To think that this is an unnaceptable level of shrinkage for an M&S School polo? (pics)

[neutralnancy]

I bought 2 polo shirts from M&S for the new school year (am in Scotland so just gone back). One was worn and washed and tumble dried and it's really shrunk. It was washed on a quick cycle at 40 degrees and a cupboard dry tumble dry. I though by paying a little more than Tesco or Asda would give me an extra hard wearing quality product but obviously not. It hasn't generally washed well at all - I'm going to attach a picture and it should be fairly obvious which top has been through 1 wash. AIBU to be a bit annoyed or am I supposed to put up with this level of shrinkage and allow for it?

Looks as though it has been on a boil wash! Totally lost its shape. Did you tumble dry?

I purchased polos from them last year and never had this issue. Washed at 60 and air dried.

I would definitely take them back for a refund if you washed according to the label recommendations.

Yanbu, that is terrible. Wish I had taken the same sort of photos with some of our garments from H&M that have shrunk in length so terribly recently.

ReActiv - did you bother to read the op? She mentions tumble drying twice in the first three sentences .

I would take them back. I bought 2 adult vest tops from marks. Washed and lined dried and they had shrunk so much they didn't cover the waste band of my trousers! Generally find the quality of cotton t shirts very bad. I got a refund.

I agree, OP. I've found Sainsbury's and John Lewis ones wash and tumble dry better, and we do the same as you.

Though the school has just changed the uniform and had switched to proper shirts. If you'd have started this a few weeks ago, OP, I could have posted ten polo shirts to you.

The label indicates that you can tumble dry on high (two dots). Having a tumble dryer is pretty essential - I live in Scotland I did invest in a Lakeland dryer but it's currently in the garage whilst I try and sell it on Gumtree.

A school polo shirt should withstand frequent washing surely? It's hardly a cashmere jumper!

Will try and take them back and see what they say. Am sure they will be fine about it but I'll definitely never buy any cotton polos from them in the future.

I'd take them back. Presumably they are designed/labelled as OK to tumble dry.

Useful to know too, I am going uniform shopping soon and will steer clear.

I've bought same ones in blue, in the machine right now...

I think M&S tops are terrible for going short

Are they white? If so I'd take theme back based on the discolouration alone!!

Sainsburys are my go to Polo shirts. Hated M&S a bastard to iron

IME M&S polos were useless. They became 'stiff' and grey after a few washes despite using fabric conditioner and a whitener. I tried Sainsbury's and they were much better. And cheaper!

Our best white polo shirts by far came from BHS .

They're pale blue so no discolouration although they have a slight grubbiness about them. Sorry I missed out on your polo shirt glut MapleandPear . I went the 100% cotton route but maybe that doesn't bear the constant wear and tear and washing that the Teflon coated stuff does.

I might write to M&S.

Would you consider posting the Lakeland dryer? I'd be interesred

Update: took the shirts back and M&S reimbursed me the full amount in cash. The assistant expressed surprise that the shirt had shrunk so badly as 'they had never had any returns before today and had sold loads of the shirts'. I explained that I had followed the washing instructions to the letter. I suspect she might not have believed me but gave me the money back without a fuss.. I told her that I had experienced some shrinkage in their polo shirts before but had never had the 'before' and 'after' comparison that I had this time to prove it. Anyway, thought I would report back.

HeCantBeSerious Sorry didn't see your post till now - will be selling the dryer locally - it's a bit of a monster to package up for the post!