Hey there, fellow fashion lover! Today I want to dish all about one of my favorite clothing brands that I think deserves a spot in your closet: Boden. This British retailer has been around since 1991 but has gained a cult following in recent years for their fun, colorful and beautifully made pieces that work for the whole family.
As someone who‘s been shopping with Boden for almost a decade, I‘ve got plenty of thoughts (and a closet full of clothes) to share. In this ultimate Boden review, I‘ll give you my honest take on the brand‘s signature styles, quality, pricing and more. Plus, I‘ll share some of my all-time favorite Boden pieces and tips for shopping the brand. Think of me as your personal Boden shopper bestie!
What is Boden?
First, let‘s back up and talk about what Boden actually is and what they offer. Boden is a British clothing company that was founded in 1991 by Johnnie Boden. His goal? To create well-made, colorful pieces with an element of fun that the whole family could enjoy.
Over the past 30 years, Boden has grown from a small mail-order business to a global brand with a loyal following. They now offer a huge range of clothing, shoes and accessories for women, men and kids.
One of the things that sets Boden apart is their focus on unique prints and bright colors. Their pieces often feature whimsical patterns, bold hues and playful details that you just don‘t see at other brands. They describe their aesthetic as "British style with a twist."
Another thing I appreciate about Boden is that they cater to the whole family. You can outfit everyone from baby to grandpa in their cute coordinated prints and styles. As a mom, I love being able to shop for all of us in one place!
Boden‘s Most Popular Styles
With so many products available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start with Boden. As a longtime customer, here are some of the categories and pieces I think they do best:
Dresses: If I had to pick just one thing to buy from Boden, it would be their dresses. They offer so many fun, unique and super wearable options in both prints and solids. I have several of their jersey dresses that have lasted years and still look great.
One of my go-to‘s is the Amelie Jersey Dress. It‘s made from a soft, stretchy fabric that‘s so comfy to wear all day. The fit-and-flare shape is really flattering and the prints are just gorgeous. I always get compliments when I wear mine!
Knitwear: Boden also excels at cozy, quality knitwear. From super soft merino wool and cashmere sweaters to cute cotton cardigans, they have options for every occasion.
I gifted my husband the Cashmere Crew Neck Sweater for Christmas last year and it‘s become one of his most worn pieces. The 100% cashmere is heavenly soft and keeps its shape well. It does run a bit small, so size up if you want a looser fit.
Kids & Baby: I could go on and on about Boden‘s adorable kids‘ clothes. As a mom, I‘m always looking for pieces that are cute but also durable and comfortable for my little ones to play in. Boden ticks all those boxes!
Some of my favorite baby pieces are the Cosy Playsuits. They come in the most adorable prints and the brushed cotton fabric is gentle on sensitive skin. For older kids, I love the fun graphic sweatshirts and appliqué tops.
Quality, Materials & Sizing
One of the big questions I always get about Boden is, "Is the quality really worth the price?" After years of wearing their pieces, my answer is a resounding yes.
Boden uses really nice, premium materials like 100% cotton, silk, merino wool and cashmere in a lot of their pieces. And they don‘t skimp on the details – think pretty buttons, contrast embroidery, sturdy zippers. I can definitely tell a difference in quality compared to cheaper brands.
Their styles are made to last too. I have dresses and sweaters from Boden that are almost a decade old and still look great. When you calculate the cost per wear, I actually think Boden pieces are a great value in the long run.
In terms of sizing, I find that Boden runs pretty true to size overall. The one exception is that some of their more fitted styles like dresses and sweaters can run a bit small. If you‘re in between sizes or want a looser fit, I recommend sizing up.
Boden offers a nice range of sizes from XS-XXL in women‘s and S-XXXL in men‘s. They also have tall, petite and long options for many styles which I appreciate as someone who‘s 5‘8‘‘.
One thing to watch out for – some of Boden‘s pants and jeans can be a bit tricky to get right. They use a mix of US and UK sizing which can be confusing. Always check the measurements and read reviews before ordering pants.
Customer Reviews & Service
Of course, you don‘t just have to take my word for it when it comes to Boden! I always like to check customer reviews before buying anything, so I did some research into what other shoppers have to say.
On Boden‘s website, their bestselling styles consistently get rave reviews with an average of 4.5+ stars. Customers call out the quality, comfort and gorgeous prints again and again.
Here‘s a review for the Amelie Jersey Dress that sums up a lot of the feedback:
"I LOVE this dress! The fabric is heavenly soft and the perfect weight for summer. The colors are even more vibrant in person – I always get compliments when I wear it. Fits true to size and washes beautifully. Another Boden win!" – Jamie S.
I will say that off-site reviews tend to be more mixed, with some negative feedback around inconsistent sizing, slower shipping and quality issues. On Trustpilot, Boden has an average rating of 3.2/5 stars from over 5,000 reviews.
From reading through the reviews in detail, it seems like most complaints are about one-off issues rather than chronic problems. And the vast majority of customers have positive things to say about Boden‘s unique style and hero pieces.
Another thing I‘ve personally had great experiences with is Boden‘s customer service. Their reps are super friendly, responsive and always willing to help with an order or return.
Boden offers free shipping and returns for US orders over $49, which I really appreciate. You have a full 365 days to return any item for a refund, as long as it‘s in good condition. For returns within the first 6 months, you‘ll get your original payment method back. After that, you‘ll get a gift card.
The one downside is that you do have to pay a $7 return shipping fee. And a few non-returnable items like final sale and personalized pieces. So be sure to read the fine print.
Sustainability & Ethics
As a conscious consumer, I‘m always looking to support brands that prioritize sustainability and ethics. Boden has definitely made positive strides in this area in recent years, though like most fashion companies, they‘re far from perfect.
Some of the things that Boden is doing well:
- 79% of their clothing is made from more sustainable materials like organic cotton, Tencel and recycled polyester. They‘re aiming for 100% by 2025.
- They‘re taking steps to reduce waste and increase circularity, like offering clothing repair services.
- They have a robust ethical trade program and audit their factories regularly for compliance with their Code of Conduct.
- They‘re committed to transparency and publish their tier 1 supplier list.
That said, Boden definitely has room for improvement in terms of sustainability. Some items still use unsustainable fabrics like viscose. And their reliance on a global supply chain likely means a higher carbon footprint.
As a customer, I‘d love to see even more focus on sustainable materials, increased circularity, and support for garment workers. But I do appreciate that Boden is taking steps in the right direction and being open about their progress and challenges.
Is Boden Worth It? My Verdict
At the end of the day, the million dollar question is: Is Boden worth the price tag? In my opinion, for the most part, yes.
Boden pieces are definitely pricier than what you‘d find at H&M or Old Navy. A dress will run you $75-$200, a sweater around $100, and kids‘ items $20-50 on average.
But here‘s the thing. With Boden, you‘re getting:
- Truly unique, high-quality pieces that you won‘t find anywhere else
- Clothes that hold up wash after wash and actually last for years
- Styles that are comfortable, flattering and work for a range of occasions
- A brand that cares about ethics and sustainability (even if they‘re not perfect)
So while you might have a bit of initial sticker shock, I‘ve found that Boden pieces are worth the investment for me. I‘d rather have a smaller closet of well-made, unique styles that make me feel great than a million trendy pieces that fall apart after a few wears.
However, Boden is likely not the right fit for everyone. If your budget is super tight, you need a wide range of basics, or you prefer a neutral palette, there are probably better options out there for you.
My advice? Put some thought into what kinds of pieces you want to invest in and what makes sense for your lifestyle and budget. And definitely keep an eye out for Boden‘s sales and promotions – that‘s when I stock up on my favorite styles.
I also recommend reading reviews carefully before ordering, especially for tricky categories like pants and swimwear. And don‘t be afraid to reach out to customer service for help with sizing or fit.
My Top Boden Picks
To wrap up this Boden review, I wanted to share a few of my personal favorite pieces from the brand. These are the styles that I reach for again and again and always get compliments on:
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Amelie Jersey Dress: As I mentioned earlier, this dress is a favorite for its super soft fabric, pretty prints and ultra flattering fit. I wore my latest Amelie to a cousin‘s wedding and felt amazing all night.
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Cashmere Crew Neck Sweater: The perfect luxe basic. Looks great with jeans, trousers or a skirt. Wears well over time and is the ideal weight for chilly days.
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Printed Scoop Swimsuit: Boden swimsuits are pricey, but so well made. I love the vintage-inspired scoopback shape and fun floral print on this suit. It offers good coverage and stays put.
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Appliqué Skirt (Girls): I couldn‘t resist picking up this adorable skirt for my 6-year-old. The colorful animal appliqués are super cute and the cotton twill fabric washes well. She always gets excited to wear it!
So there you have it – my completely honest, unsponsored take on all things Boden. I hope this review helped give you a better sense of what the brand offers and if it might be a good fit for you.
Let me know in the comments if you‘ve tried Boden before and what your experience was like. And if you have any other questions, I‘m always happy to share my shopping expertise!
Until next time,
Your Trusty Fashion Friend
