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 don’t think clothes have ever been their strong point

The stock levels at the moment are really poor too. I went in to get my 10 year old some clothes and they had absolutely nothing in his size. It’s a large store too. I asked a member of staff and was just told it’s only the sizes they have out.

They also have it totally wrong with children’s clothes. They sell the same dress from age 6 to 16. With that age range the styles should be totally different and what 16 year old wants a dress from M&S or one a six year old could wear.

That’s a perfectly acceptable dress. Not on trend, not “frumpy” (vile word). It could be dressed down with the sleeves rolled with sandals or trainers, it could be dressed up with jewellery and heels, it could be worn open over a T-shirt and trousers, like a duster coat, it could be worn in the winter with a roll neck and boots.

There’s no range that’s universally bad, every label has gems if you look for them, including M&S.

I'm seeing a bit of a pattern with the responses here, the posters who seem to like modern styles and trends all like it, eg wearing it with Birkenstock's or Nike air. This would be a very fashionable on trend look.

Those who don't like it are talking wistfully about what m&s used to like and what ranges they had in the 80s and 90s and I'm guessing are older?

I don't mind it. Could definitely be worse.

I've seen that one on someone and it looked lovely. I've also bought 3 very nice dresses from them this year. You may have to scroll past lots you don't like but they have some gems.

My friend has that very dress and she looks great in it. She's in her 40s and not teeny tiny but pretty slim, and it really suits her.
I am not sure many places are getting clothes right at the moment. I am horrified at myself for ordering a couple of dresses from Shein - the quality is not great but the cut and design are actually really flattering.

@reesewithoutaspoon

I want summer dresses with straps wide enough to cover my bra straps. In cotton/linen for hot days. Without ruffles or tiers. that suits a big bust but hides a fat arse but doesnt look like a tent on . In nice colours

I'll join the queue for that shop with you @reesewithoutaspoon

Their dresses are awful - totally missing the mark.

Haven't bought adult clothing in M&S for ages tbh. Their bras have properly gone downhill. Their trousers are too tight on the waist for me.

I like that dress

I like that dress too, and I'm over 50...

Also had lots of success with their bras recently, having avoided them for years.

I've also bought a few dresses from the 'Nobody's Child' brand via M&S and been really pleased with them. I was actually thinking they'd started to get it right for once!

I think it's a lovely dress, natural fabrics and without unnecessary frills and details

Looking for a summer dress which is cotton, has sleeves at least to the elbow, no tiers (shudder), midi, not fussy, not too young, practical yet pretty, suitable for work and did I mention it must be cotton!

I hate viscous.

I went in this week for a summer skirt There were two (and none in my size). Both were synthetic in horrible prints. The shop assistant said there's no demand for summer skirts

I’m 57 and l like that dress. I didn’t realise it had frills ( shudder) on the collar, but apart from that l think it’s quite Cos/Toast like.

I bought that dress recently. I have lost weight this year and felt lovely wearing it. I shall continue to feel fab in it. I got compliments too. Will however raise an eyebrow if I get any more comments though, in case it's one of you lot being sarcastic

I actually like the dress, it would look shocking on me mind you. They have excellent cotton shirts this year.

I think they are still shite but less than they used to be. I have noticed a decline in flowers and frills and better jeans, shirts and shoes.

What p*ssed me off in Marks and Spencer's today was that there was a tag on a man's swimming shorts with 2 for £20. The £20 was covered over with a blank sticker which I peeled off.
They were €18 each in the Dublin store with no buy 2 for €x offer
Obviously with the euro pound exchange rate I didn't expect to get them for €20 but 2 for €30 would have been nice.

[quote MissyB1]On the contrary I was in there today and saw loads of things I liked. I think they've upped their game. I'm ordering this

www.marksandspencer.com/floral-midi-shirt-dress/p/clp60508602?color=IVORYMIX[/quote]
I really like that

This dress reminds me of 'Little House on the Prairie'

www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-frill-detail-smock-dress/p/clp22527237?color=BLUE

I bought a linen dress from M & S this year, I really like it. It was from an 'outlet' and half the price though.

@cappuccinoandcats, there were various threads about AGP men and M&S changing rooms.

Here’s one which contains links to others.

Here’s a more recent one.

@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing

www.marksandspencer.com/linen-blend-shift-dress/p/clp60375408?color=NAVY#intid=prodColourId-60375408

I have this and it’s the best thing ever in summer. Doesn’t look like much in the photo and the model (though gorgeous) is the wrong colouring for it, but it just ticks all the boxes.

Their linen dresses are great in general if you want to keep cool

This is the one I bought too!