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...

Dear Lord, this has all been said so many times over....In all seriousness I don't think there's a brand in the world which causes such exasperation and disappointment. Can Mumsnet HQ get someone from M&S to do a live chat or at least get them to see this and all the previous threads. It would save them a fortune on consultation/market research fees.

I'm worried about admitting this on here but I do find their footglove shoes really comfy.

I mean really, really comfy and quite reasonably priced.

Oh the shame.

I bought all my clothes there in the90s. All of them, casual, wedding, work etc. The shift dresses I have from that time are still in great shape. Made in England, lined etc. Now am middle aged I cannot find anything. I should be their target market!
They also don't appear to staff their shops properly. Not only no staff walking the floor but also one Saturday I asked to speak to the manager and they said there wasn't one and could not fin any complaint contact details!

I've read this thread with interest. In my opinion M and S is a mixed bag, ok for basics like work trousers and they used to do some good cashmere jumpers but the edgier stuff is a bit hit and miss.

HOWEVER, clearly M and S are doing something right as they are still in business and making a profit. So SOMEONE must be buying all those hideous clothes!

Whatever we think of their clothes, as a business they have succeeded and continue to make money, so they must be doing something right.

I do wonder who buys all those hideous clothes though.

I found a Ltd edition winter top I wanted in mostly cotton, but of course no small sizes left, it's still January.

The 'high fashion' designs are based on 60s styles. Iam old enough to remember them the first time round and even then I didn't go in for the worst excesses .

Surely the management have all the stats to show that they just don't sell much high fashion wear. IIWM I'd stock stuff that sells , it ain't rocket science is it???

I occasionally get emails from M & S asking me for opinions on fabric designs and pricing (don't know why but it passes the time)

The last one I had was for a "Jersey Trouser". Out of the 16 fabric patterns I reviewed I liked one. The others I rated along the lines of "grandma's bedspread" "migraine inducing" "M & S WHAT are you THINKING!!!"

I just want to add my voice to this thread in the faint hope someone at M&S will take note.

I'm 52. Like others on this thread I used to buy my entire working wardrobe from M&S when I was in my 30s but these days I really struggle.

I'm desperate for some decent work trousers, that should be something I could pick up easily in there. In a decent fabric and length.

This winter I've searched for decent longer fine knit cardigans in merino or a silk/ merino blend, again for office wear. Nope. Racks of cashmere in orange and fuchsia. Too fluffy for me and the wrong colour and shape.

Simple tops in non clingy fabrics to go under said merino cardi. No embellishment or weird drapy gathers.

That's my work uniform and I should be able to get it at M&S. Why can't I?

On the plus side -
I don't mind some of their jeans, I still buy my knickers there and some of their jewellery is nice. I get regular compliments on a silver and glass necklace I bought about two years ago. They did have some really nice ankle boots this year.

I forgot to say that I did buy a lovely burgundy pleather biker from Per Una, last year that I've had loads of compliments on. There is some good stuff. But far too much dross.

Actually, I do want to say one thing I like.

Because even though I deplore the lack of stock in the shops (yes, if you have changing rooms, I want to try it on to see if it will fit because then I can rule it on or out on the spot, not in however many days it takes you send it and me to make another trip to pick it up).

The in-store giant iPad thingies are the best way to order online in store, and they have a card reader, so it's like paying in-store (not putting card details in, or needing password rather than PIN).

I've used it to buy school uniform. Because although most schools here seem to be in navy, they only ever seem to have black and grey in the shop.

I do buy at M&S: pants and socks for men, women, kids. Tights, pjs, plain t shirts. School uniform. Lunch.

I'd love to buy but can't find it there: simple jumpers and cardis, in wool, cotton or cashmere (NOT cashmilon, that is acrylic, I CAN tell), many more tshirts than I do, no glitter, ruffle, patterns... white cotton shirts, straight legged trousers, breton tops and navy chinos.

Would never buy: plastic clothes (acrylic or whatever), patterns beyond stripes, evening wear, anything sparkly.

"Would never buy: plastic clothes (acrylic or whatever)"

Agree, agree, agree! And this includes the linings

It makes people sweat regardless of whether you can see it from the outside or not.

"HOWEVER, clearly M and S are doing something right as they are still in business and making a profit. So SOMEONE must be buying all those hideous clothes!

"Whatever we think of their clothes, as a business they have succeeded and continue to make money, so they must be doing something right."

maggie I don't think the timing of this thread is an accident. Mark Bolland has just announced he is stepping down, and sales of everything except food were down in the last quarter of last year. Their Christmas was characterised as 'dire', and that comes on the back of a small decline throughout 2015.

They try to report positively that Internet sales are up. But that might be because a) there's never anything in stock in the shops so there's no alternative, and b) it's a good way to buy school uniform.

The fabrics, design and colours may all need some attention... ok a lot of attention! However, I think its value-for-money is a major issue.

If I can only wear an everyday clothes item a couple times before it needs a wash, and experience tells me that M&S clothes shrink no matter how carefully you wash them, then I am not going to pay north of £50 for it. Disposable clothing has to be cheap. If M&S don't want to target the wear and chuck market (primark), then they need to improve the quality.

"They did have some really nice ankle boots this year."

I agree. I had already bought some elsewhere, but I thought they had plenty of choice this year.

I did buy a navy coated linen jacket last year that I got loads of wear out of and still wear. It's a bit too thin for this weather, but come spring and summer I will be wearing it again.

My longest thread ever

But seriously out of nearly 400 posts, there are approximately 20 items bought recently highlighted as being a success. That's beyond poor!

bestiswest if you are still reading, have a look at Jaeger Outlet online for the merino knitwear.

One aspect of todays' shopping habits IMO is that many people are looking for cheap produce, even if they can afford to pay more.

There are people willing to pay more for good quality including Fair trade, but shops (including M & S) seem to be sliding down to the primark level and it annoys me.

What's the quality like in M&S's leggings these days? In 2007 I bought two pairs of leggings there and have worn them religiously ever since. This winter, the Lycra in the knees has finally started to go, so I need to hunt down some new ones. 8 years wear out of them isn't too bad though!

bestiswest House of Fraser do good basic merino knitwear in sober/work friendly and bright colours, no frills or titivation. You can usually pick up a reasonable spread of the colours half price in the sales (well, in my size anyway). I order online for delivery to store and try it on, then keep/return as appropriate. This is mainly to take the guess work out of it, though I find the stores are well stocked with a good range of sizes.

We popped in to our local flagship M&S today. I wonder if they are listening to the feedback somewhat - there is now a 'tailored' ladies section which (at a glance) seems to be mostly smart, basic workwear. I didn't get up close, though, so 95% of it was probably polyester.

DH had vouchers from last Christmas that I said he should at least attempt to spend. He came out empty handed, though we bought a few sale items for our boys - jeans, t-shirts etc. When I asked the till assistant if she could look online to see if the sale t-shirt DS1 wanted, that they only had 3 sizes too big, was available in other sizes she all but rolled her eyes and tutted. There was no queue at the till behind me. [hmmm] We bought it anyway (£6) and he says he will wait patiently to grow into it.

My previous post should have said that the Merino knitwear is in the Linea range.

I wore my only M&S dress to work on Friday. I don't wear it often. it looked a sensible shape on the hanger so I didn't try it on, and in fact it fits quite well but it has serious design faults. Firstly the back zip is not very long adn you can't get the dress on without unzipping it and you can't do it up unless you are super agile, without having someone to help. All the neck facing flaps out and needs folding in, and bits of thisfacing get caought in the sip too if you are not careful. The body of the dress is OK but the hem is quite narrow qnd I can't get in and out of my ( sensible) car without having to h;oick my skirt up so I can get one leg in. I suppose with hindsight I could do that 1950's girl in a sports car thing but I don't really think that is reasaonable. How could they let such a stupid design get into production in the first place?

And another thing. They have quite expensive bras in stock, and never a full range of the matching knickers, so unless you are a 44DD needing size 8 knickers you are out of luck. Surely they must know most people buy 2 or more matching knickers for an expensive bra?

Thanks Rom' I'll take a look at Linea.

Behooven will look at Jaeger outlet too but I hate having to order stuff online without being able to see it in RL first.

Whoever said hand clothing over to the team responsible for the beauty hall overhaul had it right. That well curated collection of quality products at a variety of price points is the only interesting development in the last 15 or so years.

Oldies like me will remember the original Autograph concept that ran for a couple of years in the very early noughties: limited edition designer collaborations (Betty Jackson, Orla Kiely, Phillip Treacy etc). Clothes and shoes that were beautifully made and genuinely interesting. Bit of a travesty where it ended up - and silly of M&S to have devalued the concept and name. (Apologies if this point has been made already - just too depressing to review all 16 pages).