I used to like M&S but I'm not surprised they are struggling to sell womens clothes, WARNING MAY BE UPSETTING

[Behooven]

Says it all...

I think the SS16 collection was inspired by this person:

georgette the last link in your post is a plus style. No one with extra inches (who owns a mirror) will be wearing that tent monstrosity

ppeat I wasn't shaped for androgenous even as a teen so it isn't going to be happening this season.

miktzy Frockosity is a fab phrase. I'll be using that with friends.

georgette behooven that last link 'tent' is lifted straight from what they make you wear on dress up night on a Nile cruise.

The last link looks like it would do for a child's nativity shepards costume. If they do shrink in the wash......

georgetteheyersbonnet

I think tv weather presenters must be their target market

I stopped buying M&S clothing because of issues with the length of the tops. Too short in body, too short in sleeves and rubbish materials. I used to love the bobble button cardigans for work, however they've been messed with and are now baggy and poor fitting

"Also why is there a dearth of long leg knickers"

Who even wears long leg knickers?

I would pay for good quality fabric basics however the last time I was in m and s I got a basic pair of black trousers which now after a few washes are bobbly and saggy. Love the food though.

I am sadly now their target audience. 42 year old suburban mum with a job that needs decent workwear.

It's SO hit and miss. Last year (or maybe the year before, my memory ain't what is was) I bought a sun yellow, block colour, wool skirt. It's fabulous, I get compliments every time I wear it. This years range of wool skirts were all...just a bit too patterny and not great colour wise.

I did manage to get a pair of decent black trousers recently - but I had taken 6-7 items into the changing rooms to try on (I do try stuff that is a bit out there, or out of my comfort zone as you never know!) but, Jesus, the fit was crap, the fabrics felt, in the main, uncomfortable, cheap and nasty. I tried a plum blouse on, in the time it took me to rip the offending garment off (about 30 seconds) I had sweat stains on the armpits. I mean, FFS! I'm not a grossly sweaty person - does no one try these clothes on and wear them for five bloody minutes to make sure they're actually fit for purpose?!

And yes yes yes to the short tops? WTAF is all that about?

Gosh I had a beautiful wool Autograph suit bought there in the late 90s when I started working in Hong Kong. I still like the Autograph styling, particularly over winter and current season, but then I look at the fabric and it's all sweaty polyester. The jumpers are a horrid mishmash of artificial fabrics - what happened to wool. The coats are mainly artificial fabrics. And that's on of their premium ranges. Availability sucks too, I would expect them to have the Autograph range currently online in their flagship Marble Arch branch, but it's just not there.

I have ordered quite a bit of the Best of British range and it's all gone back. Fabrics are gorgeous, but the tailoring is not lovely. DH is still laughing at the thought of me in the crepe jumpsuit currently in the sale, more boiler than jump.

Oh and PS, having wide feet doesn't mean I want frumpy shoes. They used to do fantastic wide fit shoes. I had a lovely pair of turquoise snakeskin Mary Jane heels ( I know sounds vile but they were lovely) which I wore to death until they finally fell apart last year.

Bunbaker High leg knickers!

PP have mentioned that M&S must pay thousands to their consultants. A few months ago I had an email from them asking if I'd like to comment on their future lines etc? Too right. I have always bought a lot from there in the past but am struggling to get anything I like in there now. I also thought there may be a voucher in it Sadly it's usually random stuff I get emailed to comment on like duvet covers and greetings cards - all really shite stuff. And I always comment I wouldn't buy it or too much ££
Oh and no recompense for taking the time to comment. So now I just delete.
I've been buying more from H&M recently. 100% cotton cardis that don't bobble and look like a dish rag after one wash and only £10. If they can do it why can't Marks?

Great piece by Liberty London Girl about this very subject. She's so right.

Who even wears long leg knickers?

These things exist as there are women who don't want their thighs to chafe under skirts/dresses.

Cointreau She is bang on the money about visual signposting. Lots of M&S stores are vast caverns and there is literally no way to find anything apart from just wandering around aimlessly. That's a really good article.

Sorry RomCom, I didn't think.

Sarcastic is right about Per Una. For several years it has been where the older lady goes to buy tops that are 'a bit jazzy'. Including my 83 year old mother. She buys 'jazzy' tops there for going line dancing. Enough said.

Although I got a lovely burgundy military style coat from Per Una this Autumn that everybody likes. Who knew? It shone amongst the 'jazzy' dross as I walked towards the food hall, so I just bought it. I like giving M&S my money, but crikey, do they make it difficult sometimes!

Agree that they never have enough size 12s in, BUT in defence of M&S I have had some great things from them.

This winter: the Per Una coat described above, the fantastic black suede over the knee boots that sold out in September (they are amazing...make more, M&S!), some lovely leather fronted jeggings that are as good as anything I've seen for three times the price.

Last year: fabulous slim wool crepe trousers, perfect for work. Gorgeous Autograph cut out stiletto ankle boots, which people regularly mistake for Jimmy Choo. Fab bright pink fitted dress. Lovely midi length straight skirt with graphic pattern which looks great in summer with a black sleeveless top and strappy sandals. M&S can do it when they try.

They just need to up the natural fibre quotient (their knickers are a disgrace now. It should not be so difficult to find pretty black COTTON knickers in M&S. They should rule underwear, like they used to) and ditch the insipid pastels.

Basically, what everybody has been telling them for years. I got a plain grey v neck merino jumper from Joseph in the sale. Even then it was £85. It's lovely but M&S should be knocking those out for £70 in grey, navy, black and red. I remember when M&S would have rails of lovely, chic cotton jumpers in basic colours and a few brights like emerald green. What happened?

And I sent back a Best of British skirt because it was too short. Lovely navy wool crepe with a fine white windowpane check, slightly flared. It was 3" above my knees. What were the design team thinking? It was clearly a work skirt, at a price probably only affordable to people over 35. People who want their knees covered at work.

The PJ tops, Hansolo? Nah, They're not that low on me. And I'm at an age and stage when I tend to overheat easily, anyhow.

I'll shut up now but you would never catch MaxMara doing a wool crepe work skirt that was too short for work!

The last time I got stuff to comment on, it was brown and beige men's socks. I said they were hideous in every way and no I would not pay £12 for them, however fancy the packaging.

For some reason, I've not had another one in the year since.

Nettle And you know what, there is probably nothing more that puts younger shoppers off than browsing the same clothes as an 80 year old.

I find PJ tops too low cut everywhere. Why do they have to be so low cut?