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:

The only things I regularly buy in M&S now are the Autograph tights.

Place your bets now on whether this post will win a prize!

Non attendee here.

I always buy opaque tights! M and S are good because they do properly long ones, and aren't too expensive.

I have a lovely red dress, sort of "skater style" flared skirt, that gets loads of compliments. It was a bargain, £35 or £40 I think.

Ps,please don't stop doing long trousers, in fact, please do more!

I have a 36" inside leg. Sometimes Autograph trousers fit, which is great. There is so little choice out there.

Time for a tall range?

I used to love the Salon Rose underwear, sadly discontinued.

The outcome on the bra debate was that they want to do a separate event on that specific subject! Hoik your bosoms ladies and let's sort them out!

Non-attender.

The best thing I ever bought at M&S was a pair of black workout bootcut trousers (it was the 90s ) in a thick, heavy cotton jersey with just the right amount of Lycra. They felt like a million dollars for years and years, at least I hope they did, as I wore them until they literally fell apart.

I love M&S for sticking to sizing I can rely on. I know what size I am in the trousers and that's that - and it's one of the few shops I can say that about. Until a few years ago I never bought tops there because they were ridiculously short, they literally barely reached my navel, but that seems to have changed which helps.

(I also love them for doing 35" inside leg trousers for men, even though you have to order them - when I met dh my first job was to stop him wearing 33" inside leg or worse 31" inside leg which made him look like a cross between Pippi Longstocking and a tramp).

Non attendee. The one thing I always tend to buy from M&S is knickers, as they last well and are comfortable.

Not had much success with other clothing, I am a classic hourglass (albeit a dress hating one) and struggle to find anything that fits. Also, why are there never any bras of my size? Surely I can't be that unusual.

Might be best if I don't win the £150 of M&S vouchers. I'd have to buy lots and lots of knickers. Or have way too much fun in the food hall!

I bought some red gingham knickers about 14 years ago and they are amazing, they just don't wear out. I am really amazed at how long they have lasted as I still wear them regularly. The matching bra was thrown pout long ago but the knickers are still going stong.

Non-attendee.
I always buy knickers, nightwear, work cardigans and trousers from M and S.
I would buy a lot more if there were less embellishments such as random bows and sequins.
The best thing I have ever bought is a pair of tracksuit bottoms which I still wear around the house 20 years later. I have looked for years to find a replacement pair, but no luck. I think I will put in my will that I want to be buried in them!

Non-attendee
Knickers - always a must have, always last well.
Work suits, the trouser suits are affordable, last well and look good. Although I always have to run some wonder web around the hems.

Favourite ever item a lacy per una top in pinks and blues with a hot pink came under. Looks great dressed up or down, about 10 years old now, still love it and still looks good.

Non-attendee:
I buy M&S knickers, bras and tights. I also love the food hall, especially around Christmas.
I used to buy a lot of the DDs clothes in M&S but at 12 and 13 they refuse to wear them now. There's a big gap in the market for nice tween/teen clothing.

Please give an overview of the day
~ What items you picked and what you thought about them (would you buy them?)

I picked out a beautiful silk/cashmere jumper - a pair of boyfriend straight leg jeans and a lovely pale blue top

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

I asked about bras - they are going to do a separate event for that! Also about the fabrics and quality - I had stopped shopping in M&S as I bought 3 different pairs of trousers/jeans and all of them started coming apart at the seams within a few months, apparently they have addressed this so I'm going to buy another pair to confirm!

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

I said they were trying to do too much, although once they explained the different labels it became clearer and someone mentioned they need to advertise the differences - Indigo is more casual, per una more dressy, autograph can't remember now! Also I need M&S for capsule pieces, classic things that are always needed, good quality cotton tops in good colours, quality wool trousers/suits etc...

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

So glad I went lovely food and coffee, fabulous points made from other mumsnetters, mulled wine and I got to keep my beautiful cashmere jumper

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?

Very important - I don't want to buy anything that is made using children in a sweat shop and natural fabrics from sustainable sources please!

~ Where do you get ideas and inspiration from for what clothing you want to buy?

Usually other women - If I see a style I like on someone else I tend to copy!

~ How often do you update your wardrobe with new items?

Often love buying clothes

~ How would you describe your personal style and taste?

I wear two hats - comfy practical mum clothes, jeans, leggings and tops, then my work wear, smart suits, trousers, dresses and tops.

Thank you M&S - had a great day and looking forward to spending my voucher!

see a crazy bird wandering round ASDA in a gold frock, just smile at me, cos I'm happy!

Kbear you looked amazing in that dress Asda? No wear it to Waitrose!

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

Samantha, take a look now - I have found that with them too in my smaller local store, but there was some really nice stuff in Marble Arch, maybe look online? I was surprised and I too have not been in there much in the past few years.

I want to know what you all wore to the event, because I'm nosy like that!

Well we all looked fabulous darling Although it was an awful day so I opted for H&M skinny jeans and a Zara top.

Non attendee.

I bought this skirt about 12 years ago, it's Per Una, 100% cotton. I wore it almost every day, literally until the seat wore out... have kept it to convert into a little dress for DD as there is plenty of good fabric left & it's so pretty!

I also recently discovered your breadsticks - a revelation after those sold by some other shops. Light & delicious. I think I will be buying those in the future, a lot.

I love your clementines. Reliably sweet & juicy & so much bigger than some other shops sell. DH loves your fizzy cherry drink.

Please, please, please sort out your bra sizing. I'm a 30E. You sell nothing that fits me.

Another call for less artificial fibres please. I can get those in the supermarket or certain other high street clothes shops, for a lot less money.

I wore black peg trousers (that's what they're called, I know not why)

In the olden days, peg trousers had a pin tuck pleat at the front.......do yours?

A few people mentioned the suits with dresses, skirts, trousers in matching fabric - yes god I loved this, made work wear especially with travel so much easier.

And who remembers Autograph when it first came out - I bought 2 outfits I loved and wore and wore.. midnight blue trousers and top with same colour sequins in a very subtle stripe down the side of the legs and across the top, stunning and so slimming. And a dress and jacket (and trousers - yes one of those suits) but the dress had a full skirt and lots of slits up the panels. Sigh those were the days when Autograph really was beautifully designed and a bit different - now a lot of other high street chains do the designer collaborations much better, and M&S sort of lost it

Now a days - yes to underwear, occasionally cashmere and once in a blue moon something else. Its all gone a bit tacky - even the kids stuff is full of character tie ins or garish colours

Non-attendee.

I have a black, stretchy wrap-style dress from M&S that I've had for about 5 years and it's my 'go-to' work dress on mornings when I don't have time to worry about what I'm wearing. Wash, put on a hanger and it's dry by the morning. Great for travelling as it doesn't crease and looks good with sandals in the summer or shoes/boots in the winter.

Non-attendee - M&S knickers, no contest. Also M&S was the only place I could find anything really cool for my mum to wear when she was very ill in hospital. I found that they did pyjamas in a lovely drapey viscose mix which was really soft, comfortable and cool. Can't bear to wear anything in bed myself normally but I'm going to go back and find an M&S nighty in the same fabric for when I go into hospital to have my baby. Have had several good M&S bras over the years too, they are comfy and last years.

My best purchase was a coat about 3-4 years ago. It's like wearing a sleeping bag. I love it!

I've all but given up on M&S these days. I used to feel like I should be able to find what I wanted in there & ended up wandering around for ages looking at absolutely everything & not finding anything I liked. Even if I managed to find a top that was long enough I'm 5'. This shouldn't be a problem. it was always some gaudy colour or had a bold pattern or random sequins. I like simple clothes. It's not just M&S that are doing this though. Everywhere's turning into Primark. I bought a flannel shirt from Sainsburys the other day. Wasn't overly enamoured by the added lace detail - presumably there to remind me I'm a girl - but it was fairly subtle so I decided to live with it because it was comfortable. When I got it home I noticed a fine glittery thread running throughout the pattern. Just, why?! It was a perfectly nice, sensible shirt & they have to glam it up! DH went to return it while I was chasing after the DC & I couldn't help smiling when the lady asked why we were returning it & DH immediately said something like "She didn't notice it had shiny lines on it. She doesn't like that." Maybe if they're told enough times it might make a difference! Doubt it!

I love the idea of a Classics line for M&S. I think I might explode with happiness if I could guarantee I could find the same things every time I shopped. I have a nighty that is more hole than fabric now because it was so comfy & I can't stand the thought of having to shop for another one that probably won't be as good. If I ever find nightwear that is vaguely comparable to that nighty I'll buy at least a dozen of them. Chances are, though, that if I did find something I liked then by the time I was absolutely sure I did definitely like it it would be the new season & they wouldn't have it for me to get more of. Bring on a Classics line that I can shop exclusively from! Assuming I like anything in the line in the first place! I'd love to see a few different jeans fits, other non-linen trousers - maybe cords, a couple of different t-shirt styles - all sensibly long though, & a few fleeces/jumpers. It really wouldn't take much to make me a happy, life-long customer.

Non attendee
knickers and control tights. My favourite tights ever are some fine merino control tights. Soft, non piling, but also sucky-in enough to wear with sleeker clothes. I wish they did them in different colours. Also sports bras, under wired and padded which I wear everyday as they keep everything in place and don't have teeny weeny diggy in straps.
Food - ready made fruit salads.

Work clothes. I need to look smart, reasonably fashionable but am on my feet all day in a relatively physical job. I've got a couple of m&s patterned work skirts which are slightly stretchy and which are really easy to move in. I often work outside too all year round so layer up with the thermal heatgen long sleeve tops (which I wear either on their own or under other tops). I also wear the heatgen opaques in winter.

I've also got a really comfortable pair of black footglove flats. They're not the most stylish pair of shoes and I wish there was a bit more choice in this range as they are so comfy.

I also buy pants and tights there, but no longer my bras as I have had bad experiences with measuring and have since discovered Bravissimo.

Of course you all looked fabulous! That went without saying.

When Limited Collection came out they used to do lovely silk things, at reasonable prices. I miss that.

And I also remember Autograph Weekend. I have an absolutely amazing grey jersey pencil skirt from there which is years old now but still looks brand new. I hadn't worn it for a while but dug it out again a couple of weeks ago and have worn it four times in the last fortnight.

Non-attendee

Best thing I brought was a couple of years ago-a black skater dress. I love it so much-can wear it to work and on nights out and the fit is really flattering. They still do skater dresses, but none of them since that I have found have fit the same :(

Also brought three pairs of black ankle length socks. They are padded on the bottom and really comfy. And the shoes are great.

The bad-I hate the bras-any nice ones do not go up to my size and the big ones are horrible and don't fit well.