To think that the decline of M&S began with the introduction of Per Una range...

[Blowin]

I mean it all just went so downhill from then on....imo.

Er DW and I discussed "the slapper dress" for girls and don't see what your problem is.....DW reckons it's quite cute particularly for a hot, seaside/beach type of holiday. DW said it wouldn't be her first choice for DD but it wouldn't be her last either. It's quite 1970s retro! We are quite traditional parents too - but certainly wouldn't be dressing DD in 'frocks' a la 1950s style . It's definitely a case of "one man's drink is another man's poison"

However, the Per Una stuff is not subject to taste - bottom line is that it demonstrates none! I think they should send the whole range off to the Rag Box in the Sky!

It would be cute if I had 2 straps like a sundress. It is the one shoulderishness of it that makes it look cheap

E.g you don't see frocks like that in John Lewis

Was there some point in the past when their women's clothing wasn't in decline? I remember buying oversized men's cardigans in the 80's/90's to wear with DM's. however can't remember their women's fashion ever being competitive with other high street brands.

Oh help. I really like some of the Per Una stuff. Some of my favourite clothes in my wardrobe are Per Una. I like the cut of their long skirts and dresses mainly and some of the tops. I am sitting here in a ruffly top right now! I also like Next, which I know is unpopular with MN, Monsoon and Fat Face.

I would be interested to know what womens' clothing shops people do like and could recommend? Where are you going if not M & S? Are you all shopping at Boden?

Merry mouse, I remember doing that too. But when I grew up a bit, I remember getting quite a bit of knitwear and basics at M and S

Boden quality has also gone downhill . Knitwear used to be fantastic, now shrinks and pills.

I have given up buying at actual shops. I get it all online now.Toast, Cos, Uniqlo, Great Plains sometimes

All with discount codes. Can't afford full price

"They also had some odd queuing system in the cafe which was so long and complicated, it made nipping in for a coffee and a sandwich not worth it."

Don't get me started!! The ineptitude/slowness of the staff and the complexity of the systems in M&S cafes never ceases to amaze me. Nice food though.

Don't go to the cafes at M&S - far too slow and a bit soulless. Plus the bacon roll only coming with butter fiasco.

IndiaJane I get quite a few bits at M&S but always Autograph, Limited or their normal range.

Other than that I get knitwear and dresses from Boden in the sale/with code (agree with poster upthread though - quality can be a bit hit and miss), otherwise it's Fat Face (but mainly the stuff that doesn't look too identifiable!), Gap, La Redoute for summer and holiday stuff, New Look for jeans, sometimes Kew/Jigsaw/Whistles or the like at John Lewis, and also JL's own Weekend stuff.

We have an outlet shop near us that stocks all the carp (sp) they couldn't sell from their shops. Some of it is twee and overpriced even when it is reduced.

I am still happily wearing boyshorts that I bought in M&S seven years ago They have worn and washed really well. Bought more recently and they were much, much thinner cotton and just poorer quality all round.

Oh the outlet shops are hilarious Sunny.

Yep, it's really gone downhill. I don't even bother looking anymore for myself although sometimes I'll find something nice for DD's

I think their pants have dropped off but you can't fault their broccili

I think M&S's quality is fine compared to many high street stores.
All retailers in the UK high street are having a tough time with pricing. M&S and pretty much everyone else chose to move their manufacturing from the UK to offshore (but their design is stil in the UK) because the UK was just not affordable anymore, plus the UK manufacturers couldn't do many of the desired techniques that are often done by hand in the Far East like embroidery or beading etc. The only companies that can afford to manufacture garments in the UK now are either top end Paul Smith types or the lowest of the low sweatshops.
Everyone's right though - quality has gone down everywhere - mainly due to the cost of raw materials and shipping costs going up. A few years ago M&S would buy a good quality garment for say £10 from the Far East and perhaps sell it on for £30. Now £10 will buy just an OK quality garment and there's not much they can do about that. Same for Boden and many other stores. The problem is that we want everything to be great quality and cheap too - & in real terms clothing costs have not increased as much as many other market sectors over the years.

I think Per Una was launched at the end of 2001. I remember my friend and I really liked a lot of the stuff at the launch. But it seemed to lose the way very soon after.
Back 10-15 years, and the 10 years before that, M&S would be my first stop for work clothes, basics, underwear. However I haven't bought any clothes there for over two years now because if it isn't a hideous design the quality is rotten, the bras are awful, and even the knickers I bought last year were shite quality.
I'm at the age where M&S should definitely have kept me as a customer, but they lost their way trying to get younger customers who if they have any sense wouldn't be seen dead in there.
I just hope we never see similar deterioration in the food quality, because for me most of the food is top notch.

But I agree their designs leave a lot to be desired!!

On Boden, the quality has definitely gone downhill since I shopped there regularly in the mid 2000's.

agree with everyone, per una is minging

too much ruffles/brooches/long matching necklaces/frills/ etc etc

boaktastic

but..and heres the big question....where do us mid 40's boring types shop now? and dont for christs sake say boden or fat face..please

I got some fab stuff in John Lewis yesterday

...not a ruffle in sight..