ban.do Review

About ban.do

Ban.do teaches us one thing: be like 1939’s Dorothy and jump into a world of color. This online boutique is known for its vibrant collection of lifestyle goods, ranging from clothing to accessories, self-care items, and stationery. 

From hot pink checkered vests to strawberry printed notebooks, they are wildly unapologetic when it comes to print and pattern. 

There’s a good chance that you’ve come across their feed before, as the company’s Instagram boasts a total of 588k followers. Ban.do has also been featured on several media outlets, including Refinery29 and Entertainment Online. 

If you live in a monochrome world of blacks and whites, perhaps it’s time to spice up your life. Stay tuned, as this ban.do review will take an in-depth look at the brand, its products, customer ratings, promotions, and more, to help you decide if they’re worth checking out. 

Overview of ban.do

Ban.do is in a world of its own. Similarly, movies like The Grand Budapest and Coppola’s Marie Antoinette offer the same fantasy: a colorful utopia that only exists within the realm of Hollywood. While most walk away with a used movie ticket and an empty bag of popcorn, ban.do wants that positive, go-happy attitude to carry on forever. 

Founded by Jen Gotch, this online boutique wants to “spread joy in many forms” from cute notebooks to brightly patterned clothing. They believe that color is a way of self-expression, as it induces creativity and individuality. According to ban.do, the brand teams up with several independent artists to help push its message of inclusivity and diversity. 

Since its debut in 2008, this Los Angeles-based brand has grown significantly over the years. But, they still keep true to its company mission:

‘At our core we are and have always been optimists who aspire to be better than great and less than perfect and firmly believe that being upside down is much more fun than being right side up.” 

Before we get into this ban.do review, let’s go over some initial highlights: 

Highlights

• A wide variety of clothing, stationary, self-care items, and more 
• Supports causes such as The Loveland Foundation
• Independent artists can submit their artwork for a company collaboration
• Offers Afterpay as an alternative payment option 
• Free standard shipping on orders over $50  

Browsing through ban.do’s inventory is kind of like rewatching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for the hundredth time. In the eyes of the main character, life was a dull snapshot of greys and blacks. But once he visited the Wonka workshop, Charlie was introduced to a world of color. 

Unfortunately, ban.do doesn’t offer a smorgasbord of candy to try—but they make it up in colorful stationery, clothing, accessories, self-care items, and more. 

For those wishing for a Wonka-style tour to take place, let this ban.do review be your leading guide. We’ll take a look at some of the brand’s best-selling products for readers to try out. Don’t worry; you don’t need a golden ticket to enter their website. 

​​ban.do Clothing Review

It’s nostalgia-inducing, colorful, and offers a bit of child-like playfulness throughout its collection: that’s at least the text-book summary of ban.do’s clothing. Customers can find a wide selection of vibrantly patterned garments online, including dresses, jumpsuits, pants, tops, jackets, intimates, and more. 

Moving forward, this ban.do clothing review will highlight a few of the brand’s top-selling pieces for trendsetters to try out. 

ban.do I Believe In Coffee Tee Review

If you believe in the ‘morning trinity,’ you’re faithful to a hearty plate of breakfast, a.m programming, and of course—a hot cup of joe. For those who like to pronounce their forenoon religion loud and proud, the I Believe in Coffee Tee can do the job. 

This cotton jersey shirt comes in plain white, which highlights the phrase in red bold lettering for all to see. Printed with water-based ink, this top is made to be super soft for everyday use. 

While it can be used as loungewear, we recommend dressing it up with some high-waisted mom jeans and a cute tote-bag for a city look. 

If you happen to have one or two espresso followers within your circle, it’s probably best to order more of the I Believe In Coffee Tee for $26 apiece. 

ban.do Sunset Stripe Cardigan Review

I’ve got to be honest with you. If the Sunset Stripe Cardigan was around by the time I was 7, I for sure would wear it non-stop during my elementary school years. 

I’m not saying that it embodies a childish aesthetic but rather a nostalgia-inducing design. Please, take a good look at the product picture. Don’t you get some major Lucky Charms/ Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood vibes from this pullover? I thought so. 

This sweater features a blend of cotton, nylon, and wool—which can help you keep warm during the cold season. Finished off with a cropped hem and a button-down enclosure, this layering piece can help add a touch of childlike splendor to your outfit. 

Currently, the Sunset Stripe Cardigan costs $98. 

ban.do Breezy Dress – Lime Green Stripes Review

If you’re not fond of sugar or spice, how about a squeeze of citrus? The Breezy Dress – Lime Green Stripes can help you look refreshing and vibrant during the July heat.

It features a pinstripe pattern of whites and deep greens, which are cut short by the slip’s short hem. To aid in the summer humidity, wearers will be delighted to know that it comes in a loose fit. 

Held together by self-tie straps, this adorable number can definitely make you look more playful and active. This ban.do review recommends some white strappy heels and a matching summer hat. 

Alternatively, I’m sure that you can tuck the $48 Breezy Dress – Lime Green Stripes into shorts to make a top.  

ban.do Notebooks Review

Even if you’re past those ‘back to school days,’ it shouldn’t prevent you from accumulating a boat-load of cute notebooks. Fortunately, this online boutique provides a variety of aesthetically pleasing journals for customers to choose from. 

To help readers narrow down their choice, this ban.do review will spotlight a few of our favs within this section. 

ban.do Rough Draft Mini Notebook – I Am Very Busy, Pink Review

You want to say ‘my schedule is full,’ but in a friendlier way. In that case, the Rough Draft Mini Notebook – I Am Very Busy, Pink journal can help get the message across.

Honestly, the phrase is a bit blunt, but the tone is strangely offset due to the vibrancy of the color. If anything, it takes away the ‘boldness’ of the phrase and implements a floraly, ‘italics’ vibe to it. 

This 7” x 9” journal is filled with 160 wood-free pages. Bound together with metal loops, it also comes with a handy centerfold front and a double-sided pocket for extra storage. This diary acts as a great agenda or planner since it even has a space for written dates. 

Priced at only $12, the Rough Draft Mini Notebook – I Am Very Busy, Pink journal can make an excellent addition to your stationery set.  

ban.do Rough Draft Large Notebook – Be Nice To Yourself Review

Sometimes you need to stop, breathe, and relax. Unfortunately, most hard workers forget that they’re allowed a break or two. 

For a bit of a reminder, the Rough Draft Large Notebook – Be Nice to Yourself pad acts as a slight nudge to help those busy bees take 5. This colorful journal features a baby blue background with the phrase written in rainbow font. 

Designed by artist Katie Kimmel, this diary is packed with 160 wood-free perforated pages in total. Other nifty elements include a double-sided pocket, a centerfold sheet, a metal wire bound, and implemented spaces for dates. 

Ideal for daily log-ins or spontaneous poetry, the Rough Draft Large Notebook – Be Nice to Yourself pad retails for $16.  

ban.do Planners Review 

Unless you’re the type to remember every single date, time, or special event, it’s always recommended to have a planner just in case. But don’t just settle for any boring leather-bound notebook. This ban.do review will briefly look at two of the company’s hottest agendas for organization geeks to compare. 

ban.do Medium 17-Month Academic Planner – One Day At A Time Review

Instead of relying on sticky notes, the Medium 17-Month Academic Planner – One Day At a Time notebook acts as a more organized way of keeping your to-do’s intact. This 2020 to 2021 agenda features artwork done by Montese Tanus. 

Complete with wood-free pages, a double-sided pocket, and color-coded monthly tabs, users are also treated to 3 sticker pages for further personalization. 

Other cool features include year/month/week views, an integrated postcard, and a nifty elastic band closure to prevent loose papers from falling out. Honestly, what more can you expect from an agenda this thoughtfully made? 

Regarding price, the Medium 17-Month Academic Planner – One Day At A Time notebook sells for $29. 

ban.do To-Do Planner – Cool Cat Review

The To-Do Planner – Cool Cat edition is reserved for feline fanatics only. This stylish notebook is designed with a pink background with a rainbow, cheetah-like print on the front. 

Offered in wood-free, perforated pages, this handy agenda is all set for to-do lists, monthly schedules, or daily log-ins. Best of all, it also comes in a laminated soft-touch cover in case of accidental coffee spills. 

Of course, no diary is complete without a set of stickers. This ban.do review recommends getting a pack of organization-themed adhesives to pair with your $23 To-Do Planner – Cool Cat notebook. 

Who Is ban.do For? 

If you’re a fan of color, chances are that you’ll fall in love with ban.do’s collection. From brightly-patterned vests to vibrantly designed notebooks, customers can find a kaleidoscope of pinks, reds, blues, and yellows within each product. 

As a result, this online boutique caters to a very specific audience. Those who favor minimalistic hues may not find Ban.do appealing to their aesthetic. 

Generally speaking, we recommend Ban.do for trendsetters who like colorful brands such as Lazy Oaf, Dollskill, and Mara Hoffman. All of these clothing labels offer the same aesthetic as the company we’re reviewing. 

ban.do Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

Ban.do certainly dresses to impress, but what do customers have to say about this brand? From what we’ve gathered so far, the response has been quite positive.

It’s worth noting that a good chunk of its reviews is found on the company’s website. As a result, we’ve seen very little feedback attributed to independent bloggers and reviewer webpages. 

Ban.do boasts a total of 14.4k reviews on its website. For a better view, let’s take a look at the ratings for some of the brand’s best-selling products down below:

• The I Believe In Coffee Tee: 3 reviews with 5/5 stars 
• The Sunset Stripe Cardigan: 22 reviews with 5/5 stars 
• The Rough Draft Mini Notebook – I Am Very Busy, Pink: 485 reviews with 5/5 stars 
• The Rough Draft Large Notebook – Be Nice To Yourself: 331 reviews with 5/5 stars 

Overall, it seems that Ban.do is a great place to find aesthetically pleasing products, whether that be clothing or stationery. According to a majority of customers online, their garments proved to be flattering or comfortable. 

When it comes to notebooks, hundreds of happy buyers reported that Ban.do journals were both functional and fashionable to use. 

“This cardigan definitely exceeded my expectations. It’s so well-made and the colors are even more brilliant in person. The material is heavy but not too heavy. Definitely worth the price,” one customer wrote for the Sunset Stripe Cardigan. 

“I love these two journals,” another reviewer detailed for the I Am Very Busy Pink Notebook. “I’m terrible at keeping up with daily planners, but these have convinced me to remember to write in them daily. They are so cute and compact. I would definitely recommend purchasing them,” 

As we mentioned before, reviews for Ban.do start to become a bit scarce regarding outside feedback. For now, we’ll include the websites we did find: 

• Amazon for the 17-Month Daily Planner in Secret Garden: 639 reviews with 4.8/5 stars 
• Shopbop: 32 reviews with no star rating 
• Influenster for the I Am Very Busy Ice Blue Agenda: 32 reviews with 4.9/5 stars 

If anything, I think it’s safe to say that Ban.do journals are a safe purchase to make. From Amazon to Influenster, most customers agree that the company’s collection of notebooks were sturdy, giftable, and good value for money. Others loved the inclusion of stickers and the overall cute designs. 

“I have this planner in pink, and I absolutely love it. It helped me keep track of everything I had going on while I was planning my wedding…I love its size and the stickers that came with it,” one Influenster reviewer wrote for the I Am Very Busy Agenda. 

Some independent bloggers, such as Damask Love, also left a commendable review. According to the author, ‘the ban.do agendas are second to none.’ “If you’re a color-loving crafty girl or finding your footing in the planner world, I would highly recommend the ban.do planners!” 

Despite the amount of colorful feedback online, this ban.do review did uncover some ‘black and grey’ negatives while doing its research. 

While there are a few complaints about poor product quality and an unpleasant smell during unpackaging, the most glaring concern is some controversy attributed to the brand. Jen Gotch, the founder of Ban.do, was accused of creating a toxic workplace environment coupled with allegations of bullying and racism. 

In encouraging news, it seems that the company was quick to address these claims by offering a statement on its official website. Overall, this ban.do review does recommend this brand for its creatively designed planners and clothing. 

Is ban.do Worth It?

Guys, it’s hard not to ogle over Ban.do’s colorful collection of items. From stationery sets to rainbow-themed cardigans, customers get a straight shot of serotonin just by looking at the product pictures. 

Most online boutiques don’t offer the same collective theme as Ban.do, which, I argue, is relatively difficult to do. Nevertheless, this company manages to pull it off, even down to the simple makeup eraser. 

The best thing about Ban.do is that they collaborate with several independent artists, which lends itself as a company that cares about supporting skilled workers. While I won’t say that this brand is the most affordable retailer out there, I will say that it’s well worth the money. 

ban.do Promotions & Discounts 

This ban.do review found a few ways to help customers save money. To keep things easy to read, we’ll provide the deets in point-form down below:

• All planners and notebook accessories are 20% off. Customers must use promo code PLNIT to take advantage of this offer 
• Ban.do has a sale outlet where buyers can find select items for a discounted price 
• You can save 10% off your next order by signing up for the company’s newsletter 
• There’s a rewards program that grants exclusive perks for members only 
• Ban.do has a refer-a-friend program in which customers can get $10 off for orders $20 or more

Where to Buy ban.do 

Looking to buy a cute planner? Customers can visit bando.com to see what else they have in store. You can also find them at select retailers, including 

• Amazon 
• Hudson’s Bay 
• Indigo 
• Barnes & Noble 
• Walmart 
• Staples
• Nordstrom

FAQ

Does ban.do support female artists?  

The brand offers a sign-up sheet for any artists interested in collaborating with Ban.do. So far, it seems that they do support some female workers, such as Katie Kimmel. 

Does ban.do have a free rewards program? 

Yep! There’s no fee in joining Ban.do’s rewards program. All they need is your birthday, email address, and name to login. 

Where are ban.do products made? 

Unfortunately, the brand doesn’t offer much information as to where its products are made. H

Where is ban.do based? 

This ban.do review found out that its headquarters are based in Los Angeles, California. 

Does ban.do have a store?  

Nope. With that being said, ban.do is available in other stores such as Hudson’s Bay and Nordstrom. 

Does ban.do Ship Internationally?  

Yes, ban.do is available to countries outside of the US. Unfortunately, this only includes locations within the UK. 

What is ban.do’s Shipping Policy?

This ban.do review is happy to report that they offer free standard shipping on orders that total $50 or more. Anything below this amount is charged a flat fee of $5. 

They also provide other delivery options such as second-day air and international. As of lately, we found no indication of a tracking number that customers can use to keep tabs on their purchases. 

What is ban.do’s Return Policy?

Ban.do offers a 30-day return window for its products. Thankfully, the brand provides a free shipping label for buyers to use. To initiate this process, customers must access the portal link given on the company’s website. 

How to Contact ban.do

For inquiries unrelated to this ban.do review, you can contact the company through:

• Phone number: 1-800-992-3774
• Email: [email protected] 
• Filling out the request form online 
• Using the chat function on its website

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