say I absolutely agree with the sentiment that Boden piecescan look great if you choose and put them together well. Don't - obviously - agree that only slim people can do this.

(Nor do I like being called a girl personally - I'm a woman!)

[loveboden]

I think its just people who don't know how to put pieces together who tend to think Boden is for frumpy girls! Boden is just fabulous and is more suited to slim classy girls, that way it always looks wonderful! just saying. and I am a very young looking slim 52. x

[stickygingerbread]

I am early 40s and have been wearing it about 5 years. I am American so it is not so universally recognized here. I've bought various cardis, jeans, trousers, dresses, boots, couple of pencil skirts. A lot of items are good for the office and casual, and are mainly machine wash. My days of dry cleaning are over until my children are less messy.

[stickygingerbread]

I don't know why mn always trashes boden. Perhaps it is too pervasive in the UK. Every line has some less desirable items, or things that would not work for you in color or cut. I find some good items every season, not the same items but there is always something, which makes it very reliable.

[alemci]

I am mid 40's and have been wearing boden for nearly 10 years' I think. the quality is good and i don't think it is frumpy - depends what you buy. I like their Boots, swimwear, skirts, tops, dresses, knitwear. even my teenage girls buy the odd bit of adult stuff.

also I am so sick of the rubbish quality in the shops i will stick with Boden. at least their tops don't develop holes after a few washes (another thread).

[higgle]

Eliotnes - just checked in case I was in error 22 is the biggest size across the whole range. iF you check each item you se a range of gathers,elastene and knitted fabrics which give a lot of room on the waist on many styles. My boss who is about a size 16 and early 60's wears a lot of Boden so all in all I believe the average customer is older and larger than one might suspect.