Boden's latest catalogue

[PollyPerky]

Is it just me or is it dire?

I can't see one thing I like except a jumper for £90 . There were a couple of sleeveless summer dresses on the preview but they aren't in the catalogue (yet) and have gone from the website as they are not out till April.

It's just same old, same old, and worse for us petites, the dresses are now knee length or below. I need a 36 inch length not 39!

[PollyPerky]

Despite my feelings on this I've just placed an order for a dress. Guess what? It's now out of stock until April. 3 month wait. It's not showing as out of stock on the 'choose your size' grid, only when you select the size you want.
WTF?

[GiddyGiddyGoat]

Glad to be of help Balkan! It is horrible thin cheap fabric and very badly cut - managing to look cheap and frumpy in one fell swoop. Ghastly! Boden is now like m and s I think - 99% crap with the odd gem if you can be arsed to trawl through all the rubbish and take a gamble.

[London1975]

I used to buy loads of Boden clothes ... that is until recently. So disappointed with the quality of fabrics and colours/patterns. Everything I bought recently has been returned. I have now moved on to Baukjen / Hush which I perceive to be more stylish/less frump factor and for the most part good quality for the money

[balkanscot]

GiddyGiddyGoat thank you for this - saved me £60! I kind of gave up on ordering it after finding out the dress is unlined and then read your post.

[sumac]

I visited the Boden shop in London and it confirmed for me there is very little worth buying. On hangers in a shop the stock looks utterly ordinary.

[Sonotkylie]

Drumroll please ... Uniqlo gets first place for me. I like the clean lines and simplicity as well as the fabric. Oh and the price ... Not done an itchy test as its too cold here. Will do it later when the heating is on. I think it comes up slightly big (I wear a size 12 being a 10 with big boobs and got M as I usual would). Plenty of room for jumpers etc but still sits well. If in doubt between sizes, I would go down.

[GiddyGiddyGoat]

In the interests of balanced reporting I received a denim dress yesterday (Freya?) - it's HORRIBLE!

[MaryMargaret]

Agree with you about the models knowler. Not helpful!

[polyhymnia]

Thanks, sonot!

[Sonotkylie]

In the interests of research, I tried it on without a t shirt and it was itchy on my torso, but not arms or neck. So I would be fine with it as I am not a vest wearer but it is a potential problem. No fluffy bits on short try.

[polyhymnia]

Good decision , sonotkylie. Could I just ask on the Boden one if you find it itchy, as some reviewers do, and also whether it leaves fluffy bits on other clothes worn under it, as I've known some mohair to do. Thanks.

[lyricaldancer]

The knitwear is poor quality in recent years I've found. I only have a couple of items to have survived, apart from those cotton-based Summer crop cardigans which seem very good.

[knowler]

Very occasionally I see something nice and slightly quirky - I like the dress that giddy has linked to. But I have a real issue with the models they use in their catalogues. I know they're not alone in using thin models, but it seems to me that Boden's models are ultra skinny and I find it impossible to visualise what I would look like in the clothes. Which is usually crap

[GiddyGiddyGoat]

Not sure you've missed much Chocolate!

[Chocolateteabag]

I think I've been blacklisted by Johnnie

I have only received one catalogue since September - and I called up to ask for that one to be sent back in Mid Dec! Nothing since then - no new catalogues or emails

[Sonotkylie]

Boden one is perfect in style, weight, smartness (or unsmartness) etc BUT I am concerned about bobble potential. Its that gently fuzzy wool which could look dreadful in a couple of wears. So obviously I am going to get the Uniqlo one too. If that looks good, then I will go with that one as I am confident felted wool will stay looking decent. Otherwise, I like the Boden one enough to risk it.

[polyhymnia]

Yes do report back sonotkylie that Boden one does look good. So does the Uniqlo.

[PollyPerky]

Reveal I don't live in a town where there is a supermarket selling clothes. I'd have to travel further to find one. I do buy from 'chains' but I prefer natural fabrics and clothes that are reasonable quality. Shops like N Look etc are a) too young for me and b) tend to be full of polyester or man made stuff except for T shirts and jeans and I get those from Uniqlo.

[lyricaldancer]

The skirts are nearly all pencil skirts again!

[lyricaldancer]

They always did have some ghastly pieces of clothing and prints, but I could always find something nice. For the first time in years I didn't buy a think from Autumn/Winter. Somebody said they'd streamlined some sections, as there seemed to be less choice I thought. Yes, have they put up prices? I thought so.

A few people complained, that I know, that we didn't get access to the limited edition Roald Dahl collection for children Now selling for silly money on ebay.

[Revealall]

I amazed that people buy Boden with only 20% off. It's mostly very boring and horribly overpriced.

I'm amazed by the comments about supermarkets and high street fashion chains. I thought MN was a bit more savvy. It's like the shows where people can't live without brand name food and then get told it's all been own label value for the last week.
So many clothes are made by the same factories anyway.

[Sonotkylie]

Polyhymnia - I am trying the Shawlcollaredcardigan bu I am a bit doubtful as the fabric looks as if it will bobble ... and I am about to bin my Hush 18 month old one as it has bobbled to pieces and looks like a rag. I want one that looks sensible to chuck on as a coat replacement but I wouldn't feel like I was wearing a coat if I wanted an extra layer for a chilly night on the sofa. I am also debating this from Uniqlo www.uniqlo.com/uk/store/goods/173624. I will report back ...

[Freeatlast2017]

I haven't bought anything from Boden for years and years.

The overall effect for some outfits is lovely but only because the models are tall and skinny and wear high colourful stilletoes which I never ever see women wearing in their day to day life. So it's a look for me that is not achievable.

[MrsCocoa]

Not sure the catalogue has been 'aspirational' since that glorious winter season with Helena Christensen and lots of interesting dark velvets and silk.

Took a look at the new one and recoiled - so boring, so much repetition. And what happened to 'Icons'? Pricey, but at least the design was a bit more interesting.

[OhTheRoses]

Thank you giddy