Has Boden got any better- which is what JB promised?

[Makemineadecaff]

I'll admit it- a lot of my wardrobe used to be Boden, for almost 30 years. I'm middle aged, fairly 'staid' and wear mostly smart-casual.

I liked Boden as they did petite sizing, easy of buying, returns etc and I could always find the occasional dress that I'd wear.

However.....desperately looking at summer dresses on the Boden website and they are mostly ghastly. Dreadful patterns in huge prints (don't work when you're 5ft 2"), too much pink and black (who wants black for summer), silly prices and just....well not nice.

I buy trousers from them. And long-sleeved jersey shirts and blouses.

Same

I more or less gave up on Boden a few years ago apart from the odd t-shirt. I saw a linen blend shirt dress on someone the other day which was a good shape and nice and long (though the pattern was probably a bit too loud for me) but it inspired me to have a look at Boden again, so I had a look online and like others I was at the prices! I know price hikes are not just a Boden thing but £198 for a linen blend shirt dress?? Even with 20% off it’s still over the top.

I think it’s had its day. It moved away from good quality simple basics and got too fussy; acrylic mix jumpers with puff sleeves and too much going on. The fabrics went down hill generally too. There is still the odd (plainer) thing I like but not enough for the price to actually buy.

I have recently felt the quality isn’t worth the price. T-shirt had small hole in after a couple of months and kids stuff seems to bobble especially leggings. Kids coats were good though washed really well and I’m really happy with those.

Agree with all of the above. Years ago I used to look forward to getting the new season's catalogue and bought a lot of stuff from them, even though they were a bit pricey. Then they went weird with pattern (with a krazy 60s/70s vibe) and colour (the choice always seemed to be lurid pink and green or dull navy and black), and also jumped hugely in price - so their loss was H&M and Seasalt's gain.

Looking at their latest Spring/Summer range I'm beginning to wonder if they have a bit of a death wish; or haven't been to an averagely prosperous British high street or event recently. Their look-at-me-I'm-happyhappyhappy thing just doesn't chime with how people think, live and feel now.

I wouldn’t wear his crappy clothing if it was given to me free. Dreadful little man.

https://protectthewild.substack.com/p/fashion-brand-founder-johnnie-boden?utm_campaign=post&triedRedirect=true

I have a few coats and jackets that are great quality, bought in their sales, a few years ago now, and they are great wardrobe staples, but nothing bought of late, as the prices are daft and having bought a top last year, which was returned due to poor quality and odd fit, it is no longer a company I even bother window shopping at. I shop far and wide, buying less, being fussier, but have had success with John Lewis own label, Uniqlo, Seasalt and Tu for their jeans.

I’ve bought a couple of pairs of exercise leggings in the sale recently. Originally around 70 quid which is ludicrous. Ageee the prices are ludicrous and the palette appeals to a very narrow group.

Going against the grain here but Boden is on fire this summer. And I can tell you things are selling out very fast. And comments on influencers Boden outfits are super positive. I like wearing colour and find their stuff so much more inspiring than the boring dredge I see on the high street. Of course there are some patterns I would never wear but then when would you wear everything a brand makes. And their swimwear is second to none. Often people ask where I got an outfit from.

@MixedFeelingsNoFeelings Their look-at-me-I'm-happyhappyhappy thing just doesn't chime with how people think, live and feel now.

Ouch. It makes me sad to read this. Maybe I am a glass half full person!

Oh god yes. That’s exactly it!

This one made me look twice….

I have one flattering dress that I bought last year in the sale, but mostly buy from Vinted now - you can get the old good stuff with tags still on for next to nothing.

Sorry, didn't want to be a doom-monger! It's not a permanent state of affairs. I just wish Boden would respond a bit more realistically to the times, rather than doubling down on the dopamine dressing (while not going to the opposite extreme of plain black and navy!)

I still like their swimwear, linen and double cloth trousers in summer. And their kids’ clothes. Everything else is a no

I agree on the linen, double cloth and swimwear. They have some nice flat sandals. I also like their shorts - both cotton and linen - and last summer I got some nice dresses. They are also the place that do a lot of basics in lots of styles and colours. I get my t shirts there and they do some pretty tops. I also have their wide legged trousers in a few colours which make up my office wear. Of course sometimes they push things but I prefer that to the uninspiring same dull coloured cheap stuff I often see on the high street. I often wonder if it is so cheap who is making it.

Yep I get it but that’s not their brand. And sometimes when things are down people like to colour up. Look at how hemlines went up historically when times were down. They can leave all that down dressing to the other brands of which there are plenty. ;-) I want colour and fun when dressing.

I haven't bought from there for about 20 years. But I recently did a market research thing for another brand and i had to look at Boden website and give my thoughts. Ended up buying y tshirts and a blouse! Lovely jewel colours and decent quality ( 25% off)
Some of the prices are bonkers

Agree with many here. I used to buy loads from Boden and loved the catalogue dropping through my door. I’m not a big pattern person, but they always did lots of classic cardigans, dresses etc….
I also took part in the market research.
I realised I hadn’t checked their website for a while so had a look…..circus? CIRCUS? Perhaps it’s just me, but I can’t say I’ve ever looked for circus inspired garish patterns.
Sigh. Still all wrong, Boden. Very, very wrong. After the hideous 60s/70s designs…..circus? 😩

Do you work in their PR dept?

I used to buy lots from there, though never did the patterns. I still wear jackets, beautiful cashmere jumpers and some jeans from years ago.

It’s like a jumble sale now, the quality for the price is appalling, not just the fabric but also the cut and finish, I ordered a linen skirt, I think it was £75 and it was completely see through!
interestingly I went to a big M&S last week and couldn’t believe the choice and quality. Got a lovely Seasalt dress for £75, which is very Toast looking. Also a pair of chinos, a pair of jeans and two bras!

Best shopping session I had in a very long time!

I'll get accused of working there too. I only buy in the sales but still get good value stuff I like. I've gone off the dresses and boots combo but not necessarily because of the patterns (so,so many places have awful ones) but just cause I got sick of it overall. I have loads of trousers I love from there.

@LizzieSiddalyes M&S is doing well these days.

@Makemineadecaff
Perhaps you should take a look at the thread about Johnnie Boden’s fox hunting. Not much love there.

I’ve just bought a bikini from there which I really like the style of. It seems good quality.

The rest is thin and overpriced. It’s a shame as they’re one of the few companies which do a tall range still.