Boden virgin

[Bodicea]

I am getting fed up with rubbish quality high street clothes. Feel like I need to start investing in better quality stuff especially as now in my thirties. Hate ordering clothes off the internet though. Keep hearing about Boden. Never ordered a thing off there in my life. DO I need to get involved?
Not sure if it will be flattering on my 5 foot 2, 10/12/14 top heavy (32/34 E/F) figure ( with a bit of a mum tum).
It seems to be mostly high necks in the dresses. Are they more for the waif like, small boobed girl?
Am I wasting my time? Is it good quality? Seems a bit expensive for what you get.

I have ordered some things in the past few months from boden.
Had never heard of them before looking at mumsnet and some style blogs.
I am obviously a sheep.

Firstly never pay full price for anything. There's always a code somewhere or a sale around the corner.
It is expensive for what it is at full price.

Some of it definitely veers into frumpy territory so tread carefully. Some of the prints in particular.

I went a bit crazy in a post Christmas sale where they had 80 per cent off.
Happy enough with most of the things I got. Although the cashmere bobbled, which I wouldn't be happy about had I paid full price!

I find the sizes a bit hit and miss, the reviews on their website are good to get an idea of fit and their customer service and returns policy is good.

hmm think I might get involved. Maybe order a few tops first just as soon as I find a tape measure. Was gonna order in a 12 but not sure now. I generally am a 10 frame but with the boobs often end up with a 12.

Some thoughts:

• Customer service is fab.
• The product reviews are really helpful - so do refer to these for sizing advice before purchasing.
• Check out discount codes and especially free returns. Save your free returns labels for future use. Postage costs otherwise make exchanges/returns prohibitively costly.
• Be prepared to try out a few styles.
• At the moment think their more tailored/structured styles are better quality and better value than the more casual stuff.
• Check for info on material/linings etc
• Sadly their knitwear quality seems to have gone to the dogs. Used to be fantastic but now really prone to bobbling on first wear.

Jeans are fab, Chelsea trousers and bistro trousers I couldn't live without. Ravello silky top is perfect work top. Any shoes I've ever bought have been amazing quality. I'm not a fan of their prints.
Customer service is outstanding.

They do petite in a lot of their trousers if that's of interest?

I agree that their sizing is generous. I find that some of the cheaper basic tops sit a little funny above my bra (I have to keep tugging them down - which I put down to my bra size. For reference I'm 5ft 1, 14-16, 34G) but I can't fault the more shaped stuff.

Keep your eye out for discount codes and sign up t their newsletter. They tend to send £10 vouchers every now and again, which make the basic tops really cheap. Also you can get cashback via topcashback which I forgot about when I placed a really big order the other week

I agree with all the advice upthread. Their CS is the best out there - returns for any reason are never a problem, and free if you find a code.

I have loads of Boden but I don't really like the loud / busy prints, you wouldn't know to look at me that I am normally wearing mostly Boden it is all plain basic tops, shirts, cashmere jumpers, t-shirts, boots and suchlike. I can't really get their trousers or jeans to fit (guess I'm a funny shape!) so I buy those elsewhere, but my top half is usually Boden-clad.

If you're ordering three items use code A98J - it gives 20% off three items or more, or 15% off two, or 10% off just one, with free delivery and returns.

The shoes are lovely quality but always narrow fit so avoid unless you have a very slim foot or your toes will splay out of them mutant style. With respect to sandals they don't seem to know where to put the toe post.

Merino wool stuff is better than Boden cashmere although their crew neck cardigans are one to avoid. Fast track to frumpsville as they are extremely boxy.

Their coats are made for pear shapes so the arms and shoulders are incredibly narrow, the chest band is small but below the waist they are massive in comparison to the top half. Think Hilary Clinton proportions.

Maxi dresses are usually good quality jersey but every one that isn't scoop style is ridiculously low cut and needs to be stitch or your norks and bra hang out.

The cropped cardigans are good but I wouldn't bother with the cashmere ones as they look shocking after only a few wears and shrink despite washed according to instructions with the correct detergent.

The Breton this year is a good buy as is the Boatneck top (but buy this in a darker colour as the others are sheer).

Avoid the bags as even with discounts they are overpriced for the quality and they can't seem to design them without having straps that forever fall down.

With respect to quality-
AUTOGRAPH,
JOHN LEWIS,
SOME White COmpany
Brora
COS

I've never found anything there for myself that's worked, maybe I am very slightly too young for a lot of the prints etc. at 30? However, when they recently did 20% off, I put in a big order of clothes for my 2 year old and I am just thrilled with the quality. It is all cotton and so soft, and the colours I ordered - 'harbour' blue, 'aloe' green and 'wisteria' purple - are beautiful on a little girl. It's still a lot more expensive that e.g. Primark, but there's no comparison, it washes a million times better.

Definitely never ever order at full price. You've just missed 25% off the entire site (last weekend) but there is always at least a 15% off code floating around the internet on Mumsnet or blogs. I'm an affiliate but there isn't anything in the offing promotion wise the next few days that they've made me aware of.

Keep your free returns labels handy for sale time, postage is free on codes most of the year but £4 per parcel during the sale. However I've always returned sale items with the free returns labels and never been admonished for it.

Good tip about the returns labels princess. Might try that with other sites too. Really resent paying postage. Especially to return stuff

I'm a fan too. I don't have that many pieces but the ones I have last years. I even got my wedding dress from boden! (not a normal style wedding dress obviously and I was 30 when I got married)

I also agree about the customer service. I got compensation from them when the dye from my jeans transfered on to my sofa as it wasn't fixed properly.

I agree on the sales and the discounts but if it's something I really want I don't always risk it. In the past I've placed an order over the phone without a discount code, I just tell them I've forgotten it and they've given me whatever is the best promotion at the time!

Also agree on the shoes but I love both pairs I've got but they're agony!

I think their swimwear is rubbish though.

I'm 5ft3, 12/14 and a 34dd normally. Coats and dresses fit me well, trousers not so good.

Its a hit or a miss for me with Boden. I think, generally the quality of their clothes are good. Its the cut and size that just doesnt work for me. I can find some tops and neat on me and have never found anything i have bought generous!! I am a pear shape and just dont think the fit is for me personally. I think that some of their dresses are great for work but agree, dont tend to pay for anything full price. Sometimes i buy boden things from ebay as they have an outlet on there.