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: a black thermal vest bought in approx 1997 that is still going strong. I desperately wanted more of them the following winter(s) but they've never sold anything quite the right style since.

I used to buy all my lingerie and socks from M&S but have given up in recent years. Nothing lasts more than a few weeks/washes.

Non attendee. In the late 1980s and early 90s, when I lived/worked in London, I used to cruise Marble Arch and Ken High Street; both were great. Best buy was a black and tan striped fine wool sweater which I wore out, ten years later. (Happily I found an almost exact replica by Jaeger not in such a good wool though in TK Maxx recently.) I also worked freelance on their annual reports for several years and was endlessly impressed by some of their Baker St team -- who have gone on to higher things; looking at you, Kim Winser!

These days, I'm in the provinces and I only regularly buy opaque tights. Even the slim leg boys school trousers (Autograph suit trousers) have disappeared, as is the subject of a current S&B thread. I could be persuaded back by more classics in classic shapes, wearable colours and decent fabrics, with the 'nod to now' that prises my wallet open. Although, the lady in the swanky shop where I replaced my dark indigo jeans last week admired my black suede shoe boots from M&S c2011!

I bought some fantastic boots in m&s this year, I think I've worn then more or less every day some October, they're so comfy and look great. I also like m&s jeggings and swimming costumes.

knickers knickers knickers for all the family!

Non attendee

I love the 5 pocket jeggings - they've become a wardrobe staple for me, although my most recent pair are extremely narrow round the ankles, has the fit been changed?

Possibly my favourite purchase though, is a recent one. A fab black and white striped heavy jersey top with an embellished sparkly collar.

Non-attendee. Also school uniform. Last years pinafores and skirts for dc still washing well and going strong!

HeeHiles - sadly no Waitrose near me but people must wear their gold dresses there all the time.... it gives ASDA folk a little boost to see me....

Non attendee
The things I like best are the indigo range for children. Lots of beautiful tops and dresses in bright vibrant colours like dark pink and green which are lovely to see and wear. The price is also reasonable. The colours seem to be missing in other similar priced stores.

Non attendee.
The best thing I bought from M&S was some pewter coloured heeled shoes. I loved them. I bought them in the sale, when limited collection was quite new. They were so comfortable and looked great, they were a real favourite. I had them re heeled quite a few times but unworthy had to go to the great bin in the sky this year as they had become quite tatty through years of lots of wear. I mourn them.

Non attendee

I once brought a pair of limited edition khaki slim leg trousers, five pockets and zips at the bottom. I usually buy ridiculously expensive citizens if humanity and j brand trousers, but took a risk on these. I just have had about a dozen compliments about them. I love them! Also, a limited edition long sleeved light weight jumpers in white covered in little black stitches. Looks good, washes fantastically.

As for what always finds it's way in to my basket... Where to start??? Your tinned soups, your deli chicken, your hot cross buns!as for clothes, most of my children's clothing, and knickers for me.

non attendee

silk mix underwear - my treat to myself.

Not too sure what M&S can do, but I often (at 40 something) feel like I'm the youngest person shopping in the store.

non attendee

a wrap dress. very 1940s style. always gets compliments

Non-attendee. Another devotee of M&S knickers. Currently wearing black work trousers which aren't as nice as the last lot I got because they are dropped waist and flipping annoying as they always park on my c-section bulge! More with non-dropped waists please!

School shirts and trousers. Can survive my DS, which means they are very tough...

Non attendee

knickers and the lovely fair trade vests.
I bought a lovely slip made of tactel or something like that back in the 90's that I used to wear clubbing quite a bit. I loved that dress!
Oh and tights, always good.

Non-attendee

A pair of green snakeskin strappy mule sandals my mum bought for me years ago when she spied them. They had about a 3" heel, and a silver ring on the front that the straps were attached to as well as the sole.

They really didn't look like M&S shoes. I still check the shoe section occasionally just in case something similarly out of character turns up.

Non-attendee

I have bought quite a few items from M&S over the years.

I used to love the jeans - they were the perfect fit for me. Not so much now - waists are too big in relation to the hips. Maybe my body shape has changed ?

Still like to buy knickers. Faves right now are the brazilian style - in a pack of 5. I can't seem to destroy them. The colours aren't fading at all.

Bought a nice trench coat last autumn. I love it, as it isn't too heavy or bulky, but warm enough for a day out shopping and lunching. It looks pristine despite being worn quite a lot.

Also a pair of ankle boots with a small heel are stilll going strong. I need wide fit - and these are. Was a little concerned as they are not leather, but man made material. No need to worry though - they are so comfy. No sweaty feet. In fact I generally wear them without socks - so no rubbing sock seams either.

Used to buy DS' school uniform from M&S too. The sizes were good - for a tall slim boy. I could make a pack of shirts last over a year - the fabric was pretty good quality.

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 gift card smile I usually buy popsocks & tights for my daughters at M&S. I like the nude autograph tights in the summer as they aren't too expensive. About 12 years ago I bought a very nice purple cord blazer/jacket which I wore quite a lot. I sometimes buy M&S vests but they tend to shrink when they go in the drier. My slips are all M&S - I have black & nude full length & a short black slip. Very good at smoothing out lumps & bumps. DD1 likes M&S pants, DD2 is too slight for adult & too old for children's.

Non attendee

I got an amazing pair of suede ankle boots wuth straps in them last year. They are so nice with jeans and heals so look good but very easy to walk in. I get so many compliments sans people always comment or ask where they are from and surprised its m and s as they were so on trend last year.

My favourite thing from M&S is not clothing but the caramel rice crispie bite things that are in those 2 for £4 buckets they are a really nostalgic taste so every now and then I'll go in there specifically for them!

Clothing wise, underwear I guess, though I don't really go in there much these days.

Non attendee - not sure if this counts but I have a lvely fabric+leather bag from the per una section (shock horror!) that acts as my carry-on bag when I go on holiday.

a big theme is WORK CLOTHES

that arent sleeveless, sweat buckets, flappy boot cut trousers or cheap looking black polyester.

My next wool suit ( they stocked last year ) was about 180£ all in. I will pay if it is good.