Boden? Pls advise a clueless Australian!

[groovergirl]

Hello ye bastions of British elegance. I'm looking for classic yet interesting dresses for work, and it seems Boden does some good ones. Being in Australia, however, I can't try on Boden in the high street; I'll have to buy online.
What do you think of Boden's quality and fit? As someone who rarely buys clothes online and can't be stuffed sending things back unless they are truly epic fails, I'd welcome your opinions.
I'm 167cm and a fairly standard size 12 (same in UK as Aust). I find some so-called 12s are skimpy across the back and under the arms. I'm also a stickler for a decent hem that gives the skirt some weight and allows it to sit and swing well.
I'm looking at the Amelie jersey dresses, among others.
Thoughts?

I’m not a fan as their patterns are all the same.
If you’re looking for easy to wear wrap dresses with a decent weight to hang nicely then I would try Hobbs-they have a sale on at the moment-I always feel great in their dresses and they walk and wear well. Sizing is right as well.

Usually fits true to size. I buy their dresses each season and have bought probably 8 Amelie dresses! ( in the 6 years they've been making a variation on the theme). I am short but always buy the regular length in this style. For midi dresses I buy the petite length. I only buy online

I find reading the reviews helpful and pretty accurate. I have an Amelia dress and am a size 12 and 170cm. I would be on the 10 side of a 12 but have big boobs which aren't really catered for in boden hence I would have to always go for a 12, never a ten (which I can in other brands). It is a summer dress but very comfortable and has pockets!

You could always sell it if you don't like it.

I find Boden pretty true to size. I usually buy from the petite range, I am 5ft 3 and a bit, otherwise the standard lengths I usually have to take up.
Quality wise I find the fabrics are usually good weights especially the cotton Jersey, and they wash very well.

Quality is usually very good.
I have a Boden velvet coat I bought 10 years ago and all the seams etc are still perfect even if the coat itself is looking a bit faded now.

Oh yes, you will see this in the reviews: boden dresses are often (but not always) high waisted which suits me but I read it as a complaint usually. The quality is reasonable. I find Hobbs (as recommended above) very small fitting and much more expensive.

I find their quality has gone hill very dramatically over recent years.

Tiny hems, thin jersey and poorly stitched

Fantastic advice, and so fast! Thanks everyone.
I suspect quality has gone downhill almost everywhere these days, which is why I've become adept at altering things. Boden has a big sale on, so I might take an chance on just one dress as a test; if the hemline is crap, I can add a jersey lining. It does look chic and if the web pics are correct would look good under a tailored jacket.
I'll check out Hobbs, too -- thanks for that tip!

I love Boden. My Fav.

I know sizing varies accross brands but in general, I find an Australian 12 to be slightly bigger than a UK 12.

Boden quality is usually very good. If a particular item isn't up the scratch the reviews will say it.

If you post a link to the particular dress there's a good chance someone here might already own it and be able to comment on the sizing/quality.

@groovergirl Hobbs is good quality but expensive these days. I have Hobbs things from 10-15 years which still look good ( I do look after my clothes). Quality everywhere has gone down hill. Baukjen quality is except very expensive though they have the usual BF discounts at the moment. Boden returns is easy and very reliable so it's worth a try when they have good discounts. I never buy anything full price

Labels that used to be UK-only are gaining ground in Australia, possibly because too many of our local designers stopped doing good workwear. Dunno why. We are still going to work!
Jigsaw is the great reliable (some of my Jigsaw jackets are 20+ years old and still excellent), but I like the look of Boden and Hobbs for colourful and flattering dresses. I'm sick of black and grey, which the shops here are full of.
Thanks again, everyone. I've ordered the Amelie dress in "woodland green holiday palm'' -- how balmy!
Hope this link works:
www.bodenclothing.com.au/en-au/amelie-jersey-dress-woodland-green-holiday-palm/sty-j0326-grn?code=TW2V&cm_mmc=Criteo--RETARGETING--datafeed-_-Criteo

I like that their dresses actually have pockets (sometimes), and mainly get trousers, dresses and jersey tops (I'm too busty for their shirts).
We don't have Boden on the high street either here though.

drspouse we do have Boden on the high street in John Lewis.

Boden is usually a bit bigger than Hobbs.

@groovergirl nice dress. Yes I like that they do have good prints ( though some are a bit too 'quirky' sometimes. You don't always want plain. I love jigsaw though as with others feel their quality has reduced. I have lovely suits from 2006 that still look almost good as new

Ah well, I live in the land that John Lewis forgot.

I know sizing varies accross brands but in general, I find an Australian 12 to be slightly bigger than a UK 12.

Agreed, I’m a definite 10 in Australia but a 10-12 here.

I find Boden cut for a British figure - smaller shoulders, shorter in height, more pear shaped than Australian sizing, so keep that in mind.

drspouse I am sorry for your loss.

We are going to the great middle class mothership this afternoon and our thoughts will be with you.

Boden jersey dresses are my fail safe for work. I work in a school so don’t need to be super formal but I like to look smart as I’m a finance manager.

Not sure what part of Australia you are and if you have cooler seasons but that cardigans are fab as well. Have built my collection up over the years and they wash so well. I just put them in on a hand wash in the machine and dry on an airer.

Sizing wise I find that they are true to size. Eg I’m
An 18 and would buy an 18.

Boden dresses tend to wear well and last. Some are much better quality jersey then others. I’m a standard British size 12 and a 12 or sometimes a 10 in Boden.
Hobbs is incredible quality (better than a Boden) but more expensive as a result. I’m a size 12 there... nowhere near a 10.
Hope that helps

Thank you Anna, place a few flowers on the altar for me.

Thanks, ye elegant Brits. Looking forward to receiving my cutie beauty from Boden in time for the long, hot (parched, drought-stricken, bushfire-bedevilled) Australian summer. I'm off to Sydney for Xmas and will test-drive the Amelie on the lovely beach walk from Bronte to Bondi

The waists in Boden clothes seem to be on an old fashioned form. They are quite tight on me compared to the hips. I like the Penny jersey dress.

Have you had a look at Seasalt on line. They do some lovely dresses, nice quality too.

Boden classic cotton shirts are suitable for those with broad shoulders...the dresses fit well too.