Boden .. WTF?!?

[Giftwithpurchase]

I've just received the Boden Spring catalogue and it was bizarre reading - really cringe 'sound bites' on each page and full of extremely slim tall models who must be in their teens or early 20s max. Their instagram is also bizarre - all size 6/8 teenagers! I just don't get their marketing - why not appeal to their target audience (me, later 30s, size 12/14) .. it really doesn't inspire me to purchase anything! Any one else or am I just being picky??

i went off them when they sent me a code by email and then said I couldn’t use it as I lived in Europe. Fine (I suppose they may lose out on postage costs) but then don’t email me the code as a “special treat!”

the prices are far too high for fast-fashion loving 20-somethings though. You can get that sort of thing in Zara. Boden should be tje place you buy something special, like the beautiful embroidered coat I have from there 5 years ago.

@MintJulia 😂 good spot!

As many pp have said the clothes (well the ones in the catalogue at least) are just not nice! It's rare I look at a spring collection for a similar brand (Hush, Mint Velvet etc) and don't covert a single thing... and the prices!!

I used to buy at least a couple of things every season from Boden, but I can't remember the last time I bought anything. They don't even send me their catalogue now. They're very expensive too, for what is no better quality in most cases than M&S. If I want something nice now I tend to go to Mint Velvet and I buy basics like vests and t-shirts from M&S and Uniqlo. I used to love Boden's t-shirts, which were lovely, thick, stretchy cotton, but they're so thin now - rubbish quality.

@OooPourUsACupLove I agree re Woolovers - I've bought a few items and they turned to bobbly rags after a few washes. I even complained and they offered to send me a free wool comb 😆

Same here, unfortunately.

Wish they would go back to doing stuff like this. It's a v simple dress but perfect for everything - I've worn it with tights and boots, heels and a blazer for work, a black coat for a funeral
And I'm a 16/18 with giant boobs, it fits perfectly and doesn't cling and nips the waist in

PrincessRamone · 01/05/2022 10:56
I just had a look at Woolovers. Some of it I like and is reminiscent of 2012 Boden, but a lot of it reminds me of those Edinburgh Woollen Mill type shops with a 70+ target audience. It gives the impression that everything would be cut to fit a 5ft2 height and be elasticated,

I presume it’s not like that in person? What’s the sizing like? And is it also a “find a discount” code type place, or genuine pricing?

Well, I'm much taller than 5ft2 and it's all fitted me fine so far! I must admit, there are a few floaty summer trousers with elasticated/draw-string waists, but it's usually quite clear from the photo or descriotion. Jeans etc usually have a button fly.

The sizing process does require a little more work initially because it gets you to measure yourself, and then choose Small, Medium, Large etc depending on where your measurements fit into their sizing chart. But, I don't mind doing this because it usually results in me getting the right fit first time. No traipsing back and forth to the post office with returns!

They often email me with discount codes, and you can probably find them online too, but I usually find that the clothes are fairly priced for the quality, so I never feel that the prices are artificially inflated because nobody pays full price. Eg their jeans are the same price as Gap jeans.

I'm confused. Just looked at their Instagram, there are a range of models, different shapes and sizes.

I agree re. Boden and my older purchases are still going strong and are heavier weight fabric, better detailing than more recently purchases, all bar one having been returned and the one I kept being a more recent pattern version of a dress I purchased a couple of years ago (and yes, you can tell the weight of the fabric is different). So I have been casting a wide internet shopping net and have found a few gems amongst the toot, but not many and it seems cost is no indicator of quality! I have recently bought a Finery dress and it is very flattering and deals with the bumps very well (tummy) and is something that will fit a myriad of occasions. My purchase was in navy blue (sold out now), but they still have petrol blue and this warm chocolate colour. Great weight of fabric, hangs very well and the tie is very flattering. Also washes brilliantly, not requiring ironing if you hang to dry.

@hihellohihello prior to a couple of days ago they didn't have many (if any) posts featuring 12/14/16 or plus size women. Then suddenly they've posted a few images and films showing 'normal' women wearing Boden.

In the comments when pp ask about the lack of size representation they are referred to various hashtags where ppl post images wearing Boden in everyday life. But the main feed generally nada. Until recently. Funny that 🤔

Teenage girls DON’T wear Boden. The very idea 😂 They want to look as different as possible from their mums.

I remember my dd used to like the odd bit of Boden as teens though

She had a bikini and swimsuit and the knitwear.

Jonny B range was good and I used to buy some things for her and ds

Perhaps younger teens…older teens are all about Primark.

I'm just here to say YABU... for wanting to shop at Boden in the first place.
Their clothes are so fucking boring and predictable.
Same stripy top and yellow Mac like some bloody 30+ mothers uniform.

I received mine yesterday, but haven't yet looked. I will definitely now. X

This was 10:years ago though

I was so intrigued, I fished my previously unopened copy out of the recycling. All really wearable as long as you're a Brazilian model who loves a bit of peasant chic!

I thought the same Op! Useless marketing, really poorly judged and cheapens the brand.
The style was all so fussy and flowery as well, almost to the exclusion of any other style.
I used to buy from Boden a lot, not anymore.

I don't get the catalogue but I looked at new in on the site. There are a couple of things I really like but the prices, a dress I could buy for half the price in Monsoon. I refuse to pay £75 for a linen blouse. I can't see people in their late teens or early twenties buying any of it though.

Agree. Just browsed today looking for a trick to wear to a wedding. I thought the models indecently slim. And didn’t find one single frock that took my fancy.

Emily and fin seem like a good alternative and Anorak have some nice things too. I'm not sure if I'll go back to Boden

I feel like boden has changed in the last year. I thought i really liked stuff from there but haven't been inspired for a while now!

I'm so old I can remember that when Boden first launched the models were Johnnie's Uber-Sloane chums, and each pair of chocolate velvet jeans was featured on 'Minty, 32, loves: the smell of rain on heather; hates: naughty terriers who roll in fox poo' or Tom, 28, loves: Pimms; hates: olives'.

For what its worth, there actually are slim older women who do wear a size 8. Mind you there is a dearth of decent quality stuff that is age appropriate for them too.