Boden catalogue…

[happyshineyperson]

…just dropped through my door. I thought they were supposed to be doing more of what Boden customers actually want this season?

Who wants a jumper with half a Union Jack pattern in the wrong colours for £150?! Who wants jeans with wide stripes on? Who wants a patchwork paisley maxi dress with big sleeves for £240?!? Or a jumper with dog or cat faces on 😳

They don’t seem to have what I actually do want, which is a nice v neck cardigan.

Anyone else seen the catalogue?

I agree with the Union Jack jumpers and the awful patchwork dress. It’s almost as if someone on the design management team couldn’t quite let go of the blousy element of ‘old Boden’.

The prices are steep, the fabric and quality are an unknown (atm) but I’ll place an order once the discount codes arrive.

I got the catalogue yesterday. It is better than recent offerings, which were of no interest to me. But it’s so gone back to 2013 that it looks kind of dated. There were things I liked, but probably not enough to buy. Other brands from that time have either all but folded (Cath Kidston) or moved on with their customer base. In 2013, people had more money, stuff cost less to produce, the world felt a more stable place (at least for the British middle classes).

Boden evidently won few new customers during its wilderness seasons, and lost many loyal ones. Any business knows that it’s really, really hard to win back lost custom. When you are making expensive, slightly dated clothes during a cost of living crisis, doubly so.

£1K at Boden can be 5 or so items. Look online as you’re not familiar with the prices. Just google Boden. I don’t think a coat, a pair of winter boots, a pair of shoes, a cashmere cardigan, a cashmere jumper and a dress is exactly going wild!

I have bought Boden for over 20 years but was really put off by the last few years - I am not sure this catalogue (at least the online version) counts as putting it right.

It has been my go to for Cashmere - but the standard round neck jumpers have a funny hem and the reviews suggest they are really short - the photos show them tucked in on the model so you have no way of gauging length - which is just downright misleading.

I usually buy blazers for work as well - the last couple have been overly heavy, poorly fitted and the exact same blazer in different colours were completely different sizes. They don't seem to have a stock standard navy wool blazer anymore. They are jersey, or cord or unlined or have massive patch pockets. Maybe I am just too fussy! But still not convinced.

I love the fuschia and emerald green stuff. I actually like the cats head top.

The only problem is the prices, I think they're £20 or £30 too much

Mine was the childrens one, which reminded me to buy the next size up coat, some cord trousers and sweater. Their children's stuff seems to fit my child well. I don't think I've bought anything for myself for a few years now though.