Is Marks and Spencer's clothes frumpy?

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I'm late 30s. Usually shop for clothes in places like H&M. Zara & Dorothey Perkins.

Never bought clothes for myself in M&S, in my head I always thought it was for 50-60 year old women, but saw an as yesterday for their autumn range and saw loads of nice things that I would like to buy.

So what you reckon, am I now in the M&S target demographic ?! Have they modernised their clothes range or are amI just old now ?!

I saw an *ad

I’m just turned 30 and I have loads from M&S, all my pyjamas and knickers. I love their trench coats and I have a few pairs of M&S jeans too. Mostly basics and then choose somewhere more fashionable for tops etc.
I’m probably old for my time though as I love fat face, sea salt, Whitestuff and monsoon.
I got fed up of the crap sizes and quality in Zara/hm/dp

I've always liked M & S. Their jeans are very comfortable and nice. They work for me.

They are often sneered at on here, but when I go into a store I always see adults of many ages in there.

I've rarely found stuff I can wear in Zara, H & M or Dorothy Perkins. Not since my early twenties. I've needed a much more generous cut in clothing since my three pregnancies wrecked my body, and a medical condition subsequently diagnosed compounded that.

So M & S it often is, or occasionally Simply Be.

Thanks

Next question - what are the sizes like?

For context, I find Next/ Joules sizes massive, but H&M and Zara fairly true to size.

Sizes are random. Stuff shrinks in the wash. It's nothing special.

I think it’s frumpy, but you can find some nice stuff

Most of it is designed for typical average British woman’s shape ( about 5ft4 with large-ish boobs and not too much hip-waist differential)

If you are a very different shape from that, it’s hard to find clothes that fit imo

I think there are certain things M&S does really well - the cashmere is often good value and interesting, they have some gems among the shoes (if you wade through a lot of crap), jeans are good and I like some of their activewear. I find the sizing relatively standard, maybe erring slightly on the larger side but not massively so.

I think they suffer from having far too many ranges. Their stock is overwhelming! As a result sometimes it’s falls between two stalls, too expensive for very young people, too try hard foR the older customer with money. Some of it is a bit strange and I wonder who it is aimed at, Some of it I would say is really nice - good quality and fashionable.

I think if you have seen things you like in there - don’t be put off by your preconceptions. They do have some really decent things. I’m early thirties and I buy good basics as well as some fashiony things in there. I tend to stay away from Per Una.

Some M&S stuff is excellent and “young” if you choose well. I just ignore the sneery comments. I’m often complimented on my chunky knitwear, funky boots etc. The Rosie lingerie is gorgeous too and they have a fantastic beauty range.

Mumsnetters who wet their britches over the cold shoulder leopard print viscose monstrosities offered by Hush, and Hobbity Birkenstocks like to diss M&S.

They are buggers for vanity sizing (similar to Next) so I'm a lovely size 12 when H&M and Zara have me in a "you're so obese you really should just wear a bedsheet" sizing.

Their cotton t shirts and jeans are my staples. Knitwear always excellent too.

I think you can find something that suits you and you feel good in anywhere - if it happens to be M&S, well, why not?

I've bought quite a few things from M&S this Autumn - quality and fit and appearance all good. There is definitely some really good stuff there but also a lot of naff items, so you do need to pick and choose.

I also shop regularly at Zara, TopShop and River Island, in case you're wondering if I'm a frumpy dresser or not. :)

The clothes tend to be generous. They sell clothes for all ages and don't deserve the flak they get on here.
Shoes are usually good and not expensive.
Tights, socks and underwear are good.

Styles are either spot on or frumpy, but generally good quality.

Their jeans are good with lots of styles but try on more than one size if they seem too generous.

I think M&S has some great clothes. Love their jeans and t-shirts. I can always find something nice and with a good fit. I’m mid-30s.

I like M&S stuff but tend towards basics there or the Limited Collection stuff. If you are discriminating, they have some really nice stuff - jeans, cardies, basic tops, tights, rosie underwear.

If you're in the smaller Zara sizes you'll struggle to find stuff that fits in M&S as their vanity sizing is extreme.

They have some nice quality stuff hidden amongst some very questionable things but for me fit is very hit and miss.

I think they're beginning to improve from a reputation of being rather frumpy and stuck in a rut. There's still a few questionable items (from my opinion). Dresses with high necks do not do the larger lady many favours. However, their jeans and leggings are great. And I've just bought the pink leopard print long sleeved top - which for a relaxed fit, was pretty generous.

I get my knickers and occasional boots there.

I wouldn’t think of buying their clothes except maybe for a job interview.

Perhaps I should look again though (in my 50s and like H&M and Zara mainly).

@DOINGOURBIT, Dresses with high necks do not do the larger lady many favours, regardless of where they buy them.

@MikeUniformMike - yes, that is very true, just that M&S seem to have quite a lot on their website. Perhaps more than other retailers.

Got lovely skinny jeans & jeggings there lately .... agree that sizes are generous (I'm a 16 in M&S and an 18 elsewhere). I'm not very "fashionable" and i find nice classic pieces. Their GoMoove activewear stuff is brilliant

[quote DOINGOURBIT]@MikeUniformMike - yes, that is very true, just that M&S seem to have quite a lot on their website. Perhaps more than other retailers.[/quote]
M&S cater well for “Modest Fashion” which is a requirement for a number of religions. I’ve got Muslim relatives and Christian and Jewish friends who will shop there precisely because of the necklines which will mean they can wear a dress without a need for a top or modesty panel underneath.

I get my jeans, pjs and some jumpers from there. I find the sizing to be spot on and I've never had any complaints about the clothing. I'm mid 30s.

I like M&S for decent staples and sometimes some surprisingly nice pieces. T shirts are normally well cut and good quality (not the see-through rubbish you get elsewhere) I find that Limited Collection can sometimes have some really on-trend things - anyone remember the wide leg leather trousers that they had in a few seasons ago? I also really like their shoes because you can always get half sizes. I got some fab flat cherry-red leather ballet flats recently and they are gorgeous, super comfy and were literally a fraction of the price of other versions elsewhere.

I saw those @FanFckingTastic, tried them on and they felt like slippers but they hadn't looked comfortable (as in frumpy) at all.