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?

its quite upsetting. I just bought two pairs of richmond 7/8ths and I don't think they are going to make them any more. I think I have enough pairs to last till I retire! those two are the only things I've bought from Boden in 12 months - before they went expensive and slutty I spent 150-200 quid a month on average.

I'm so glad it's not just me! I used to buy most of my clothes from Boden and always go lots of joy out of it and loads of compliments - it was elegant and fashionable without the silly trendy bits. I've never liked Per Una (especially not on acid!) and the way Boden had gone made me feel sad. I thought maybe I'd become too old for fashion (I'm 56). I actually made a vow to not buy any new clothes for a year - partly for environmental reasons and partly because I just couldn't find beautiful clothes like I used to buy from Boden - but ironically I broke that vow in M&S! They brought in a new head of womenswear who is turning things around and, while there's still work to do, you can find quite a few stylish pieces in there now.

As one of the PP said, an object lesson in how to lose your core customer base (which is what my marketeer husband said a couple of years ago when I told him I couldn't find anything I liked in their collections). Hopefully they realise soon - in the meantime it will be M&S for me, at about a third of the price!

I started a short-lived thread last week about some trousers I'd bought from Boden and loved!! I hadn't even searched Boden, they'd come up on a Google search.

I swear at the time they said they were in the Boden archive sale, but this doesn't come up on a Google search anymore, and I swear I've never seen them before (or I'd have several pairs...).

On closer inspection, the Boden autumn collection seems to be reverting back to "old" Boden styles. Shirt dresses and twill trousers in plain, sober and bright colours. Stripey knitwear. Silk and cotton shirts. Fingers crossed.

I have just bought this jumper and it is great, am usually M but got S as was in stock and am glad I did as fitted but not sprayed on, bit of elastane so should not go baggy. The navy is a true navy, the camel flattering and not too warm/orange.
Very nice finishing on the cuffs and edges too, will go with darker jeans.
Absolute winner.
The silk shirts are crazy money though!

I have also noticed that they are using the curvy Sézane model in some of their photos, which makes sense as they are now charging Sézane prices (and more).

but ironically I broke that vow in M&S! They brought in a new head of womenswear who is turning things around and, while there's still work to do, you can find quite a few stylish pieces in there now.

Thanks for this. I noticed M&S have had more decent items recently and I’ve have started buying more there. If only they could go back to their late 90s heydey when you could buy decent Italian wool Autograph separates and lovely Merino knitwear, but I don’t think that’ll happen. Everyone seems to have embraced artificial fibres for good. 😞

I loved getting their small square catalogues in the mail. I haven't seen them as of late. And I agree, I haven't been connecting with their styles lately. I used to have so much Boden in my wardrobe. And good quality fabrics and shoes that last. I'd like them to go back to basics.

Oh yes their shoes! They used to make such beautiful ones and great quality too. I miss those.

I ordered some shoes amongst other things from Boden recently and they were cheap looking. Really clumsily made - the seams were uneven, showing glue or something and didnt line up where the seam joined. I last bought a pair six years ago and they are a thing of beauty - very finely made.

the 'Ellen' dress is back! it's a miracle! Boden make a sensible dress again!!!

three dresses ordered - all three had to go back.
cheap fabric, badly fitting and madly expensive for what they were.
never again can I order from there.

Same. I got all foolishly excited as their new season stuff actually seemed suitable to wear for work for the first time in years. But it arrived and the fabric was so shockingly poor quality that it all went back.

@Sunnysideup999 @GCAcademic that’s so disappointing to read. I received their autumn catalogue and was pleasantly surprised at how nice the clothes looked. If the quality hasn’t hit back to what it used to be, I won’t be bothering to order.

This explains a lot.

I’ve been a nitwit, says Boden boss.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/23bb1296-437c-11ee-bbc9-3b59a60ab59b?shareToken=732356b3ef336133ab3201f11a38908d

Thanks for sharing that @RomComPhooey Interesting article. I will await their changes with interest.

This. It’s very sad.

I won’t be going back. I’ve got work dresses and jackets from Boden that are 10-15 years old and still look good. I bought a few things in the past year that have been appalling quality and have gone straight back. No second chances now. I’m sticking with John Lewis and M&S.

M&S did actually go the same way and have managed to turn themselves round this year.

Let’s hope Boden really listen to their past core customers, who are mainly busy women who want well made clothes they can wear year after year, at a slightly higher than average price point.

I also noticed they discontinied Baby Boden...