I know you love a challenge, so can we go on a mission to find nice stuff in M&S?

[ImAThrillseekerHoney]

I love a good Per Una mocking as much as the next MNer, and obviously they're doing some stuff very wrong (bra fitting!) which needs to be pointed out to them firmly.

But they're a British company, who pay their taxes, and AFAIK their employment and environmental record is better than most.

So is anyone up for a thread where we find the stuff they've done right, and tell them to do more like that.

I'll start off with the following:
A nice (IMO) casual jumper, 60/40 cotton/acrylic mix, but feels very soft and cottony.
A bright unisex toddler coat that can be handed down to a different-sex sibling!
Sandals at a good height with comfortable insoles.

They also do a useful cotton slip with adjustable straps which improves the hang and look of unlined dresses / skirts.here. But I don't think they still do my much-loved incredibly useful black polyester one anymore.

I think the shoes and children's clothes will provide the richest pickings, but anyone who can find really good stuff in Per Una wins the thread.

Inevitably you'll find some horrors looking for the gems - maybe they could go on a different thread?? But "This would be great if only it was 1 inch longer/not polyester" is fair enough.

I await the inevitable replies of "OMG how can you possibly think those gopping garments are any good?"

I bought some baby grows there which I really liked. The fabric was nice and soft and the poppers opened easily. I also have some baby grows from Tesco and I much prefer the quality of the M&S ones.

Not sure if I can paste links on my tablet but my mum tried on a pair of great jeans in there the other day. Very flattering, and, shockingly, by Per Una!
jeans

Better link on the jeans. IMO Per Una jeans can be very good for a pear shape. But they appear to have called them Embellised when they mean Embellished

These are nice shoes, I've got my eye on them for work but just waiting for their next 20% off event.

Leather handbags are quite nice.

I picked these up in the sale, down to £18

I actually have a wardrobe of M&S dresses that I really like, mainly but not exclusively for work eg polka dot tea dresses. Only online and often don't hang around for long. I'm not going to look for examples as I'm worried I'll find more I want to buy and I already bought two other dresses this week .

Their cardigans are often good too.

Per una dress
Not perfect but inoffensive, has sleeves too which is a bonus and in theory the shaping around the waist should make it flattering
m.marksandspencer.com/mt/www.marksandspencer.com/textured-sculpt-dress-with-wool/p/p60053902

The problem with the orange coat is that it only goes up to age 6. I wanted to get it for ds and was disappointed. Their choice of summer jackets for boys this year is rubbish.

www.marksandspencer.com/2-piece-pure-cotton-floral-dungaree-outfit/p/p22278058

Purchased this for my new niece after visiting every shop selling baby clothes in Bournemouth. It's gorgeous ( and looks better in real life)

Forgot to mention, I'm wearing an Marks and Spencer Indigo ranger jumper at the moment. Plus I love their Per Una Roma jeans.

Braved it!

I have this shape of tea dress in a navy with polka dots which looks nice with a red belt.

These wrap dresses are great for work. Dried on a hanger they don't need ironing and are minimum £20 cheaper than their equivalents in other stores.

I've never braved Per Una though

Their 5 pocket jeggins, comfy every day trousers with enough fabric in the arse and a decent high waist.

DD2(13) likes their teen jeans. No gimmicks, good fabric and a better shape than H&M.

Also good quality kids leggings.

I have a really nice blue/white stripped top.

Basically Dear M&S do the simple stuff well and ditch the bright coloured polyester tat!

This may be a bit marmite but I love this bag:

m.marksandspencer.com/mt/www.marksandspencer.com/heart-print-satchel-bag/p/p22298823

Also, perfect grey marl t-shirt:

m.marksandspencer.com/mt/www.marksandspencer.com/modal-blend-t-shirt/p/p60059532

I occasionally find some great bits for work - mostly dresses that are good quality and can be washed. I bought this skirt and top for work recently. Both are 100 times nicer in RL than the pic (in fact if I saw the top just online I'd never have considered it)

M&S really need to sort out their online images.

This one looks quite modern. I don't get why it looks so different when you tie it though.
www.marksandspencer.com/tencel-oversized-belted-duster-coat/p/p22302505

Skater dress. Wearable.
www.marksandspencer.com/jaquard-skater-dress/p/p60059777

So true past, I bought a fab tube skirt in the petite section recently but it looks so heinous on the site I can't even bring myself to link to it.

There's some lovely linen shirts, at the moment, which are a nice shape for those of us with good legs but serious upper half stuff to hide. The only thing that's put me off ironing one is that fact that I know I'll never be arsed to iron it.
www.marksandspencer.com/pure-linen-lace-bib-front-pintuck-blouse/p/p22278730

Hell of a lot of pastels and patterns, though.

buying one. My mind is so full of horror at the prospect of ironing linen, obviously.

I love the velcronmock top button they do in ultimate non iron school shirts. Unfortunately only go up to age 8 which my tall skinny 6 yr old is in already.

I've got a 3/4 sleeve knee length black skater dress from M&S a few years ago that has worn really well. Unbelievably dull, but as a work basic it's hard to top. The bodycon one above looks like this year's equivalent.