Came face to face with this in M&S today - very glum encounter..

[Foxyspook]

www.marksandspencer.com/colour-block-blanket-coat-with-stormwear/p/p22477699?image=SD_01_T49_0925_ZZ_X_EC_90&color=MULTI&prevPage=srp#

Those pink velvet cord Per Una trousers on the second row looks like something your nan would make you in the 70s.

If only. My nan was still making me frocks with a sash and puff sleeves in the 70s.

I'm scared to look, pink velvet cord does not sound appealing

I like them but the shoes are all wrong. The future is flappy.

At least the pink ones have the decency to be almost long enough. Unlike many others which are hovering around the ankle (but aren't narrow enough to warrant it)

Maybe it's the scot in me. I just look at these and think "too short, you'll see too much of a boot and anything else will mean cold ankles!"

I overheard two M&S staff in the store bitching about the clothes recently. Yet they keep on churning it out...

That trousers webpage . If you can't make the clothes look good on a model, how are you going to get customers to want them?

Exactly. The first pair (on my list) have borderline cameltoe ffs.

Please tell me M&S won't go bust, they're the only sellers I know who do comfortable bras for Ds and above without underwiring.

The weird thing is, I was complaining about camoflage fake fur but I've seen similar in Sainsbury's and River Island.

There's also a T-shirt top with an odd frill running diagonally across the chest in Top Shop too.

It's hard. They're trying to be young and funky, cutting edge, tweenage, fashionable and 'safe' middle class all at the same time.

Because fashion is running harum scarum in all different directions, no one shop can keep up.

It's quite pathetic really.

And yes. Fashionable young types are looking at flesh/dusty rose pink flared trousers.

River Island trouser and culotte selection

[http://www.riverisland.com/women/trousers/_/N-81f?icid=mu/women/trousers]

I don't want them to go bust, I love Autograph 60 denier tights. And the socks are ok. But that's about it. I don't even buy knickers there as I can get better quality for a lower price in John Lewis. And I'm a not very fashionable 43 year old - surely I should be their target market?

I love loads of M&S stuff. Recently went shopping on weekend away with 3 v stylish friends and we spent most of our money in M&S (Zara a close second).

There is some dross in there but I reckon that about a third of my wardrobe is from M&S but that it makes up about 90% of the stuff I get complimented on.

Agree everything looks shit online though, and you need to hunt in store to find the good stuff.

And yes. Fashionable young types are looking at flesh/dusty rose pink flared trousers.
Yes that's me though admittedly not flesh pink. I'd wear them with brogues and a silk shirt.

Statistically - you're right! The trousers are truly appalling! Not a single decent pair amongst them!

Hello Better - how are you? hijacks thread

Never better, thank you Vanilla! I was glad (and not surprised ) that we agreed about the coat in the OP. We have the same fabulous taste! I like the new Christmas moniker, btw.

Weirdly, that wouldn't look out of place in Zara.

That's completely hideous....there will be hundreds of them available in their spring sale

If you mean the coat, Just, maybe I should wait until then...

If you want a laugh look at the new arrivals in the Alexa Chung range. I love a celeb-collab but, fuck me, not a single item of wearable clothing. Wait, I tell a lie- there were some ok cami-dresses, which are obviously exactly what you're looking for in the middle of bloody winter

Agree with the poster who said about the photography- that could be a lot better and make their basics like shirts and tailoring look a lot more desirable. I love M&S but really they need to up their game and decide who their core customer is.

The gold dress is very 1970s disco with big hair and lip gloss.

Funnily enough, I suggested that one of their odder, old lady style dresses would style better with DM's than what they'd opted for, a few years ago. So clearly they do read MN, after all!

Gingernaut Some of those River Island trousers are just The frilly cuffed trousers, the sheer (completely see-through) palazzo pants and all those shiny (camel toe ready) tube trousers. Oh my eyes!

Thank you kindly Better and glad to hear that you're NeverBetter!! Happy Christmas