Morning Line: January 14
Jan 14, 2016
The J.Crew Tippi sweater was a staple of my wardrobe for years. But as the quality went down, I stopped buying them. They became thin, itchy, and they developed holes within weeks.
I recently purchased this Boden sweater (it comes in eight colors). It’s a cotton, nylon blend with just a small amount of wool. I prefer cotton sweaters because while I don’t have a wool allergy, I find wool-blend sweaters itchy.
This sweater is a good buy. It seems well-made. It is a little longer than most on the market, but not too long. Boden describes it as semi-fitted, so it has shape but isn’t tight. On a scale of 1-10, I give it an 8.5.
If you like cashmere, I think the Boden cashmere is a good choice. Their crewneck is $138. The coordinating cardigan is also $138.
Could Boden be my J.Crew replacement? Maybe, I just wish they’d drop the garish prints on some of their things.
I stopped buying the J.Crew versions too. I actually bought a few at Target this season that are my new favorites. They wear well, fit well and come in a host of colors. At $20/each, I am happy to replace them next season!
I’m with you all of this! I love the quality and I have several Boden items, but have yet to buy anything more patterned than a simple tweed.
Agree. Boden gets more and more of my business. I have had some pieces for years and they hold up very well. I love their Breton t-shirts.
I love Boden, I can’t believe the quality of the stuff I’ve received so far. Plus, I love how many colors they have of several items. I do think some prints are a little out there, but I own a few and they tend to look better in person than online. Some are too much for me, but I do appreciate that I usually always find something I like.
I’ve bought several items over the years from Boden and its held up well. They have some great shoe options for work as well! Ditto on the patterns, who wears them?
I love Boden’s prints. I can’t afford them yet, but have dreams of my all-Boden wardrobe when I graduate and get a job. I especially love the fun details they have like printed linings that only you would see.
oh my gosh, me too! i own one boden dress and it is absolutely perfect, and i had a tunic that i wore almost every day for a year, but i am too poor to indulge in most boden items.
I found a ton of their stuff on ThredUp and Ebay. There was a dress I was obsessed with when I was unemployed and I finally tracked it down on ebay!
Count me in the Love of Boden prints–the art deco patterns and dots are what makes them so unique and endearing to me. I’ve been buying from them for years and have defiantly noticed a slip in quality, but I still go back. Their everday cardi use to have super unique small details (unique buttons, contrasting grosgrain trim) but over the years those have been slipping away
My whole closet is made up of Boden dresses+cardis–they just work w/ my shape well.
i agree that j. crew’s quality has decreased over the past few years. as far as sweaters, i loved the jackie pullover but haven’t been able to find it on j. crew’s website for a few years now.
I seriously think Boden can fill the big gaping void left by J. Crew. I agree about the prints, but it seems most of their styles come in solids as well. However, I would love to see them try some more demure prints. Oh, and their shoes are just darling!
I like their stuff but am hesitant to order because I’m unsure of sizing. Can anyone explain how their sizes run? I thought at one time they had a chart where you could compare their sizes to other brands, but I don’t see that anymore…
Their sizes are pretty comparable to Banana Republic or Halogen sizing. I’m consistently an 8 or medium at 90% of places and that’s how I order from Boden. Read the item reviews too: I always look at comments about fit in case something runs small/large. Also: I second the shout out for their Breton tees – so cute and mine has held up for 3 years of constant wear.
I’ve had great luck with Boden for many years. A few things: 1) although their shoes are adorable I have yet to find one pair that is comfy, 2) the sizing is not consistent. i usually order two sizes and return one. returns are pretty painless, 3) their bathing suits are awesome! i found one I liked many years ago and have ordered a new one every year since. love the prints, but they have solids too. i think the quality is hands down better than j. crew.
I tried Boden a few years ago and bought several items, but I don’t think their stuff is suited to my broad shouldered busty body type, but I do think their clothes are very cute. Wish more of their stuff worked for me.
I feel like every Boden piece I own is incredibly well made but I concur on the prints. To address Kelly’s question about sizing, you have to watch sizing on individual pieces like.a.hawk, especially their dresses. I am pretty consistently a size 12 in things like banana/J crew (in the good old days) and loft/Ann Taylor, and love that most of Boden comes in Long (and Petite, although I don’t need it) because my height is all in my legs. I have everything from 8/10L to 12R to 14L in different Boden pieces. The measurements that fit me on one piece as a 12 L, for example, might land me in a 14 R on a different piece. Just pay attention to the size chart. And make sure you’re on the USA site! If you follow them on insta, all the links take you to the UK site.
So with you here, Belle:lots to like about Boden, but the prints are so unsophisticated, not in keeping with their quality. Hoping they figure this out. I want them to last and thrive….
I also have recently started turning to Boden for some work basics. I agree about the prints. I also wish they carried more black! It seems navy is a staple color for them, but so many of my clothes are black it’s easier to stick with that.
Thank you for this recommendation. I find a lot of non-cotton sweaters too itchy to wear, but a lot of cotton sweaters that I see are also baggy and do not wear well. I’ll be ordering one or two to try out!
Can anyone share where their products tend to be made?