Mrs M&S

[Chippednailvarnishing]

Am I the only person who thinks the concept of Mrs M&S is bollocks and finds the whole idea crap?

[SchnitzelVonKrumm]

Oh god not Hobbs. Mother of the Bride.

[milliemolliemou]

I will be second in command to ShnitzelVonKrumm for bras. Have a young relative 32FF and noted M&S only realized the as yet unexplained increase in UK female cup sizes after several companies like Bravissimo started catering ... now M&S do do them (mostly online, not convenient). Also, has anyone else thought bras should be displayed in sizes? I'm sick of going through the racks looking for my size (to find a 36C doesn't exist) as young relative also is.

[SoggyBottoms]

I love Cos but don't think trying to emulate them is the answer for M&S. Those leather farrier trousers up thread look to me like an attempt to stock the sort of thing Cos would sell...and it's not as though we all love those...!

[BeauGlacons]

The website does look awful, but because of this thread I went I the shop today and it's, or much of it, is actually quite nice.

[SarfEast1cated]

I have the odd nice thing from Cos but it's a tough look to carry off I think. Boden (for all their faults) have got the quality basics thing nailed. Their work trousers are brilliant. Whistles can be pretty good, but too expensive for me.

[Destinysdaughter]

I can't believe pp rate Cos. Looking at their website, they make the Armish look fashionable! 😱

www.cosstores.com/gb/women

[TaraCarter]

Lindybop has some cotton dresses, alongside the obligatory polyester. But have you considered Braintree?
They only use cotton, bamboo, etc. www.braintreeclothing.com/?gclid=CNP31oTv_8wCFegp0wodGCwGRg

Braintree dresses

To be honest, there's an element of Cos-style sack, but they're high-quality cotton sacks.

[BeauGlacons]

I have been to Cos today. It is the sort of stuff that looks a lot better on than off. Is cut quite well and is, in real life, rather nice. Not all of it but some of it.

I also happened upon a shop beginning with "A" which was pretty awesome. Attire?

Neither stores, despite being nice, had much in the way of natural fibres though.

[SirChenjin]

EEek to Cos

[ExConstance]

I'm the target market for M&S but find their stuff far too frumpy. Hobbs is a very "grown up" brand and although i don't dislike their clothes I have looked long and hard but never bought anything as it seems a bit "headmistressy" It's Cos all the way for me, I just love their stuff and even if it looks very plain on the hanger it is just perfect with lovely fabrics and great fit.

[SeamstressfromTreacleMineRoad]

Please can I be Everything marked as a specific size has to be the same size Tsar?? I used to be able to grab M&S trousers and know that any marked 'Size 18 Long' would fit me (and I still have two pairs that are going strong and fit perfectly).
Recently, I tried on SIX pairs, variously marked as '18 Medium/Long and 20 Medium/Long' without finding a single pair that fit - including three pairs all marked with the same size and length, which were too long, too short and too small...
I usually buy jeans from Cotton Traders now - their 31" leg actually measures 31"

[milliemolliemou]

Agree with all the above re patronizing targeting. I did return last year and became a fan of their jeggings in a range of colours but AITOO to find most of their colours (esp in rural outposts) bizarre? And the over ornamentation of sweaters? Their strength used to be good basics to which you could up the ante on with other stuff. And while they're aiming at a woman in her fifties and over (clearly a growing market with our ageing population) they don't seem to realize who that woman could be - from SAHM to high flying exec, and sometimes both. And they clearly don't listen to their shareholders at AGMs - I'm not the only ageing woman who would like sleeves on dresses and tops but not just the ones in lilac or puce. And what's with ignoring men? and esp the younger market with their need for good staples? My DD buys pants there on occasion. But a good solid work T-shirt to wear with a suit in the office? no way.

[TaraCarter]

A good proportion of those look like nighties or hospital gowns to me.

If M&S offered such garments, MN would certainly ridicule them!

[LassWiTheDelicateAir]

COS | Smart
www.cosstores.com/gb/Women/Dresses/Smart

Cos dresses. Neutral colours, interesting shapes, good quality materials.

[Idliketobeabutterfly]

I don't buy there and mother in law only gets essentials there with her credit card points voucher. Went through a BHS this week and thought 'oh no' when I saw their fashion and think the same when I go through M and S.
This move is a huge own goal though as people want to be an individual surely and targeting a demographic just alienates everyone.

[ARichVernacular]

My best pal is nearly 6ft and looks amazing in Cos.

I am 5'4" and look like a peasant in a flour sack whenever I try their stuff on :(

[SirChenjin]

I agree with Hobbs, but Cos is just sacks with a price tag (£69 for this?? www.cosstores.com/gb/Women/Dresses/Long_t-shirt_dress/46881-43930610.1#c-22755) - so please M&S, if you're going to try and reverse your fortunes, not Cos!!

[Bails2014]

Aaarrgh, M&S, who have been telling me for years I am a 32B and that my tit bulging over the side of the bra is totally normal.

I am a 28 DD and my tits look the bomb, just because you don't sell bras in that size doesn't mean that's not my size!!!

[BeauGlacons]

Thank you Lass I will seek out a cos. I don't know them but will find one.

[LassWiTheDelicateAir]

Surely the market they should be targeting is Hobbs and Cos?

Hobbs is great for consistency of style and size, stuff lasts forever and is very wearable.

Cos is, in my view , a small miracle. Really well designed, interesting clothes at ridiculously cheap prices but which are of good quality material made in European countries and look much more expensive than they are.

[SarfEast1cated]

I thought some of the autograph range used to be quite decent - not quite so sure now though. I'd be happy with smedley-esque stylish but washable knits, and decent classic trousers. Me+em and toast can do nice knits but always need hand washing.

[LassWiTheDelicateAir]

When I was young, M&S was always for the older, unfashionable. women, I don't think their image has ever really changed

I'm 57 and don't buy clothes there for that reason.

[BeauGlacons]

How about reducing everything by 10% all the time and stopping the 20% weekend guff? The number of times I've thought "I won't buy that, it'll have 20% off soon and missed it altogether can't be good for business or I've found something nicer elsewhere

[BeauGlacons]

Oh God yes, Sparks has to be the first thing to go. The only thing that spark lights is my ire.