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

~ 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, the quality is good and prices are good too- I hate spending a fortune on clothes that only fit for a few months. The girls clothes are lovely and bright, not all baby pink. Other than M&S I buy clothes from Next, H&M, or basics (vests etc) from Asda. Also, dresses often come with tights, or tops for underneath, so each outfit works out much cheaper.

~ 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?!

I am drawn to things that are bright, preferably not pink, practical and hardwearing. They need to wash well, and tumble dry. And cost is important.

~ 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 shop instore- the feel of the clothes is important, so I tend to go and see what I fancy when I'm there.

~ 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?

The tiny baby clothes are horrible- the entire girl range is a horrible sicky pink colour. Not everyone likes pink! Ad the sleepsuits and vests are the same- less baby pink please!

~ 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 colours- pink and blue is rubbish. Gender neutral colours that aren't impractical white, and different colours for boys and girls would be good.

~ Have you ever bought any M&S Kidswear? Yes What's your overall opinion of it? Good quality, good fit, great styling and washes well If you're a regular buyer, what makes you buy? Style What other brands/shops do you buy kids' clothes from? Next, mothercare, primark, river island, matalan

~ When you're shopping for kids' clothes, what are the most important factors? Style, quality and value for money

~ Do you tend to shop in store or online for kids' clothes and why? A combination of both, often I shop online because the store doesn?t have the whole range or the sizes I need 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 normally have a quick look online first to see if it?s worth taking a look in store

~ Is there anything that you think M&S could do to encourage you to buy their kidswear? More ?on trend? pieces 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? I think that often age 12mths to 2yrs is an overlooked size as they transfer from baby to children clothes and seem to disappear in the middle

~ 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?d like to see a wider range of brighter colours in newborn sizes. The current pink and blue stuff is a bit pale. Also why does all the neutral stuff have to be white/cream? Maybe some more interesting bright characters would make them more exciting!

~ 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 really like it. It washes well - I can often hand down M&S clothes from my eldest to youngest boys. I also buy from the supermarkets, Gap and H&M.

~ 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?!

Bit of everything. Cost and quality are the main two.

~ 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. I need my DS's to try things on, don't want the hassle of having to take things back if they don't fit.

~ 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 always seems more girls choice. Though I find that the same everywhere. I'd like less blue and brown stuff for boys, more bright colours.

~ 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?

Brighter colours again. All that pastel gets too much. Cool, funky designs would be great.

~ Have you ever bought any M&S Kidswear?yes What's your overall opinion of it? its good but more expensive than other stores so i tend to buy in sales or special offersIf 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 buy mostly from supermarket ranges as kids grow too fast to spend lots on items

~ 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?! colours are important i like strong colours on my children like blues and reds but not pastels and certainly not pink on boys

~ 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 my little boy and instore so my daughter can choose

~ 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? their younger ranges are fairly good just a bit more than i would pay, the older ranges are not so well on trend for my girl as doesn't like lots of the new range for summer

~ 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? plain coloured tops with less embroidered/applicque or buttons as they get caught on bibs and sick is difficult to get out of them. baby proofing them so that they look good and don't require you to wash twice. also orange clothing for weaning stage would be good as all baby food is that colour, eventually.

To add to my post, I am one of those idiots that like to dress my sons similarly for special occasions :o It would be nice if the older and younger children's sections tied in a bit more closely on some items. I spent ages trawling the shops at Christmas looking for something smart and cosy for my children for Christmas day to no avail. Was astonished that I couldn't get a decent 'christmas jumper' in M&S!

And to add to my post, I have just spent a depressing lunchtime in M & S trying to find a school skirt for my ultra slim daughter. The school has a strict uniform policy and to get a skirt to fit round the waist and stay up would mean that it would barely cover her backside.

M & S - not all children are chubby.

~ 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 the occasional item from M&S Kidswear. I tend not to buy often as the nearest stores to me do not hold a substantial range and I'd like to see stuff before I buy. The bigger stores are either in centre of town and a nightmare to park, or on the other side of the city, so warrants a special trip. That's actually a big gripe about M&S for me in general....we have a few retail park M&Ss that carry very limited ranges across a lot of departments. Granted they can't carry everything, but I'd rather have more choice that a whopping big cafe stuck in the middle of M&S.

I tend to buy from Sainsburys, H&M, Jojo Maman Bebe and Gap for my DD (2.5 years)

~ 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?!

Complicated combination! What Gap and H&M do well is bold colours which don't resort to too much branding (I avoid GAP logo stuff) or stereotyped designs such as hearts for girls and skulls for boys. Gap also seem to cater for the slimmer child which suits my DD as a lot of clothes in other stores are way too massive for her. Gap clothes are well made, wash well and look smart, and I usually take advantage when the 30% offer is on. H&M are cheaper, but the quality isn't as good, but great for nursery and staples like little fleeces etc. Sainsburys is wonderful, an ever changing range that is competitively priced and nicely made, and also have frequent 25% off offers. They have the odd branding horror, but on the whole pretty good. Jojo Maman Bebe do lovely stuff, perhaps more for special occasions or for 'nice' wear, and I frequently pick up unworn JMB stuff from ebay. For GAP and JMB, I will frequently pick up basics in bigger sizes (like up to 3 years away) and put them away for the future. Esp GAP Pyjamas which are the absolute best in my opinion!

~ 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?

Usually in store - I like to see what I'm buying, but will buy the odd items online if I know what the quality is like.

~ 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 it in stock, in a decent age range. Again, another gripe about M&S in general is that the popular sizes are frequently out of stock, which is just poor stock management in my opinion. I think you cater for girls better than boys, seems to be a better, more diverse range, but I sometimes struggle to find my daughters age range in the store. Socks and tights are misleading on the website - I'm never sure if I'm buying a size 5 in toddlers or a size 5 in teenagers, and have ordered the wrong item before. Also, the offers you have are never very appealing. Buy 1, get one half price doesn't always work for me - why not just have 30% off for a set time period? I would be more inclined to order online then, esp as I can get items delivered to my nearest food store, so easy to pick up.

I would like to see more non girly stuff in the girls range - less of the hearts and frills and more standard bright items

~ 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?

It is very pink or blue, and not much choice inbetween. The odd 'neutral' stuff that you do is in that insipid oatmeal colour. Not every mum wants to dress her newborn in head to toe pink or baby blue. I think more bold, less twee looking clothes would be better (like GAP). Also, chill with the teddies logoed everywhere - again, not everything has to scream stereotype 'baby'! I'm due DC2 in 5 weeks, and all my baby stuff is either coming from GAP or Sainsburys.

~ 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 have. It's good quality and hardwearing.

~ 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?!

Quality, colour, fit (does it have a bit of growing room without looking dowdy), and if my DS is 'helping', does it have a car/bus/train/monster truck on it?!

~ 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?

A bit of both - probably mostly online, but only from shops where I'm confident about consistent sizing.

~ 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?

The kids' photography on the M&S website is often pretty awful - many times I've looked at things online and not liked them but then seen them in the store and realised that they're actually much nicer than they appeared in the badly-fitted, badly-posed photos. I like the Indigo range, which is slightly more quirky/Bodeny in colour schemes.

~ 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 found the baby clothes lovely but very small compared to other ranges - numerous gifts had to be exchanged for the next size up, and that was with a tiny, early baby who was generally very small for his age until well into toddlerhood.

~ 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 lots as I have 3 DS under 5. I generally think it is good quality but but sometimes the fit is a bit poor - particularly the baby gros which I found a very strange fit - must be for very round babies (and my babies weren't skinny). I think the underwear is great, good value, nice soft cotton, good quality and good price for a multipack e.g pop up vests, pants, socks etc. The stores are not too crowded which I like, but I really really hate the sale area where there is just no way I can ever look through the completely random racks to find anything in the right size as it is so chaotic. We buy a lot for H&M as well, and also like Polarn O Pyret as I think the designs are quite funky and bright - much less like the traditional "boys" stuff that you get at M&S.

~ 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?! A combination of quality and cost is most important to me. Whats most important to the kids appears to be whether it has one of their favourite characters on it, and if it is a nice bright colour other than dark, boring blue.

~ "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 shop instore as I live a 5 minute walk from one of your flagship london stores. I do sometimes buy on line if you don't have it in stock in the store, and then I ahve it delivered to the store for pick up.

~ 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? I think overall you have a good range of clothes. I would just say slightly less baggy fit, and trousers with adjustable wastes are good. Your little boys slippers are useless. I have bought about 3-4 pairs which all seem good and are the right size, but just don't stay on their feet. Will never ever buy slippers from yourselves again.

~ 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? Most of my baby stuff was second hand as they grow so quickly, but I do like the vests, and I quite like the babygros, but the baby gro fit is quite wierd in teh multipacks and to be honest I only really bought them as they were cheap and they get vommed and pood on so much that I just wanted cheap.

~ 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 DO REGULARLY BUY SOME ITEMS FROM M&S. THIS INCLUDES SCHOOL UNIFORM TROUSERS, COATS AND JACKETS, PANTS, SOCKS AND T-SHIRTS. I ALSO BUY FROM JOHN LEWIS (GENEROUS SIZING,TRY TO GET THINGS IN THE SALE) AND SOMETIMES FROM NEXT (FUNKY DESIGNS). IF I HAD THE MONEY I'D BUY FROM BODEN, BUT I HAVEN'T!!!

~ 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?! COMFORT AND FIT, PARTICULARLY. BRAND IS NOT IMPORTANT. DESIGN AND COLOUR ARE, BUT ALSO BETTER QUALITY THINGS TEND TO BE BETTER CUT AND THEREFORE MORE COMFORTABLE SO IT ALL GOES TOGETHER REALLY.

~ 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? YES, I OFTEN SHOP ONLINE AND ORDER INTO THE STORE OR RESEARCH ONLINE. NOTHING WORSE THAN DOING THE RESEARCH AND THE STORE DOESN'T HAVE THE ITEM IN THE SIZE YOU NEED!

~ 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? IT IS ACTUALLY QUITE A HASSLE TO COLLECT INSTORE, AND CERTAINLY EVEN MORE OF A HASSLE TO CHANGE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE ORDERED IN. THAT IS MUCH EASIER WITH NEXT, WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO HAPPILY COMBINE ORDERING ONLINE TO COLLECT IN STORE, HOME DELIVERY AND REAL INSTORE SHOPPING. STOCK MAINTAINANCE IS IMPORTANT: JOHN LEWIS NORMALLY DO HAVE ONE OF EACH SIZE IN STOCK AND THIS MEANS YOU CAN TRY THINGS ON FOR FIT. I OFTEN BUY TROUSERS FROM NEXT BECAUSE THEY HAVE A BIGGER RANGE WITH SOFT WAISTBANDS FOR BOYS AGED UP TO 10. NOTHING WORSE THAN TIGHT AND ITCHY WAISTBANDS FOR SMALL BOYS!

~ 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? HAVEN'T GOT A BABY AND DIDN'T BUY MUCH FROM M&S WHEN I HAD THEM, BECAUSE IT WAS TRICKY GETTING ROUND THE STORE WITH A BUGGY.

Have you ever bought any M&S Kidswear?

Yes.

What's your overall opinion of it?

I like the school uniform, but otherwise struggle to find something suitable.

If you're a regular buyer, what makes you buy?

The school uniform washes well and the different trouser lengths are great for my ds.

If you're not, is there anything specific that's stopping you?

Clothes not suitable for my children, ds 13 wont want to wear the same thing he wore when he was 7 and dd (9) doesn't want to wear the same thing a 13 year old would wear either. The difference between the older and younger clothes needs sorting out imo. I shopped there for dd much more often when she could still fit into the younger girl things.

What other brands/shops do you buy kids' clothes from? Gap, Next, Laredoute, Debenhams, sainsburys.

~ 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?!

Combination of above what fits and whether the dc will deign to wear it.

~ 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? A mixture.

~ 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?

Not all girls like pink, why does every pack of socks or knickers have to have a pink pair? So less pink for girls would be good. More basics-plainish tshirts and trousers, less character stuff and cheap looking fashion.

~ 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?

Bright colours would be good, although I have noticed you now do some nice little bodysuits in primary colours- marked 'boys' for some reason.

Also want to add that your children's departments are often very tightly packed, with little room for getting a buggy around, which is incredibly frustrating when you're a mum with a pram/buggy. And don't get me started on the baby changing facilities which in our city centre shop (edinburgh) are frankly disgusting! Doesn't add anything to the overall 'shopping for baby/child' 'experience.

I would like to add that our local m&s (shrewsbury) has just moved the kids dept to the upper floor, which is hard to access with a bored 7 year old who just wants to go to home bargains and get some sweets. I liked it on the lower level. Although it smelled of dog wee.

I would like to add that our local m&s (shrewsbury) has just moved the kids dept to the upper floor, which is hard to access with a bored 7 year old who just wants to go to home bargains and get some sweets. I liked it on the lower level. Although it smelled of dog wee.

~ Have you ever bought any M&S Kidswear?
I like to buy M&S kidswear. I like the selection and the quality (especially of the knitwear). I don't buy it as often as I would like to as it is a little more expensive than other brands I buy more often. I tend to buy my daughter's clothes mostly from H&M, Gap & Tescos and occasionally if I'm feeling particularly flush, Boden.

~ When you're shopping for kids' clothes, what are the most important factors?
Cost very important - also the wearability. And clothes that do not look 'naff' and cheap - ie nothing overly embellished or with motifs, logos etc
(yes some clothes are cheap ie from Tescos but some of the stuff is can be pretty cool if you search amongst the overly logo'ed stuff!)

~ Do you tend to shop in store or online for kids' clothes and why?
I mostly shop in store for kids clothes - although I have perused sites for a dress for a special occasion for my daughter

~ 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?
Less clothes with too much embroidery, patches, sequins, ribbons, graphics and general frippery on them! (This is why I like Gap more!)

Generally a great selection. Also I am impressed with the 'special occasion' dresses. They are not too over-the-top and seem very good value.

Have you ever bought any M&S Kidswear?
Once of twice

What's your overall opinion of it?
Dreadful. I had a £20 voucher and I used to go into our local branch every couple of months over a period of about a year to see if I could spend it. I gave up in the end and spent it on food. Very occasionally I saw a nice piece in the autograph range.

If you're a regular buyer, what makes you buy?
NA

If you're not, is there anything specific that's stopping you?
I don't want my tall 7 year old to look like a hooker. The colours and styles available in my local branch (Cambridge) are tacky and tasteless. They are also poorly presented on the shop floor - often literally on the floor. I once bought a pair of basic cords for my (normal sized) son but the waist was enormous and non-adjustable so I took them back.

What other brands/shops do you buy kids' clothes from?
Boden. Zara. John Lewis. Ebay. H & M. Gap.

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?
I want my children to look like children not mini-teenagers geared up to go clubbing. I want good design and good quality. I'm prepared to pay for this.

Do you tend to shop in store or online for kids' clothes and why?
Online because its more convenient. I would only buy things online that I don't have to wait in to collect and I can send back very easily if they aren't suitable.

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 often look online before going into a real shop. My DCs hate clothes shopping. I wouldn't dream of taking them with me. I would have a rebellion.

Is there anything that you think M&S could do to encourage you to buy their kidswear?
Have a better range of kidswear. What about doing a basic range similar to H & M - plain or striped, good quality long and short sleeved t-shirts etc.

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?
Not familiar enough with the range to comment.

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?
Don't know so can't comment.

The M&S childrenswear is good quality, and lasts well. Ds2 is in some of ds1's clothes. They are good for slightly smarter clothes, especially shirts, trousers, smarter jumpers, etc. The younger boys clothes (especially pyjamas) can new a bit too heavy on the branding for my taste (eggs lots of bob the builder, peppa pig, etc.). Prefer to try things on in the shop to check sizing, but adjustable waistbands are very helpful. Have got their school trousers as well, they wash well, but ate quite threadbare on the knees after two terms (maybe that's just down to them being worn by a 5 year old).

~ 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 do sometimes buy M&s kids clothes but usually prefer to go to H&M as it works out cheaper. I did try to buy baby vests quite a few times in the first 18months but m&s princes street edinburgh never seemed to be in stock in the size I needed. I was told if I wanted to order them I'd have to go all the way to the top floor to do that which with a buggy involves using two lifts. I didn't bother ordering online because I'd have to pay postage so I was put off in general by this experiance. I shop at the gap sale too.

~ 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?!

Design, cost and quaility. I'm not too bothered about the lable

~ 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 just pop in to shops and see what is there. I like to see the clothes because I tend to find sizes vary a lot so buying online isn't as good.

~ 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?

I would like to see more of a basic practical range maybe unisex and at a good price and availble in the stores.

~ 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 above. I do think there could be more variety and more plain and practical items

Oh, and one other thing. The sizes are so small! My daughter is 5 (but quite tall for her age) and I bought her an age 6-7 cotton pyjama set which was far too tight. When I buy from M&S I have to buy her age 7 clothes!

I have bought M&S kids wear, and we often get given it as gifts, I love it!

The most important factors for me are a combination. The cost and quality as we go through so many clothes and M&S clothes are good quality. I go for colour and design too, as I love outfits that are different colours like yellow and we have bought them purely because they aren't pink.

We shop in store as its easier for us.

I think M&S do as much as they can for us to buy their stuff. There isn't anything I can fault with the baby range either.

~ 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. Generally happy with quality. Kids don't need masses of clothes at one time as they grow out of them and my daughter is hugely fussy about what she will wear. Often don't have green school jumpers in stock which stops me buying. Kids shoes could be better quality. Like to shop in H and M.

~ 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, colour, comfort and washability

~ 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. Don't tend to research it.

~ 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 gender neutral girls stuff, a lot less frilly pink nonsense.

~ 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?
Haven't needed baby stuff for years

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw
MNHQ

~ Have you ever bought any M&S Kidswear? Yes, I started buying outfits for my daughter when she was about 12 months old

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 love the Indigo range, particularly the knitted dresses with matching tights. Have found it to be excellent quality - washes over and over again without losing its quality, and lovely designs to rival more expensive competitors, e.g. Boden. I do also but from Boden and JoJo Maman Bebe - I'd like to see more examples of bold, colourful prints from M&S for girls. There are some, but a lot of the stuff is also to pastel-based, which looks cheaper.

~ 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?!
Quality, colour and design far outweigh brand and label for me. Price is a consideration - I will pay more for better quailty, but not to a ridiculous extent. I also want things that will wash well, and dry quickly!

~ 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 - I prefer in store shopping in any case. I like to assess the quality of the fabrics by hand.

~ 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?
The range is excellent in the larger stores, but there are often no kids' clothes in the medium and smaller stores, which is a shame, as we have several medium sized stores within walking distance of our home. If they were more readily available, I would definitely buy more toddler clothes from M&S. Range seems to be equally balanced between the sexes

~ 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?
Availability in more stores is key for me. I think M&S are much stronger on toddler clothes than baby clothes - I automatically went to John Lewis for baby verst, babygros etc, I think JL have cornered the "new baby" market - I wasn't really aware M&S did baby clothes until my daughter was about 10 months. Again, wider availability may improve awareness.

~ 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?

Not bought anything recently, but what I have bought in the past has been good quality. I don't buy from M&S because I don't live near one (although one is opening near by soon). My children mostly wear clothes from Sainsbury's and Matalan.

~ 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 probably most important, but colour/design and style do have some bearing.

~ 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 shop in store, I like to feel the clothes and look at sizing. I don't look online first.

~ 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?

I can't really comment on this.

~ 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 can't really comment on this.

I was in M&S today looking for my 1 year old and found nothing that I liked. When he was younger I bought tonnes of M&S baby clothes for him but now he is into the 'younger boy' sizes (he's a big boy) I just don't like what is avilable. So here goes...

~ Have you ever bought any M&S Kidswear? Yes

What's your overall opinion of it? Good value for money, good quality.

If you're a regular buyer, what makes you buy? The above.

If you're not, is there anything specific that's stopping you? The 'younger boys' range is too fashionable, I'd prefer more classic simple styles or things with interesting prints - much like your baby wear. I don't like the slogans, logos and characters on EVERYTHING.

What other brands/shops do you buy kids' clothes from? PoP, Little White Company, H&M, Gap

~ 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?!

A complicated combination of all of them. While I am still choosing my son's clothes, I do not want hom to be branded, written on or decorated with characters who he doesn't recognise. I tried to buy him some pyjamas today - all of them were garish and covered in characters he doesn't know.

~ 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?

Both - but to do online shopping I need to be confident that I know the store's sizes.

~ 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?

See my earlier comments - more classic items without all the decoration, nice prints. I HATE the way that the girls clothes get the best location in the store and the boys clothes are shoved in wherever. In my local store, you queue through the boys section when waiting for the refunds/exchange counter. The girls section has its own area without any through traffic. It makes it very difficult to navigate the boys section with a buggy.

~ 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 really love them.