Bring back what we want from the M & S Archive!

[TollgateDebs]

Alexa Chung is not my cup of tea and I am not sure how successful her picks from their fashion archives will be for us mere mortals with lumps and bumps, other than to get them coverage in the fashion press. However, I was thinking why don't they ask us, the general public, what we would like to have available on the shop floor. Airfix, a bit different I know, but popped up on a retro hobby discussion elsewhere, has asked model makers to vote on which kit they would like revived and, when they have sufficient pre-orders, then produce the item, which is already pre-sold, so a win-win.

So, would it not be in M&S's interest to ask us what we would like to see again. Me, flat fronted trousers from an Italian ladies range, about 18-20 years ago, wonderfully flattering, stylish straights, with a wool mix slight stretch fabric. They came in black and navy, front slip pockets, so no gapping at sides, washed brilliantly and would fit in my wardrobe now.

What would you like them to re-issue?

Wedge sandals, not too high, that are both comfortable and smart enough for work. The original footglove wedges that I discovered while pregnant - the original range was not frumpy and was so comfortable.

Yes to the mix and match work suits and tops that worked for work and evening. Yes to the t-shirt style nightshirts. Yes to Capri-length slightly stretchy jeans in normal colours. Yes to cotton t shirts.

Good quality basics sums it up for me.

A modern (less baggy sleeved) update of the sweatshirt I bought over 20 years ago. It's still going strong. The cotton jersey has barely faded (though a green version of it did fade) and it hasn't pilled at all.

And, it's made in the UK, of course.

Per una lace bras, padded. I have them in five different colours, with matching pants, from an outlet two years ago. They are the best fitting bras ever. But they no longer exist. And after an hour and God knows how many try ons, nothing matches them.

Early per Una - I had a thick summer cotton blend jumper (might have been acrylic) in a kind of damson fool colour, tunicy cut with a round neck sitting on the clavicles and wide bands of moss stitch at the bases. It was so heavy it hung beautifully. I wore it with white linen wide legged trousers that were thick enough not to flash your knickers.
I suppose that quality would cost more than we are prepared to pay now.

Tuna melt sandwich - it was tuna mayo then the bread had a soft cheesy topping. They were delicious. And yes I know this is in style and beauty!!

I remember the Italian wool, mix and match suits - I still have the short sleeveless dress with side splits which is beautifully tailored- although a bit small now ( the long jacket wore out). I think both iems were just under £100 each 20 years ago - a lot then! No point making ladies suites now, but a tailored shift would be useful. Truth is a lot of the things I loved in the past were expensive but good quality.

In early 1991, iirc, I found myself away from home for a few days with only the clothes I stood up in. No drama: in those days I could be correctly confident that I could go to M&S and easily buy enough for a few days that might not be wildly exciting but that would be good quality, smart enough and comfortable and that would slot into my wardrobe when I got home. Took less than an hour to do it. Try that now!

I still have a navy cotton ribbed sweater that was one of the things I bought that day (I don't clearly remember what else, but I remember the relief of finding full outfits easily!). But twenty-five years later it is beginning to look a little shabby :-) and I'd happily replace it!

Fire burst salad.
And from years ago frozen potato waffles, original recipe when they still had lumps of proper potato.

What made M&S great was the fit of their clothes and the quality of the fabrics sadly both are now much reduce. Uniqlo clothes are ok but they don't Fit as well. I have 3 M&S items, a skirt, tshirt and bodice from 20 years ago and they are still going strong. I second everything that's been said on this thread about what they need to do to turn things round

I remember the Italian mix and match suiting. It was such good quality. I had a couple of jackets and skirts. I wore them constantly.
I also remember those thick, knee length tube skirt from the 90s. I found a similar one in sainsburys in September. I have worn it constantly. So many people have asked me where I got it from. I tried to buy a couple more but it was completely sold out.
I had a wonderful skirt from the original Per Una. It was a deep plum needle cord with a sort of button/bustle thing at the back. It was like an old fashioned riding skirt. I loved it. Now I am embarrassed to even walk through Per Una on the way to the food department.

Actually, I would get another Italian mix and match suit, were they to be made again, as the jacket and skirt could be worn independently, but I would have occasions to wear them together, it would be a good buy.

Oh and trouser suits had a fashion moment quite recently!

Classic basics. Ordinary things.

I remember a time when you could go into Marks and Sparks and be able to find good quality straightforward t-shirts in a range of colours with round and v necks.

Reasonably-priced court shoes.

Bog-standard navy and black trousers, and skirts for work in a range of lengths and styles.

Jeans - proper jeans, not low slung jobs with a 2" zip but ones that held in your middle-aged gut.

Cardigans (!!!) - ordinary plain bloody cardigans. If you needed a plain black cardigan, you could go in there and they would have them. Not any more.

Bras that fitted properly.

Stuff that everybody needs, socks, pyjamas, knickers, all that jazz, and not over-priced.

You used to be able to just go in there and buy clothes in your size and know that it would fit when you got it home. They would just refund or exchange anything that didn't.

Everything was good quality and lasted well. It wasn't the cheapest on the high street (you went to Littlewoods for that), but at least you didn't have to take out a small mortgage.

M & S lost its way a long time ago.

I remember that skirt with the ruffle at the back! It was lovely and would be good for goths and steampunks etc.

A bajillion years ago M&S used to sell proper silky French knickers AND plain cotton briefs to coordinate with their bras. So you could buy a nice bra plus a pair of posh knickers and some comfy everyday ones but still matching. Was genius. Now it's overpriced scratchy nylon thong/shorts or generic multipack.

About three years ago they did soft secret support vests for bigger busts. I wear them in bed. Mine need replacing but now they offer only an underwired vest with a proper bra fastening.

If you're flat chested of course they have vests offering all the secret support you don't need

The Italian wool range was brilliant. I had two longline collarless jackets, one navy and one pale green/grey, and I wore them to death. Also from about 1995 they did wonderful Mary Jane shoes - round toe, low heel - in a variety of leathers and suedes. Including a sling back version. I had at least six pairs of them - they were beautiful and very comfortable.

In the menswear is it easier to buy classics. I know what you mean about the cardigans. Everything is fussy

The suits did used to be amazing in the early 2000s, I had a gorgeous short shift dress and long jacket combo which looked way more expensive than it was - which was quite important at the time as a trainee lawyer in London mixing with the mega-bucks but earning peanuts.

M&S makes me sad now. I am absolutely one of their most loyal customers ever but even I have stopped buying my knickers there and despair of the tights.

Another vote for their old website.

New one is shite. And annoying. I used to do LOADS of online shopping with M&S. Not anymore.

Ribbed cotton sweaters from 20 odd years ago. Kept their shape and colour forever. Also (and I really miss these) top quality long sleeved tees in lovely colours. Quality changed about 10 years ago so they twisted/faded/shrank. Shoes that don't fall apart after a season (soles far too thin now).

their FAKE clarins line
red bottle - like eau dynamisante and all the skin care

Yy to the thick knee length tube skirts! They have to be thick enough to ward off thigh lumps vpl and not TOO short, but not frump length either. I had a plum one and a black one i wore to death.

And yes to lovely soft stretchy cotton ribbed polo necks in plain wearable colours (with no sparkles, for the avoidance of doubt).

The cotton underwear and vests of the 90s. I have one black vest still going strong from then. Colour hasn't faded, it still has it shape and it is long.
I don't buy them now - too thin, too loose and too short.
I also have a velvet dress from the 90s which hasn't dated. Wire it this Christmas and was complimented by everyone. It looks new.

The Italian wool suits were fab. I had one for my first job in navy pinstripe with trousers and a colleague had grey pinstripe with dress. Fabulous cut and quality. I've had Boss and Armani suits that haven't matched up to those.