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Original poster

Fuming with M&S and high street clothes shops in general

99 replies

tectonicplates · 26/10/2018 09:39

I've just found out that M&S petite clothing is now online only. You can't even get it at the big M&S in Oxford Street any more.

As a petite woman, I'm sick of being treated like a second class customer. I'm sick of everything being moved online when I specifically went to the shop to try things on. I'm sick of places like Next who'll make knitwear in ten colours in the regular length, but only black, white and grey in the petite length.

But I'm also losing patience with this whole "decline of the high street" thing in general. Every time I try to go clothes shopping, the shops are full of crap, bad quality clothes that don't fit. And then they complain that nobody is buying anything. I don't really know why I'm supposed to feel sorry for shops when they don't sell anything we want.

OP posts:
DaysOfCurlySpencer · 26/10/2018 10:36

Supply and demand - the shops don't stock it because there is no demand, however if they stocked it in the first place people could buy it and they would notice a demand. They are too busy stocking up with the hideous fashion stuff in larger sizes that ends up on the sale rails because there actually IS no demand for it.

Yoksha · 26/10/2018 10:37

I'm not sorry for the decline. Designs and materials have been pish for the last 10yrs or so. It became frustrating to shop for clothes. I used to think to myself, "this shite will fill sale rails soon". I now shop at George in Asda and Primark or my local charity shops, (last week I found a really good quality black cardi from Wallis circa 15yrs ago. I wore it till holes appeared. I paid £4 for the replacement) so I know I'll get something. If I need something classy for say a wedding, then I'm willing to go further afield and pay good money.

LightastheBreeze · 26/10/2018 10:38

I'm tall and get the same thing as pp, nothing in the shops, I order loads from Next tall and just try it on and return what doesn't fit. I'm used to it now as tall hasn't been stocked for ages in shops, luckily I have a local Next store.

Also if you order one item from Next to store , you can then order a load of stuff for free home delivery as long as it is in the next half hour, or pay £20 a year for the home delivery.

M&S had a tall range about 10 years ago online and stopped doing it, at least that probably won't happen with petite.

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Original poster
tectonicplates · 26/10/2018 10:38

Of course the root of the problem is our thirst for quantity.

Fair point, but personally I'm not one of those people. I just want to buy three or four basic knitwear tops and a cardigan or two, to last for years to come unless I gain even more weight. Already tried Uniqlo but everything's far too long.

OP posts:
Kazzyhoward · 26/10/2018 10:41

Supply and demand - the shops don't stock it because there is no demand, however if they stocked it in the first place people could buy it and they would notice a demand.

Yes, that's my point too. Their perception of "demand" isn't reality. What works in the Marble Arch flagship store doesn't necessarily work in a Northern run down town, due to the very different typical shopper and also the very different competition etc. Back to my OH, other High St stores have embraced the demand from larger men, but M&S/Next etc are stuck in their ways. Just walk down any street, and a high proportion of people are obese and simply wouldn't be able to buy their clothes from the main High St stores.

Original poster
tectonicplates · 26/10/2018 10:41

however if they stocked it in the first place people could buy it and they would notice a demand

This exactly. Also I don't see how there can be a demand for something online but not at shops - especially basics and plain stuff.

OP posts:
Kazzyhoward · 26/10/2018 10:44

Of course the root of the problem is our thirst for quantity.

Again, wrong assumptions. Lots of people aren't interested in constantly shopping. Both me and OH still have clothes that are 20+ years old. We still wear them because we can't find anything else we'd prefer. We never buy the cheap/disposable clothing. My OH has 6 work shirts - the same 6 he's had 20+ years - they're M&S and still going strong. If he could buy 6 new ones that are of similar size/quality, he'd chuck them out and buy new tomorrow. But the M&S/Next offerings either have short bodies or long arms making him look like a gorilla - there's nothing in proportion to his large waist/chest.

thenightsky · 26/10/2018 10:45

I'm tall and really struggle with trousers as all my height is in my legs (35in inside leg). I used to be able to buy trousers at M&S but their extra-long was discontinued a decade ago. Not even on line.

Interestingly, I find the M&S outlet shops are much better... large range of petite and tall stuff. Maybe they clear out the warehouses straight into the outlets?

AnElderlyLadyOfMediumHeight · 26/10/2018 10:45

I'm small and as I live in Germany, where petite ranges are pretty much unheard of (and the market is very polarised with not much mid market at all unless you want brands, which I don't), I buy online, mainly from M&S and Boden. I used to find sizing reliable (was a bit of a classic 10) but now find it's getting very hit and miss. I have three pairs of identical M&S skinny jeans, two black and one blue, the blue pair is considerably smaller/tighter than the black ones Hmm Then I got a pair of treggings, ordered a continental size 36, an 8 arrived Confused and fitted perfectly. But I also have jeggings from there in a 10 that I find on the tight side.

Ifailed · 26/10/2018 10:45

OP, if you believe there's a gap in the market, open a shop selling the stuff you'd buy.

PouringMilk · 26/10/2018 10:46

They are talking rubbish when they say it's customer demand.

MadameButterface · 26/10/2018 10:47

I don’t even expect to get things to fit me now. I alter nearly everything i buy, take legs/sleeves/hems up, waists in etc. Shop in children’s depts frequently. At least shortarses have these options - i really feel for taller women.

LightastheBreeze · 26/10/2018 10:48

Armi

Seasalt has some nice things and they stock large sizes, unfortunately shops are bit few and far between. I generally buy from their sales.

Original poster
tectonicplates · 26/10/2018 10:51

Shop in children’s depts frequently. At least shortarses have these options

Not if we have a large bust, we don't. I'm above a G cup so children's clothes are out.

Don't even get me started about Brvissim who I've been asking for years to make petites but they keep saying no. All their tops look ridiculous on me.

OP posts:
HazelBite · 26/10/2018 10:54

its been a few years since I actually bought anything from the High Street, I think that the supermarkets have stolen a march on the likes of M&S etc with price point, variety, and quality of clothing.

In recent years I have bought lovely clothes in ASDA, Tesco and Sainsburys, not just for me but for the whole family.

Cambalamb · 26/10/2018 10:57

Supply and demand.

Sarahjconnor · 26/10/2018 10:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsMoastyToasty · 26/10/2018 10:58

I've had the same problem with children's clothes. DS needs black school trousers with the generous fit but short legs. I popped into M&S at Cribbs Causeway (massive store) thinking that I'd get a pair easily. The sign above the racks detailed what fits were available, including generous fit. I went through every single pair of trousers without finding any at all. In frustration I asked an assistant who said that they could be bought on line. Nooo...I was in the shop and I wanted some to take away that day, not receive at the whim of the courier. (I ended up paying over the odds by buying a small men's size and cutting about 5 inches off)

SpannerH · 26/10/2018 11:03

Same issue with Maternity clothes too! bad designs where they are in store but majority online! Feel for all you petite/Tall having to live with this day in day out and not just temp for mat. Flowers

Original poster
tectonicplates · 26/10/2018 11:05

Supply and demand.

Sorry but I just don't agree. I frequently go shopping and actually want to buy stuff, but end up buying nothing because I can't find anything I need. So someone's getting their supply and demand all mixed up. Lots of us here are demanding stuff but nobody's supplying it.

OP posts:
SnuggyBuggy · 26/10/2018 11:08

I have had some luck buying clothes on eBay, you can filter by fabric type. I agree the past year or so I have found myself repeatedly trying to buy clothes on the high street and coming away with nothing.

dontcallmelen · 26/10/2018 11:11

I was moaning on a thread the other day, I wanted a couple of skirts from M&S they are new in, only a couple of sizes in store went online my size completely sold out in all styles, I was so cross they want you to buy from them, yet never seem able to keep up with stock demands.
Yy the bloody sizing, I have always been a size eight stuff from years ago that I have is a size eight, recently bought a pair of trousers from Topshop in a size four wtf is going on, my local tailor is kept busy as I’m always having to have clothing altered, as virtually everything is massive on the hips & most of the petite ranges are oddly cut.

Figural · 26/10/2018 11:11

Precis are part of the Jacques Vert group which went into administration but has been bought from the administrators by Calvetron (Asian group). Four brands have survived to be sold in department stores, apparently, including Dash, Eastex and Planet. Windsmoor went about 18 months ago Sad.

The group's online outlet store, Just Last Season, is now trading as a Jacques Vert only online shop instead of the other brands as well.

Cambalamb · 26/10/2018 11:15

But OP it is supply and demand in each town. the cost of shop space is high so they will stock the biggest sellers. There is demand for petite clothing but they will not be in the majority in a particular town perhaps so buy pooling it all online it makes business sense.

Cambalamb · 26/10/2018 11:15

by not buy