If you love colorful, quirky, and Instagram-worthy accessories, you‘ve likely come across ban.do before. This trendy lifestyle brand has amassed a cult following for their fun range of clothing, stationery, gifts, and more. But with premium prices and a highly curated aesthetic, is ban.do really worth the hype?
As a long-time fan of the brand myself, I wanted to share an honest, in-depth review of ban.do. I‘ll cover everything from their brand story to product quality to the customer experience. Consider this your one-stop guide to deciding whether ban.do deserves a place on your shelf (and in your selfies).
About ban.do
First, let‘s rewind to where it all began. ban.do was founded in 2008 by Jen Gotch, a creative and free spirit who wanted to add more fun and positivity to people‘s lives. From colorful hair accessories, the brand quickly expanded into clothing, stationery, tech gear, gifts, and more.
The mission of ban.do is simple: to spread joy (and a whole lot of confetti). They aim to encourage self-expression, personal style, and not taking life too seriously. In a world of minimalism and muted tones, ban.do is like a technicolor dance party daring you to stand out.
Over the years, ban.do has garnered an impressive fan base of celebrities, influencers, and color-lovers worldwide. They‘ve collaborated with major names like Starbucks and Disney, while still championing indie artists through their product designs. Though they‘ve grown significantly, ban.do remains true to their core values of optimism, inclusion, and imperfect originality.
ban.do Products
Now that you know the story behind the brand, let‘s talk about the good stuff – the products! ban.do offers an extensive range including:
- Apparel: Graphic tees, pullovers, joggers, dresses, jumpsuits, scrunchies & more
- Accessories: Jewelry, hair accessories, bags, hats, socks, & more
- Stationery: Planners, agendas, notebooks, pens, pencil cases, art prints, & more
- Tech: Phone cases, chargers, speakers, cameras, & more
- Gifts: Mugs, games, books, pet accessories, drink-ware, & more
- Wellness: Water bottles, sleep masks, bath bombs, affirmation cards, & more
Basically, if you can put a fun print or cheerful saying on it, ban.do sells it. Their signature patterns feature fruits, flowers, and retro-inspired designs in vibrant, saturated hues. Expect lots of millennial pink, sunshine yellow, and rainbow color palettes.
Apparel
ban.do‘s clothing line is the perfect mix of comfy, casual, and cute. Their go-to‘s are graphic tees and sweatshirts with cheeky phrases like "Messy Bun & Getting Stuff Done". Fabrics are soft and cozy, ideal for lounging or casual outings.
I own a few ban.do tees and pullovers, and I‘m always impressed by the quality. The fabrics hold up well in the wash without fading or shrinking. Sizing is true and the relaxed fits make them flattering on many body types. The whimsical prints add a playful touch to any outfit.
While ban.do doesn‘t have a huge selection of dressier pieces, they do release the occasional statement jumpsuit or quirky printed dress. These are great for injecting some personality into your look for parties, vacations, or photo ops.
Accessories
Accessories are where ban.do really shines. Their extensive range has everything you need to add a pop (or explosion) of color to your look. Some of my favorite accessories:
- Flower Crown Headband: A ban.do signature and festival essential. Comfortable and surprisingly wearable!
- Super Chill Cooler Bag: Possibly the cutest cooler bag ever? Insulated and roomy enough for your favorite snacks and sips.
- Paradiso Enamel Keychain: Colorful and clinking with good vibes. The detachable clasps make it easy to mix-and-match or clip onto your bag.
I also love ban.do‘s colorful jewelry, hair clips, and hats for easy ways to liven up an outfit. The quality is great for the price point, and the unique designs always earn me compliments.
Stationery
Probably ban.do‘s most popular category, their stationery and gifts will make you actually want to stay organized. Their best-selling planners come in a range of sizes, layouts, and artistic prints to suit any planning style. With cheeky prompts, sticker sheets, and colorful graphics throughout, these aren‘t your basic black planners.
I‘ve used a ban.do planner for the last three years and can confidently say they hold up to daily use. The thick paper prevents ink bleeding and the sturdy spiral binding stays in tact. Aside from planners, ban.do‘s notebooks, journals, and desk accessories all feature fun designs to add style to your study space.
Other Gifts & Accessories
In the market for a unique gift? ban.do has you covered with mugs, drink tumblers, sleep masks, games, and more. Everything comes in colorful packaging with positive affirmations that‘s almost too cute to open.
Their wellness items like jade rollers and affirmation card sets encourage self-care in style. ban.do also has a great selection of cheeky books, desk supplies, and travel gear for every occasion. When in doubt, you really can‘t go wrong with a ban.do gift.
Quality & Value
So we‘ve established that ban.do‘s products are cute – but are they worth the price tag? In my experience, the quality is consistent with what I expect for the price point.
ban.do‘s clothing and accessories use nice, durable fabrics and materials that hold up over time. The inks are vibrant, the hardware doesn‘t tarnish, and the stitching stays in tact. I have tees, bags, and planners from ban.do that still look new after years of use.
That said, ban.do is definitely a premium brand with the price tags to match. A graphic tee will run you around $30-$40, while planners start at $20 and go up to $35+. If you‘re on a tight budget, you might not get the most bang for your buck.
However, I do think ban.do is worth the splurge for their unique designs and fun vibe you can‘t find anywhere else. Their pieces also make great gifts if you want to treat a friend (or yourself). Plus, ban.do has sales often and an extensive rewards program to earn discounts over time.
Customer Experience
Let‘s talk about the shopping experience. ban.do‘s website is colorful, fully-stocked, and easy to navigate. I love that they showcase fan photos and style inspiration alongside the products. The brand voice is friendly, positive, and reads like your quirky best friend.
ban.do offers several ways to save on your order, from sitewide sales to a generous rewards program. You can earn points for purchases, referrals, social media shares, and even your birthday month. Points can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases. ban.do also offers AfterPay, so you can score your haul now and pay over time.
In terms of shipping, ban.do offers free standard shipping on US orders over $50 (or a $5 flat rate if you don‘t meet the minimum). In my experience, orders are processed and shipped quickly and arrive within the 5-7 day window. ban.do also offers expedited 2-day and overnight shipping for a fee.
As for returns, ban.do allows returns within 30 days of purchase. They even provide a free return shipping label, which is a big plus. I‘ve only had to make one return with them and it was quick and hassle-free.
The ban.do customer service team is also super friendly and responsive. They have a robust FAQ section and offer support via phone, email, and live chat. Any time I‘ve reached out with questions, I‘ve gotten prompt and thorough assistance.
Ethics & Sustainability
ban.do is committed to spreading joy, but how do they stack up in terms of ethics and sustainability? The brand partners with several non-profit organizations and donates a portion of proceeds to support various causes. In the past, they‘ve championed mental health awareness, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice.
Additionally, ban.do aims to amplify diversity and inclusion. Their product designs feature work by independent artists of various backgrounds. The brand imagery and social media also showcases models of diverse sizes, skin tones, ages, and abilities.
In terms of sustainability, ban.do has taken some steps but still has room for improvement. They‘ve phased out plastic packaging in favor of recyclable paper. Their newer clothing collections also use more eco-friendly fabrics and manufacturing processes. However, the brand doesn‘t provide a ton of transparency around factory conditions and hasn‘t set any formal sustainability goals yet. As an eco-conscious consumer, I‘d love to see ban.do share more about their efforts in this area.
How ban.do Compares
If you like ban.do‘s vibe, you might also shop colorful, whimsical brands like Funkydori, Mokuyobi, and Big Bud Press. Like ban.do, these brands are female-founded and offer quirky accessories and gifts. Compared to these brands, I give ban.do a slight edge for their huge variety of products, frequent sales, and flexible return policy.
However, Mokuyobi is a better choice if you want more androgynous, streetwear-inspired designs. Big Bud Press is my go-to for bolder, 70s-esque prints and clothing. And Funkydori has the lock on creative, small-batch stationery and washi tape. Overall though, I still rank ban.do as the most well-rounded lifestyle brand among the bunch.
The Final Verdict
So, is ban.do worth the hype? In my opinion, absolutely. Even as my personal style evolves, I always come back to ban.do for fun pops of color and pick-me-ups. The quality and unique designs are worth the price tag, especially with their frequent sales and rewards program.
I love that ban.do makes it easy to inject joy and creativity into the everyday. Their products are functional, giftable, and add a touch of whimsy to any outfit or desk space. Plus, I feel good supporting a brand that champions inclusion, gives back, and encourages self-expression.
While I think there are areas ban.do could improve (mainly transparency around sustainability), I‘m consistently impressed by their products and customer service. ban.do is my go-to for gifts, accessories, and a bit of a mood boost. If you love color, playful designs, and standing out, I highly recommend giving ban.do a try.
