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Original poster

Boden's new collection- terrible dresses?

48 replies

pinkfrocks · 05/01/2015 13:13

Have looked and am despairing. Never bought many of their dresses - have a couple of very plain ones- but the recent offerings are dire.
Combination of too high necklines, ponte fabric, and nothing remotely attractive about any.

Or is it just me?

OP posts:
polyhymnia · 05/01/2015 13:43

No, not just you,

Have had some good dresses from them in past, but Spring offering very disappointing.

Agree on necklines, and I also like sleeves in my dresses, which not many offer.

Original poster
pinkfrocks · 05/01/2015 13:51

They look more like summer dresses and I'm a sleeves person too- at least a short sleeve. If their demography is women 45+ then they need to get their heads round sleeves; my upper arms are my worst part despite being slim everywhere else.

OP posts:
polyhymnia · 05/01/2015 15:09

Quite. Can't believe they haven't had that feedback before, yet every spring/ summer they produce a collection with a very limited choice of any dresses with sleeves, let alone nice/ stylish ones.

TheBeekeepersDaughter · 05/01/2015 15:12

I normally like Boden dresses and buy a couple each season. This spring prices seem ridiculous for sleeveless, shapeless frocks in loud, cheap fabrics. The collection links like White Stuff but not as nice for twice the price! I assume that sleeveless dresses are cheaper to make and mean the possibility of an additional cardi purchase. IMO Boden is really heading downhill, which is a shame. Luckily I have found Cos and various other brands ( rediscovered a love of Jigsaw) to be nipping at their heels with far better quality, chicer designs and better value.

AmeliaPeabody · 05/01/2015 15:13

A couple of those drop waist dresses I think are the worst! They look like children's dresses.
The bolder prints, always to be avoided, no worse than usual Grin

Bluestocking · 05/01/2015 15:18

Look at this one! If it looks like that on a model, a normal woman would look like the wrath of god in it. And what was the stylist thinking of with those shoes?

leedy · 05/01/2015 16:11

Urgh, yes, that one is particularly horrible.

Boden dresses never suited me anyway as I'm long waisted and they always have bizarrely high waistlines, which on me used to hit somewhere around my lower ribs and made me look rectangular.

Original poster
pinkfrocks · 05/01/2015 16:22

I think Kirstie Allsop is on his design team now.....

hideous dress

OP posts:
leedy · 05/01/2015 16:23

I suppose a good thing is that I'm in no way tempted to spend money on any new clothes from their site.

VictorineMeurent · 05/01/2015 16:25

I wondered if it was me! All the dresses and most of the rest are hideous. If there are reductions later on I might get the broderie sweatshirt in navy, but that is the only think I sort of like ( not much) in the selection.
Have you seen the patterns of the rainyday raincoats? The one with red and plates all over it is like something out of Alice in Wonderland.

AmeliaPeabody · 05/01/2015 16:40

Ouch to the patterns on those rainyday macs! I have one in plain olive and need a new mac, but those are too bold for me.

The waists do tend to be too high I think, as I've always thought I was short or average torso and they're too high for me. Though is a slight improvement as it all, mostly, used to be all empire fits and shapeless shifts.

Original poster
pinkfrocks · 05/01/2015 16:48

Have you seen the patterns of the rainyday raincoats? The one with red and plates all over it is like something out of Alice in Wonderland

Yup.

seriously- yes seriously- what is their design team on?

OP posts:
Original poster
pinkfrocks · 05/01/2015 16:49

The waists are high intentionally I think to skim over the mummy tummy.....maternity style.

OP posts:
whitewineandchocolate · 05/01/2015 17:13

I normally quite like Boden dresses, that collection is seriously poor. Oh well, that will save some money!

Waswondering · 05/01/2015 17:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Milmingebag · 05/01/2015 17:21

Their design team are possibly on glue coming up with that dire offering.

Seriously garish and tacky.

There is not one nice thing in the entire collection. Shoes are terrible and the knitwear is shudder inducing.

I can't begin to imagine who would wear their clothes anymore.

Marylou2 · 05/01/2015 19:15

The quality of the dresses has declined alarmingly.Even 3 year ago I bought dresses that washed endlessly and still looked good.I have a wrap top dress from last year that was £89 at full price and looked like a dishrag, faded and pilled after a couple of washes.I'm a careful washer, delicate cycle, woolite etc.

Tanaqui · 05/01/2015 19:58

I also find the waists too high - and I'm only 5'4- sometimes I buy the long length as the waist is lower. Did have a fab sundress with pleated skirt last year (and from the sale!) hope they do that again.

shins · 05/01/2015 20:52

Bleaurgh, horrific and cheap nasty manmade material too. I used to like them but that baffling high waist thing...when I got those pretty 50s print cotton dresses in the sale I got the long size though I'm only 5"1 as it was the only way they'd fit at the waist. People keep saying this over and over again in the reviews but they ignore it.
I'd never buy a coat from them again. I had to send back a trenchcoat as it was a faded tatty rag after three months; in fairness they refunded without quibble. They do seem to be going downhill sadly.

simpson · 05/01/2015 21:01

I have a few dresses from boden that I bought fairly recently but not from the spring collection Grin

LOL at designers being on glue Smile

At least my bank balance is healthier!

BlueEyedWonder · 06/01/2015 07:11

I normally have a little mental list of things I like at the start of each season but there's really nothing this season.
I was in the market for a rainy day mac as the petite range fits me well but those patterns and colours! I was hoping for a plain navy or plain green.
Agree that the quality is not there now. The colours and patterns are just frumpy.

Sundayplease · 06/01/2015 07:25

The catalogue arrived yesterday, I flicked through it and put it straight in the recycling bin.

I haven't bought a thing for a few years. The last dress I bought was a maxi dress which comes out every summer and I get lots of compliments on it but nothing inspires me these days.

GeorginaWorsley · 06/01/2015 07:36

I too usually spot a few things I mentally reserve but am struggling.
I have seen two casual summer dresses that are possibilities and I quite like the Chelsea turn ups in pale grey.
Will wait for good discount though.

spookyskeleton · 06/01/2015 07:42

I do spend a lot of money at Boden but I am extremely disappointed in the Spring collection.

I mainly buy skirts and dresses - there is not one skirt that I would consider buying and very few dresses. I do like the casual jersey dress as I have got a navy one from last year and I wore it a lot over the summer so I am going to buy a black one this year. However the patterned ones are awful!

I also love the pyjama bottoms but again, the patterns are hideous (there is one with pictures of seed packets all over it Hmm).

VirginiaTonic · 06/01/2015 07:44

Someone writes this exact thread EVERY season!