to think that Marks and Spencers have lost the plot with women's dresses?

[MaMaLa321]

I went in today and, for a start, there's very little in stock.
But what was worse was how unattractive everything was.
this stood out, especially. Even with a gorgeous model it looks uber frumpy.

I was expecting something a lot less ordinary than a long sleeved denim dress.
Not my style but hardly outrageous.

Its better than all the little bo peep dresses I keep seeing everywhere this summer

like this
www.marksandspencer.com/ditsy-floral-puff-sleeve-midi-tea-dress/p/clp60512046?color=BLUEMIX

why??

Dress in the OP seems inoffensive to me and actually quite nice but not one for me as I have no waist. I'd assumed it was going to be one of those shapeless, sack-like maxi dresses which are rather too ubiquitous. They have a few of those and they just look frumpy to me.

Some of the shorter dresses are nice, but on the whole it's not very inspiring - it's not a place I go for dresses, certainly.

@ClawedButler

It's not so much that it looks like a depressed bin bag, it's the fact that they want fifty actual bastard pounds for the thing.

Thank you for the best laugh of the day!

I thought it was bad in black, until I looked at it in blue. It's got a little ruffly collar which, mercifully, you can't see on the black version.

I quite like the blue one!

Nice enough. Agree that if it was in Toast it would be x 3 the price and people would be gushing over it. Talking of frump, seasalt is hardly height of fashion and overpriced at that .
I actually think they've upped their game this year and lots is sold out.

I got these boyfriend shorts recently and they’re a really good shape, and don’t feel too skimpy for the school run. Wish they came in brighter colours.

www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-boyfriend-shorts/p/clp60443779?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

@Branleuse it's got loads of 4-5 star reviews so not that bad. Not my cup of tea but obviously some like it.

Nothing wrong with that dress, I see loads of people wearing that style - what an odd choice to single out

The last time I walked past a dress in M&S & fell in love with it, it was a beautiful red sundress & while I had the boobs for it, it was so low cut that I needed a new bra. No problem, I thought - this is M&S. Did they have a bra that worked with the dress & was wearable for more than 2 minutes? Nope. Bra & dress went back to the assistant. Haven't been back.

If you look at all shops, you will find dresses not to your taste.

cos
Dress or nightie?

hush
Or 80s Laura Ashley

next
Made from left over fabric?

M&S always takes things a step too far.

So, e.g., with that dress: it's actually a great dress, except for the ridiculous ruffles on the collar and cuffs.

Last time I went in, everything had one detail too many: a really nice blouse with a flounce at the waist, a nice jumper ruined by a ribbon, some well-cut trousers artfully distressed at the ankle.

That said, I just looked at their website, and they seem to have gotten the memo a bit. There are some lovely plain things with clean lines. I mean, this is still bad - who wants gingham that's so broadly checked? - and there are still very silly things like the puff sleeve denim, which can only be pulled off with the very best design, but it's better than it was a couple years ago.

That looks like it could be from Toast! I don't mind it at all.

I'm in my 30s and often find things I like from M&S. I think the problem is that they're trying to cater to everyone, and it's a losing game. It looks a mess in there when racks of cream slacks and turtle neck jumpers are next to graphic print midi-dresses.

@Standrewsschool

If you look at all shops, you will find dresses not to your taste.

cos
Dress or nightie?

hush
Or 80s Laura Ashley

next
Made from left over fabric?

Your second link goes to Cos as well - I'd love to see some 80s Laura Ashley as that's my era & I had quite a few of her dresses back then.

@Standrewsschool

I really like the one from Next. I rarely go in there but I will check to see if they have that one.

@BoxHedge

I like their range of summer dresses this year compared with the rest of the internet!

In a summer dress I don’t like anything that shows a bra (eg strappy, halterneck), has long sleeves, or is too long (hitting bottom of knee is perfect). That rules out a lot.

Like the look of the linen ones but would they need —any— a lot of ironing?

I have several linen dresses and yes, they do need ironing.

Ironing them is a breeze if you do it when you get them out of the washing machine though, then hang them on a hanger to dry. I do the same with all linen stuff.

Wait till they're dry before you iron them and you'll lose the will to live. Dry linen is a nightmare to iron.

It is the nicest, most comfortable thing to wear in hot weather though.

I used to buy lovely linen dresses from a local independent boutique. They had very little summer stuff when they reopened between lockdowns last year, and sadly they are now closed for good.

I like it. It's very Scandinavian style-ey. It's a curious dress to pick out, I'm surprised you find it so offensive.

I remember the pink thing from the thread a couple of years ago, now that was hideous!

I've seen worse - significantly worse - in M&S but I'm not sure that's quite the ballpark they should be aiming for ("Well done, Head Purchaser, this year's Spring/Summer collection looks much less like the reject pile for Drag Queens of a certain age than last year!").

That said, they still have to sneak in the embellishments, don't they? Why did it need a fussy little ruffle and the contrasting buttons? It looks cheaper than it is, IMO.

hush

Hush dress

I'm not the target demographic - I'm in my early 30s but their dresses are all a bit twee for me

I’m nearly 60 and they seem either for someone much older or as described on page 1 the “surrendered wife”

For the last few years a lot of fashion has been buttoned up, long sleeves and generally the covered up look.

I hate long sleeves and I have a big bust and wouldn’t dream of wearing anything like the op’s photo. It just isn’t me.

I don’t know why someone doesn’t go along the samples and throws out all the frills, bows, flowers and ruffles.
They don’t look good on anyone over the age of 10 years old so what makes them think a 20/30/40 etc woman is going to buy them.

I've seen a lot worse from there. I have this navy midi which I wear with chunky sandals or Tevas. Usually shop in H&M/Warehouse etc

I don't mind that dress. Would rather wear that than all the tiered parachutes being passed off as dresses at the moment.

Nice enough. Agree that if it was in Toast it would be x 3 the price and people would be gushing over it. Talking of frump, seasalt is hardly height of fashion and overpriced at that

I don’t get the hype about Toast or Hush. The styles remind me of similar things I see in H&M just as you said 3x the price.

White Stuff is crap quality. I used to work in the rag trade their clothes are the thinnest possible available fabric with teeny weeny seams. Jeans are passable, but the rest is cheapest possible fabric available.

Seasalt is better quality, but l had to send 2 long sleeve t’s back as they shrunk dramatically.

@Standrewsschool

That Hush dress would be cute if it wasn’t for the voluminous sleeves.