What’s going on with Boden?

[Farawayfromhere]

HUUUUGE sale that has gone on for weeks and weeks. Very little new stock. Reminds me of recent events at Joules… Does anyone know what’s happening?

I must have received in excess of 15 texts from them during Dec to now about sales and sales codes.

Same as others, when I was at work in the office a few years ago almost all my work clothes were from there. Practical yet stylish/classic dresses, sometimes a nice statement coloured top with well tailored trousers and a good jacket etc. Think last time I did a search for work items it came up with a mini sequin skirt.

Now I look and some of the prints are hideous, almost psychedelic. Even if you liked that you’d get such little wear from each item as they are so ‘obvious’ and can’t be matched with other things. I’ve ordered quite a few bits in sale being hopefully but 75% of it has gone back. Think I need to save myself the trouble as I’m just back and forth to the post office at this point.

It's a lovely colour @Metabigot

I used to buy loads of stuff from them, mostly for the kids. Stopped, and unsubscribed from all their gratingly chummy emails, once I heard about the Bodens’ support for hunting. Maybe others have done the same. thecitro.substack.com/p/fashion-brand-boden-highlighted-for

I’ve had a skirt and dress I like from there this autumn. Mid-blue midi in a pretty bit discreet print and reasonably fitted dress, and forest green woollen skirt, nothing OTT, classic styles, that have been admired on. The kind of clothes you can wear anywhere.

That’s what they were good at.

Yes. Jonnie Boden is the master of hounds at his local hunt.

Got a really lovely dress in the sale, for a fraction of original cost. Not complaining!

LK Bennett another that’s gone downhill. They used to do lovely crepe dresses that were perfect for work - I’ve still got 1 design (the Davina) in 3 different colours! But now it’s all “flouncy milk maid” style or hideously expensive and poor quality fabric.

I used to get nearly all of my clothes from Boden. Now that I wfh full time I generally wear Sweaty Betty leggings, hoodies etc all the time and even on days when I do venture into the office I don’t bother with formal dresses and trousers that feel like they’re throttling me, I’m just too used to nice soft elasticated waists 😂 so I rarely even look at Boden anymore. My sons wore pretty much all Boden until they were old enough to choose their own clothes, now they don’t look at Boden, not sure if they even have a teen range anymore? It was cute when they were younger, but not so now they’re older.

One of the reviews for this makes a helpful suggestion: “I tried this on with some red velvet Aladdin-trousers also from Boden and am pretty excited about potentially dressing up as a Christmas elf in festive period.” 😂😂😂 Brilliant

I'm another old-time customer who has all but given up on Boden. At the moment there's not a single garment on the website I would actually want to purchase. They've completely lost their way! I used to get all my dresses for work from them. I loved that they did classic clothes in natural materials - cotton, wool, linen, silk. And always with a twist.
Now the colours are all off. Dresses are unlined and made from polyester, and either too short or too long and with very annoying side-seam pockets that completely ruin the lines. And I hate that they drop new lines constantly like a cheap, fast-fashion brand. I loved it before where I would look through the preview site and plan next season's purchases.
Sadly, unless they change soon they're going to be an excellent case study for how to ruin a great brand with a loyal customer base.

I read an interesting article about Boden getting big in the USA and how they have adapted accordingly - it mentioned how US consumers show more skin, aren't anti-synthetic fabrics and want more year-round bright colours and prints because of the diversity of climate there. Pretty much sums up a lot of our issues 😂

Interesting! I do want bright colours all year around - or, maybe 'rich' colours, I don't mean neon shades - and the idea of restricting bright colours to summer and going into dark in the winter is foreign to me (no pun intended). Black and navy might be more for non-summer, but I think generally people have colours they like to wear and colours they don't. But I don't want deep cuts or weird cut-outs from fabric or frills and I only look for cotton for most clothing.

Back to update on the green tulle top which arrived today.

The top fits well and I like the colour. The tulle is quite full on and sticks up a bit too much, wondering if I can flatten a bit with a cool iron.

I'm the kind of person who'll happily wear stuff like this even when just in the house alone, its a bit hard to know when I'd wear it out probably pub or evening event with skinny jeans or a skirt.
It's quite eye catching so I'd need to be feeling brave. I do like to raise an eyebrow from time to time with my clothing...hopefully in a good way not an oh my god what are you wearing way!

Wouldn't pay full price for it but think I'll keep it.

@Metabigot I too like to raise eyebrows a bit with my clothes. I choose an outfit based on how I’m feeling, or even to feel a certain wear. I love colour and a bit of quirkiness. Sounds like the green tulle top is perfect for your personality- enjoy 🙂

Yes, iron could work to soften the net @Metabigot or a warmer iron with a thin cloth in between. Remove one of the layers of net as a last resort, but I accept no responsibility if that goes wrong!

@Metabigot you might find the tulle softens and flattens after its first wash

I've just bought a few items in the sale. Really poor quality knitwear and the dresses are very thin. I will be sending them back, it's such a shame as I used to love Boden!

I like their old plain workwear - ponte dresses, ottoman dresses, chinos, straight trousers, bretons, shirts, plain trench coats. Now it resembles a floral ruffled puff sleeve crop top hell. I am not sure what I will wear for work but given that I retire in 6 years the old boden wardrobe will probably keep going. Boden has shot itself and its core customers in both feet.

I’d be more annoyed about it if I wasn’t mostly remote working post-pandemic. Like PP, I’m hoping the decent Boden basics I have in my wardrobe will do me until I retire.

I’ve just sent three dresses back. Odd cuts/fits Hung badly. Even at £25 a dress I wasn’t keeping them.

It's awful nowadays. So expensive and just hardly anything I'd want to buy. I've switched to Baujken for this kind of store.

Agree with all comments. I've bought Boden for many years but am wondering if company is run by someone else? Not only has quality dropped, but styles! All tee shirts are now 'relaxed' which means they are boxy, short and shapeless. Whatever happened to the longer, semi fitted bretons and tees...and colour choices?
Sadly there is nothing I would buy this season.
Are the continuous sale/price reductions partly a reflection of customer dissatisfaction??

You've absolutely nailed it! Nothing left to say! Hope Johnnie & Co read this!

They keep sending me annoying Spam texts which I don't seem to be ablet to opt out of so they can do one on that alone. I've complained to customer services but doubt they will take any action

I just throw the catalogue/promotion codes straight in the bin now. I few years ago I would have wanted one of everything!