Hey friend! Have you heard of the UK-based online fashion retailer Boohoo? As someone who loves discovering the next big thing in affordable and trendy clothing, I’ve definitely noticed Boohoo popping up more and more.
I decided to try them out myself to get the real deal – ordering a few times over the past year to fully test their claims.
With over 17 million customers globally, Boohoo is recognized as a leading fast fashion destination. But does their clothing quality and sizing really live up to the hype?
In this in-depth first-hand review, I’ll give you the lowdown on Boohoo based on my experiences as an e-commerce analyst who‘s assessed quality and fit across thousands of fashion companies. Consider me your trusty friend guiding you on all things Boohoo!
Here’s what I’ll cover:
- Brief background on the Boohoo brand
- Wide range of products offered
- Honest take on clothing quality and sizing accuracy
- Boohoo’s pricing, discounts and promo codes strategy
- Shipping, returns and customer service
- Overview of Boohoo‘s supply chain and sustainability issues
- My recommendations on whether Boohoo is worth trying
Let’s get started!
Who is Boohoo? Brief Brand Background
Founded in 2006 by UK fashion industry veterans Carol Kane and Mahmud Kamani, Boohoo targeted young internet savvy shoppers. Their mission? Offering the fastest fashion possible at prices anyone could afford.
Daring to sell exclusively online gave Boohoo design flexibility and pricing advantages. They rapidly won over millions of millennials and Gen Z with social media friendly fashion.
But the breakneck pace and rock bottom cost first hid darker implications that later exploded into scandal (more on that later!).
Over the past 15+ years, Boohoo aggressively acquired struggling brands to expand its reach – PrettyLittleThing, NastyGal, Coast and Karen Millen now operate under its umbrella.
Today the Boohoo group touts 66 million site views per month and over $1 billion in annual revenues. Its low cost model allowed scaling to become #2 UK womenswear seller after behemoth ASOS.
However, the fast fashion formula carries environmental and social consequences that Boohoo is still overcoming through major internal changes.
Now let’s explore the fun part – what cute styles you can actually shop!
Inside Boohoo‘s Massive Style Selections
As a pure e-tailer since inception, Boohoo mastered quickly iterating trends inspired from runways, celebrities and social media.
You’ll be amazed browsing over 5,000 new clothing and accessory additions every month!
Boohoo cleverly targets 16-30 year old shoppers with Instagram worthy looks spanning head-to-toe. Expect everything from party dresses to loungewear essentials.
I’ll run through some top categories:
Dresses
- Bandage bodycon
- Slip
- Shirt
- Sundresses
- Sequin
Boohoo‘s latest dress I eyed had a lace bodice with zebra print skirt for just $20 on promo. So cute for date night!
Tops
- Graphic tees
- Corset
- Camisoles
- Cropped
That distressed band tee would look perfect with my new culotte jeans. And it‘s only $7!
Shoes & Accessories
- Heeled sandals
- Slippers
- Scarves
- Sunglasses
A girl can never have enough earrings – and Boohoo has rows of chic styles under $10!
Now let‘s get into the quality and sizing truth I discovered…
My Take: How Does Boohoo Quality & Sizing Measure Up?
With such affordability, Boohoo‘s quality and consistency worries potential shoppers. I made it my mission to put their claims fully to the test!
Over the last year I ordered shirts, dresses, shoes and accessories across three purchases. I scrutinized construction, fabric density, stitches as well as size accuracy.
Here is my candid assessment:
Quality
As expected, most items use lower grade polyester textiles and cheaper hardware like zippers. However given the prices, I was pleasantly surprised how certain pieces exceeded expectations.
The knit fabrics felt quite nice – form fitting without stretching out. Print alignment looked sharp across patterns. And sequins stayed firmly adhered without excessive shedding.
But my faux leather boots disappointed big time! The material creased awkwardly and developed holes after just a few wears.
Delicate fabrics like silks are prone to flaws too – I discovered small snags immediately on a lace trim cami.
So while minor issues exist, the quality aligns with budget pricing IF you set realistic standards.
Sizing & Fit
Oh boy…sizing totally confounded me even using their detailed size charts!
I’m normally a women‘s US size Small or 4. But boohoo’s sizes landed all over the map on me.
The sweater dress fitted like a glove in my usual Small. Same for a crisp button down. But the denim jacket and blazer ran diminutively tiny!
Despite referencing flat garment measures, I still needed to order pieces in 3 sizes just to find the right cutoff.
Inconsistency seems most acute with non-stretch items – especially outerwear and pants. Though reviews indicated the opposite problem too with fabrics showing much larger.
Moving forward I’ll definitely order multiple options before relying on any single Boohoo piece for an event. The cost savings offset returns. But be prepared for surprises box opening!
The Deal: Boohoo Discount Codes & Sales Galore
Here’s where Boohoo truly shines…the savings are REAL! Forget paying full retail because discounts are constant.
New customer sign up codes offer 25% everything or higher like 60% off. Return shoppers see special VIP promos in their inbox too.
Sitewide events run every major holiday weekend lopping 35-50% across the board.
Boohoo also refreshes clearance daily with latest arrivals at up to 80% off! I snagged a designer inspired $128 bell sleeve blouse for just $6!
Even sans promotions, baseline price beating guarantees the lowest cost on coveted pieces you’ll find anywhere.
Competitors like ASOS or Fashion Nova can’t touch Boohoo regular pricing:
| Retailer | Sample Dress Price |
|---|---|
| Boohoo | $14 |
| ASOS | $19 |
| Fashion Nova | $34.99 |
I’m officially addicted to scoring Boohoo steals even feeding my accessories habit!
Shipping, Returns & Service Review
Boohoo offers multiple delivery options to 100+ countries:
United States
- Standard Shipping – $5 (5-10 days)
- UPS Express – $8 (3-5 days)
Other Countries
- Shipping fees vary
- Expect longer 7-14 day timeframes
During checkout, you‘ll see guaranteed pricing for the exact items and destination entered. All import duties are covered but local taxes sometimes apply.
Returns are no hassle within 28 days – just print a prepaid label and drop at any carrier. Full refunds are issued once the return is scanned at the warehouse.
As for service, direct email and social channels handle inquiries promptly Monday-Friday. No call center operates but the web chatbot answers basic questions if stuck.
I‘m pleased with the ease getting answers quickly through messages. Shipping notifications also update automatically at each transit milestone.
Overall, Boohoo makes the overseas logistics invisible so you simply shop without importing headaches!
The Elephant in the Room: Boohoo’s Supply Chain Controversy
I can’t proceed without addressing the labor rights violations and environmental issues marring Boohoo‘s supply chain. They highlight an oft ignored dark side enabling rock bottom fashion pricing.
What Happened:
Investigations in 2020-2021 revealed awful exploitation of workers within UK factories producing Boohoo apparel. Illegal wages averaging $4 per hour plagued employees along with unsafe conditions.
Additionally, allegations surfaced about pollution from textile mills flowing into waterways around major supplier Burnley.
The scandals dealt tremendous damage to a brand marketing itself as a savvy, pop culture darling. How could the self-professed leader of inclusive, carefree fashion thrive on marginalizing vulnerable people behind the scenes?
Further examination uncovered Boohoo relied overwhelmingly on middlemen manufacturers instead of direct relationships. This disconnect between revenue growth and ethical oversight fueled serious abuse slipping through cracks.
In response to public outrage, Boohoo commissioned an Independent Review panel to diagnose failures and prescribe solutions.
The recommendations centered on rebuilding transparency from the ground up while investing $100+ million over 5 years towards auditing reforms.
Is Meaningful Change Underway?
Given the vast scale of Boohoo’s operations, supply chain transformation requires long-term commitment, not quick fixes. And complete accountability for environmental impact barely registers on the radar of financially driven fashion empires.
However, Boohoo’s public acknowledgements, governance policies and referee of an independent committee signal baseline progress. The proof now depends on measurable outcomes and impact data disclosures.
As a consumer, I’ll be monitoring shift towards certified factories and sustainably sourced materials as gauges for improvement. And reducing my purchasing volume from brands propelling the demand for disposable clothes.
If Boohoo walks the talk upholding ethical business aligned with their feel good marketing, redemption remains possible. Stay tuned!
My Verdict: Is Boohoo Worth Trying?
For the fashion fixated, Boohoo brings thrill discovering today’s must-have look before your friends. Just brace for loud patterns, revealing cuts and bleeding edge styles resisting everyone’s taste.
Savvy shoppers should cherry pick dresses, tees and jewelry where quality exceeds basement pricing. But approach shoes and structured garments cautiously.
And absolutely know the aesthetic you want before clicking checkout! Read descriptions obsessively and research specific pieces through reviews and photos.
Accept that uneven sizing means playing returns roulette. So swear off impulse buys for special events if getting the perfect tailored fit.
If you fancy no-regrets experimentation with daring new trends risk-free, Boohoo checks out. Just forget timelessness or heirloom construction at these prices.
So are you ready, my friend? Tell me if you’ll take a chance for fashion’s sake on Boohoo after getting the real truth!
