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Original poster

What age are people who wear Boden?

102 replies

MollyBerry · 04/07/2013 20:54

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?

OP posts:
BanoffeeSplitz · 05/07/2013 16:48

I used to wear some as workwear in my late 20s to early 30s, ie 10-15 years ago - and around that time I kind of aspired to their dressier stuff but didn't actually wear it (I was still quite clubby in reality).

Back then I imagined I'd prob wear it in my 40s, but now that I am mid-40s I think it's too mumsy!

Not sure if that's because I've gone a bit mutton-dressed-as-lamb in my middle age Wink, or because my tastes have changed, but also think that their stuff is a bit dated now. (though tbf it may be, for their customers, a winning formula of classics).

Thing is, I do still like quality clothes & vintage-y colourful clothes, but these days I'd rather hunt out better quality, more individual stuff.

Missbopeep · 05/07/2013 17:16

Many of the dresses are mumsy.
Not all- but many.

Invariably they have high necks which don't suit me, and they do keep churning out the same styles each season, albeit with different fabrics.

The empire line is a fave and I assume it's because it suits mums' tums.

SparkyTGD · 05/07/2013 17:19

Ha ha Grin me too Banoffee, Boden is all a bit conservative for me

[muttony]

flowery · 05/07/2013 17:22

"Its not boden that makes people mumsy, its what items you choose and throw together."

Yes, this.

I'm 37. I can assure you I don't look frumpy or mumsy which is probably partly because I avoid like the plague anything hotchpotchy.

QuiteOldGal · 05/07/2013 17:26

I'm 55 and like Boden chinos, jeans, some tops and some knitwear. I only ever buy with a good discount or in the sale.

The clothes wear and wash well and if something I like sells out I just think never mind I'll get similar next season as they do tend to roll out the same stuff year on year.

In fact I am now waiting for the sale Smile to buy a couple more things.

JazzDalek · 05/07/2013 17:41

I'm 34 and I have and wear a lot of Boden. I look great! But I am a very casual dresser - top and jeans and a nice knit and I'm set Grin

I would say in general, when I browse the site, there's always a handful of items I love and a handful I think are completely hideous that I can't imagine anyone looking good in. In between the two extremes are good, does-what-it-says-on-the-tin basics.

I steer clear of big, loud, Bodeny prints and empire-line dresses. I'm not really a dress-wearer, but I do have one brilliant little black sixties-looking mini-dress from there. It looks amazing with black opaque tights and long black boots. I hardly ever wear it because I don't have a life but if I ever want to turn heads, that's what I wear.

I do think there are a lot of preconceptions about Boden...the name does conjure up a certain image. But there are gems in there.

And I wouldn't look anywhere else for basics.

EliotNess · 05/07/2013 18:24

OP oyu dont have to wear boden - there are other shops you know

EliotNess · 05/07/2013 18:25

higgie
" but a lot of their clothes were very frumpy and came in generous sizes up to a 22 ( many with elastic waists)"

come on - that is just shit

VBisme · 05/07/2013 18:32

Isn't it catalogue clothing? It all looks frumpy, but then you get some mid-20 frumps.

One of my friends from school raves about the stuff on FB, and I just thought "yes, you are their target market".

BikeRunSki · 05/07/2013 18:35

In my case 42, but I have been buying less and less for a couple of years.

browneyedpixie · 05/07/2013 18:41

I've a top from boden and I'm 28 wouldn't call myself frumpy.

CharlotteBronteSaurus · 05/07/2013 18:48

I'm 35, and like non-patterned Boden for workwear. I like that the dresses and skirts come in a long length.

I have to dress in a pretty sober way for work, and am 5'9" which rules out dresses and skirts from most of the high st.

Dilidali · 05/07/2013 19:08

I'm in my late 30s and wear a lot of Boden. I love the dresses, I live in them. They suit me and the quality is ace. Not all of them, sure, but it's my first port of call. The reason I wear dresses is because I can just put one on and get on with it. But I do get lots of compliments for them and they make me look put together with very little effort. I've got an extremely demanding job, a long commute and an active social life, I don 't exactly do playgrounds and school pick-ups very often, but I do have a child. Quite frankly I am not bothered about fashion trends, it has to look good on me.

DramaAlpaca · 05/07/2013 19:15

Late 40s & wear quite a lot of Boden.

Some of their stuff is rubbish, some is great. I pick very carefully & only ever buy in the sale or with a discount code.

browneyedpixie · 05/07/2013 19:36

I love the prints, I like to clash print and stripes etc

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 05/07/2013 19:41

I wear Boden, I'm 36.

You have to be careful, some things are dreadful, but a lot of it is very good quality - and it tends to be cotton or other natural fibres which is a rare thing indeed these days.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 05/07/2013 19:42

Oh and I never pay full price for anything.

Spookey80 · 05/07/2013 19:45

32- but not the patterned stuff!

Spookey80 · 05/07/2013 19:46

I too would not buy without an discount code.

AndTwoBits · 05/07/2013 21:41

I am 36 and have been wearing Boden's jeans and blazers a year now and I love them. They wash and wear well. Oh and I've one of their maxi dresses and it is really flattering on me (tall size 12 pear). Love the fact they have longer length as I'm 5'9".
I refuse to wear "hotpotch" tops and cardis and I can't get on board with their skirts, they seem frumpy to me.

When is their sale does anyone know?

polyhymnia · 05/07/2013 22:14

hIggle though I'm no fan of elastic waists myself I'm sorry to hear that you obviously regard women
up to Size 22 - or a 'generous size' as you call it and women of what you call 'advanced years' as a style-free zone/ beyond contempt.

It is possible to be both these things and have style . Including bring able to pick a few good things from Boden and put them together well.
This thread has certainly brought out a few prejudices/ precoceptions.

EliotNess · 05/07/2013 22:17

yup

MacaYoniandCheese · 05/07/2013 22:31

I used to buy lots of their stuff when I was insane housebound with three-under-fives (with overseas shipping...gulp) until I realized how hideously overpriced it is and how utterly crap some of the items are (Hello, midriff-baring, ribbon-trim tees...wtf?). I have since undergone a style intervention epiphany and now eschew all things Johnny Boden . I still have a few cardigans and my beloved velvet wide-legs that I turn to on cold, rainy evenings when I feel like curling up on the couch OAP style. On balance, I think the target audience is 50+. I'm 36 and still relatively slim and fit...far too hip for Boden Wink.

marriedinwhiteagain · 05/07/2013 23:16

I loved it 10 years ago but am a bit tired of it now. Am 53 btw. I do maintain it's good quality and washes well though and dd has some lovely pieces from Johnnie B that fit well, hang well, and are very well made.

Rulesgirl · 06/07/2013 02:31

I only wear plain things from both Boden and White Stuff....no frills or flowery curtain dresses. The plain things are ageless and can be accessorised.