Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Calling ex-Boden shoppers, which brands now work for you?

30 replies

WaggyTailsWetNoses · 08/04/2023 06:35

I know there are many of us on this board, who relied on Boden for work staples and casual dresses. Sadly, Boden has completely changed and just does not sell the classic, high quality styles it once did. My professional role suited their Ottoman dresses and wool coats, and post CS-tum their Bretons and jersey dresses. Neither suits their nowadays polyester, puffy sleeved cut-out styles. I used to spend hundreds of pounds a year with them, now, nada.

Where do you now look for clothes of a similar style and quality? I like Hobbs and Hush, but am at a loss after that.

OP posts:
Tanaqui · 08/04/2023 07:23

It's definitely a gap in the market- I tried some Joules jeans thinking they would be decent quality, but the fit looks frumpy on me. Got some okay linen in Esprit, and some better jeans in Zara, sometimes get a hit in HandM (you can tell I am bottom of the Boden price range!), but there is nowhere I think of as a go to in the way I used to think of Boden.

GCAcademic · 08/04/2023 07:28

Following, as I have the same problem. My work wardrobe is similar to yours, OP, but I don’t know where to look now. Can’t afford the likes of The Fold, but there doesn’t seem to be anywhere else to buy clothes for work these days. I only wear dresses (due to body shape, I look shit in skirts or trousers) and it’s all frilly, tiered maxi floral shite or else too short or too cleavage plunging for work.

NeedToChangeName · 08/04/2023 07:33

White Stuff

BHRK · 08/04/2023 08:08

There are still some Boden classics in there, I’ve just bought their t shirt dresses for summer and they are good quality (the pure cotton ones with the split up the side)
Most of my work clothes come from Hobbs and the Fold sale, I buy casual and a few work bits from Sezane, the White Company, & Other Stories. I don’t find Hush great quality but have a couple of their dresses

HairyToity · 08/04/2023 08:11

I go to Hobbs for work clothes, I like Next for jeans, and wherever else I call in on and there's a sale.

Only ever got the occasional item from Boden.

CrispAppleStrudels · 08/04/2023 08:21

Following as I'm in the same boat as the OP and am absolutely desperate. I recently got a couple of dresses from the John Lewis Anyday range that were cheaper than boden used to be but the same ponte jersey fabric. They were in black only though so not as wide a range of colours.

RidingMyBike · 08/04/2023 08:37

Following! I used to get some useful bits from Laura Ashley too but that's also no longer an option. It's so frustrating.

Mumped · 08/04/2023 08:40

For the more conservative, plain colour workwear - Hobbs, Jaeger, Massimo Dutti. I wear M&S work trousers.

It’s a shame because Boden was once great for workwear.

marahippo · 08/04/2023 09:00

Baukjen

Mumteedum · 08/04/2023 09:04

I just discovered Oliver Bonas. Bought a bunch in their sale. V good quality

UglyModernWindows · 08/04/2023 09:12

Kettlewell Colours. Some stuff is bit frumpy but it’s great for basics, their jersey and knits are excellent quality. They also do a great, proper hefty ponte items.

LadyMargaretDevereux · 08/04/2023 09:25

Toast when it's on sale, Gap for jeans, White Company occasionally, then just casting around on Vinted. Seasalt for basics (but hate their prints) and some White Stuff.

Quitelikeacatslife · 08/04/2023 09:58

Just got nice coat from seasalt and there stuff has improved (I like about 1/3 of their range, hate their prints)

DaisyDando · 08/04/2023 10:06

Autograph. Washes a treat.

Waxlyrically · 08/04/2023 10:13

Same, I was an avid Boden shopper and loved the Ottoman dresses in winter and the pure cotton ones in the summer. I think I spend most at M&S now with the odd foray into Mistral, White Stuff and Monsoon. I like Cos for quality and fabrics but I’m not tall enough for most of their things.

octoberafternoons · 08/04/2023 11:34

Thought Clothing has some good work wear and smart casual options although some of their stuff is unnecessarily frilly.

I also like People Tree, White Stuff, Seasalt, M&S, lots of smaller independent shops and Uniqlo for jersey basics (especially Heattech and Airism ranges). I dress more casually these days though; I too have never found direct replacements for the Ottoman and other ponte dresses Boden did.

AncientBallerina · 08/04/2023 11:38

I just got some fab work clothes from Massimo Dutti
I am so shop in Mint Velvet, M and S and FatFace (latter more casual)

schoolmum101 · 08/04/2023 15:02

Try stitch fix. I was sceptical at first but they have definitely won me over. They put together different brands based on your measurements and specifications and budget. It's a £10 styling fee each time if you don't buy anything from your fix but there has been at least one thing I've wanted out of every fix despite being a difficult customer on paper (very short, big boobed).

HolidaysAreComing2023 · 08/04/2023 18:56

Hobbs, M&S have the odd bit, bizarrely some of Next tailoring is actually really good.

That said, Hobbs blouses are pretty uninspiring this season so I’m struggling a bit because Boden would’ve been my go to for work blouses.

DoodlesMam · 10/04/2023 23:18

My work wardrobe and my going to events wardrobe was almost entirely Boden! Ottoman dresses, the ponte trousers and matching ponte blazers, bretons, the lovely soft non puffy cashmere sweaters, the shirts, the pencil skirts, the sensible midi dresses, the chinos and nice boat neck Ts. And the Boden Icons for nice occasions. Now: Boden is unrecognisable with horrible crop tops, unwearable ruffled dresses puff sleeves and massive collars on everything and about 3 times the price. No Richmond trousers, no decent chinos, no nice dresses for work.

After a period of confusion, some grief, and not buying any clothes, I pulled myself together and now buy from:

  • Hush
  • Mint Velvet
  • Saint + Sofia
  • Me+Em but only sale items as v expensive
  • the odd bit from Sosandar but it's a bit girly for me.
  • Fat Face bits and bobs but also a bit frilly for me.
  • Baukjen but it's pricy.
  • Marks and spencer autograph.
  • Next for basics and underwear.
  • Tesco for skinny jeans

I am so so sad that Boden have changed so much for the worse. It's like a treasured friendship has ended. One where I spent £100-£200 a month and now don't spend anything....

DoodlesMam · 10/04/2023 23:19

also wandering about on vinted looking for old boden...

MaryDerry · 10/04/2023 23:22

Cos
BIBICO
Thought
Toast
Hush
Whistles

For my work clothing.

Is there a reason Boden went blurgh?

dontlookgottalook · 10/04/2023 23:27

Whats happened to Boden?? Their kids range is just solid appliqué. No one needs to that much appliqué in their life.

MultipleVeganPies · 10/04/2023 23:31

Boden went for the US market

Randomuser9876 · 10/04/2023 23:34

I think it's a post pandemic thing in that hardly anyone has a "work wardrobe" and "weekend wardrobe" anymore which makes it hard for retailers to have specific ranges which is what boden very much did.

I did get a fair bit there but can't imagine a situation I'd wear an ottoman dress or Richmond trouser now, would look really dated.

I love all the H&M brands for stuff I'd wear to the office or at the weekend, Arket and Cos most of all. I alos love OtherStories and Monki but they're a bit more casual.

Reiss is good for that "Apprentice" vibe but as I said I don't know anyone who dresses like that now.

Swipe left for the next trending thread