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 don't even like the bras any more. I buy mine in the USA now.

I actually used to find a lot in M&S when I was in my mid-30s & needed good office wear staples. Now I'm in my early '50s there's nothing.

For example I'm always up for a nice bit of cashmere - but M&S always has them in horrid cheap colours or with stupid embellishments.

Quite liked the look of the wraps they had earlier this season - but couldn't find one which wasn't all synthetic fibres.

Thank goodness for you all, for many years I used to walk into marks and just pick up size 10 short black trousers for work, then had to get 12short no problem, now they just don't fit full stop. Waists too tight or too baggy and defiantly not short leg! I was told it was because they make them abroad and the sizing is different!!!

I walked through M&S women's wear the other day (to get to the food hall) and almost everything looked very orange. How many people regularly decide to go for an orange outfit? I don't think I own any orange clothes and I don't really want to either.
I also looked at the children's clothes the other day. I could only find clothes up to age 7. I wanted age 8-9. I asked an assistant and she didn't know where the 7+ clothes were either! I ended up buying what I wanted in Debenhams.

I think thing like suede skirt actually work against them. I didn't like it, but I'm not a trendy young thing and would look like a throwback in it.

Supremely confident trendy young things might have made a special trip for that skirt, but they're still not routinely shopping in m&s. Other young people wouldn't buy things there even if they liked them because it's m&s and by trying (and usually failing) with the high fashion, they miss their traditional market.

The not particulary fashion conscious middle aged woman who just wants to look presentable is woefully under catered for by the high street and used to be able to rely on m&s. They needed to change because middle age isn't what it was but not this much!

Exactly Merguez they used to be a quick, reliable source of serviceable work clothes that fitted, good quality underwear, tights, basics like tee-shirts and plain knitwear. If they went back to that people would buy it. Never in their history have they been a source of high fashion and they never will be. 20 years ago everyone bought work clothes there. Even their tights are rubbish because they have saved money by making the body part shorter and having no elastic at the waist, so they instantly fall down. How did they manage to unlearn how to specify tights?

I remember a time in the early '90s when everyone I knew had a short, black, stretchy dress from M&S. They were plain, came in black only but several different lengths, were flattering, washed well and were just generally useful. Now they would come in 27 different revolting colours and patterns with sequins, be made of nylon, cut badly and come in either too long or too short. How hard can it be?

When I was a child "Markies best" was something special, expensive but good quality.

Dear M&S

Please stick to pants, socks, tights, pjs. Jumpers (cotton, wool and cashmere all ok) V-neck or crew neck in a range of (single!) colours. Leggings, jeggings, cords if you must. Patterns on pjs only if at all. Simple cotton t shirts, with long and short sleeves. Vests if you have to. Throw in a good selection of school uniform and stock it in all branches all year round, swimsuits and bathrobes are fine, too.

You will make a mint, promise.

They have been like this for as long as I remember (I'm in my 50s)- try to make a fashion item but it always turns out frumpy!

I'm talking the best part of 40yrs.

I've never been into fashion, but even I have always found M&S only good for basics-underwear, tshirts, maybe a plain skirt or cardigan.

Yes, they would make a mint is they did really good basics in good fabrics! How can they not see this??

The not particulary fashion conscious middle aged woman who just wants to look presentable is woefully under catered for by the high street and used to be able to rely on m&s

Agree, but even the not particularly fashion conscious have their limits. I don't look at M&S stuff and think, "Well it's not for me, but i can see it would appeal to someone older/younger/trendier/less fashion conscious". I look at it and think, "Who in the name of all that is holy would part with money for THAT?".

I would love to be in the meetings where they chose the new ranges. It must be hilarious. I can only imagine what they stuff (word used advisedly) they reject is like!

Ye Gads.

I'm glad there was a warning in the title. Ample time to brace one's self. Thank fuck.

That's exactly my point shiny. That's the market they should be catering for, but they get it so badly wrong

They still can't seem to have their clothes in the sizes people might need. Rack and racks of whatever size you don't want and none the size you do. I wanted a pair of black trousers for winter. They were all cheap shoddy material or shiny stuff still cheap and shoddy. These trousers!! They're like what somebody in a rock band from the 70's would wear and I doubt if they'll be shopping at M & S. Well I suppose they might be but not in the women's section.

A gem from Per Una.

Only una idiot would want to wear this.

I had a gift voucher for m&s that I could not spend the other day. I wanted something for me - not the house or food or dc and it was HARD. I bought some beady necklaces in the end but it was all a bit hopeless.

reni has it.

I'd love somewhere where I could buy nice 'normal' clothes. I'm happy to pay. They seem to make some really ugly clothes.

The beauty hall is where I'd spend a voucher. They have some good stuff there these days.

Loving this thread! Laughed so much I threw up-(pg probs) but at least I'm still smiling! in the 90s when I was 15 I had a brown pair of these with a leather lace up fly.... 😳😳 I did weigh about 6st and worshipped the grunge of Johnny and Kate if that's an excuse.....

now getting Per Una pop up on every site I visit (busy day at the office..)

yeah their beauty hall is pretty nice and some good brands too, and their Flower Delivery! every bereaved person gets a little |£20 M&S bouquet from me as they deliver next day (a lot of deaths in 2015..)

MitzyLeFrou ..that is VINTAGE. well sourced

My eyes, my eyes!!!!!
Stopped going there ages ago for anything but shirts for DH as nothing in there fits me, it's all rather generously cut, except the bras which are in rubbish sizes, shame as they often look nice (especially compared with the clothing)
The kids clothes are all to big for DS too, trousers are often the right length but we could fit another child in the waistline.

Their clothes don't wash well. I had to get the iron out once, and even that didn't sort the strange scrunchiness of the collar.

My mate and I used to play a game as we walked thru M&S called "please don't buy me that". It's no fun anymore- too easy

I know someone who looks at per una and says 'oo that looks like it could be fun to wear' without irony. To be fair to her though she's lived abroad for 30 years.

I know someone who looks at per una and says 'oo that looks like it could be fun to wear' without irony. To be fair to her though she's lived abroad for 30 years.

And only worn a burkha, I presume?

Wholeheartedly agree! I used to love looking round and would invariably find a nice jumper or a top. Now, it's either badly designed, badly made, badly constructed or a revolting colour. And way too expensive.

The sizing is all to pot - I go in wearing something (old obvs) from there, try on something similar in the same size and it's waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too small. WTF? I'M ALREADY WEARING THIS SIZE FROM YOUR SHOP, WHY IS IT DIFFERENT?

I want a plain navy bra and a plain green one. I've been looking for over 3 years and still haven't seen one, in the past you could have put money on finding it at M&S.

OH, and the way it's all spread out. I HATE that. I want a jumper. Oh look, jumpers (rifles through racks), but NO. There are other ones all over the place, so I can't see all of them at once and I'll just get annoyed. It used to be nicely organised, now it's cynical make-you-walk-every-fucking-inch-of-floor, and it irritates me!