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?

Thanks @FayCarew.

My body has changed quite a lot recently (had two kids in three years, lost a couple of stone, boobs have changed shape and size, legs have slimmed down but arse has vanished) and I don’t really know what I suit any more! Hence wondering about first hand recommendations for their swimwear.

@AngryBirdsNoMore , I've only ever bought one swimsuit from Boden and it would have been in the 1980s or 90s. It was a nice cut but it was cotton and lycra so bleached very quickly. Lands End is quite good, according to recommendations. I've also got an ancient Next one which still looks great unlike me. Otherwise try M&S or Asda/Tu.

I have a bust so tend to look for some boning or secret support, and good arse coverage so I'm not picking it out of my crack. 'Scuse the crude description
Women's Wrap Front Slender Swimsuit | Lands' End (landsend.co.uk)

Basically if I'm wearing a swimsuit I need to not be worrying about it being see-though, revealing, giving me a big monoboob, or digging or chaffing, or having padded cups that make me look like I've got two big blancmanges trying to escape.

I usually go for black or navy with some small contrast detail after staining a light one with suntan lotion and finding a red one was see-through.

Re:marketing
About 2-3 months ago, Johnny debt out a questionnaire to long standing customers called something like "I cocked up", inviting people to tell him where Boden had gone wrong.

I had to have a chuckle at this.

When Johnnie said he was going to go back to the 'old Boden' I thought he meant NEXT season! I didn't appreciate it was THIS season.
Because, quite honestly, I can't see any improvement.

I've bought Boden for 30-odd years or however long it's been around.
I've some lovely knitwear and coats. I've an ancient cashmere jumper that has been worn and washed for years and is still great (though I did get some coffee on it, so I wear it only in the house now.)

However, even though I have the cash, I refuse to be ripped off. It's all too expensive.

I bought some denim jeggings that were £75 but I had a discount.
They were okay but not worth £50+.
So, returned.

I may buy in the sales.

I think an improvement in quality is starting g to trickle though, though I guess orders placed some time ago with suppliers may still need to be honoured on the previous terms

the silk shirts I bought are very
much better cut than the precious iteration. They barely need ironing as well.

two cotton blouses were appalling though

@AngryBirdsNoMore I'm currently a size 14/16 with a middle aged mum tum! I love the santorini (see pic, not me btw😂) one pice and I have it in plain navy and even when I was much larger size 18 it looked better than other brands I've tried.

I've also got other Boden ones but the Santorini is my favourite, the material is so supportive and it definitely holds you in. I've now got it in some brighter colours as well as sensible navy.

The only Boden things I have bought recently I got from Brand Alley. I got a lovely dress, midi, wrap round and a jumper with contrast cuffs. Pleased with my purchases as there was no way I could afford the original prices. They are really good quality, this was about a year ago so I wonder if they are on the slide now. I used to buy quite a bit from them but that was a long time ago. They do seem to have lost their way these days

My kids were decked out in Boden from 2013- 2019 thanks to my OH obsession. To be fair the material was good quality and the clothes lasted well. Most were sold on second hand so were more economical than throw away high street items. A few items that didn't wash well were returned and refunded without question.
I noticed latterly that the material quality reduced and unfortunately the key principles that set the brand apart slowly disappeared.
It's sad that it is now in decline and floundering, cheap poor quality will never resurrect it's fortunes.

I wanted to buy a dress and looked at several but all the reviews were terrible and said the quality is awful and sizing inconsistent.

I realised their glory days were over

I think this sums it up unfortunately.

Bought some trousers - loved the print, but the fabric was rubbish and they bagged, stretched and were unwearable after a few wearings.

I bought a skirt from Boden in the sale in summer, saved it for autumn wear, and it shrunk the first time I washed it. Really irritating and not the first time I've had Boden clothes that have shrunk.

@CavalierApproach - for mens XXL shirts try:

www.landsend.co.uk - excellent quality. There are always discounts, I never pay full price for any of their items.

I bought the taffeta skirt which is gorgeous and the velvet top - but sent back. Metallic skirt and the rainbow metallic dress - the fabric looked like it would pull incredibly easily just not an option in my careless with clothes life.

But taffeta skirt is really lovely on

I’m still finding the kids stuff pretty decent, last shop was probably early this year? i wear their bretons and a wool jumper regularly, as well as some shoes. But I don’t often shop for myself there.

I used to buy absolutely loads from Boden. Tailed off as I had less disposable income after going part-time but I flat out stopped even looking at the website after popping on there one day and seeing some emaciated teenager, with all her poor knobbly bones sticking out like a starved and plucked little chicken, modelling what looked like a bra but was being sold as an actual top. That's when I realised that Boden was no longer for me - fat, well-off, middle aged, in need of smart, good quality clothing and was now targeting the poor little plucked chicken market. I've been back for a look since Johnny had his epiphany, but I am still feeling too cross with them to order anything.

That site is brilliant. It has dresses I really like from brands I'd never have thought of.

I got this blazer. It’s lovely. Really nice quality wool blend. Warm and cut well - got the petite 12.

Boden or Biden, it’s only a matter of time to see which one is retired first…

They fit really terribly on anyone with a chest, I find.

I buy my daughter loads from there - she loves it. The tulle/velvet dresses are a big hit around here.

Everything we have had washed so well and really holds up - I don't shop at supermarket brands so can't compare.

I am sending back the Kate dress today. It is fine but not great. Also sending back a silk blouse that is absurdly low cut and manages to be simultaneously frumpy and revealing. It is an interesting trick.

Silk Romantic Blouse - Black | Boden UK this one?

Hey! To be fair to Boden, I complained in a whim this morning because the 15% code didn't work when i ordered a top, and they replied quickly to say that they will refund the 9 euro. Ok, thanks happy with that. I can't complain so 🤷 😜😂

I have a gorgeous navy blazer, but as per a previous poster, it somehow attracts every bit of dust and hair in a five mile radius and I have to carry a lint roller with me, so I don't end up wearing it. A shame as was expensive.

Think the kids stuff has dated a bit too and always dressed my younger kids in boden..the quality was great. But now it's just all a bit much..too many prints. Since covid fashion has changed and Boden just haven't managed to evolve which is a shame.