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Original poster

Boden sale - there's literally nothing I'd wear

106 replies

MandyFl0ss · 02/08/2023 11:23

There's 70% off on the website and I also have £10 off voucher they've sent me. I've gone through every single item and haven't found a single thing I'd buy. The few semi-decent items are so short on the body, and I say this as a short person myself. But who over the age of 19 can wear such cropped items?? And now you have to spend a min of £50 to get free delivery.

Has anyone ordered knitwear from the new collection and if so, is it as short on the body as previously?

OP posts:
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5
SmokedGlass · 02/08/2023 18:39

It used to be my go to site for something a bit special or good for work
I looked at the site a couple of weeks ago and there wasn’t one item I liked let alone would buy in the sale
The clothing on there now is just awful

MotherofPearl · 02/08/2023 19:05

I bought a navy blue 100% cotton skirt from Boden earlier this year. I've worn it a lot this summer. It's proper cotton (not jersey) and a nice long, quite full skirt. No frills, no weird patterns. It looks great with a plain fitted tee or a vest top.

capricorn12 · 02/08/2023 19:28

Agreed. I used to buy loads from them and not especially the plainer stuff, I like the brighter, bolder things that you didn't see anywhere else. The last few years though, the prices have gone up so much that I'll only buy from the sale or with a voucher and the current sale looks like a jumble sale. They need a major refresh.

Saz12 · 02/08/2023 19:50

I'm tall, and narrow and Not Young - size 8 with a 35" inside leg (sadly always been too ugly to be a supermodel, just look gaunt instead). Theyve some flared cords that fit after I shortened them. Theyre also in the clearance....

But why did they ever think theyd sell? Poopy diarrhoeaall brown flared cords that are just WAY too long are phenomenally niche. And only reduced 30%...!

NatashaDancing · 02/08/2023 20:10

Did nobody look closely at the front darts on this dress?

Boden shirt dress

xPeaceXx · 02/08/2023 20:40

Lol at the nigel farrage dress! I wonder if that's on the irish /eu site. I'm off to check. Get a belt op. Their belts are normal. I have a couple.

ThankYouVeryMuchGerry · 02/08/2023 21:07

I used to buy so much from Boden but not any more.

You'd think that with Mumsnetters being their target audience, Boden would be keeping a close eye on what's said on the threads, but there have been dozens of these threads and no notice taken. Its a bit like shooting themselves in the foot ignoring all this free market research!

TheGander · 02/08/2023 21:08

@bingohandjob ( I won’t ask) the Nigel Farage rally wives’ chapter 😂. Who in their right mind would wear such an absurdity.

whistlestunelessly · 02/08/2023 21:24

NatashaDancing · 02/08/2023 20:10

Did nobody look closely at the front darts on this dress?

Boden shirt dress

Ah, the model booker has accidentally booked an actual woman with boobs to wear that, rather than the teenagers they now seem to think will sell their clothes.

LizzieSiddal · 02/08/2023 21:32

I’ve got Boden cashmere jumpers, cotton blouses, jeans and T-shirts which are over 10 years old still in my wardrobe and I can still wear. I used to spend a fortune there. I gave up last year, I’d order lots to try and end up sending it all back, colours not the same as the pics on their website, awful fit, Like you Op, I’m short and lots of their tops were at my belly button, I’m 57 for goodness sake. Just dreadful quality too.

I shop in Whistles, White company, Brora (sale) and M&S now.

narniabusiness · 02/08/2023 21:36

I used to by my kids clothes from there as they were lovely quality and they had girls stuff that wasn't pink! Their models used to look like very good looking mums and they had little bios about them which was either sweet or a bit naff depending on you POV. Looking at the sale photos the models look identical to those on H&Ms website. An odd choice.
OP I'd go for some vest tops and wear them under your jumpers or as PJ tops.

GettingStuffed · 02/08/2023 21:39

I'm nearly 60 and fat but I have 2 cropped tops that look good. They both have long toes that go around the waist a couple of times so there's no wide band of flesh showing.

Don't write yourself off just because you're not a teen

GettingStuffed · 02/08/2023 21:39

I'm nearly 60 and fat but I have 2 cropped tops that look good. They both have long toes that go around the waist a couple of times so there's no wide band of flesh showing.

Don't write yourself off just because you're not a teen

AlexanderArnold · 02/08/2023 21:42

I also used to spend hundreds each year in Boden, on my kids, myself and my H. It was so easy and straightforward just to buy everyone lovely things on one place.

There is literally nothing on this sale I would touch.

I still wear two shirt dresses I bought last year, some cotton jumpers and cardigans, Richmond trousers, black jeans, wrap dresses. I just bought a Boden wrap dress from vinted that's great and a lovely denim skirt that's the perfect length, but they are probably from a couple of years ago.

Horrified how much they have changed.

I now buy Baukjen, Mint Velvet, White Company, Hobbies, Whistles.

Fourfurrymonsters · 02/08/2023 21:44

I haven’t looked at Boden for a long time now, but have a large collection of great quality stuff from their heady early days when there was wee captions in the catalogue on what the models liked to do on a Saturday 😂 Mostly gorgeous print dresses and fab coats, and some really beautiful kids’ stuff. I’ve just had a look at the new stuff and what in the actual fk has happened to them?? The new season clothes all look like they’ve been made only for the Middleton sisters…they’re horrific 😬 and don’t even get me started on the shoes - wtf. Twee little Mary Janes and snaffle loafers?? There’s not one pair on their website that I’d wear (and I’m 53, no spring chicken). I have some beautiful old school Boden from back when they did gorgeous leopard-print high heels and green velvet boots. When did they lose their way so badly??

Almostwelsh · 02/08/2023 21:52

Boden clothes are not made for women with a bust in my experience.

I ordered a dress from them this season and there was no way you could wear a bra with it, the front was much too low. Considering their target market isn't teens, I would think a lot of their customers wear bras.

Most of their clothes are cut for people with flat chests.

GettingStuffed · 02/08/2023 21:53

I think they're really good if you like boho. I could have spent a fortune there, but the only thing I really can justify is a t-shirt dress to wear with a jacket and leggings on the way to the Carribbean in Nov

EarthSight · 02/08/2023 22:06

GCAcademic · 02/08/2023 12:15

I used to buy all my work clothes from there. There is nothing remotely suitable for work on there now. The dresses are either too short, too low cut, or with stupid ruffles, frills and puffs or cut-outs. And the fabric is crappy quality and unflattering. I can’t imagine who is buying the stuff.

Me - when it's on sale. An embroidered top, a plain t shirt I would never buy if it wasn't heavy discounted. It's fine for very hot weather because this is why I bought it, but the fabric is very thin.

42wordsfordrizzle · 02/08/2023 22:07

I just had a look, they really have gone downhill. Like lots of others I used to buy lots from them - work and summer dresses. Quality has gone down in the last few years, but this year all the summer dresses were so short, or with weird cuts outs.

I'm going to have to drop a dress size or two to fit back into the old stuff I have.

Madcats · 02/08/2023 22:11

Another one who must have had an annual spend of hundreds at Boden. It used to be so easy when they had a catalogue with a drawing of the item and measurements between the hems.

Their workwear used to be great. Their jersey wrap dresses and a boxy Mulberry or Hobbs jacket saw me through maternity workwear.

The kids clothing USED to be bomb proof (up there with Polarn o Pyret).

Then they went through a few years of copying Joules (which was a big mistake, as Joules were on a downward spiral by that point). Quality plummeted. If I buy a heavily patterned dress I would like the seamstress to try to make patterns match at the most obvious seams.

I used to buy DH a few casual bits too.

As a regular visitor to London, I just find myself buying T shirts in Uniqlo/Petit Bateau (sale) or Muji.

thegirlwithemousyhair · 02/08/2023 23:19

Its the same trend almost everywhere though - quality out the window. A lot of cheap polyester oversized "midi" nonsense made in China for peanuts. Crop tops are just an excuse to use less fabric and cut costs.
Stylish, reasonably priced, well made clothes are increasingly hard to find. Be careful what you chuck out because you may find it well night impossible to replace it.

thegirlwithemousyhair · 02/08/2023 23:21

ohbygolly

And what happened this poor woman?

https://www.boden.eu/en-gb/sparkle-knitted-midi-dress-cognac-bronze-gold-sparkle/sty-d0576-met?cat=C2_S2

😂they photoshopped her arse just a little too enthusiastically.

PurposefulBear · 02/08/2023 23:24

ohbygolly · 02/08/2023 23:18

You’ve made me laugh thank you!!

Storynanny1 · 02/08/2023 23:25

And have their clothes got smaller? I’ve ordered 2 jersey maxi dresses in the last year, size 12, I’m a bog standard 12 in most shops. They are skin tight with plunging v necks. I’ve worn them a couple of times and given up, they are going to the charity shop for a tall size. 8 to snap up.
I’ve had better fitting dresses this summer from next and new look for less than half the price.