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.

Best item I bought for myself were some classic brown ankle leather boots. So comfy from day 1 of wear, which is rare these days.

Best items bought for the children are without doubt their school trousers (resistant, smart & adjustable waists right up through the sizes) and easy-iron school shirts (with Velcro neck & elastic cuff buttons). Top quality and they last!!

Please give an overview of the day

I had a great day! We got food and drink and were made to feel very at home. I learned so much about the different brands within the store and talking with the staff really helped.

~ What items you picked and what you thought about them (would you buy them?)

I chose things I liked. A short a line skirt, a blouse, some jeans and a fabulous jacket. I was lucky enough to have been allowed to keep the jacket which I have worn everyday since and I used my vouchers to buy the skirt and blouse.

~ Please share with MNers about the discussions on the day - what did you ask and what was the consensus?

The main consensus was that the quality if fabrics being used did not match the prices charged. Too much acrylic and not enough natural fibres. There was also some of us who felt sleeve length was out of proportion. But the other big take home point was that understanding the different brands really helped us to pick and choose clothes more easily and we were surprised to find things we really liked.

~ What was your take on the question of "if MN ran the Womenswear business what 3 things would they do"?

I think everyone had slightly different ideas on this. The customer base is so wide that it is hard to please everyone.

~ What was your overall impression of the day? Are you glad you went?

Very glad!! I have been back in there since then to do more clothes shopping and have gone from someone who really didn't shop for clothes there to someone who does!

None attendee: The underwear is the best. I like 'proper' knickers that actually cover one's bottom and these always do and are good quality so last for more than a couple of weeks like others I've bought in the past in other shops.

Non-attendee. I buy tights -- always tights when I'm in M&S.

The very best item I ever bought from m&s was a panic buy. I was 19 and had an office Xmas party to go to that very night.

I got a crepey, chiffon layered knee length pencil skirt with drapey bits. It wasn't what I had in mind but it matched the black v neck top and black shoes that I already owned.

That skirt was worn for a good decade. It's now seen better days, but I still have it and its still an emergency 'go to' in my wardrobe.

Non-attendee.

I go to M&S for their bras. Best fit I've ever found, comfortable and they don't dig in! Their multipacks of pants are good too.

Non Attendee
The best thing I have bought is a short swing back wool jacket about three years ago. It's beautifully made, fully lined with colour matched fabric. It looks really classy.

At the time I also found a scarf and a silk shirt in one of the colours from the jacket so got them as well. When ever I wear it someone always comments on how nice it is.

I also like the thermal underwear!

And for food items the prawn cocktail is fab!!

What I always buy M and S do fab knickers - no VPL, not tight so no bulges but I don't feel like my granny in them. I love them

Non attendee. Best thing ever was very plain sandals, straight flat front strap of proper thick leather and sling back ankle strap. (What we used to call Jesus caps) I had a black and brown pair and wore them till they fell apart.

Bras on the other hand always gave me four boobs.

Jesus daps autocorrect does not recognise s.wales dialect.

Non attendee:
The thing that always ends up in my shopping basket are black opaque tights. They always fit well and wash and wear well. I have never found a better high street alternative.
Best item ever was an Autograph range tan leather across body bag. The colour of the leather was exquisite.

I would like M&S to focus on good quality basics in natural fibres such as cotton, cashmere, silk etc...

I'm sorry to say that I buy virtually nothing from M &S womens wear as I find most of it very frumpy and old fashioned. I know their underwear is supposed to be good but they don't sell bras big enough for me ( even though I'm a standard size 10 ) .

The only clothing I buy regularly is school unform - school trousers for slim boys, slim fitting school shirts with Velcro neck in smaller sizes , school jumpers that wash well

non attendee;
best thing I ever bought were babygrows for all three dc's. They could go through the washer and dryer a hundred times and still look like new

Non attendee.

Best thing- per Una broderie anglaise slightly stretchy waist length vest tops- have 4, would buy more if you did them again, but variations since have been too long or too frilled up.

Second best was an indigo vest (ribbed, lace hem) which again has joy been repeated!

Always buy gluten free almond frangipani- the gluten free cakes are v good.

Not been repeated! Not joy- dyac!

Attendee! I had a really enjoyable morning, a lovely welcome from M&S and MNHQ, coffee and croissants then intros then "please go shopping" - what's not to like? They wanted us to pick a few items we would buy and a few we would NOT buy.

Myself and another MNer went off and had a mooch about together on the shop floor. I picked out some fitness wear, some black heels, a big chunky knit cardigan and I took the opportunity to try on a fabulous champagne gold long party dress that I would have no reason at all to wear !

We went back upstairs after about half an hour and spent about an hour trying on stuff and if I am honest I spent the whole time in that gold dress!

Then we sat and talked about the products we had seen, what we liked, what we didn't and why we did or didn't like things... reasons such as price, fabric type, fit (long sleeves on tshirts was raised... why are they so long? we are not orangutans....).

I'll post this and more will follow....

The best item of clothing I ever bought from M&S was a black jersey 3/4 sleeve, slash neck top. I think it was Autograph, and I wore it constantly. Great quality jersey, good for daytime with jeans or evening with jewellery, super flattering.
Sadly it seems to be lost sob

~ Please give an overview of the day - earlier post

~ What items you picked and what you thought about them (would you buy them?) - earlier post

~ Please share with MNers about the discussions on the day - what did you ask and what was the consensus?

I can't remember what I asked ! Someone asked about the different collections within M&S and once they were explained M&S made so much more sense... Per Una, Autograph - more smart, Limited Collection - more casual... nothing really age related just style related.

~ What was your take on the question of "if MN ran the Womenswear business what 3 things would they do"?

If MN ran the Womenswear business there would be so much stock M&S would sink.... you can't please everyone, least of all the myriad of different opinions on MN BUT once you know what collection is more or less your style and you vaguely know what you want, you do know what direction to head in. I said that this description of the collections could come across in their adverts better.

~ What was your overall impression of the day? Are you glad you went?

I had a great day. At the end of the session M&S gave me THAT GOLD DRESS... I went into shock really but they insisted despite my protestations that I don't go anywhere fancy.... but I am going to have a party FOR the dress and you're all invited. In the meantime if you see a crazy bird wandering round ASDA in a gold frock, just smile at me, cos I'm happy!

We were also given a goodie bag of M&S stuff, Christmas biscuits a highlight.... and a voucher so all in all a lovely day full of lovely treats.

Non attendee.

I always buy tights from M&S. I used to have all my knickers from multi-packs and the mix and match ones but I haven't found any patterns I like for years now. I no longer buy bras from M&S as theast time I was measured the assistant couldn't find any adult ones that fitted and suggested I try the children's range and left me to my own devices.

Their food is all great though and their flowers are lovely. I buy children's others occasionally from M&S. I would like to buy a lot more of the children's things from there as the girls' clothing is lovely and there are always lots of thingd I like, U.S. theyast well, but it's too expensive with three kids to clothe!

Non-attendee here.

At noon one Friday I discovered that I had to attend a client's cocktail party that evening. I was in jeans at the time and about half a stone overweight.

There followed a dash around M&S and by 1.15pm I was the proud owner of a little black dress featuring the most ingenious hidden support panels that made me look and feel absolutely fantastic. I've worn it several times since and it's held it's (and my!) shape brilliantly.

So sorry about all the typos, they just hide themselves while I'm typing and appear when I post

Non-attendee.

I buy underwear and socks for the whole family from M&S (or Marks and 'spensives as it has always been known since DS1 was a toddler).

I really like the jeggings at the moment; I have 5 pairs. I also find M&S ankle boots (pixie style) really comfortable and have 2 pairs of those.

Vest tops and long sleeved t-shirts for layering I buy for myself and DD.

DS2 has several pairs of the jersey track suit bottoms, which he wears as often as his pairs of Hollister ones.

One request though M&S... I have left the store without buying anything before now because of the heat. We're wearing coats... it's winter... turn the heating down!

Non attendee

Food wise it has to be dark chocolate ginger biscuits that my granny used to buy every week for our treat and I still purchase them when I get the chance (nearest store is 100 miles away) my dp LOVES the Christmas pud and he normally gets one in his stocking. I always try and buy my plain cotton knickers from m&s

The best thing I ever bought was a navy suit, about 15 years ago. Sadly it no longer fits.

I like M&S for basics - long vests, socks, tights, knickers, for the whole family. I haven't bought much recently though.