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Original poster

Boden! Yes, I know…

38 replies

Notcontent · 04/11/2022 20:16

So - I used to buy a few bits for my dd when she was younger - but have never actually bought anything for myself from Boden.

But as a late 40s woman I am having a bit of a clothing crisis and drawn to a few things in their latest catalogue. In particular, their short tuille skirt and the velvet tops and jacket. Has anyone bought anything recently?

For context, I am short and very slim - so increasingly finding it difficult to find clothes that I want to wear and that don’t drown me.

OP posts:
gwenneh · 04/11/2022 20:19

I bought a jersey dress as a JOKE, using it as a costume for a local theatre production...and it turns out I actually quite like it.
I thought for sure it would be quite shapeless but it actually doesn't.

Original poster
Notcontent · 04/11/2022 20:26

Ha, ha, glad you are getting some use out of it @gwenneh

This was one option: www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/mutton-sleeve-velvet-top-onyx-green/sty-t1104-grn?cat=C1_S2_G389

or maybe this jacket: www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/relaxed-velvet-blazer-red-velvet/sty-u0088-red?cat=C1_S2_G389

OP posts:
Ocampa · 04/11/2022 20:34

I like that top and skirt a lot. I don't like the current fashion. I'm a tall apple and need clothes with shape.

Original poster
Notcontent · 04/11/2022 20:47

Thanks Ocampa.

I have recently realised that I have lots of ok casual clothes and clothes ok for my pretty casual office, but nothing particularly special…

OP posts:
LearnerCook · 04/11/2022 20:59

I think tiered ruffle skirts they have in their Xmas brochure are fabulous. A bit pricy for me but I'd love to have one. They remind me of the ra-ra skirt I had in the 80s!

SocksAndTheCity · 04/11/2022 21:14

This is remarkable timing for a thread considering I've got to almost fifty without buying anything from and yet have just taken delivery of this skirt (which I was expecting to feel sweaty and nasty but is very nice) yesterday: www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/ruffle-tulle-midi-skirt-seaweed-wild-vine/sty-r0210-pnt

There are loads of 20% off codes online 😀

GreenBlueSea · 04/11/2022 21:16

I used to buy a lot from the and found them to be good quality with reasonably consistent sizing. I stopped buying around 5 years ago because I felt that the quality had degraded and the prices had got ridiculous.
I bought a dress and blouse a month ago. The dress was supposed to be wool but had the feel of nylon neoprene. The blouse had a neck hole fit for a 5 year old.
What was I thinking? Never again!
I find that M&S have really upped their game recently. If you shop carefully and avoid patterns, frills and the worst of their nylon type material, they have some good stuff.

HerRoyalNotness · 04/11/2022 21:18

I really like the vest they’ve paired with that skirt

SirChenjins · 04/11/2022 21:24

I’ve completely gone off Boden - their latest catalogue (including the aforementioned ruffle skirts) just looks like a dog’s dinner to me. It’s reminiscent of M&S’s revamp a few years back when they provided MN with many opportunities for fun-poking threads and perplexed head scratching. Hopefully they’ll find they way but at the moment they seem to have lost their way down some pink wool socks and silver sandals rabbit hole. Go to Primark or Claire’s - they have similar at a fraction of the cost.

woodhill · 04/11/2022 21:28

GreenBlueSea · 04/11/2022 21:16

I used to buy a lot from the and found them to be good quality with reasonably consistent sizing. I stopped buying around 5 years ago because I felt that the quality had degraded and the prices had got ridiculous.
I bought a dress and blouse a month ago. The dress was supposed to be wool but had the feel of nylon neoprene. The blouse had a neck hole fit for a 5 year old.
What was I thinking? Never again!
I find that M&S have really upped their game recently. If you shop carefully and avoid patterns, frills and the worst of their nylon type material, they have some good stuff.

Yes I used to love it till about 2015 and it was my go to retailer

lindyloo57 · 04/11/2022 22:09

At 62 I've just brought my first clothing item from boden, in the sale I brought two summer tops very happy with them I got a 10 in the white and a 12 in the black as I wasn't sure on the sizing, but kept both as they both fitted well, the only other boden item I own is a cashmere cropped cardigan brought on ebay.

JennyWren87 · 04/11/2022 22:16

I'm being stalked by the beautiful applique dresses for little girls. I clicked in the one with stitched chickens because I thought it would be beautiful for Easter. Now the ads are everywhere

Adrywhiteplease · 04/11/2022 22:22

I used to buy lots but haven’t liked really anything in recent years. I’ve just bought the tulle skirt and a satin midi skirt and I’m returning both. Both are very basic and way overpriced. Comment above that similar could be found in primark is spot on.

Original poster
Notcontent · 04/11/2022 22:33

Interesting. I think the quality of most clothes has really gone down in recent years.

I have no idea where to shop anymore…. I do buy a lot of second hand stuff, but end up with lots of random things that don’t necessarily suit me…

OP posts:
Wagsandclaws · 04/11/2022 22:37

I've got the tulle skirts in an orange autumnal colour way and the mustard one.

Both are fab with boots and a jumper/sweatshirt/silk shirt and boots.

I'm currently lusting after tulle top with the sweetheart neckline, I suppose I'm their demographic age-wise but not their size ( I'm an 18/20 ).

Their clothes are waaaayyy overpriced but I do buy the odd thing full price as I can't get certain things in plus sizes.

YukoandHiro · 04/11/2022 22:39

If you're short their petite options fit well. I started wearing Boden bits a couple of years ago. Obvs it's got a cringey reputation but you can't argue with the quality and fit. It's definitely worth a go.

AnnieSnap · 05/11/2022 00:14

I buy some stuff from Boden each season. Admittedly, some stuff is ridiculous and/or overpriced, but some is great.

Scrambledeggsontoasted · 05/11/2022 00:19

Notcontent · 04/11/2022 20:26

I had an outfit like the first one. When I was about 10 years old. I wore it to my school Christmas disco. Even had the velvet Alice Band and everything.

So I'm sorry, it's a no from me.

Thighdentitycrisis · 05/11/2022 00:25

I like the shape and colour of the green top but. Skirts are hideous IME

Original poster
Notcontent · 05/11/2022 00:43

@Scrambledeggsontoasted your post made me laugh. Yes, I can just see it!

OP posts:
Mumwithbaggage · 05/11/2022 00:50

Rather like that skirt - then saw it was £170!!

Tartifletti · 05/11/2022 00:59

If you're petite/slim, beware the enormous sizing. It's definitely designed for larger frames.

StarbucksSmarterSister · 05/11/2022 01:10

I used to get quite a few things 10 or more years ago. I gave up as so much became awful, especially for the price.
I haven't looked at all the last couple of years but just had a peek. I'm in my 60s and think a lot of it is so frumpy.

The kids stuff still looks good though.

Saurus72 · 05/11/2022 03:49

@Notcontent I have bought a few things from Boden over the years (most of my clothes are Toast/Sezane/Cos, so reasonable quality), and it’s been mixed. I have a velvet jacket similar to the one you linked to and it’s been one of my best buys ever - amazing quality, doesn’t look ‘Boden-ish’ plus I found out (by accident,,,) that you can machine wash/tumble dry it and it comes out looking like new. I also have a grey tweed jacket that’s really lovely. I’ve had both for at least 5 years and they’re in heavy rotation each A/W.

I bought a few cashmere jumpers last year and they’re just OK, wouldn’t buy again tbh. JL cashmere is better.

Original poster
Notcontent · 05/11/2022 07:17

Thanks @Saurus72 that’s helpful. I might order a couple of things and see how they are.

Interesting about the cashmere. I noticed that their cashmere seems quite expensive so I wondered about the quality.

OP posts: