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Original poster

Is this Boden dress appropriate for a 23 year old?

113 replies

wintercandyland · 08/10/2021 18:49

I'm conscious that their main target audience are more around the 30s mark, but I had my eye on this dress for a while and recently got it in the sale. I'm waiting for it to be delivered, but was just thinking that they have a reputation for looking a bit "mumsy"(I'm sans children for now lol!) What do you think?

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/puff-sleeve-cotton-dress-party-pink-stripe/sty-w0797-pnk

OP posts:
Purplecatshopaholic · 08/10/2021 18:57

You used the word ‘mumsy’ - I think you hit it on the head - I wouldn’t wear that in my 20s, or 30s, personally. Or now, come to that, and I’m even older…

Yummypumpkin · 08/10/2021 19:00

It looks lovely. The issue with Boden is flimsy fabric, which is rarely flattering, and poor fit. I don't find the dresses ever look like the photos.

girlmom21 · 08/10/2021 19:04

It's not very flattering

HandScreen · 08/10/2021 19:04

Oh God, that's an awful dress Confused

WheelieBinPrincess · 08/10/2021 19:06

That does not look like it’s worth the money, even at a discount.

maffhew · 08/10/2021 19:09

You think Boden target women in their 30's? I'm 40 and wouldn't dream of wearing anything from there.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 08/10/2021 19:09

That neckline🙈. It looks like somebody has gone to great lengths to design the most unflattering dress possible. The proportions are terrible.

WaterScarf · 08/10/2021 19:13

It'll look different depending on how you accessorise it and when you wear it. It looks like a summer holiday type of dress.

PurplePizzaCake · 08/10/2021 19:16

I'm going to disagree with most people here and say that the dress doesn't look mumsy at all to me. While I think that Boden is more for 50+ I think this dress would suit someone in their early 20s. If you love it and feel great in it don't worry what anyone else thinks

TeaAddict235 · 08/10/2021 19:19

It's a nice dress. Yes, I am mid thirties (plus a couple), but I would wear it with a wow vest (as it is October), a navy blue oversized cardigan, and boomschackerla DM knee length boots in navy blue or blood red. But that's meWink

SpringSparrow · 08/10/2021 19:20

The model is very pretty and young,looks like Emma Raducanu! Not sure about the dress, it reminds me of Milly Molly Mandy. If you like it though, why not?!

TeaAddict235 · 08/10/2021 19:20

Wow? = warm Schiesser

cervixuser · 08/10/2021 19:21

Do you like it? It's appropriate for anyone who likes it.

Original poster
wintercandyland · 08/10/2021 19:23

@maffhew I wasn't entirely sure, so I had a quick search and their founder states "the brand targets customers aged from 25 to 50, but what Boden calls the "bulls-eye" is the 35-year-old woman who typically has children, and for whom the most important thing is that the clothes are flattering Confused, I just wear a lot of pink and thought the candy stripe was quite sweet! Grin

OP posts:
Comedycook · 08/10/2021 19:24

I love it! I'd have worn it at 23

Berlioz23 · 08/10/2021 19:28

I’m 27, I’d wear it just wouldn’t button it up to the neck. The only thing I don’t like is the belt and elasticated sleeves.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 08/10/2021 19:29

Do you like it, can you afford it and will it suit you? Surely that's what matters?

And the word 'mumsy' is so fucking ridiculous that I want to scream every time I see it on here (which is the only place I ever see/hear it).

1forAll74 · 08/10/2021 19:32

Its not very attractive at all, and too expensive. Don't go sitting in an old type striped deck chair in it, as you would be invisible.

Tellmeee · 08/10/2021 19:32

I wouldn’t wear it (50s) but I think it could suit someone young like yourself on a summer holiday.

DramaAlpaca · 08/10/2021 19:33

If I was 23 again I'd wear that, it's a sweet dress and I love the colour.

Unfortunately I'm more than twice that age and wouldn't.

LittleBearPad · 08/10/2021 19:33

It’s very sweet. I think anyone 30 and over would be too old to wear it.

Westerman · 08/10/2021 19:35

I think it's lovely and certainly not inappropriate for a 23 year old.

I love Boden (I'm 51!) but find that the quality isn't quite what it was. I just sent back a popover style top as the fabric was so flimsy that even a nude bra showed through from underneath.

Let us know how you get on, OP.

TheWitchCirce · 08/10/2021 19:36

I just looked at it and had a visceral response that took me right back to 1985. I had sometime exactly like that. (It wasn't all neon you know)

PowerNap · 08/10/2021 19:37

It's nothing to do with age. People can wear awful twee girly rubbish at any age.

We don't all become frumpy overgrown Strawberry Shortcakes just because we procreate and the years pass.

Lj8893 · 08/10/2021 19:43

God the age and clothes thing annoys me.

Wear what the hell you want to wear at any age!!

Unfortunately the description of the dress (as in the link) sounds much better than it looks. I love pink, I love stripes but it’s a no from me (and nothing to do with age!!)