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Introduction to Boden Kids (Baby Boden, Mini Boden, and Johnnie B)
Boden clothing is becoming more commonplace in the closets of stylish kids everywhere. And if you join any clothing resale site that sells children’s sizes, you’ll see that Boden is among the top three most coveted brands.
People love the colorful, bright patterned clothing and classic British styles of Baby Boden and Mini Boden. And a few years ago, I bought my daughter a few secondhand Boden pinafores and playsets and I caught the Boden myself.
This post is all about Boden. How the brand rose to prominence among trendy kids in the US, why it’s so popular, where to buy Mini Boden, and how to score Mini Boden promo codes and other Boden coupon savings – including those free $15 gift cards Boden sends out in post mail.
This post looks at the most common QA’s about Mini Boden, and is loaded with promo codes and tips to save big when it comes to buying and selling secondhand or used Boden kids clothing.
Get 20% Off Your Purchase at Boden.
Modern British Roots: The Boden Story
Boden is a British clothing retailer that was founded by Johnnie Boden in 1991. Initially, Boden was a mail-order business.
While Boden is best known for women’s wear and Boden girls, boys, and baby clothing, initially Boden launched as a men’s only clothing retailer. Boden’s women’s clothing line was launched in 1992, and Boden kids clothing was rolled out 4 years later. Every little thing that Boden touches is magic.
- 1999: The Boden UK website is launched.
- 2002: Boden expands to the United States with the BodenUSA.com website.
- 2004: Boden opens its first brick-and-mortar store in London, England.
- 2007: The brand launches Baby Boden, delighting parents in the U.S. and the U.K. with adorable pinafores, rompers, onesies, and other baby layettes. In the same year, Boden also launches its German website.
- 2010: Boden releases its teen range of clothing called “Johnnie B”. Johnnie B offers styles and sizes for kids up to age 16.
- 2011: Boden begins offering maternity clothing, petite sizing for Boden Womenswear, special occasion party dresses (suitable for weddings).
- 2012: By 2012, the U.S. is driving more than one-third of all total sales.
- 2014: Boden launches an Australia website.
What is Boden?
Or as my husband asked, “What’s a Boden?”
Mini Boden and Baby Boden clothing are international favorites among parents and kids for their whimsical, imaginative clothing in bright colors and patterns. The clothing celebrates childhood and children’s play.
Mini Boden has a full line of playful mix-and-match separates for boys and girls. Mini Boden is especially known for its leggings, twirly dresses, skorts, corduroy pinafores, wool sweaters and cardigans, and appliqué T-shirts, hoodies, and dresses. The quality is impeccable, and every garment has a playful twist and sometimes fun surprises, like color changing sequins or peekaboo flaps.
Related: How do you afford $50 pinafores from Boden? Check out these 11 mom-friendly side hustles you can do right from your phone. Discover how this Minnesota mom brings in an extra $9,400 a year!
What is Baby Boden and What’s the Difference Between Baby Boden and Mini Boden?
Baby Boden is the brand’s line clothing for infants, babies, and toddlers, with sizes ranging from 0M to 3T. Baby Boden clothing features joyful prints in colors that coordinate with larger Mini Boden sizes, including super-soft bodysuits (onesies), dresses, tops and bottoms, sleepsuits, rompers, sweaters, and outerwear. As BodenUSA touts on its website, Baby Boden is all about cheerful essentials that are built for “adventurous days and restful nights”.
Mini Boden, by contrast, is designed with older kids in mind (age 2-12).
What is Johnnie Boden?
Johnnie Boden, the person, is the founder of Boden. He created the Boden brand as a UK mail catalogue clothing retailer in 1991. Over the years, his business grew into the online, International retailer we know today.
The other Johnnie Boden is Johnnie Boden the clothing line. Johnnie Boden has clothing sizes and styles designed for older kids. While Johnnie Boden is designed for tweens and teens, the full Johnnie Boden sizing ranges from 5-6Y to 13-14Y. Some Johnnie Boden clothing pieces even start at size 2-3Y.
Is Boden a British Brand?
Yes, Boden is a very British brand. Boden was founded in the UK in 1991 by Johnnie Boden. Originally Boden was a British mail-order clothing business for men’s wear. Over the past 30 years, Boden has evolved into a retailer selling British style apparel for men, women, kids, and babies all around the globe on the Internet and in brick and mortar stores.
Is Boden sold in the US?
Yes, Boden is sold in the U.S. You can shop on the brand’s US website, BodenUSA.com. Free shipping and returns are offered for orders over $49.
If you’re looking to shop Boden Kids at a physical store location, Nordstrom has carried the British clothing line since 2009. Mini Boden clothing is exclusive to Nordstrom in the US and sold at over 60 retail locations. You can also purchase Mini Boden on the Nordstrom.com website. Nordstrom.com offers free standard shipping, all the time, on all orders. Standard shipping time generally takes 3-8 business days. You can also opt to pick up your Nordstrom purchase in-store.
Additionally, there is a Boden outlet store in Scranton, PA. This is the only standalone store to exclusively sell Boden clothing.
I’ll admit, my Clothing Mecca. I hope to one day make the pilgrimage, however, other Boden-loving moms have told me it’s mostly just women’s clothing with a small selection of Boden Kids. Very hit or miss, so hard for me to justify a jaunt to Pennsylvania from Minnesota. And yet, there must be other cultural nods to “The Office” TV show to hit up.
Where Can I Buy Mini Boden?
In addition to Nordstrom department stores, the BodenUSA website, and the Boden outlet store (if you’re lucky enough to one day make the sacred expedition), there are a couple of other ways to buy Boden in the US.
- Nordstrom Rack: Some moms score major deals on Mini Boden clothes at Nordstrom Rack, finding cute last-season kidswear for 60% off or more. In my city, I’ve only come across a Mini Boden garment twice in a Nordstrom Rack and in both instances the garment was years too big for either of my kids. In other markets, it seems like parents score better finds. But when you are at a Nordstrom Rack, it never hurts to look. You can also shop NordstromRack.com. I have seen Boden kids clothes featured.
- Once Upon A Child: It seems like you can always find at least a couple of Mini Boden garments whenever you hit up a Once Upon A Child (OUAC) store. Whether or not the item is in the size, style, or condition you want is another story. But OUAC can be a treasure trove.
Who Owns Boden Clothing?
Today, Boden (including Boden kids brands Mini Boden and Baby Boden) are owned by the parent company JP Boden (Holdings) Limited or J.P. Boden & Co. Limited as registered in England and Wales.
The original owner and founder of the company is Johnnie Boden. He founded the company in 1991, as a menswear mail order catalogue clothing company, that bore his namesake.
What is Mini Boden Sizing Like?
For smaller sizes (up to 12M), Boden runs true to size. After that, Boden clothing tends to run big when compared to US sizing.
If your child wears an 18M or 2T, refer to a Boden size chart. You’ll note that Boden sizing for 1 1/2Y – 2Y runs much larger than a US size 18-24M. And if your child wears a US size 2T, don’t assume that 2Y or 2Y-3Y sizing will fit.
My 3 year old daughter (who turned 3 less than a month ago) wears a 3T in US brands or US sizing. Her height and weight place her at the 75th percentile, yet per Boden’s size chart, her measurements align with 1 ½ to 2 Y or 2Y. I do have many garments for her in size 2Y-3Y that she happily wears, but they fit long and loose.
Does Boden Have a New Customer Discount?
At Boden, you can get 20% off your first purchase as a new customer discount with my Boden referral link. This 20% is an especially good deal, as BodenUSA.com is not currently offering any new customer discount (they’re promising insider dibs if you sign up for their newsletter).
If you’re searching for a Boden promo code, getting 20% off Boden referral link is going to be your best bet.
How Do I Get Boden Coupons for Free Shipping and Other Savings?
You can get Boden coupons for free shipping and other savings in a number of different ways.
- Get 20% off Boden using my referral link:
- Use a free app extension like the SwagButton, Billy Button, Honey, or MyPoints. When you shop BodenUSA.com, they’ll alert you to available Boden promo codes and automatically test them and then apply the best one to your purchase.
- The free shipping minimum for Boden is $49. Get free shipping for orders of $49+.
- Get cash back on your purchase at Boden on the Upromise shorting portal. You can get 1% to 3%, or more, cash back from Upromise. And when you join Upromise for free, you’ll get a free $5.29 signup bonus.
- Upromise also has a number of Boden coupon codes and promo codes, and a Upromise extension you can use to automatically test and apply the best promo codes when you’re on the Boden website.
Related: 10 Amazing Hacks to Get Free Boden Clothing for Your Kids – And Other Popular Brands.
Where Can I Buy and Sell Used Boden Clothing?
You can buy and sell used Boden clothing in Facebook groups and on a number of resale apps and resale sites like Poshmark, Mercari, Kidizen, and eBay.
Facebook Groups
Kids Boden clothing (used or new) is a hot commodity. You can find Boden clothing listed on Facebook Marketplace, but more commonly you’ll find kids Boden in Buy Sell Trade (or B/S/T or BST) groups.
On any given day, you can find thousands of Baby Boden and Mini Boden clothing items listed for sale, in a full range of prices and conditions. These groups are a great place to resell used Boden clothing.
eBay
eBay is a great source for finding Boden clothing, especially NWOT (or New Without Tags). Used Boden clothing (from US sellers) doesn’t have much in the way of deals, but the real treasure trove is with UK sellers.
A number of UK sellers buy and sell surplus Mini Boden clothing from the Boden warehouse in England. This can include sample sizes. While Boden tags are clipped or cut, for many Mini Boden items the brand name, logo, and sizing are printed directly onto the fabric in the garment’s interior.
Some of these items may have small flaws (that you need to squint cross-eyed to see). Shipping from the UK can be expensive (but if you’re purchasing multiple items, you can ask the seller to combine shipping). Styles and sizing can be limited. Brand new (without tags) Boden merchandise is often not size labeled in the listing, or the listing will be for a smaller size (i.e. 12M) but when you click into the listing you will see many other larger sizes available.
You can earn cash back (1% to 2% usually) from reward sites Upromise or Swagbucks.
Resale Sites Like Mercari, Kidizen, and Poshmark
Resale apps and sites like Mercari, Kidizen, and Poshmark are great places to buy and sell used Mini Boden clothes. On these resale outlets, Mini Boden definitely does not go for garage sale prices. You can find used dresses going for $30, $40, or $50 and more, with some good bargains sprinkled in.
You can also find quite a bit of brand new clothing (new with tags, or with tags removed) listed here. Garments that got buried in clothing tsunamis, outgrown before taken out of storage. Or even enterprising sellers buying clearanced goods new and then selling at a markup.
I have purchased from, and sold on, all three of these sites and think they’re worth a go. Especially since you can get a discount off your purchase.
Promo Codes for Mercari, Kidizen, and Poshmark
- Sign up for Mercari with this referral link, get $30 free. You’ll get $10 off your first purchase. And you’ll get $20 off any Mercari purchase after you’ve sold your first $100 on their marketplace. This site is the easiest one to create listings and lowest in seller fees (commissions).
- Join Kidizen with this referral link, get $5 off your first purchase. Minnesota based Kidizen has the largest selection of children’s clothing brands, and also toys, books, baby gear, and and mama size clothing. There is no easy way to make an offer. (There’s no functionality to click and submit an offer. You have to direct message the seller and wait for a response.) If you sell on here, a big plus is there’s an option for your listings to also be shared on Facebook Marketplace where you can reach a broader audience.
- Join Poshmark with this referral link, get $10 off your first purchase. Poshmark has a huge selection of clothes and accessories for tons of brands, but you’ll find that Kidizen has a much larger selection of kids clothes and kids brands. The seller fees (commissions to Poshmark) are a bit steep. And if you’re a buyer on Poshmark, you pay the shipping which is set at a flat rate fee. Currently that amount is set at $7.45 (ouch). But you have more flexibility in terms of haggling with the seller to get a good deal. You can ask make offers at 30% off or more – on Mercari you can’t make offers that go below 20% off list price.
There are different buyers and different sellers on all of these apps. Plenty of sellers sell on two or more of them, or even on other sites too like thredUP and eBay. And as a buyer, if you’re looking for good deals it’s worth your time to hit up all of these sites. You can create alerts for when specific brands or items you want get listed.
What is the Boden Return Policy?
Boden offers a 365 day return policy. You have until the first anniversary of your order’s arrival to return anything that doesn’t meet your “naturally high expectations”. Regular wear and tear is included, but items that have been inked with a Sharpie or mauled and clawed by pets do not qualify.
Within the first 6 months, you can get a refund if you are not happy with the garment’s quality. After that, you can get an exchange or store credit within the first 365 days.
During the first 3-month window of your purchase, there is a no-quibble returns policy where Boden will accept any return for any reason.
Boden’s super generous return policy does not apply to sale goods. You have 14 days to return a sale item, with the exception of ‘final’ sale items which cannot be returned. Final sale items have pricing that ends with “.99” cents.
For items marked “Final Sale”, there are no returns or exchanges.
Does Boden Have Good Resale Value?
Yes, the resale value of Boden Kids clothing is outstanding, and that is a big driver for parents to buy Mini Boden and Baby Boden clothes for their little ones.
Depending on condition, you can get 40% to 75% resale value on Boden items based on the price you paid. (Moms who buy, trade, and sell Boden clothing know all the angles and know that you probably got your Boden item for 15% to 30% off on sale.)
Some Boden garments, even secondhand, can go for far more than original price if it’s an especially coveted style or piece. In fact, I did an in-depth study, pouring over sales and re-sale data, and found that on average Boden baby and kids clothing has a 56% re-sale value.
Boden Items with the Best Resale Value
Everything Appliqué Boden
Appliqué, appliqué, appliqué. Boden’s appliqué sweatshirts, T-shirts, dresses, and legends are the stuff of legends. Kids and parents love the high-quality, playful textures. Uber bonus if it’s an applique playset, or cord romper or dresser with coordinating top.
Mini Boden Hoodies
Mini Boden hoodies, especially sherpa lined or bedecked with appliqué designs, are popular and sell well.
Mini Boden Dresses
Thick jersey Mini Boden dresses resell well. For other cotton dresses (that are not knit fabric), it can be a crap shoot. Older styles of non-knit cotton dresses do not do as well.
Mini Boden Play Sets
Mini Boden playsets (tops and bottoms, dresses and bloomers, rompers and coordinating shirts) re-sell well.
I once listed and re-listed the same Boden tunic for $7 in purge sale after purge sale on Facebook and no one wanted it. I found the matching, same-brand bottoms (unremarkable solid color cotton that look like they could be any brand), and the set quickly sold for $15.
Buyers love coordinating sets.
Final Thoughts on Kids Boden Clothing
Boden’s cuteness and quality are outstanding. While the brand is pricey compared to Kohl’s, Carter’s, or Target, there are loads of ways to buy Boden clothing on the cheap.
If you’re willing to wait for sales and clearances, search thrift stores, or buy used online, you can find some reasonable prices. And if you take the time to re-sell your Boden clothes after, you should be able to dress your kids in Boden clothing for under $10 an item or even break even with the odd piece here and there.
Even if you don’t plan on dealing in selling and trading used Boden wears, the comfort, quality, and playful style are outstanding. Wait for sales or Boden promo codes, and it’s worth buying Boden new. Just take care of the garment and let your kid get a lot of wear and fun out of it.
Other Reads Right Up Your Alley…
- 10 Great Brands Like Boden: High-Quality, High-Style Boden Alternatives
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- Alice + Ames: Definitive Guide to the Brand and Where to Find Alice + Ames Coupons and Savings
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- Hanna Andersson: Definitive Guide to Buying and Selling the Brand & Where to Find Hanna Andersson Promo Codes
- The Bougie Mom’s Guide to Buying SHEIN Kids Clothes