If you fancy a laugh, check out Boden’s latest subtle, stylish nod to their British heritage…

[LaSourciereEfrontee]

Ten, even five years ago Boden sold beautiful tweed jackets and skirts made from pure British wool milled in Yorkshire.

In 2024, to celebrate their British heritage, we have been treated to these garish, made in China horrors…

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/fitted-printed-blazer-union-jack/sty-u0266-mul

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/lydia-cashmere-jumper-rich-emerald-green-union-jack/sty-k0905-cbs

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/alba-check-maxi-dress-pink-and-red-check/sty-d1097-mul

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/bow-kitten-heels-red-tartan/sty-a1836-red

I can only assume Johnny Boden has recently watched The Producers and is trying to get rich by producing a business-ending flop.

That’s all.

Aaaargh, I thought, just for a few months, that 'good' Boden was back. I bought a lovely dress and top from them this Summer, my first new stuff from them in a couple of years - and I used to spend a LOT with them.

Might wear the Union flag jacket. Late DH certainly would have - enjoyed winding people up. The jumper is vile. The maxi dress looks suitable for a bit part in a 50s western hoe-down scene, so do not know why it is featured as British. Tartan shoes are ok - tartan is something I like wearing, though probably not on shoes, but some might, and generally tartan is acceptable as day-wear e.g. skirts, jackets - DB has a Vivienne Westwood suit in blue tartan and wore it to late DH's funeral, to great acclaim from family and friends - and me. DD's DP and his DF wore tartan waistcoats and bow-ties to the same occasion - also much admired.
Bit cloth-eared of Boden all round otherwise, though!

It's not particularly outrageous, especially the red version. The Urban Outfitters tartan dress on another thread is nicer in pure cotton.

I think anyone who thinks "gammon" is an valid political descriptor probably has a limited imagination and life experience.

I liked the Union Jack jacket in the first picture but actually hate how misaligned the pattern looks on the back. It’s like they didn’t care about matching the edges up properly. I only wear that style of jacket for interviews and funerals, though (just plain black, though!)

Yikes

The red tartan dress is sold out in many sizes!

Fifteen years Boden was once my go to for great quality classic clothes that it was worth paying slightly more for, for me and the DC.

I cannot remember the last time I made a purchase from them, it’s now mostly poor quality very over priced tat.

Predictably, there is now a sponsored thread/ad about how marvelous the new range is - while the sub-head is 'opinions are torn', the actual piece is about how much Mumsnetters are loving it 🤦

https://www.mumsnet.com/articles/boden-autumn-winter

those check dresses look like Little House on the Prairie!

My son said the exact same thing

Two weeks ago I ordered the Sophia short linen dress in a few colours. I was confused and bamboozled by their resemblence to similarly cut linen frocks I had from Boden in years past, back when the linen was thick and excellent quality. I got the new Sophia dresses and and am so disappointed because the linen is thin and poor quality. It's just flimsy and cheap and will obviously not last more than a season.

I am so disgusted at myself for giving my old, quality Boden pieces away.

After the Sophia dress debacle, I'm done. I have given up on Boden. They have no intentions of moving back to quality materials. Luckily I have found some amazing dressmakers on Etsy who create custom dresses in quality fabrics.

Why, Boden? Why? Instead of putting out many, many new designs made of cheap, flimsy material, why can you no go back to the old days of quality pieces?

Boden was great while it lasted. Can't imagine who they think their target audience is now, but it's not me or my friends.

Also hideous for £90
https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/fluffy-diagonal-stripe-jumper-multi-rainbow/sty-k0877-mpt

That jumper🫨🫨

A couple of things that annoy me about this dress (apart from the fact that it would flatter almost nobody):

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/pia-wool-shift-dress-red-and-blue-check/sty-d1124-red

It is presented as a 'wool' dress yet there is very little wool in it.....more polyester than anything else;

Most people who know anything about dressmaking will know how little fabric is needed to make a short straight dress like this, also the very basic construction makes it cheap. Yet they are asking £135 for it which imo is a total rip off.

I stopped buying Boden after JB was a Leave Campaign donor. Looks like his obsession with 'patriotism' is relentless. Really, who buys this shit?

@Livingtothefull I remember the “Skye” sweater, made in China. That’s when I finally had enough of Boden.

Boden's supposed celebration of 'British style' is just a sad travesty now @TheGander , once upon a time it was arguably true but they are just living off that reputation now.

So we get offered things like a 'kilt' that isn't actually a kilt:
https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/helen-buckled-kilt-navy-and-green-check/sty-r0622-nvy?cat=C1_S2_G13
Just to point out that a kilt has pleats all around the sides and back unlike this which is just a skirt with some pleats at the side front. So the presentation of this is deliberately misleading (and again, hardly any wool in this).

The fact is that Boden has gone drastically downmarket in recent years as their quality has plummeted. In all but their pricing.

On the plus side, they've gone back to using adult models, some of which even look like they're a healthy weight and are actually smiling.

Has anyone seen the new season stuff in today? Had a brief look just now and there are some really nice things! Totally different to the last drop. Love some of the Christmas stuff for kids.

Although veeeerrry expensive

The Union Jack blazer reminds me of the toy Playmobil figure wearing smth similar; he comes packed with Mini Cooper (with Union Jack on the top).

Still a bit unrealistic though. The one in the tartan dress is 5' 11" and a size 6!

I clicked on this thread back at the beginning, over three weeks ago, and I'm still being followed around by ads for tartan and Union Flag apparel courtesy of Boden. Probably go on for ever now I've accidently clicked on it again!

Tbh that's probably necessary to make it look remotely ok. I'd look like a galleon in full sail in that.