Is anyone else finding Boden hugely overpriced and largely unwearable now?

[OompaLumpaLabrador]

Until recently, I loved Boden clothes and bought so much from them. I know they aren’t for everyone but the plainer, more classic styles did the job at work and often at home. Advice found some unusual, beautifully designed gems too. But, oh my gosh, there is not one of the voluminous, frilly floral dresses or randomly captioned, nylon-heavy knits that I can bring myself to consider. I did get a couple of frocks delivered, but at £120 with flimsy unlined fabric I would get batter value from wearing my living room curtains. When I think of some of the gorgeous, quality clothes I bought from there ten years ago (Andy still wear), it’s really unfortunate. Luckily, I’ve discovered the clearance section on the Hobbs site so there’s life in my ‘staid with style’ look yet.

Anyone else given up on Boden, or maybe I’m just getting boring in my old age?

Sea Salt might be an option.

Do you remember when he Next Directory had fabric swatches and tissue paper between pages?

Ah, Next in all it's lovely glory. When I was 22 (so, 21 years ago) I spent what was to me a fortune in the Next sale on year. Floor length tweed wool skirt, 2 cashmere cardis, all sorts of other lovely stuff. That kept me going for years as a primary teacher and deputy head. The quality was amazing. I lost most of it one day on a flight to Amsterdam, and I've never quite recovered! Next is handy for cheap staples but is a completely different shop nowadays.

Bumpsadaisie I know what you mean! I love the way that some older European ladies look and judge quite a few of my 'nicer' purchases by that measure. My staple winter look is a long sleeve dress (I like a wrap style, but also other thick jersey or knit dresses) with tights and boots for the winter. Or casual, it's skinny jeans (normally black) with a long, loose cashmere sweater, or a tweed pencil skirt with a cashmere crew neck (my house is COLD!). I used to buy 80% of my clothes at Boden, but I've since moved to Hobbs (it's comparable in price now, but the quality is much better), John Lewis own brand (lovely cashmere), Jigsaw (hit and miss), Woolvers (for basic knits). I do spend a lot of time dressed for dog walking/ agility and gardening too, and for that it's Fat Face jeans/ dungies and a sweater.

I love the em as they have a huge petite section. Much much bigger than anyone on the high street or online. Granted, not everything appeals to me but I can always find a good few things each season.

I would happily wear things that I’ve had from Boden petite over the years but I’ve put on too much weight.

I love their boys range too. So bright and plenty of choice all through primary school. And they do joggers with reinforced knees. 13yo DS loves a particular pair of their jeans too.

I’m another member of the “ ten years ago” club. I bought several dresses for summer and several for winter, plus the ubiquitous Breton tops and jeans. I bought DS gorgeous clothes and they washed well (again and again and again!).

I last bought a wool coat from Boden, that was two years ago in a charity shop. It was obviously one of those direct from supplier/ seconds as there were about 6 in different sizes. I love that, but have bought nothing else in about 3 years- maybe sandals last summer?

I’m beginning to think Hush may be going the same way. Frankly, I’m struggling to see much I like. I’m on M&S for jeans, Sainsbury’s for staples and a local boutique (and a local market) for anything fancier.

Years and years ago I bought for the kids- the quality was amazing. I found the adult clothing far inferior in terms of quality.

@AnnieSnap what a stylish woman! You look great with the coat and boots, cool haircut. Fabulous!

@Milomonster That is so nice of you to say. Thank you. These flattering comments are lovely, especially since I have lost a lot of weight over the last year.

I also bought a lot from them 10 years ago. Now I can always find clothes that are more ethically made, cheaper or more to my taste elsewhere. Why pay £85 for something at Boden if I can get a nicer version of it made out of organic cotton elsewhere for £45.

@nordica could you give us a few examples of where you shop please?

@PizzaCrust

Only shop there for my two young DDs. Find the quality much better than other stores for them and the clothes are able to be worn by both girls and don’t look threadbare like a lot of the other clothes I’ve got from other places. I do tend to stick to “nice outfits” though rather than basics.

I always use a 25% off code and the vouchers whenever they arrive in the post for £10 off.

The adult styles aren’t my taste and a bit frumpy, but the kids stuff is great.

Agree with all of this. Kids’ stuff, excellent quality and lasts well from one DD to the next. Things for me, have given up.

I can't get anything from there to fit me. The 12s are too tight on the waist, the 14s have flaps on my hips and are too big on the shoulders/bust.

I agree, Boden is not what it used to be, but neither is M&S, Next , Whistles.
I’m finding it increasingly difficult to fine good quality clothing at an affordable price.
Hush is poor quality too.
I do like Me & Em, but so expensive!

I agree with you all! Brexit has made it impossible to order from UK shops, but even if it hadn't, their fabrics are just not worth the money they are asking.

I have switched to Esprit.

Still not received my order so it’s literally unwearable! They used Hermes who are awful in our area and it’s marked as delivered to my safe place at midnight on Wednesday . Why are they using the cheap delivery service, got my Jojo Maman Bebe order fine with DPD. I avoid retailers who use Hermes and thought with a high value order they wouldn’t use it.

I agree, not only does the quality not seem to be what it was, but the patterns are often hideous. Having said that I am going to their sale event in Harrogate next week in the hope of picking up some knitwear.

I've got a parcel to go back. I ordered 4 dresses, 3 jumpers, 3 blouses, 2 pairs of trousers and three tops. I'm keeping one of the tops. The rest of it just looks strange on me. I usually love Boden but this is the second or third season I can't find anything.

I find their discount methods extremely irritating. I got a card saying if I ordered within two days Id get 25% discount if I left it a couple of days I'd get 15% left it a day or two more I'd get 10%. Something like that anyway. I'm not being rushed into buying stuff. I didn't buy anything.

Received my order! Boden sent it out again with DPD and it arrived early this AM. The Amelia maxi dress is gorgeous, fully lined, 100% thick cotton. In the 25% offer it’s £105 from the original £140, and I think it’s well worth it. DH didn’t like the t shirts so all going back but kept socks. Baby stuff kept as usual, they’re lovely. I love the maxi dress and hope the past season one in white comes back in my size.

The Hermes order arrived a bit later - I refused it and said it’s already been marked lost, apparently delivery person found it in back of their van!

@AnnieSnap

You look fab! I like the whole look with the dress and boots too

I buy from Boden as I’m petite but agree you have to be selective. I like their swimsuits too but I often wait until I get discount codes and vouchers before buying stuff. I just managed to get an 85 pound swimsuit for 32- theres no way I’d have paid 85 for it.

@Mermaidwaves thank you, lovely of you to say 🙂