Marks and Sparks - done to death I know but...

[keiratwiceknightly]

I was in the Brum store yesterday. Birmingham was absolutely PACKED, uncomfortably busy in places. All the shops we went in were buzzing and there was a real Christmassy feel to the place. Went into marks to use the loo and browse for my a present for my dad and it was a desert. There were more staff than punters on the 3 brightly lit floors.

The offerings were either cheap looking, or frumpy Nan-stuff, or too try-hard trendy but with some detail that stopped them working. I saw one item that was well-cut, attractive and well-made in the entire store, a wool, lined grey mini skirt that I'd have bought if I'd been shopping for me.

Empty and unappealing on one of the busiest shopping days of the year in the second city. I felt really sad that m and s will be the next BHS and they won't listen to anything we tell them!

Ive bought a Limited Edition top recently which is really edgy and good quality (& sold out very quickly). A gem comes along every so often, just like most places really. If I had one criticism it would be that the fit and/or finishes are often just a little off for me - ruching not in the right spot, necklines not sewn flat etc. And I agree that the colours are often sludgy or dusky.

I buy a fair proportion of my clothes from M&S. I agree about the unnecessary embellishments which can ruin something rather than enhance it. I like their plain, classic items. Basic skinny jeans (tho often out of stock in store in sizes 12/14), ankle boots - they ALWAYS have size 8s when most places don't, and their cashmere is good value and quality. I've bought lots of underwear, 2 coats, multiple plain t-shirts with lots of stretch, men's socks and school uniform. Love the food obvs and the beauty products are fab. There is also a lot that I don't like... and, if I want quick fashion, I'll go to Zara or H&M.

I used to buy loads from M&S, but don't even tend to look anymore. I do still think there's gems to be found, but it's a lot of hassle trying to find them. Apart from anything else, I can guarantee that anything I find is sold out in my size, so what's the point?! It really puts me off even looking.
I do really love the beauty products (which I think they should promote much more heavily) but they're not available for international delivery (I live elsewhere in EU), so don't buy those anymore either.

That red dress is gorgeous

The should rebrand their clothes and just focus on good quality, well cut, ethical basics and capsule pieces.

What can you expect when most of their clothes are made in Bangladesh? it makes me wonder how much they pay for them, some are very cheap looking,BUT its the only place i can buy trousers short enough,for me, and even those are different lengths sometimes

What can you expect when most of their clothes are made in Bangladesh? it makes me wonder how much they pay for them, some are very cheap looking,BUT its the only place i can buy trousers short enough,for me, and even those are different lengths sometimes

Very sorry didnt think it had posted [posted twice]

It's a good point and well worth making twice

I remember M&S announcing they were moving their production overseas. They were one of the last high street stores to do so and they said they had no choice if they were to remain competitive. I think since then we've all lost touch with how much it costs to make decent clothes. We all say we want better quality but I think that, if had to go back to paying the true cost, we'd get the shock of our lives.

It's hit M&S harder than most as their mantra was always quality rather than high fashion. Now they're neither.

"I remember M&S announcing they were moving their production overseas"

So do I. There used to be a large factory that supplied clothes to M & S in my local town. When they closed down loads of people lost their jobs. The site is now a school.

"I think since then we've all lost touch with how much it costs to make decent clothes. We all say we want better quality but I think that, if had to go back to paying the true cost, we'd get the shock of our lives"

I agree. People want high quality at Primark prices.

Their click and collect service is good - I ordered something just before midnight last night and had the notification of it being ready to collect an hour ago.

I thought the Best of British range was a brilliant idea - using British fabric suppliers of tweed, cotton, etc - but scuppered by the designs, which were just too Tilda Swinton to appeal to more than a handful of customers. Boxy jackets, asymmetrical everything, athleisure track pants, etc. Possibly wearable, in the right combination, but just off-puttingly trendy, as styled on the website. I bought one tweed jacket, which was the only normal piece I could see, and it was beautifully made and cut.

Whenever I go into an M&S in a major city, I see at least a couple of things I like. But our small market town is where M&S Head Office sends the Classic Collection range to die.

I’m not sure the “what would the real cost of quality clothes be” angle is that straightforward.

If you look at the menswear market, there are some people offering decent quality at decent prices.

For example, Brook Taverner. Big focus on building customer loyalty and repeat custom via integrated marketing.Quality is pretty good for the price. It’s not going to last forever, but it will do a decent turn and yo’ll be able to update things at a pace that means you’re never too far from fashion. Decent ethical standards too.

The big difference is that it’s not so trend focussed as womenswear. It does move with the times though.

It’s the fast fashion, trend led churn that makes decent quality at decent price impossible.

I was just thinking a few of their classic basics are creeping back in. They had a lovely camel trenchcoat this autumn, a gorgeous grey wool coat, the high rise dark straighlegged jeans are good staples. They are the only place I've found that does proper long line long sleeved tees. Only in four colours, two of which I hate, admittedly, but still. In among the stupid designs there are a few good basics.

That's a good point about menswear being less trend led and maybe as a consequence, better quality. My husband - who's as fussy as I am in his own way - used to regularly buy from Sainsbury's, although he says it's gone downhill lately. Mind you he rails against M&S as much as anyone on here!

I wish they’d sort their stock control out. Nothing is ever available in common sizes.

I work in the City where most women tend to be slimmer, I guess as they are often a bit younger, richer or walk more than in other parts of the country. Yet the Moorgate branch reliably only stocks size 6 or smaller and 18+ in everything, unless it’s extremely ugly.

"That's a good point about menswear being less trend led and maybe as a consequence, better quality."

I agree. I buy their men's jumpers for me. The sleeves are long enough, and they don't have any frills/bell sleeves/sequins/other frippery on them.

Men's stuff is much better than women's - lots of really nicely cut classics and the fabrics are much better than the row upon row of polyester and acrylic that is the women's wear. They seem to have a run on ridiculous Christmas prints/jumpers for men at the moment though, which I can't see doing terribly well.

We go to Marks for the food, the men's clothing, and for undies and tights. Nothing else. I really like the men's shoes and accessories right now. The children and teens section is the anathema of cool, according to DD.

M&S young children's clothes vary from awful sludgy colours to the smart 'preppy style' shirts, trousers, jumpers which I buy for my DGSs.

I've just bought some long sleeve, long length cotton T shirts which are shaped :) I'm just waiting to see how they wash before I buy any more. I buy pants and pyjamas regularly too.

I still get all my bras from there but tend to go to Asda for pants and John Lewis for tights. M&S trousers can be good but they do make some odd shapes and colours.

Other than that, I don't often find much in there that meets my requirements. They used to at least be good for workwear but of late, all the dresses in that section have been too short and tight, like the female Apprentices wear. Skirts are all either too short (no knee coverage) or too long (frumpy calf-length) for my preference. And when I went there for a swimsuit this summer, all but one of the available styles had a plunge neckline. I wouldn't have been able to swim in them without flopping out of the top, and I'm hardly blessed in that department.

M&S used to be comfortable with serving a slightly older demographic, one that would like to have the option of covering its knees and upper arms in the office and doesn't want to have sequins on everything. They lost their way when they tried to go after the younger shopper, who is already more than well-served on the high street and wouldn't be seen dead in Marks' anyway. Now they please very few.

I have an M&S voucher £25.00. What shall I spend it on?
I'm 5, 5'7'' and size 10/12 slim but have boobs.
I cant wear their. trousers they always seen to not fit in the right places for me.

I bought myself these black velvet jewelled mules recently:

https://www.marksandspencer.com/kitten-heel-jewel-mule-sandals/p/p60199355?image=SD011T022034AAY0XXEC90&color=BLACK&prevPage=plp

They are fantastic value - looking much more expensive than £35.00. Most of their shoes are dismal but occasionally, as with other things as PPs have said, there are gems.

Calf length skirts are very 2018. Not frumpy at all. This is why Marks cannot win! Longer length leather skirts are perfect for right now.

Bubbles, calf length skirts may be in - but they look terrible on anyone around 5ft - 5ft 2.