Hobbs. I think it is what Boden aspires to but can no longer do.

[moondog]

And there is a 20% discount via Red magazine so time to git me some winter boots.

As you were.

Yuk - I think Hobbs is frumpy and for old ladies, except for the odd thing.

Boden is hit and miss but I find more to buy in there than Hobbs anyway.

Both of them are such a rip-off you'd have to be British to shop there .

Boden stuff is v poor quality these days. it's put together for peanuts in the 3rd world.
I'm too fussy these days to wear daft hippy-for-the-timid gear to work.

I think Hobbs have a new designer - remember reading something about it recently. Their sales are pretty good.

There are some fab work jackets on the website and really smart shoes. Not many dresses though. It's a never ending mission to find a smart work dress I find.

Did big shop recently. Was also v impresses with Principles who seem to be a lot classier than i remember.

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I haven't actually been into a Hobbs for yonks. Just looked at website.
Looked good to me.

I shall be shopping again in 2011 after succeeding in final quest for black boots, new black trousers, winter coat and dress.

Moondog - have you tried LK Bennett for smart work dress? Expensive but classic and very good quality.

I like hobbs' stuff but it's very over priced. Bought a wool coat in a sale once and it still cost me a bomb.

I love Hobbs for special occasion stuff

I'm old

Agree with Gobbledigook - Hobbs is for the 50+ with middle-aged spread.

a work dress for moondog with rather expensive tastes

I like Hobbs for work stuff. I am not old (30) and am not frump (hopes...!)

Can't stand Boden, never bought anything from them but the twee catalogues put me off, plus the clothes just scream 'school governor' to me.

Agree with LK Bennett, plus Reiss has beautifully cut clothes. Plus selected stuff from Linea (House of Fraser).

None of it's bloody cheap though, but can't bear the thought of most cheaper high street shops (Next, Dorothy Perkins, Wallis etc).

Am I the only person who HATES Monsoon with a passion, though?

Hobbes looks like it is designed for women in their late 40's, early 50's to me.

white stuff's nice

Monsoon used to be lovely but seems a bit too much like Dotty Perks now

I'[ve bought some good classic stuff at Hobbs
purple velvet trench coat
black silk wrap over cardi
and some navy linen sailor trousers
I like them..

I saw a mouth-watering orange wool coat in the Hobbs outlet in Swindon

I think it just takes till we are 50 to be able to afford it tbh...

Purple velvet trench coat MAS? No sign of it on the website, can you describe? Price?

Agree grapejelly - Monsoon very 'high street' and flimsy now and I never go in any more.

Hobbs is great for winter coats, for shoes and boots. Their clothes seem to have the wrong hemline for me - always seem to fall mid-calf so seem instantly frumpy.

I am not fan of Boden either, seems ok for generic non-fashionble stuff though. Never bought from their as yet, but never say never!

ahh,'tis from a couple of yrs ago - Tosh in Torchwood had one !! it's not unlike the Boden velvet coat but much nicer

Damn.

sorry