Has anyone bought anything from Boden since their recent ‘relaunch?’

[ChienneDesFromages]

I was a bit fanatical about Boden in about 2012. Hadn’t bought anything since 2020 and drifted to other (less flouncy) brands.

I saw a gorgeous looking skater style dress in a peacock blue this year. Very like their old styles, which really worked for me.

It was so disappointing. £85 for the thinnest viscose you could imagine (think the cheapest supermarket dress material.) Obviously not lined. knickers and bra strap showed through. Literally, every expense spared.

There are a couple of more expensive things I like the look of - a velvet blazer, merino sweater and tweed skirt. Now wondering if I should bother even ordering.

Has anyone had a more positive experience?

I bought a couple of sale items from them yesterday - a jersey skirt with a knot front and a cotton top. I have several dresses from them which I do wear regularly and often get compliments on, but the quality of my more recent ones is far lower than the old archive ones and I haven't bought much in a while because the price to quality just isn't right. It's a shame, I used to spend most of my clothes money there - the fit is just right for me most of the time - but it is harder now.

I wish they'd go back to what they used to do.

I really want to buy one if their velvet shirts but like everyone has said the quality is so hit and miss nowadays. I bought a shirt from there a couple of years ago with a lovely print, it was see through!

Interesting what you say about your coat.

I have two coats from Seasalt that do exactly the same thing.

Hmmm...

Why do they always insist on using models who are nothing like their key target audience?
Because models who look like the average consumer won't look that great in the clothes. The clothes shown have probably been pinned to look attractive or the image photoshopped.

'Outsize' models used to be tall, slim but with curves, maybe a 5'10" size 14 or 16, but now some brands use models who are obviously overweight and not in a good way.
Brands that appeal to retirement age people tend to use slim, trim models .
Men’s Coats & Jackets | Casual & Lightweight Jackets | Cotton Traders
1 new message (jamesmeade.com)

(nothing wrong with Cotton Traders,it seems OK, just not a trendy label)

I used to love boden because it has a good petite range but it’s like they have gone insane of late. Last time I ordered jersey dresses I sent them all back.

That said I did get the tafetta skirt someone else mentioned above and I wear it all the time.

I bought three pairs of jeans from them this year which were very good but it's all I've ever bought from there. But even then the sizing was so weird and it took two or three goes to get the right size. Always thought of them as tending to boring and expensive for what it was.

I had a fair amount of Boden kid's clothes in attic waiting for younger child to get older. Good quality, decent cotton, durable. The stuff I ordered this Summer (and sent back) was thin cotton and looked cheap. Bought 1 t-shirt that my daughter loved, few washes and it's now mis-shapen.

I've bought this:

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/rye-metallic-jacket-silver-metallic/sty-u0191-slv?cat=C1_S2_G2_G35

I find the quality of it good and it's a great fit.

Love that! Need a code now.

I ordered a couple of things on there, the pinafore skater dress from work was one. Lined, decent material, thick and tailored feeling. Also ordered a shirt which was dogshit. Thin as tissue paper, completely see through and not made to fit normal humans.

I waited years to be able to afford decent clothes from places like boden and not only has the price doubled since then but the quality of some of their things is through the floor with plastic, shit materials replacing cotton. I might as well just order from Shein. At least you know what you are getting with them

I still buy their cashmere, or ask for it for Christmas. One jumper bought five years ago barely has a single bobble on it. I have a blue velvet coat from about four years ago and a wool-mix pleated skirt, which always receives compliments. My Boden winter puffa-parka style coat, bought about 12 years ago, is still being used for dog walks.

I was really attracted by their violet velvet shirt - but dry clean only!

I rarely buy Boden anymore the one exception being their swimwear which remains better quality and more flattering than any other brand - especially good if bought in the sale

I didn’t realise it was in trouble but haven’t bought anything lately and used to buy loads. I like good basic cottons and wools and they became too mixed fabric and too expensive. I did get the messed up message and thought it was odd. At the same time if they bring back old classics I’d shop there a lot again.

It's like a time machine back to 2009. Loved it when I had small dc, but very much not for me these days.

I have to say there were problems with quality even back in the day - I can remember a grey duffle coat for 3 yo dd that bobbled instantly and looked awful. I should have sent the ruddy thing back.

I used to love Boden and bought from them right from the beginning. In fact I still have a really heavy silk shirt that must be nearly 30 years old - it has the old style label. We have bought Peter Pan collar shirts for toddler parties, before DS could protest, wool suits for DH and great clothes for me from the Limited Edition range, although that range would have been better with a long option; cashmere cardigans, wool coats, cotton trousers and dresses for work etc.

I haven’t quite given up completely, but to say I don’t think I have used my recent £10 off vouchers shows I don’t buy much. Today I am more likely to buy from Jigsaw, Massimo Dutti, MaxMara and Liberty.

Yes I wish retailers would show me an average - ie size 12 or 14 or 16 - woman as well as a size 6 or whatever. Not a size 6 and a size 22 with nothing in between even though that’s where most people fit.

What was the marketing nonsense about Johnnie messing up?

I bought a staple short black skirt that looked nice but it was crap for the £52, not well made at all. Returned it in October via their Rebound Tracking and... it's just been returned to me. I also had to pay £3.50 because "sender did not pay full postage". That might have nothing to do with Boden though, just one of those things, but it's never happened to me before.
Have emailed their customer service now. I remember the service used to be excellent.
Oh, and last night I ordered some of their velvet dresses for the festive season to try on. And the Edie Fair Isle jumpers do look lovely.

May I ask what size you are and what styles you’ve found flattering? They’re so pricey I don’t want to risk it but I would like some nice and interesting swimwear that isn’t just black.

Yep. One of toddler DS’s favourite trousers - continuing to be in circulation despite being now quite short! - are hand me downs from years past Boden. They’re lovely, quite Joules-like and good quality.

Looking online now, it all looks very polyester but with enormous price tags.

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/christmas-tree-tulle-dress-reed-green/sty-g4527-grn?code=H6N6&tc_ch=ps&tc_ve=goog&tc_so=pla&tc_me=cr&tc_ca=drop-offer&tc_au=pla-325024610858&tc_cr=na&tc_campid=UK+-+Shopping+-+CW+-+Brand+Queries&tc_adgroupid=Catch+All&tc_kwid=PRODUCT_GROUP&tc_matchid=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA3aeqBhBzEiwAxFiOBtyYVktjgOpEnQTeeWmu05vB2OUnwbkgR1lAy3KT8ESWmZuoBPYGOhoCzbIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

£66?! 100% polyester and looks like you could get it for a tenner on Amazon.

@AngryBirdsNoMore , Women’s Swimwear & Beachwear | Boden UK

Look for one with a shape that suits your body and detail that will flatter. Most of the styles come in more than one colour.
The models (5'10 and size 6!) tend to be a different shape than me, so I look for a bit of bust support and bottom coverage.

I'd probably go for the kefalonia, santorini or levanzo but they all have padded cups and my boobs are padded enough already.

I bought these in green, and think they are fine for the price:

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/iris-snaffle-heeled-loafers-black-calf-leather/sty-a1571-blk?cat=C1S22_G11

TBF that kind of dress is always going to be polyester unless it's pure silk - that fabric doesn't really exist in cotton or wool.
I still buy Breton stripes and occasionally chinos. I recently ordered some White Stuff clothes which I've liked in the past (though sometimes a bit hippy) - I found them via this website which is a brilliant idea:

https://www.pocketsforwomen.co.uk/

I also like Sugarhill Brighton, Thought and Hush for pyjamas, Joanie for quirky prints.
I have zero waist and and old lady flat bum (thanks mum for your middle European peasant ancestry) so I can't really do M&S trousers and would love a suggestion of chinos with pockets for a barrel shape.

I looked on Boden the other day for baby stuff but there was none! I kept looking thinking I just have got it wrong but it was all gone!

what was the marketing nonsense with Jonny? I missed that!

I've just bought this with a £10 voucher and a decent discount and I really like it. Quality of fabric isn't amazing for the full price though. https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/matilda-sparkle-jumper/sty-k0688