M&S "behind the scenes" feedback thread - non attendees - chance to win £150 M&S giftcard! NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

This thread is for the 8 MNers who attended the M&S "behind the scenes" event at M&S Marble Arch on Thursday 4th December. This was a chance for these MNers to meet the Womenswear design and buying team at M&S and chat about about their womenswear range this Christmas and to get some top advice on the range.

Non attendees - for a chance to win a £150 M&S voucher, please share on this thread either the very best clothing item you have ever bought from M&S or the one thing they sell that always seems to find its way into your basket! Add your comment and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £150 M&S giftcard

The event consisted of MNers "shopping" for themselves and selecting items they think they'd like to buy - these were then tried on and chatted about with the M&S team.

Frances Russell, Womenswear Trading Director and Belinda Earl - Style Director - called in and chatted about how the business works, how they try to make sure what M&S offers meets the need of all their customers.

There was then an open discussion with other members of the M&S senior womenswear team about MNers top 3 loves and hates about M&S, what the ideal M&S would look like/sell, what are MNers favourite shops and what's most important to those attending in clothing.

The group also asked MNers - if MN ran the Womenswear business what 3 things would they do?

Note; M&S have submitted some answers to the most commonly asked questions on the recruitment form - see this link here for them - we hope to have some additional answers in the next day or so.

Attendees - please share below your responses to the following questions! And do add any photos you took of the day to the thread.

~ Please give an overview of the day
~ What items you picked and what you thought about them (would you buy them?)
~ Please share with MNers about the discussions on the day - what did you ask and what was the consensus?
~ What was your take on the question of "if MN ran the Womenswear business what 3 things would they do"?
~ What was your overall impression of the day? Are you glad you went?

Also M&S would love to know from attendees:
~ How important is the way something is made to you e.g. does it matter if it was made ethically or sustainably and do you check this?
~ Where do you get ideas and inspiration from for what clothing you want to buy?
~ How often do you update your wardrobe with new items?
~ How would you describe your personal style and taste?

Thanks!
MNHQ

Non attendee. .. I recently bought a pair of olive green ankle boots which are so comfortable and cute. I am thrilled with these as I'm usually so fussy when choosing boots. But it always seems to be that veggi Percy Pigs fall into my basket before check out...

I love their denim jeggins. Always loved their jeans as soft and always high enough on the waist. The jeggins are fab as come in so many different colours. They wash well and also are just the right length. Also love m&s knickers always go back to them when I stray!

Non-attendee. I have a beaded "evening" cardigan from M&S which must be at least 20 years old. It was an impulse buy, too. Every year it comes out as a party dress cover-up.

On the day of my 20 week scan my Husband and I walked into town to our local M&S and brought a beautiful baby blanket and cardigan for my hospital bag. It is a wonderful memory and one I will treasure.

Oh mummybean your baby is beautiful - congratulations

Non-attendee
My recent favourite is a black and white Autograph shift dress, with black stretch sides. Its in a cotton based seersucker style fabric which doesn't need ironing. I was not sure about it when it first arrived, partly because I was expecting a lining (the online said there was one) - and there was a small hole in the patch pocket, - but it has become my favourite smart work dress.
Generally I buy underwear for us all, nightwear children's clothes ( but ds is 15 which is no longer catered for), the quirkier dresses (usually the short simple shifts as I am petite) and I like the heatgen tops and slips incuding this years long sleeved under tunic, which may prove useful in colder weather.
I am sad I cannot buy teenage boys basics now the biggest size is age 14!

Non attendee.

About 5 years ago I bought a fabulous bright orange loose tailored coat. You can put on top of anything and it looks fabulous. The best part was because it's a loose cut when I was pregnant it still looked fantastic. I don't think it will ever go out of style. (2 of my friends also bought it- although they did check I didn't mind and we always confer before meeting up so we don't all turn up the same!)

40 denier tights, always reliable and practically indestructible, love them!

WitchOfEndor's post has reminded me...

Just what have you done with those 3D 40 denier tights? Where are they? Can't find them anywhere now and they were the best tights ever. EVER.

I have four of the 'mac' coats - Orchid Pink, Cornflower Blue, Khaki and Lime Green, all fab and were a snip at under £50. Love them.

Non-attendee

Always buy my tights from there: black opaque and also the body shapers shine in natural tan.

Last item I bought was a pair of wide fit black patent court heels. Love them.

Always buy the children's uniform from there: grey adjustable waist skirts and trousers, pinafores, school socks.

When I'm looking for something it's usually "a work skirt", "a long-sleeved top", etc, and I really don't like the way everything is spread out in departments so skirts in are multiple places, etc. I wander around a couple before giving up - it's too much to navigate when you've got young children.

Ooh and my favourite items are a pair of navy high-waisted jeans and a red shift dress for work. Both petite. I would love more petite items.

Non-attendee

I absolutely love M&S underwear, both their bras and knickers. They're the best quality I've owned and I've owned a lot!

My absolutely favourite stripey jumper! It is pink and orange and grey with other colours too. I am embarrAssed to say that I have worn it a few days a week for nearly 8 years. I can't find a replacement: I thought I had found one but it turned out to be acrylic instead if wool blend, so not as cosy.

Non-attendee: my best buy.

I bought some black Victorian style ankle boots from M&S aged 13. I then wore them continuously all through my teens and still have them at the grand old age of 30.

Non attendee:
Without fail I ONLY EVER buy pants from M & S. I love them for the quality, range of styles and feel of the garment.

The best product I have ever bought from M & S is their thermal range of vests, leggings, t-shirts and long sleeved tops for children.
Absolutely beautifully soft, warm and wash like a dream. My DC love them.

oh god i SO SO wish I could have gone.

Please let me come and be a guinea pig M and s

Non-attendee my mum bought me a red and black jumper and I still wear it, she passed away 16 years ago on New Years day, her birthday was New Years eve, it still gives me great pleasure to wear it and it's as if it was bought yesterday

A pair of work shoes. They fitted like a glove (oh the irony!) from the moment I put them on my feet, and 4 years later they are still looking good and are really comfy.

A lovely pair of warm pyjamas!

Non attendee: I recently purchased one of your undergarments that flattens the tummy and squeezes in the whole body... the best bit was that I could wear my own bra with it. It did wonders for me when I was a Maid of Honour last month. I LOVE it.

I bought two identical black jersey dresses at M&S about six years ago - they have seen me through two pregnancies, breastfeeding, work etc. They aren't a high fashion item more of a basic but they've been staples and just the other day I wore one and someone said I looked smart.

Otherwise tights always make their way into my basket and nighties with cotton/modal, however the tights have recently (last year or so) started falling down. Any explanations?

Non-attendee

Pink cashmere cardigan I bought a few years ago (when the 20% off offer was running!)

oops meant to say non-attendee

Non-attendee - I wanted to ask if M+S could still produce size 30inch waist mens trousers! DH is average height but on the slim side (but not particularly skinny) and likes the ones with the hidden give in the waist for work but was told by staff they no longer make size 30"! I would also like to get school coat for a teenager bigger than boys age 14.
I am still sad about a stunning wool liberty print style skirt with lots of useful colours in it, I had 20 years ago that I managed to loose during a move! It hung so nicely and looked more expensive than it was. I also have a lovely Limited distressed leather jacket - a few years old now. I bought a size smaller than I would normally because it was the only one and once I saw it I had to have it!

non-attendee - underwear. The quality for the price is so muchbetter than elsewhere.