ban.do Review

About ban.do

Ban.do teaches us one thing: be like Dorothy from 1939 and plunge into a world of color. This online boutique is known for its colorful collection of lifestyle products, ranging from clothing to accessories, grooming products and stationery.

From pink plaid vests to strawberry-colored notebooks, they are completely unapologetic when it comes to prints and patterns.

There’s a good chance you’ve seen their feed before, as the company has a total of 588,000 followers on Instagram. Ban.do has also been featured by several media outlets, including Refinery29 and Entertainment Online.

If you live in a monochromatic world of black and white, maybe 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 reviews, promotions and more to help you decide if it’s worth checking out.

Overview of ban.do

Ban.do is a world of its own. Movies like The Grand Budapest and Coppola’s Marie Antoinette offer the same fantasy: a colorful utopia that only exists in Hollywood. While most go home with a used movie ticket and an empty bag of popcorn, ban.do wants that positive, upbeat attitude to last forever.

Founded by Jen Gotch, the online boutique aims 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 encourages creativity and individuality. According to ban.do, the brand works with various independent artists to spread their message of inclusivity and diversity.

Since its debut in 2008, this Los Angeles-based brand has grown considerably over the years. Yet they have remained true to their mission statement:

At our core, we are and always have been optimists who strive to be better than great and less than perfect, and who firmly believe that being upside down is way more fun than being upside up.”

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

Highlights

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

Browsing through ban.do’s inventory is like watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for the hundredth time. In the eyes of the main character, life was a dull snapshot in gray and black. But when he visited the Wonka workshop, Charlie was introduced to a world of color.

Unfortunately, ban.do doesn’t offer a smorgasbord of candy to sample, but it does have colorful stationery, clothing, accessories, self-care items and more.

For those wanting a Wonka-style tour, this ban.do review is a good guide. We take a look at some of the brand’s best-selling products for readers to try. Don’t worry, you don’t need a golden ticket to enter the site.

​​ban.do Clothing Review

Nostalgic, colorful and with a touch of childlike playfulness: at least that’s how ban.do clothing can be summed up. Customers can find a large selection of colorful patterned garments online, including dresses, jumpsuits, pants, tops, jackets, underwear and more.

In this ban.do clothing review, we will present some of the brand’s best-selling garments for trendsetters to try out.

ban.do I Believe In Coffee Tee Review

If you believe in the “morning trinity”, you are loyal to a hearty breakfast, a morning routine and, of course, a hot cup of coffee. The I Believe in Coffee Tee is just the thing for anyone who wants to proclaim their morning religion loud and proud.

This cotton jersey T-shirt comes in plain white and highlights the slogan in bold red letters for all to see. Printed with water-based ink, the top is super soft and suitable for everyday wear.

Although it can be used as loungewear, we recommend pairing it with a pair of high-waisted mom jeans and a cute tote bag for a city look.

If you have an espresso fan or two in your circle of friends, it’s probably best to order multiple I Believe In Coffee tees for $26 each.

ban.do Sunset Stripe Cardigan Review

I have to be honest with you. If the Sunset Stripe Cardigan had been around when I was 7 years old, I’m pretty sure I would have worn it non-stop throughout my elementary school years.

I’m not saying it embodies a childish aesthetic, but rather a nostalgic design. Please take a close look at the product image. Isn’t this sweater strongly reminiscent of Lucky Charms and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood? I thought so.

This sweater is made from a blend of cotton, nylon and wool to keep you warm in the cold season. With its cropped hem and button-down closure, it adds a touch of childlike splendor to your outfit.

The Sunset Stripe Cardigan is currently priced at $98.

ban.do Breezy Dress – Lime Green Stripes Review

If you don’t like sugar or spice, how about a hint of citrus? The Breezy Dress – Lime Green Stripes can help you look refreshing and vibrant in the July heat.

It features a pinstripe pattern of white and rich green that is kept short by the short hem of the dress. To defy the summer humidity, the wearer will be pleased to know that the slip fits loosely.

The straps are held together by ties to keep you looking playful and active. White strappy shoes and a matching summer hat are recommended in this ban.do review.

Alternatively, you can tuck the $48 Breezy Dress – Lime Green Stripes into shorts to make it a top.

ban.do Notebooks Review

Even though school days are over, that shouldn’t stop you from amassing a whole bunch of pretty notebooks. Luckily, this online boutique offers a variety of aesthetically pleasing notebooks for customers to choose from.

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 this 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 oddly offset by the vibrancy of the color. If anything, it takes away from the “boldness” of the phrase and gives it a floral, “cursive” vibe.

This 7“ x 9” journal is filled with 160 wood-free pages. It is bound with metal loops and features a handy centerfold on the front and a double-sided pocket for extra storage space. This journal makes a great agenda or planner as it even has room for written appointments.

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

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


Sometimes you need to stop, take a breath and relax. Unfortunately, most hard-working people forget that they are allowed to take a break or two.

The Rough Draft Large Notebook – Be Nice to Yourself is a little nudge to remind the busy bees to take a 5 minute break. This colorful notebook has a baby blue background with the saying written in rainbow lettering.

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Designed by artist Katie Kimmel, this diary contains a total of 160 wood-free, perforated pages. Other clever features include a double-sided pocket, centerfold page, metal wire binding and built-in spaces for dates.

The Rough Draft Large Notebook – Be Nice to Yourself pad is ideal for daily entries or spontaneous poems and is priced at $16.

ban.do Planners Review 

If you’re not the type to memorize every single date, time or special event, it’s always a good idea to have a planner just in case. But don’t settle for a boring leather-bound notebook. In this ban.do review, we briefly compare two of the company’s hottest planners for organization freaks.

Who Is ban.do For? 

If you’re a fan of color, you’ll most likely fall in love with ban.do’s collection. From brightly patterned vests to colorful notebooks, customers will find a kaleidoscope of pinks, reds, blues and yellows in every product.

This online boutique is therefore aimed at a very specific audience. Those who prefer minimalist shades may not find Ban.do aesthetically pleasing.

In general, we recommend Ban.do for trendsetters who like colorful brands like Lazy Oaf, Dollskill and Mara Hoffman. All of these clothing brands offer the same aesthetic as the company we are testing here.

ban.do Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

Source text

Ban.do macht auf jeden Fall einen guten Eindruck, aber was sagen die Kunden zu dieser Marke? Nach dem, was wir bisher erfahren haben, sind die Reaktionen recht positiv.

Translation results

Ban.do certainly makes a good impression, but what do customers say about this brand? From what we have heard so far, the reactions are quite positive.

It’s worth noting that a large proportion of reviews can be found on the company’s website. As a result, we have seen very little feedback from independent bloggers and reviewer websites.

Ban.do has a total of 14.4k reviews on its website. To get a better overview, let’s take a look at the reviews for some of the brand’s best-selling products 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, be it clothing or stationery. The majority of online customers stated that their clothing items were flattering or comfortable.

When it comes to notebooks, hundreds of satisfied shoppers reported that Ban.do diaries are both functional and fashionable.

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

“I love both of these journals,” wrote another reviewer about the I Am Very Busy Pink Notebook. “I’m terrible at sticking to daily planners, but these have convinced me to remember to write in them daily. They are so pretty and compact. I would definitely recommend buying them.

As we’ve mentioned before, the reviews for Ban.do are a little sparse in terms of outside feedback. For now, we’ll include the websites we’ve found:

  • Amazon for the 17-month day planner in Secret Garden: 639 reviews with 4.8/5 stars
  • Shopbop: 32 reviews without a star rating
  • Influenster for the I Am Very Busy Ice Blue Agenda: 32 reviews with 4.9/5 stars

I think it’s safe to say that Ban.do paperbacks are a safe buy. From Amazon to Influenster, most customers agree that the company’s notebook collection is sturdy, giftable and reasonably priced. Others loved the stickers and overall pretty designs.

“I have this planner in pink and I absolutely love it. It has helped me keep track of everything when planning my wedding…. I love its size and the stickers included,” wrote one influenster reviewer about the I Am Very Busy Agenda.

Some independent bloggers, such as Damask Love, have also left a laudatory review. According to the author, “the ban.do agendas are second to none”. “If you’re a colorful, crafty girl or you’re into the world of planners, I highly recommend ban.do planners!”

Despite all the colorful feedback online, this ban.do review also uncovered some negative aspects during its research.

While there are some complaints about poor product quality and an unpleasant odor when unpacking, the biggest concern is a controversy attributed to the brand. Jen Gotch, the founder of Ban.do, has been accused of creating a toxic work environment, coupled with allegations of bullying and racism.

Fortunately, the company quickly addressed these allegations and released a statement on its official website. Overall, this ban.do review recommends this brand for its creatively designed planners and clothing.

Is ban.do Worth It?

Guys, it’s hard not to admire Ban.do’s colorful collection. From stationery sets to cardigans with rainbow motifs – just looking at the product images gives customers a good shot of serotonin.

Most online boutiques don’t offer the same collective theme as Ban.do, which I think is relatively difficult. Still, this company manages to embrace the theme, even down to the simple makeup eraser.

The best thing about Ban.do is that they work with several independent artists, which speaks to a company that cares about supporting skilled labor. While I wouldn’t say this brand is the cheapest on the market, I would say it’s worth the money.

ban.do Promotions & Discounts 

This ban.do review highlights some of the ways customers can save money. To keep things simple, we’ll provide the details in point form 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 shoppers can find select items at a discounted price
  • You can save 10% on your next order when you sign up for the company’s newsletter.
  • There is a rewards program that offers exclusive benefits for members only
  • Ban.do has a refer-a-friend program where customers can receive a $10 discount on orders of $20 or more.

Where to Buy ban.do 

Would you like to buy a pretty planner? Visit bando.com to see what else they have in stock. 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 form for artists interested in collaborating with ban.do. So far it seems that they are supporting some female collaborators, like Katie Kimmel.

Does ban.do have a free rewards program?
Yes! ban.do’s rewards program is free to join. All you need is your birthday, email address and name to sign up.

Where are ban.do’s products made?
Unfortunately, the brand doesn’t provide much information about where their products are made. H

Where is ban.do located?
A review of ban.do has revealed that the company is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

Does ban.do have a store?
No. However, ban.do is available in other stores such as Hudson’s Bay and Nordstrom.

Does ban.do ship abroad?
Yes, ban.do is available in countries outside the US. Unfortunately, this only applies to locations within the UK.

What is ban.do’s shipping policy?
This ban.do review is pleased to inform you that ban.do offers free standard shipping on orders over $50. Anything less than this amount will be charged a flat fee of $5.

They also offer other delivery options such as second day air freight and international. Lately, we have not found any indication of a tracking number that customers can use to track their purchases.

What is ban.do’s shipping policy?
This ban.do review is happy to report that they offer free standard shipping on orders of $50 or more. Anything less than this amount will be charged a flat fee of $5.

They also offer other delivery options such as second day air freight and international. Lately, we have not found any reference to a tracking number that customers can use to track their purchases.

What is the return policy at ban.do?
Ban.do offers a 30-day return policy for its products. Thankfully, the brand provides a free shipping label for shoppers to use. To initiate this process, customers need to visit the portal link provided on the company’s website.

How to contact ban.do
For inquiries not related to this ban.do review, you can contact the company via :

  • Phone number: 1-800-992-3774
  • Email: info@bando.com 
  • Filling out the request form online 
  • Using the chat function on its website

Jane Horton is a passionate content writer who explores the world of fashion, brands, lifestyle, and beyond with creative flair. Read more of her work at TheBrandReviewed.