Dear M & S, this is I want.

[Bombinate]

I want to spend with you but your offerings are so sore. You can still do your trendy flash in the pan shit, but you would make lots of money if you did:
Cotton round neck cardies in all the colours.
Cotton thick leggings in all the colours
Cotton jersey dresses in different styles in all the colours
Comfortable leather ballet pumps in all the colours
Matching vest and knicker sets in funky patterns
Big boob support nighties and pyjama vest tops.
Go back to having good quality opaque, cotton mix and wool mix tights, I have tights from you that are 5 years old, but this years only lasted 3 washes
I'm your core market, I have money and could be shopping with you for fifty more years.

Great thread

I would like pyjamas/nightdresses which are cotton, comfortable and attractive without trying to be sexy. And don't have bunnies/Christmas flakes/teddies/lacy bits on them etc. I am grown woman and I don't need cute pictures on my nightwear. M&S used to do great jammies but it's now either satin slidy stuff, granny nighties or cute stuff. Ugh.

Agree with thread re natural materials, well cut without lots of fussiness. Also would pay - and do elsewhere but I miss the classic Marks of old.

Also agree re handbags. Good leather copies of the standard favs welcome. And large totes.

Bras - yes - I don't need padded. But classic shapes. No bows.

The facial care section is fab though.

Mirrors beside the seating in the shoe department as you're probably minding a child/ children, a handbag and other shopping while trying on the shoes/ boots.
I know we women can multitask but you could assist us M&S

M & S profits up so they won't be bothered reading this.

Although apparently their food profits are causing the rise, but other sales are 'below expectations'.

I agree with many of you, I want M and S to be more like Uniqlo, with a bit of The White Company thrown in, well cut basics in natural fibres. I haven't shopped there for clothes for years, I don't even look any more.

However I still mourn a fab lined white linen maxi (well ankle length) skirt I had from Per Una (I know) years ago, it was totally plain, well cut and perfect, I wore it for holidays for at least ten years, until it fell apart. I want one EXACTLY like it this year but there's nothing around.

Agree with so much of this but going to say my piece anyway, in case they do actually read it.

They're spreading themselves too thin; they should focus on quality, natural fibres, classic/timeless styles. Ditch all the ranges, ditch ALL the polyester stuff, acrylic jumpers etc., and focus on wardrobe staples.

Merino and cashmere jumpers; round neck, v-neck, polo neck - charcoal grey, light grey, navy, black, plus a few strong colours if they can get them right.

Cotton shirts; white, charcoal, black etc., long sleeve, short sleeve, different weights and cuts.

Cigarette leg trousers.

Ballet pumps, court shoes, simple sandals, in good leather.

Cotton pjs and nighties without Snoopy on the front. Lovely thin pjs for the summer.

No studs, fringes, tassles, diamante, applique, crazy patterns.

etc.

I agree. M&S should be the go to shop for the busy family. I need to know I can run in during lunch time and pick up grey long school socks anytime during the year. I need to know I can replace the lovely camisole tops I bought there 4 years ago with a like-for-like replacement, so I don't have to waste time trying them on or bringing them back. They need to make sure their quality and fit is better than supermarket clothes.

I used to like the children's clothes in the under 7 range, for girls. I don't like much in the older 7 range. They could be the high street Boden espec ially for girls. Nice practical, colourful, not-overly-fashionable clothes for primary school aged girls.

I remember the Per Una range being better when it first came out. It remember it seeming more hippy-student than middle-aged church fete organiser.

They could really set themselves apart for women if they focused on trousers. Flattering fit for different shapes, different leg lengths in all styles. Their USP could be selling women's trousers by waist measurement rather than ridiculous, ambiguous 10, 12, 14 etc...

Good: I bought a fab bikini from M&S last week in the sale, a lovely bright blue with a great, supportive 50s style halterneck top. Really love it.

Tasty, tasty food. I had a smoked mackerel salad from their limited edition range the other day that was bliss. Just yummy and packed with good stuff.

I'd like to see:

LONG, basic scoop neck tops and vests in a variety of neutrals like black, navy, grey, etc. With a nice close fit, perhaps ribbed. Like topshop used to do about 5 or 6 years ago before i got old they went uber-trendy. Every other shop on the high street does fecking crop tops at the moment - I want stomach coverage (as do most people over the age of 25 - I'm only 28!)

Smart, straight, good quality stretch black trousers in a variety of lengths.

Bras in a full range of sizes that follow modern measuring techniques i.e going right up to H and G cups in a full range of back sizes.

A balance of colours that isn't either pastels or garish - middle ground

I want:-

decent tights - like the ones you did about 5 or so years ago (then changed them) - nude ones with sheen etc. Your new improved ones don't even come close.

Nice tops - again years ago I'd go (and so would friends) I remember one lovely snake print top/shirt item that was really nice and stylish.

please do more bras for 28/30 and larger cups (eg F onwards) please - you SAY you do them but you're lying... if debenhams can do it why can't you?!

if you do do Limited Edition items please ensure they don't sell out ASAP, you've done pretty dresses in the past but when they're sold out it's no fun.

KnitFast - you read my mind re the bras!

oh and yes yes to decent Per Una stuff and nightwear too!

This thread is very cathartic!

Get Per Una back to what it was when it started.

Dressing gowns that aren't fleece would be nice too. You used to do them, bring them back!

Decent tights and stop changing the bloody packaging as I now can't work out which ones are the ones I normally buy.

Quality control - I should not be able to buy two of the same item and for them to measure differently. Also I shouldn't find bits of plastic in the stitching on underwear - I now have a permanent scar because of that.

Layout – get rid of those stupid “edit” sections. They waste space and mean I have to hunt the entire store.

Natural fabrics – yes please! I want good quality basics in cotton/linen/silk/wool/cashmere. Talking of cashmere, can we go back to the realistic pricing we used to have on that?

T-shirts that aren't so thin you can see daylight through them. Also I don’t want elbow length sleeves as I’m not my granny and some different necklines would be nice too.

Pockets on tops – just stop it! I do not want pockets over my tits. You can’t use them and just draw attention if you have a decent bust.

Tailoring – you used to do some good suits in decent fabrics. Where did they go?

Handbags – more leather ones please but not at designer prices. If I’m paying over £100 for a bag I’m going to go for a name.

Stop the garish colours, patterns and geegaws stuck all over everything.

Menswear – just generally crap. More nasty patterns on the shirts, everything seems to be aimed at men over 60 regardless of the range.

I want calf length cotton dresses with sleeves.

This was a good'un from way back in 2011, but sadly nothing has changed as far as I can see since we last tore Per Una to pieces.

It's got poetry and everything!

I belong to your perfect target market - early forties, working mum but I find everything so bloody frumpy. I shop instead at Dorothy Perkins, Mint Velvet, Zara, even TU at Sainsburys have better ranges than you do.

First - the cuts of most dresses and tops are so old-fashioned. They are trying to appeal to everyone and it's not working. Colours are awful and embellishments look cheap and tacky. Shoes are really frumpy too. I wouldn't dare to even try them on.

Bras - tacky and the wrong size for me. I am a 32FF and I cannot get my size. I buy from Bravissimo now. Train your staff to measure correctly.

Talking of staff - they are a miserable lot. They never smile, don't offer to help you and are snotty and arrogant, especially the staff at the tills. I have also found on several occasions that I have been waiting in a queue and they have been busy chatting and gossiping when they should be serving.

Why do you never have the stock in the children's department. I'm forever being told to order online. And can we have more basics for kids, such as plain t-shirts in a range of colours. Hate all the glitter and tat on girl's clothes. You used to do nice jeans for kids but they are awful now.

Finally - the design of your stores. I can NEVER find what I'm looking for. There is way too much stock.

What happened to the M&S Mumsnet focus group? Did they take note of the feedback? Probably not.

Sell clothes in size 10, on the ultra-rare occasions I like one of your offerings the rack is full of 18s and 20s and nothing else. I don't want to have to go online to order.

Yes to decent fabrics. I want cotton, wool, cashmere, silk and I will pay for it. Please get a colour consultant who isn't colour blind, it's almost offensive walking through the store sometimes. Ok, orange may be in but not your version of it. The colour of the cashmere that came out in the spring was unforgivable. It's an expensive product, show it some resect.

Per una needs to go, seriously, although the button and frill industry would probably collapse.

There are too many departments in M&S. As others have said put same together

Jumpers
Blouses and shirts
T shirts
Jeans
Trousers
Skirts
Coats
Dresses

I have a lovely per una skirt, bought 5-6 years ago for £45. I felt it was very expensive but loved it so thought what the heck. Still wear it now, still as new. Per una now looks like someone's let a toddler loose in a crayon shop and force fed them hairdo before choosing their vomit colour as their palette.

I spend next to nothing on clothes now as can't face having to look pointlessly, no staff to help, many items on the wrong hangers, having to try on every last thing etc etc etc.

The only thing I will stay loyal to M&S for is for kids socks and that is because they have sizes inside.

I have been looking for a pair of black, slimline, lightweight, front zip ( I can't do up a side zip) no pocket, trousers. Surely that isn't difficult, but M & S don't do them.
Their acid yellow, lime green colours etc, are absolutely radioactive and dreadful.
Pockets on tee shirts are awful.
They need to make their jackets longer, and I would pay more if they would line them, Unlined jackets are so hard to put on.
Any of the larger sizes sell out very quickly, they never have enough in stock.
Their glass nail files are excellent.

Somebody may have read last year's thread because I saw a lovely leather bag - quite Chanel / DKNY like in M&S today.
Wonders of wonders

It was a Per Una ( really!) Speziale
bag

If anyone wants 20% off M and S between today and the 25th by using the code
MAY15EM

It can be used on selected beauty products,womenswear and homeware

Just goes to show how hard it is for shops to please everybody - most people want longer tops, whereas I would love shorter ones (I appear to be the only petite poster!). So tops/knitwear in different lengths or more garments in the petite/long and tall sections. I also agree that M & S should concentrate on the basics in really good quality fabrics, for years they had the market share and there is definitely a gap in that market now. Where has wool crepe gone? (not seen it - even in quality shops) for years; yet it's a lovely fabric, doesn't crease and makes beautiful jackets and trousers and looks good for years). I also would like bras size 28 upwards with cups up to H in all sizes. T shirts in quality fabrics (with a little lycra to keep their shape, but not so much that they cling mercilessly to any lumps and bumps). Beautifully cut, sophisticated, tailored wear (think Victoria Beckham, Roland Mouret), we don't just want floaty or jersey dresses. Wish they would do shorter length swimming costumes (they have done longer length); but have never seen them in ANY shop, so won't hold my breath! And finally, get rid of Per Una completely - all those long flowing skirts and embellished tops - the clothes are stuck in an 80's time warp.

"They need to make sure their quality and fit is better than supermarket clothes. "

This is the problem, tesco and Saintsbury's upped their game at least five years ago.
I'm more likely to find work clothes in tesco than M&S. The cut is better, they follow fashion rather than being devoted to it and they throw in a hot pink blazer or a leopard skirt for £25. Rather than £50.

I think they have succumbed to throw away fashion. they want us to keep on buying rather than having clothes that last