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Original poster

Boden! What has happened?

29 replies

MrsMcGregor · 15/08/2013 08:55

Maybe it's just me but not only does there seem to be anything decent to choose from but Johnnie must have lost all his mannequins and the prices are ridiculous and are creeping (no, leaping) up at a ridiculous pace. Actually, is it a case of price up, offer lots of 15/20% codes and increase margin YOY? Yeah, probably.

Oh it's not all bad but this AW I could only find one dress for the DTs and just a couple of bits for me which is unusual.

Anyone else or am I alone in my rabtL Moan over Grin!

OP posts:
MrsCampbellBlack · 15/08/2013 08:58

Well, people seem to say this every season. But presumably there's still a lot of people buying.

I've rather liked the ladies knitwear this season - the spot button back jumper is lovely and so is the crewneck cashmere one.

I'm not massively tempted by the girl's stuff though apart from the boots. But the winter preview has a few bits I'll be ordering for my 4 year old DD.

missbopeep · 15/08/2013 08:59

I agree.

This season I ordered over £600 and have kept 1 spotty cardi and 1 jacket for DH.

The dresses are all frumpy IMO, or have something 'wrong' like no sleeves ( for winter??), weird patterns, those funny ' space suit' necklines that Teresa May wore. and very ordinary jersey tunics are £60+.

And the jeans are 2x the price of Uniqlo etc.

MrsCampbellBlack · 15/08/2013 09:01

I never buy jeans or dresses from boden though - agree they're a bit frumpy in their cut.

Original poster
MrsMcGregor · 15/08/2013 09:06

True MrsCB and no doubt people are buying! Maybe it's me. I did get the Crew lookalike jumper which I'm really please with and have ordered another couple of things to try on. I normally see heaps for the girls and haven't this season which is unusual.

MrsBoPeep - yes, some of the pieces seem over-priced and I seem to have noticed just this week whilst looking at CoTD. I mean their basic cardigans are around £45 full price and I think the classic belt is nearly £40. Not extortionate by mid-high street prices but getting pricey for Boden.

Actually, flicking through their catalogue, the clothes look a damn sight nicer than on-line. Poor website photography?

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsMcGregor · 15/08/2013 09:08

I've got dresses from them over the last few winters and have loved them but as MrsBP said ever shortening sleeve lengths don't appeal. I like heat!

OP posts:
missbopeep · 15/08/2013 09:11

I try to convince myself the dresses are nice simply because there are people here who rave about certain styles- but I don't suit high necks ( cuts out 50% of them), don't wear black near my face, don't like wrap over ( bit frumpy) like shift styles with some waist but not high empire line, and want long or 3/4 sleeves for winter otherwise it's ' hunt the matching cardi' time.

LadyBarlow · 15/08/2013 10:20

I agree, I ordered tons of stuff in the preview & have kept 1 dress. What really annoys me is the crap quality with the inflated prices, I bought a top that was awful, honestly would have got better in Primarni for £10
Also had a cashmere cardi that was really thin- I've got one from 4or 5 yrs ago that's much better
I don't mind paying a bit extra for good quality stuff I'll get lots of wear out of but Johnny is having a laugh!

Elsiequadrille · 15/08/2013 10:47

I like some of the clothes and have bought a few skirts (four so far, woollen skater-type skirts, and a chiffon thing), a couple of tops, jumper and a new rainyday mac Blush
No dresses, agree on that. There's a lot that I really don't like, however. Probably the majority of it.

Have you looked in the preview, Mrs. They have more (and better) children's clothing there, although I don't recall liking anything for myself.

Elsiequadrille · 15/08/2013 10:49

I wish (and I always say this) that Boden would dispense with the perpetual discount codes (which you'd be a fool not to use, because they are readily available) and sell things at a reduced price instead. We're not fooled into thinking we have a bargain!

BeCool · 15/08/2013 10:52

Body Shop do the same thing - high prices, loads of offers. IMO it devalues the brand. I will never buy anything without a code or I'd feel 'ripped' off. It puts me off shopping with companies that do this.

I much prefer fair pricing across the board.

BeaLola · 15/08/2013 11:01

Agree re dresses and codes !

The skater jersey skirt I like but I don't want umpteen with spots on them - what is wrong with plain colours sometimes ?

Is there a winter preview somewhere ? I don't seem to get catalog yes anymore.

Kezztrel · 15/08/2013 11:01

This year is the first I've ever liked and kept anything I've ordered from Boden. Don't like any of the dresses or jeans, but got some bistro crops in cotton and wool, the spotty button back jumper and the cashmere crew - love them all! V expensive, yes, but not so bad with a 20% discount, great service and the fact they're made of lovely material and will last years.

missbopeep · 15/08/2013 11:04

I agree the cashmere is crap now.

I have 2 jumpers and a cropped cardi from 3-4 years back, all bought in their sales/discount for not a lot, and they are so much thicker than one I sent for recently- and returned.

TBH, M&S, J Lewis and Uniqlo do cashmere that's better or cheaper.

I think Boden works on the principle of launching early and hoping everyone will spend their cash before the other shops get their winter stock in.

The discounts are just silly- it's all this over promotion and endless emails that drives me bonkers.

Elsiequadrille · 15/08/2013 11:04

Yes, the preview's at usual place. www.bodenpreview.co.uk (not forgetting 20% off code of course! PRV1).

Does anybody have the collared breton? Wondering whether is worth ordering, it looks like a large fit.

Elsiequadrille · 15/08/2013 11:04

www.bodenpreview.co.uk

missbopeep · 15/08/2013 11:31

In their winter preview they have a leather biker jacket which I am eying- black or dark grey, anyone?
I suit grey better but wonder if bikers just have to be black?

BeCool · 15/08/2013 12:22

I don't think the quality is all that - I brought 2 cotton summer shrugs/front ties cardies, and they both look very cheap after just a couple of washes. I've not worn them very much this summer and the quality isn't great.

GeekInThePink · 15/08/2013 18:59

What's the crew look a like jumper like OP?

I agree with the above

I might get the modern breton and I was getting the rainy day mac but I don't like the colours!

Elsiequadrille · 15/08/2013 20:30

I agree about poor picture quality. I bought the 'sage' rainyday mac, but it looks odd in the flesh, sort of brown. I'm keeping it anyway, I'm sure it will come in useful.

GeorginaWorsley · 15/08/2013 20:39

I usually find a few dresses,trousers and cardigans that I like.
However this year am struggling.
Prices,particularly coats and dresses,are ridiculous.

MickeyMouseHasGrownUpACow · 15/08/2013 21:10

I only really buy knits from Boden. I've had about 4, all of which have lasted well.
This year they do seem expensive.

thenightsky · 15/08/2013 21:12

there's only one dress I like the look of... a shift dress. Nice shape but I'd remove the belt. The patterns are weird though. Too many 'ifs' for me to fork out £99 for (currently certain sizes are £89).

coffeeinbed · 15/08/2013 21:20

Just ordered a pair of bistro crops.
I'd like to see them in tweed or wool, why do they sell cotton ones for AW?
I got the silver ones.

cardoon · 15/08/2013 22:05

Tweedy/wool ones here coffee.

coffeeinbed · 15/08/2013 22:12
Shock how come I never saw these? Thanks!