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Original poster

Since when has M&S been so good for clothes?!

179 replies

lanternlantern · 27/02/2023 20:37

After years of being dragged round M&S with my gran and swearing I'd never ever shop there..... I now own a Per Una jacket Shock

I was given a voucher for Asos for Christmas, still haven't managed to spend it and instead my last 5 purchases have all been Markies.

OP posts:
ilovebagpuss · 28/02/2023 14:35

I think they have definitely improved so much and also do lots of nice make up and skin care bits suddenly.
My DD got some of the new range cargo pants in a lovely blue and she's only 13!
They were awful for so long it's actually quite a shock.

RampantIvy · 28/02/2023 15:54

I'm glad they have upped their game. There isn't much choice for those of use who prefer to shop in real shops.

Anyone else feeling the need to vist M and S now?

TreesAtSea · 28/02/2023 16:15

Agreed. I hadn't bought a thing in there for years but needed some new bras recently. Last ones came from a supermarket clothing range but since most of them seem to have done away with their changing rooms, that's now a no-go.

So tried M&S the other week and got exactly what I wanted and at a good price. Since then I've also bought a couple of pairs of lightweight trousers. I'd forgotten what it's like to actually have a choice of leg lengths (agree with a PP that Bon Marche are also good in this regard) and not have to alter what I buy. I'm so pleased with them.

There was an article in one of the papers today that the head of clothing at John Lewis has been dismissed/removed, apparently because of having to compete with a "resurgent" M&S.

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BitOutOfPractice · 28/02/2023 16:22

@FinallyHere i have lived in my M&S leather look leggings this winter. Love them!

Roselilly36 · 28/02/2023 16:29

I don’t buy clothing from M&S anymore, the quality for clothes just isn’t there, the last couple of garments I bought for DH were just awful, very badly fitting & so basic given the price etc. I have stopped buying lingerie too, always used to buy from M&S but the last couple of times, I have been very disappointed regarding quality.

FinallyHere · 28/02/2023 16:38

Having said Ive loved some M&S items, it's only fair to mention that I've never yet found anything interesting on a walk through M&S, even though we visit their food hall a couple of times a month.

The click and collect works really well for me. When I see something that might be worth investigating, I do an order for delivery to an M&S store the day before I plan to be there. That means I can be sure that the sizes and colours I want to try will be available.

Any I don't want to keep, I return for refund on the spot. It works really well for me.

RampantIvy · 28/02/2023 16:52

I don’t buy clothing from M&S anymore, the quality for clothes just isn’t there, the last couple of garments I bought for DH were just awful, very badly fitting & so basic given the price etc. I have stopped buying lingerie too, always used to buy from M&S but the last couple of times, I have been very disappointed regarding quality.

I think you have been unlucky. There is still the problem with sizing inconsistency and probably inconsistency in quality. The last few items I have bought from them have been of good quality. I have also found some amazingly comfortable knickers, not that I thought the ones I already had were uncomfortable.

Twitfeature · 28/02/2023 16:53

Someone mentioned on LinkedIn that many of the Next buyers and designers skidaddled over to M&S - so this could be why.

I'm loving M&S at the moment!!
😊

fetchacloth · 28/02/2023 16:55

Anotherusernamethisweek · 28/02/2023 14:03

I'm 45 and I just walked through M&S this morning and thought I should come back and get a few things. I wondered if I was just at that age now or if M&S had some new designers 🤣
Maybe both? 😂

I was in my late 40's when I started to visit M&S more regularly, so I think it is an age thing😊
Initially I only purchased underwear there, but in recent years I've bought more clothes from there, especially work gear, as the size range is good and the prices reasonable for the quality on offer.
Also M&S now offer some brands (Fatface, Jaeger and some others) which may appeal to the more affluent shopper, so at least they are trying.

BatshitCrazyWoman · 28/02/2023 16:58

I find their fit really odd, so I've not bought anything from there for years! Apart from tights, but the last lot I bought were awful quality so won't be buying them from there any more.

RampantIvy · 28/02/2023 17:01

I find their fit has improved. They only used to sell clothes for apple shapes, but now they sell clothes for women with waists and hips.

Greensleevevssnotnose · 28/02/2023 17:04

Autograph and per Una usually have a couple of bits, I have a leather jacket two pairs of knee boots and dress. Pjs and knickers obvs

lapasion · 28/02/2023 17:04

I’m late 30s and have started buying more M&S stuff lately. A few years ago, my grandma complained they were too frumpy and old! They seem to have turned it around a bit. I especially like their wide leg jersey trousers, which they do in petite for those short of leg.

I think they’ve filled a gap in the market on the high street for decent basics and work stuff. The supermarkets can be quite good but quality varies.

Terrribletwos · 28/02/2023 17:05

Roselilly36 · 28/02/2023 16:29

I don’t buy clothing from M&S anymore, the quality for clothes just isn’t there, the last couple of garments I bought for DH were just awful, very badly fitting & so basic given the price etc. I have stopped buying lingerie too, always used to buy from M&S but the last couple of times, I have been very disappointed regarding quality.

No! There clothes and their food is absolutely awful. I am old and remember when they were good. Maybe subsequent generations have a very low bar?

RampantIvy · 28/02/2023 17:07

No! There clothes and their food is absolutely awful. I am old and remember when they were good. Maybe subsequent generations have a very low bar?

How old are you?

I'm 64 and think that M and S have upped their game. When was the last time you visited a flagship store?

Terrribletwos · 28/02/2023 17:07

Terrribletwos · 28/02/2023 17:05

No! There clothes and their food is absolutely awful. I am old and remember when they were good. Maybe subsequent generations have a very low bar?

Show quote history

I mean yes! In that yes there clothes and food is absolutely awful!

SemperIdem · 28/02/2023 17:09

They’ve always done a gem or two but a lot of the clothes are shockingly ugly prints, strange shapes and horrible cuts. Sometimes all three in the item.

Icedlatteplease · 28/02/2023 17:12

I just bought a pair of trousers for me in there and 2 for DD17.

Haven't bought anything from there in years

MsRinky · 28/02/2023 17:14

I have relied on M&S jeans for years, being both short and fat. I live in their wide leg ones at the moment - have them in black, dark and indigo. I am 5'4 on a very good day after a pilates class and agree that their short length have got longer though, I am only a fraction away from them being too long.

RampantIvy · 28/02/2023 17:17

Obviously, I don't like everything they sell, but to write off absolutely everything they sell in a blanket statement is a little OTT.

Terrribletwos · 28/02/2023 17:21

fetchacloth · 28/02/2023 16:55

I was in my late 40's when I started to visit M&S more regularly, so I think it is an age thing😊
Initially I only purchased underwear there, but in recent years I've bought more clothes from there, especially work gear, as the size range is good and the prices reasonable for the quality on offer.
Also M&S now offer some brands (Fatface, Jaeger and some others) which may appeal to the more affluent shopper, so at least they are trying.

Show quote history

Isn't that funny? I disliked Mark s and Spencer in my youth cos it looked old fashioned and still dislike it in my 60 cos their clothes still look old fashioned!

Terrribletwos · 28/02/2023 17:32

RampantIvy · 28/02/2023 17:07

No! There clothes and their food is absolutely awful. I am old and remember when they were good. Maybe subsequent generations have a very low bar?

How old are you?

I'm 64 and think that M and S have upped their game. When was the last time you visited a flagship store?

Probably last week. How have they upped their game? I remember when they started with food and they were good but now it seems that it's all the same quality as other brands just a different label.
and really their clothes are not the same standard, at all, if you're comparing to the 60/70s when they had the St Michael label....no comparison.

DorisParchment · 28/02/2023 17:37

I was in the Marble Arch store today. I bought jeans and some moisturiser and socks. I dithered over some bright green suede flat shoes. I thought they had really upped their game. Lots of cotton and linen and a good range of colours.

FlibbertyGibbitt · 28/02/2023 17:37

loving their knitwear at the mo🥳 great for work

Thingamebobwotsit · 28/02/2023 18:16

Their online offering is brilliant these days. All round. Used to use John Lewis all the time for basics and homewares but have swapped to M&S. Cheaper and better quality. And now they stock other brands means I can do a one-stop shop.

Still find the shops a bit middle aged, however.

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