NOW CLOSED Talk to M&S about their kidswear and win one of two £100 M&S giftcards

[TheOtherHelenMumsnet]

As you may have seen, we're working with M&S over the next few months - the Mumsnet M&S panel are going to be putting shapewear and the Simply Fuller Longer range to the test, and now we're asking all MNers to tell us what you think about M&S kidswear.

Here's what M&S say about their Kidswear: "We believe that at M&S you can find great value and fashionable kids' clothes. We also want to make shopping for kids' clothes as stress-free as possible, so we're asking Mumsnetters for their feedback on all things kidswear-related so that we can continue to improve our ranges."

We've provided some questions below to get you started, but please feel free to add any other comments you have as well. Everyone who adds their comments to this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win one of two £100 M&S giftcards. Please note, we want your honest opinions and we don't want you to do any research online before you answer the questions below so no cheating now!

~ Have you ever bought any M&S Kidswear? What's your overall opinion of it? If you're a regular buyer, what makes you buy? If you're not, is there anything specific that's stopping you? What other brands/shops do you buy kids' clothes from?

~ When you're shopping for kids' clothes, what are the most important factors? Is it cost, quality, colour/design, style or brand/label? Or a complicated combination of all of those?!

~ Do you tend to shop in store or online for kids' clothes and why? If you shop in store, do you look online at what items you might buy beforehand, or do you tend to go and see what takes your/your DC's fancy?

~ Is there anything that you think M&S could do to encourage you to buy their kidswear? Or buy it more often if you already buy it? Is there anything missing from their kidswear ranges that you'd like to see more of? Do you think they cater for certain ages better than others? Or for boys better than girls or vice versa?

~ Thinking specifically about the M&S baby ranges, what's your overall opinion of these? Do you think there's enough variety? Is there anything you'd like to see more of?

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw
MNHQ

[cece]

Oh and please please gender neutral stuff for new babies. Less logos on clothes. Make it a bit cheaper. Also not much for a style conscious 8 year old that wears 11 year old size.

I do buy DD's uniform form M&S as she only has one skirt and one pair of trousers per year. However, for DS1 s school shorts/trousers I go to the supermarkets - for price, as I have to buy 5 pairs. (do to dirt) I LOVE the no iron school shirts.

[BaDaBing]

M&S is my first port of call for school uniforms and I am impressed with the quality and styling of the trousers and knitwear. I live near various very large stores and unfortunately the range is limited with really limited sizes available. I think you forget that kids grow and need uniforms all year round and not just in August!

I like some of the boys cloths but the majority seem to be character clothes which I dislike but ds loves! This can make it a combative shopping experience so I avoid bringing him with to chose.

Pants and socks for ds are always M&S and on those occasions I don't mind the character branded stuff so much. Quality always good and really feel I get value for money. Same for sleepwear.

Oh, jeans are always good and fit ds well who is very tall for 5 and has very small waist! Adjustable waists seem common and help avoid belts which can be difficult for him.

Always shop in store, sizing and fabric too difficult to judge online.

[Stopsittingonyoursister]

Have you ever bought any M&S Kidswear? What's your overall opinion of it? If you're a regular buyer, what makes you buy? If you're not, is there anything specific that's stopping you? What other brands/shops do you buy kids' clothes from?
Yes I regularly buy M & S kidswear. I particularly buy school uniform and basic t-shirts/leggings/ trousers etc. Overall, I think the quality is good, but the range in my local shop fairly limited, and the colours particularly for the boyswear is basic; it is all blue/khaki for boys, with very little red/yellow/brighter colours. I also buy from Next, Tu at Sainsburys, Monsoon and Boden.

~ When you're shopping for kids' clothes, what are the most important factors? Is it cost, quality, colour/design, style or brand/label? Or a complicated combination of all of those?!
Cost and quality - will it wash and iron well, and stand up to everyday wear and tear. I am not particularly bothered about trends, but my children are 5 and 2 so this may change when they have a say in what they wear. I tend to go for brands that I trust on quality. I also like multipack tops etc that will mix and match with other wardrobe items.

~ Do you tend to shop in store or online for kids' clothes and why? If you shop in store, do you look online at what items you might buy beforehand, or do you tend to go and see what takes your/your DC's fancy?
Online mainly, as I can do this in an evening. If I go into store, I almost never have the DCs with me as I want to be able to look at the clothes and take time choosing, hence why I mainly shop online. I will shop with an idea of what the DCs need e.g. long sleeved tops, but will then see which ones I like before I make up my mind.

~ Is there anything that you think M&S could do to encourage you to buy their kidswear? Or buy it more often if you already buy it? Is there anything missing from their kidswear ranges that you'd like to see more of? Do you think they cater for certain ages better than others? Or for boys better than girls or vice versa?
More multipack tops etc for everyday wear. Less navy/khaki for boys, particularly younger boys, less character/slogan tops - I personally don't like tops with slogans, and not every boy likes Thomas the Tank Engine, more long sleeved tops for girls, rather than cardigans, less "outfits" and more stuff that will go with different items of clothing.

~ Thinking specifically about the M&S baby ranges, what's your overall opinion of these? Do you think there's enough variety? Is there anything you'd like to see more of?
I think it is good for newborn presents, but is very candy pink or baby blue or beige, and not much else. I didn't buy basics from M & S when my children were newborn, but it is very good for presents where you might buy an outfit.

[threeleftfeet]

~ Have you ever bought any M&S Kidswear? What's your overall opinion of it? If you're a regular buyer, what makes you buy? If you're not, is there anything specific that's stopping you? What other brands/shops do you buy kids' clothes from?

I usually look at M&S when I want to get a present for a friend with a new baby as I've got some good sets (babygrow, hats etc) for newborns - from you in the past. However I haven't shopped there recently as was very disappointed by the lack of non-pink baby clothes last time (that was several months ago).
I don't tend to buy clothes for my little buy there - I pick up clothes for him when i see something nice in the supermarket- usually Sainsburys as they do nice bright kids clothes (not blue / pink), and sometimes Asda. Also shop at H&M (colourful & good value) ebay and Monsoon sale.
I don't have an M&S I pass en route to anywhere, if I did i would probably look at it more often.

~ When you're shopping for kids' clothes, what are the most important factors? Is it cost, quality, colour/design, style or brand/label? Or a complicated combination of all of those?!

1. Colourful designs (not blue / pink overly gender stereotyped)
   
2. Price
   
3. Quality
   

~ Do you tend to shop in store or online for kids' clothes and why? If you shop in store, do you look online at what items you might buy beforehand, or do you tend to go and see what takes your/your DC's fancy?

Online for ebay and presents. In store for impulse purchases (most of DS's clothes)

~ Is there anything that you think M&S could do to encourage you to buy their kidswear? Or buy it more often if you already buy it? Is there anything missing from their kidswear ranges that you'd like to see more of? Do you think they cater for certain ages better than others? Or for boys better than girls or vice versa?

Very simply, make some nice clothes that aren't blue or pink, or otherwise massively gender sterotyped. How about nice animal designs in green / purple / orange / brown? Stripes/ spots perhaps? Anything but pink or blue!!
Take a leaf out of Sainsbury's book!

~ Thinking specifically about the M&S baby ranges, what's your overall opinion of these? Do you think there's enough variety? Is there anything you'd like to see more of?

See answer above. i like the unisex newborn/baby sets, more variety here would be good.

[MakeTeaNotWar]

Have you ever bought any M&S Kidswear? What's your overall opinion of it? If you're a regular buyer, what makes you buy? If you're not, is there anything specific that's stopping you? What other brands/shops do you buy kids' clothes from?

Yes buy regularly - good quality, washes well, nice colours and reasonable prices.

~ When you're shopping for kids' clothes, what are the most important factors? Is it cost, quality, colour/design, style or brand/label? Or a complicated combination of all of those?!
All of the above. I don't like clothing for little girls to be too trendy or grown up, M&S usually strikes the right balance without breaking the bank.

~ Do you tend to shop in store or online for kids' clothes and why? If you shop in store, do you look online at what items you might buy beforehand, or do you tend to go and see what takes your/your DC's fancy?
I tend to pop in when I'm passing and browse but I will make a special trip if I am looking for PJs or basics like vests and tights.

~ Is there anything that you think M&S could do to encourage you to buy their kidswear? Or buy it more often if you already buy it? Is there anything missing from their kidswear ranges that you'd like to see more of? Do you think they cater for certain ages better than others? Or for boys better than girls or vice versa?
def cater for boys better than girls. Personally I don't like girls clothes to be overly "pinked" nor do I like TV character ranges such as Peppa Pig

~ Thinking specifically about the M&S baby ranges, what's your overall opinion of these? Do you think there's enough variety? Is there anything you'd like to see more of?
More bright primary colours

[Avver]

~ Have you ever bought any M&S Kidswear? What's your overall opinion of it? If you're a regular buyer, what makes you buy? If you're not, is there anything specific that's stopping you? What other brands/shops do you buy kids' clothes from?

I've bought from the range when I've been given M&S vouchers to spend. I don't tend to buy it with my 'own money' as we're on a very tight budget and can't justify the expense of full-price clothes for the DSs when there's Ebay and so many hand-me-downs floating around.

~ When you're shopping for kids' clothes, what are the most important factors? Is it cost, quality, colour/design, style or brand/label? Or a complicated combination of all of those?!

Cost is foremost, but I'm really picky about my DC not having any tacky characters or glaring logos. We love bright colours (fed up with all the 'sludge' colours for boys on the high street)

~ Do you tend to shop in store or online for kids' clothes and why? If you shop in store, do you look online at what items you might buy beforehand, or do you tend to go and see what takes your/your DC's fancy?

Mostly online through Ebay. On the occasions we've had high street vouchers to spend we just browse instore and buy on a frivolous whim!

~ Is there anything that you think M&S could do to encourage you to buy their kidswear? Or buy it more often if you already buy it? Is there anything missing from their kidswear ranges that you'd like to see more of? Do you think they cater for certain ages better than others? Or for boys better than girls or vice versa?

Less characters, less deliniation between boy clothes and girl clothes and more roomy trousers for babies and toddlers in reusable nappies. M&S trousers seem to fit very slim and both my DSs big cloth bums wouldn't fit in them. I've found the clothes for pre-school age to be good with the range of coats and shoes to be excellent quality and value.

~ Thinking specifically about the M&S baby ranges, what's your overall opinion of these? Do you think there's enough variety? Is there anything you'd like to see more of?

Less powder pink and baby blue with polite little patterns and characters. SO boring and my chunk of a newborn DS looks daft in anything cutesy. Look at some of the Scandinavian clothes ranges for great ideas for bright and bold baby clothes that are tasteful rather than tacky

[CapuccinoCannoliLover]

More choice for younger boys in our local store would be good as there is alot for girls, but not much for boys. The clothes I have bought from M&S for my 3 year old son tend to be cords, jeans, shorts and chinos. I don't like all the 'character' clothes, which there seem to be alot of for boys, and would prefer good quality, plain coloured t-shirts, nice checked/gingham short sleeved shirts and that sort of thing. I don't like pink for girls and blue for boys either. I do buy online from Gap, John Lewis and Debenhams for his clothes and tend to buy instore from M&S. My Mother buys him some tops from PoP too. Cost and quality are also important, I want to be able to wash things frequently without falling to bits. I will be looking at school clothes in M&S as he starts primary school in the Autumn.

[PiedWagtail]

~ Have you ever bought any M&S Kidswear? What's your overall opinion of it? If you're a regular buyer, what makes you buy? If you're not, is there anything specific that's stopping you? What other brands/shops do you buy kids' clothes from?
Yes, I buy regularly. I think M&S is great value for basics like pants, socks and I buy all school unform there.
I am not so keen on the out-of-school ranges - my dd is 8 and I don't like all the really boho/sequinny stuff M&S has done recently. I prefer the kids' Autograph range and buy quite a bit from there.
I like Next, John Lewis, Tu, Asda and Debenhams for kids clothes.

~ When you're shopping for kids' clothes, what are the most important factors? Is it cost, quality, colour/design, style or brand/label? Or a complicated combination of all of those?!
Cost; quality; design - hate logos and transfers. I look for bright, styligh, durable cliothes that aren;'t too trndy (or too grown up for dd) and that can be washed again and again!!

~ Do you tend to shop in store or online for kids' clothes and why? If you shop in store, do you look online at what items you might buy beforehand, or do you tend to go and see what takes your/your DC's fancy?
In store. By myself usually - my dcs don't mind what they wear so I usually choose for them.

~ Is there anything that you think M&S could do to encourage you to buy their kidswear? Or buy it more often if you already buy it? Is there anything missing from their kidswear ranges that you'd like to see more of? Do you think they cater for certain ages better than others? Or for boys better than girls or vice versa?
Have more basics in their girlswear range - plan leggings, jeans, packs of 3 t shirts, less glitter and sequins and logos. Classics! I don't like characters on clothes either - Ben 10 etc. Looks cheap and nasty!

~ Thinking specifically about the M&S baby ranges, what's your overall opinion of these? Do you think there's enough variety? Is there anything you'd like to see more of?
Can't comment as haven't bought from there for years!!

[daisydoodoo]

~ Have you ever bought any M&S Kidswear? What's your overall opinion of it? If you're a regular buyer, what makes you buy? If you're not, is there anything specific that's stopping you? What other brands/shops do you buy kids' clothes from?

I have brought a fair bit from m&s kidswear. Its usually of good quality and nice colours.

~ When you're shopping for kids' clothes, what are the most important factors? Is it cost, quality, colour/design, style or brand/label? Or a complicated combination of all of those?!

At the moment cost is a big factor and then quality, even though budget is less, i still like to buy something that i know will wash well and last until the children outgrow it, rather than falling apart.

~ Do you tend to shop in store or online for kids' clothes and why? If you shop in store, do you look online at what items you might buy beforehand, or do you tend to go and see what takes your/your DC's fancy?

I look online and then shop in store, mainly due to postal charges but also because m&s (and john lewis) don;t accept electron card online.

~ Is there anything that you think M&S could do to encourage you to buy their kidswear? Or buy it more often if you already buy it? Is there anything missing from their kidswear ranges that you'd like to see more of? Do you think they cater for certain ages better than others? Or for boys better than girls or vice versa?

Lot so good quality solid colour basics, or tops/leggings/skirts in bright stripes/spotty/star print. eg navy with white polka/stripe/stars.

~ Thinking specifically about the M&S baby ranges, what's your overall opinion of these? Do you think there's enough variety? Is there anything you'd like to see more of?

I dont look at the baby wear anymore as past that stage, but always found the multi packs of vests to be goodvalue and good sizing.

[lia66]

I am on phone so can't copy questions.

I have 5 dc to buy clothes from, since last season I no longer buy for 14 yr ds as the stuff is not on trend or cool, I am beginning to find this with my 8 yr ds too although there are always chequered shirts which he lives in.

I buy for quality not necessarily price. F dh is paying I buy will Molly, if I am paying I tend to wait for the sales.

I love te younger age for girls up to about 7-8 yrs, after that it gets quite old as someone else said.

Babies range also as someone else said is a bit too boring for my taste. I'd prefer more choice of brights alongside the pastels.

Vests, babygros excellent quality IMO

Hope this helps

[gingercat12]

~ Have you ever bought any M&S Kidswear? What's your overall opinion of it? If you're a regular buyer, what makes you buy? If you're not, is there anything specific that's stopping you? What other brands/shops do you buy kids' clothes from?

Yes. I buy it all the time. M&S is just opposite the road from our offices, and I used to go through the kidswear every morning before 8.30 just to have a look. Now it moved to the 1st floor, so I need to make an effort. I buy less as a result.
DS likes the loud colourful tops with cartoon caharcters on. I love the slightly more elegant stuff on very reasonable prices.
We buy Next, Tesco, TU, George clothes as well.

~ When you're shopping for kids' clothes, what are the most important factors? Is it cost, quality, colour/design, style or brand/label? Or a complicated combination of all of those?!

First of all need. What is is we are missing. There seems to be a price limit in my mind as well. I buy enough kidswear to know what is acceptable. Brand / label for a 4-yo does not matter. It is the colours and the carton characters that matter. Even the smallest car on a top or a pair of trousers make them more distinguishable, and DS is more likely to aks for them. "I want my dinosaur trousers..."

~ Do you tend to shop in store or online for kids' clothes and why? If you shop in store, do you look online at what items you might buy beforehand, or do you tend to go and see what takes your/your DC's fancy?

If we have very little time, and it is a one-off / expensive item, I show the picture online to DS before purchasing it. He has the final say (very fashion-conscious). I only ever buy online, if the item is not available in the right size in the store.

~ Is there anything that you think M&S could do to encourage you to buy their kidswear? Or buy it more often if you already buy it? Is there anything missing from their kidswear ranges that you'd like to see more of? Do you think they cater for certain ages better than others? Or for boys better than girls or vice versa?

There are very few ranges in boys' clothes and literally nothing in the sales. DS recognises M&S and likes it. We would buy more there, if there was more choice.
Also I liked kidswear on the ground floor.

~ Thinking specifically about the M&S baby ranges, what's your overall opinion of these? Do you think there's enough variety? Is there anything you'd like to see more of?

They are ok. I used to like them.

[SleepyFergus]

Its been very interesting reading everyone's feedback, and on the whole it is incredibly consistent. I really hope M&S take note...it's a god given opportunity to tap into a lucrative market, esp when other stores are failing.

[TheOtherHelenMumsnet]

Thanks to everyone who has posted on this thread - M&S really appreciate all of your feedback.

I've done the prize draw and the winners of the two £100 M&S giftcards are:

Ramekin
Brightermornings

Congratulations! I'll PM you to get your details.

[stressheaderic]

Congrats to the winners, I also found it really interesting to read all of the feedback saddo that I am.

[Ramekin]

Wooooooo hooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!! Fantastic! I've never won anything before.

[FartBlossom]

Well you have now ramekin Well done

[brightermornings]

Well done Ramekin I am so pleased I can't stop smiling

[Annieuk75]

I used to buy a lot of clothes for my children at M&S as did Grandparents too. I was over the moon when I found that my local school was going into partnership with M&S to provide school uniform. Unfortunately, it's not working very well. The quality is not as good as normal children's wear...seams coming apart, colours fading very quickly, whites going very dull. Also, as it is 'bespoke' uniform, it is not included in free delivery and cannot be delivered to store. Very disappointing.