AIBU to think that M&S have lots the plot?

[justkeepongoing]

Just looking on the sale website. Despite being a loyal fan to M&S over the years I really think that the range on offer would come second best to a sale rail in a charity shop (which I'm equally a fan of)!

as someone who used to design for M and S (in 80s and early 90s) - I can tell you whats going on ....the fabrics that they are using are cheaper - synthetic....and they patronise their shoppers by designing what they think a 53 year old woman wants - by the way Ma and S I run and do yoga have a great figure and think I am 28 - so no I dont want to wear grandma swimsuits or T shirts made of plastic (I have just been on eBay to buy Margaret Howell)......I also shop online as I think Boden and Hush are brilliant online places to shop - Boden is having a moment actually - lovely jewelry and shoes

their childrens swimsuits are lovely actually ....kids stuff is good.

Went into the Sale, bought 3 things for DH at 50% off.
They fit, he likes them and I'm pretty sure they'll last.
Job done in 25 minutes.

I would be more critical at full price, though.

I love M&S and also feel very protective of them, don't know why! I like the school uniforms, food, underwear, kids clothes and sometimes buy clothes for myself too. I worry they are going to shut down too

roselover I am a 53 year old woman and i wouldn’t touch M&S clothes with a very long bargepole! I shop there for knickers and food. I hate all the twiddly embellishments they put on things and absolutely nothing fits me. I shop in Jigsaw, White Stuff, Mint Velvet, Phase eight, Cos etc.

Well if I am there target market then somethings gone terribly wrong. Are we sure they are not basing there fashion on someone who was 53 in 1953

As well as being generally awful it' simply too big, there's far too much stuff spread everywhere.

I see it going the same way as BHS really.

Aside from the food (most of which is overpriced) & their plain everyday knickers, I wouldn't even bother looking in there now. As a 28-band bra size they sell nothing that would fit me, & the quality & style of their clothes has, in general, massively declined in recent years. No wonder they are struggling.

Totally agree.

Someone very cleverly posted on their FB page that their new JorDunn (who even is that??) range looked like a Hoxton hipster crossed with Rihanna (or words to that effect). It's Primark with an extra zero on the price tag. Just grim.

I sometimes find a gem in there but not as often as I used to
Too much synthetic, collarless, short things presumably to cut costs
However also rely on them for underwear, jeans and jeggings, and cashmere if in sale
I was recently impressed with bedding range which on a 20-30% off promotion was cheaper than sainsburys and has washed much better

I ordered a biker jacket online last week. The sleeves are incredibly long and the jacket itself was way too big so as I was at Westfield, Stratford for a meeting I thought I'd pop in and try a smaller size before sending it back.

Walked round the cavernous store a dozen times bewildered as to where anything was and finally located a sales assistant who had no idea if they stocked the jackets in store or not.

Gave up on the jacket, picked up a pack of knickers to find one person serving and a queue of 10 people waiting to pay.

What I don't understand is the biker jacket seems to be popular online (600+ reviews) so why the hell don't they stock it and why are there so many hideous polyester trousers on display and this is one of their flagship stores too.

A really painful shopping experience which is why in the main I buy online these days.

Furniture is good, especially if you buy in the sale. Home wares in general.

What amazes me is that M&S are always asking for feedback, but they absolutely cannot be taking any notice of what is said because they persist in producing those shapeless, vomit coloured scratchy material clothes. That jumpsuit is possibly the worst garment I've ever seen. Even the model, who presumably is being paid, can't summon enthusiasm for it.

They've lost whatever mojo they had. Pants are OK, bras are dire. I'm a granny, but have no desire whatsoever to wear Crimplene and garish colours.

Please, someone in charge, listen!

SarahVine back in the early nineties they quite often used to have really good stuff in their big city branches. Work basics, such as smart shirts, skirts, but nicely cut.

I still get my tights in there, but I've stopped buying knickers there as the quality massively went down. I get 5 pairs for a tenner from John Lewis, much better quality cotton, washes and wears brilliantly and none of the faffy stitching round the leg that used to unravel on M&S ones on washing. Nightwear - they seem obsessed with minimal cotton, making up the difference with viscose and polyester. I'm in my 40s and looking out for signs of the menopause, I want to sleep in natural fibres. Tshirts used to be brilliant quality, but they don't seem to wash well now either.

I do still go in, and I get a few good things. And their short trousers lengths are brilliant. But here's a tip if anyone from M&S is reading - if the models on your website look awful in the clothes, most people aren't even going to bother. I'm a short dumpy middle aged woman - if a tall willowy woman can't make the clothes look good, why would I even bother going into the shop to try something on, or order it online?

YANBU - there are far too many ranges and each one has their own M&S connotations about who should be buying from them. I'm 46 so you'd think I'd be prime demographic, but I struggle to buy anything.

So for example even if I did see something tolerable in the Per Una selection, I'd be far too mortified to wear it in case I met any mumsnetter in person. Occasionally I see something I like but realise it's in the Classic collection so I scuttle off - I don't want to dress like I'm 75 thanks very much, in fact even my DM in her 70s doesn't want to dress like that.

They used to have some nice things in the Autograph range but now it seems like an excuse to whack an extra £20 on to a bog standard t-shirt and dresses priced at £95. If I'm going to be spending that sort of money I'd rather pay a wee bit extra get my clothing from John Lewis designer ranges where everything is well laid out.

Don't get me started on the Alexa Chung range - I really don't think that M&S shoppers are going to want to buy stuff designed/inspired by an emaciated chain smoking 20 something ( or whatever she is).

I did get a decent Breton style linen mix top there a few weeks ago ( from the basic range) but by god it was hard to track down. Also still get my knickers there and I do think that they have the best knickers ditto for DS's underwear.

Just had a look at their sale website - EEK. Thing is I believe there is a gap in the market. On the website is pictures of usual model sized people and curvier models from the plus sized ranges. As an average sized person I'd absolutely love to see clothes modelled on people like me - not model sized, not plus sized, just your bog average 12-14 middle aged lady. I'd also pay a bit more for clothes made in the UK and ethically sourced. If M&S stocked that I'd definitely shop there.

Underwear not good - it's like Clarks, they've convinced the country they're the default, while sticking us all in the same wrong sizes. I wore a 36b/34c at marks' insistence for years, am actually 30dd.

I've said this before about M&S on here and I've seen pp say it too. M&S ruin their clothes with unnecessary sequins/frills and motifs.

Designer: right I've finished designing this lovely a line skirt in a gorgeous colour.
M&S buyer: no, it's missing something >ponders< . Ah ha! I know, add some glitter and make the hemline asymmetric and we've got it.
Designer:

Sometimes injust want a basic top. Not a top that looks my nan then had a go at cross stitching on it.

I look at some of the Per Una stuff and imagine that it would be good about two stages back in the design process - before they added that final ruffle/crochet flower/sequined overlay. Its as if a group of people sit round a table looking at a nice basic skirt and all think - you know what that needs? An asymmetric ruffle hem and some sequins on the pocket.

sorry, crosspost Archer

Yy re the bloody sequins. I've got some per una jeans which are great - really comfy. But I have to wear them with long tops lest anyone see the sparkles on the pockets and thinks I'm deliberately choosing to channel Dolly Parton on a cruise ship.

I'm 51 but don't want to dress like my gran did. I want decent skinny jeans, good quality flattering tops (don't mind a bit of boho going on), decent biker jackets suited to the different seasons and last but not least simple shoe boots like LK Bennetts but at a more realistic price. Less embellishments, better quality fabrics and to be able to walk in and actually find what I want amongst the sea of clothes. Used to love Autograph but can't get my head around what they're putting out lately.

I like the kids wear, seems to wear well on my crazy toddler.

For me, tights, undies, especially their sports bras in larger sizes. Not so much the ordinary ones, but I even spent most of my labour in a pink m&s sports bra (and nothing else, was in the pool!)

And the food. There's a just food at my work, and they do a gorgeous low carb prawn salad, but otherwise M&S food is ace anyway.

Love the home wares but rarely need them, although my steamer is m&s and was only a fiver in the sale.

Mum will keep buying me per una stuff though. Usually too big and never things I'd have chosen. Can't blame m&s for DM buying her size 14 dd a size 20 frock though. thank goodness for their exchange policy!

And I have an m&s jeans shaped bum. I first realised this in my late teens, but it was my mid twenties before I gave up on fancy ones that don't fit and just buy them from Indigo now. Saves a fortune!

I love M&S and also feel very defensive of them, and worried about them dissappearing as I would really miss it. I do admit that I would not wear 80% of the stock, but that is true of most of the general shops like JL and Next as well. here is what I love there:

• underwear, esp bras and no VPL pants
• nightwear
• the skinny jeans that shape your bottom
• often find great dresses for work (that I team with a jacket usually bought elsewhere)

• in the last couple of years I have always found great winter coats that last really well and get loads of compliments. I have one Limited coat I bought 3 years ago that still looks new and yesterday someone stopped me in the street to ask where it was from

- school uniform

Basically they have some great pieces, if you select well.

I dont buy clothes for DD there any more, I do agree the girls range post toddler has completely lost the plot and looks trashy. I like a lot of the boys stuff but only buy clothes for the DC when on sale (so Gap and its constant sales is serving me well these days for the DC!)

I mostly go there for the food and DCs school uniform. And occasionally pantaloons. The beauty section online is great when they do their offers and their beauty advent calendars are always fabulous.

I do love their christmas stuff, their 3 for 2 offers are great for gifts for friends/family without having to spend a fortune (especially food gifts, everyone over 40 loves endless tins of biscuits, yes?).

There's not one item of M&S clothing in my wardrobe, though. Not sure there ever would be.