What happened to Boden?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a little bummed to see this thread, but also wondering if those of you posting tend to wear buttoned-up, fitted Washington DC lawyer type clothing? I just bought a few dresses from Boden, thinking maybe I would keep one, but my college-age daugther told me all three looked great, were adorable, and I should keep them all. I work for a museum--so maybe it's just a different vibe, but I got so many compliments when I wore the first one to work the other day. I am not a frumpy person at all--but HATE spending money on clothes, even though I really work to look pulled together. I am petite. Now I'm worried I look ridiculous.

I'm the OP. I shopped at Boden mostly for workwear back in the day. I work in an office but it's definitely not conservative/buttoned up. Not a lawyer, and I'm not in DC.

A lot of Boden's dresses and tops used to have this vibe of being just professional enough for a work environment but with some quirk to it. Professional cut, but maybe in a slightly unique color. Quality was good, as evidenced by the fact that the stuff I bought nearly 10 years ago is still in regular rotation because the style is timeless enough and the quality has held up. I can't describe it very well but seems others in this thread get what I'm saying. I can't find a good substitute for it anymore.

I'm not saying their clothes now don't have their place and their audience, but they're not for me.

[Anonymous]

Agree that Boden sucks now. Years ago they used to make beautiful cardigans with cool buttons and snaps and lots of ribbon and notion details. Now it's blah.

[Anonymous]

People seem to be objecting to the flowery flowy dresses. I’ve been in London a couple of times in the last 2 months and saw a lot of these even in the City where women were clearly wearing them to work, especially younger women. So might just be a current style difference between DC and England.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a little bummed to see this thread, but also wondering if those of you posting tend to wear buttoned-up, fitted Washington DC lawyer type clothing? I just bought a few dresses from Boden, thinking maybe I would keep one, but my college-age daugther told me all three looked great, were adorable, and I should keep them all. I work for a museum--so maybe it's just a different vibe, but I got so many compliments when I wore the first one to work the other day. I am not a frumpy person at all--but HATE spending money on clothes, even though I really work to look pulled together. I am petite. Now I'm worried I look ridiculous.

I'm one of the PPs who said i don't like boden anymore. I did 5 years ago but there's been a huge style shift there. I'm a lawyer but I don't wear boden for work - I've always work it for fun quirky day to day stuff. I actually think the problem is the opposite of what this PP is worried about. Boden is not and has never been 'buttoned up' or preppy. Like another poster said, it was professional enough (and good quality) for office jobs but was cute and fun. When i wore boden, i always got a ton of compliments. And i am NOT a preppy dresser. It was like jcrew and banana stuff, but memorable.

Stuff now at boden is not flattering and fun. It's shifted very bland mom. And they're using these weird floral patterns that are not fun, but are an unstylish woman's idea of fun. It sounds like the PP isn't super into fashion or comfortable about what she looks good in, and sort of falls exactly in this camp of what i'm describing. I said this in a PP too.

PP - i wouldn't worry. I actually think there's a ton of stuff on boden i would look good in, i just don't like the style. So if your daughter is telling you it looks good, i'm sure it's fine. You're just not going to win a fashion forward award is all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a little bummed to see this thread, but also wondering if those of you posting tend to wear buttoned-up, fitted Washington DC lawyer type clothing? I just bought a few dresses from Boden, thinking maybe I would keep one, but my college-age daugther told me all three looked great, were adorable, and I should keep them all. I work for a museum--so maybe it's just a different vibe, but I got so many compliments when I wore the first one to work the other day. I am not a frumpy person at all--but HATE spending money on clothes, even though I really work to look pulled together. I am petite. Now I'm worried I look ridiculous.

Boden still has plenty of good stuff. I got the Amelie dress this year and have worn it a couple of times: https://us.boden.com/products/amelie-jersey-dress-navy-ivory-stripe-1. It's definitely not a crazy pattern like some of what other people are referencing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a little bummed to see this thread, but also wondering if those of you posting tend to wear buttoned-up, fitted Washington DC lawyer type clothing? I just bought a few dresses from Boden, thinking maybe I would keep one, but my college-age daugther told me all three looked great, were adorable, and I should keep them all. I work for a museum--so maybe it's just a different vibe, but I got so many compliments when I wore the first one to work the other day. I am not a frumpy person at all--but HATE spending money on clothes, even though I really work to look pulled together. I am petite. Now I'm worried I look ridiculous.

I'm the OP. I shopped at Boden mostly for workwear back in the day. I work in an office but it's definitely not conservative/buttoned up. Not a lawyer, and I'm not in DC.

A lot of Boden's dresses and tops used to have this vibe of being just professional enough for a work environment but with some quirk to it. Professional cut, but maybe in a slightly unique color. Quality was good, as evidenced by the fact that the stuff I bought nearly 10 years ago is still in regular rotation because the style is timeless enough and the quality has held up. I can't describe it very well but seems others in this thread get what I'm saying. I can't find a good substitute for it anymore.

I'm not saying their clothes now don't have their place and their audience, but they're not for me.

I’m a PP, also not a lawyer or in DC, and this post is spot on. 10 years ago, Boden was quirky but business appropriate - tailored clothing with a unique neckline or pattern or button detailing. Now it’s just not what I am looking for most of the time. I would wear their dresses on vacation or to a graduation party or something like that, but not in my day to day life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Miss the old Boden where it was classic yet slightly quirky … now it’s just all boldly bold

https://us.boden.com/products/bella-puff-sleeve-maxi-dress-multi-ornamental-floral

Who wears this? When? Where?

You are just boring. Many people love bright colors, bold patterns and drama. They are obviuosly selling well and selling to someone, just not you. I am unsurprised that the DCUM boring crowd doesn't like bright colors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Miss the old Boden where it was classic yet slightly quirky … now it’s just all boldly bold

https://us.boden.com/products/bella-puff-sleeve-maxi-dress-multi-ornamental-floral

Who wears this? When? Where?

You are just boring. Many people love bright colors, bold patterns and drama. They are obviuosly selling well and selling to someone, just not you. I am unsurprised that the DCUM boring crowd doesn't like bright colors.

But it's not just boldly bold. It's like super out of date mom frump patterns. Reminds me of The Gap circa 1994.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a little bummed to see this thread, but also wondering if those of you posting tend to wear buttoned-up, fitted Washington DC lawyer type clothing? I just bought a few dresses from Boden, thinking maybe I would keep one, but my college-age daugther told me all three looked great, were adorable, and I should keep them all. I work for a museum--so maybe it's just a different vibe, but I got so many compliments when I wore the first one to work the other day. I am not a frumpy person at all--but HATE spending money on clothes, even though I really work to look pulled together. I am petite. Now I'm worried I look ridiculous.

I'm the OP. I shopped at Boden mostly for workwear back in the day. I work in an office but it's definitely not conservative/buttoned up. Not a lawyer, and I'm not in DC.

A lot of Boden's dresses and tops used to have this vibe of being just professional enough for a work environment but with some quirk to it. Professional cut, but maybe in a slightly unique color. Quality was good, as evidenced by the fact that the stuff I bought nearly 10 years ago is still in regular rotation because the style is timeless enough and the quality has held up. I can't describe it very well but seems others in this thread get what I'm saying. I can't find a good substitute for it anymore.

I'm not saying their clothes now don't have their place and their audience, but they're not for me.

I’m a PP, also not a lawyer or in DC, and this post is spot on. 10 years ago, Boden was quirky but business appropriate - tailored clothing with a unique neckline or pattern or button detailing. Now it’s just not what I am looking for most of the time. I would wear their dresses on vacation or to a graduation party or something like that, but not in my day to day life.

OP here. YES, you get me! Lots of unique necklines and colors that are appropriate for work but not totally boring and cookie-cutter.

I remembered that a year or two ago I bought a Boden coat that was kinda reminiscent of "old Boden". It's a conservative, classic cut with nice button detailing on the sleeves. What made it "old Boden" was that this classically-cut coat is a really rich, bright green that I don't see a lot of in nice coats. Whenever I wear it I weep for ye olde Boden.