Let’s dissect M&S

[DukeofEarlGrey]

Prompted by another thread in which M&S has been described as the cockroach of the British high street (something about being hideous but invincible) I wonder why it is that I find M&S so... comforting?? I haven’t bought any clothes there except pants for years and yet I still enjoy a semi-mooch around and feel reassured that it’s there if I need it... What is this bizarre place in my heart for M&S?!

How do you feel about M&S?

My husband would be naked if it didn’t exist.

I have found that since turning 40 I love everything M&S. it's like a big comfy blanket mooching round there. There's a fairly new big one on my way home from work. I have a mooch at leat once a week on the way home. I start with the clothes, then the undies and pjs, then the kids clothes (I don't even have kids!) then I get a coffee and either a cheese and ham toastie or slice of banana cake in the cafe, then I hit the food hall and buy nice food. I love it! It's my 'me time' place. I buy pants, trousers (smart and casual), work tops and socks from there routinely.

I love M and S clothes. I suspect a lot of people who don’t like them have never actually been there. M and S has great ethical and environmental credentials. The basic clothes are fantastic.
All my jeans , underwear, t shirts jumpers and coats come from there. THE thermal vests are brilliant. The vests and cashmere knitwear got me through all the outside pub lunches and meet-ups through lockdown.

Used to buy clothes there in teens and early 20's. Haven't bought very much at all in last 15 years except bras, the odd pair of shoes, and more recently socks because they come in different sizes.
Their short length trousers got mysteriously much longer a while back, so won't be buying any more of them.

Oh and I’ve also got some very expensive silk pyjamas from M and S which are the most comfortable things I’ve ever worn. They were £150 in the bridal collection , I’ve worn them so much I’ve got the price per wear down to 50p and they’re still as good as new.

I buy most of my kids everyday clothes here so for that I rate it.

I've got some great jeans from there which I wear all the time. M&S is one of the few shops left from my childhood so I also find it comforting.

I dislike that it's so beaten down on here: I still have a very warm place for M&S. I think it's because my mam always loved it, I always met her in the cafe for a cuppa and cake before we went shopping there and in the rest of town.

I really rate their homeware, kids' wear (especially uniform), beauty section, tshirts, pjs, shoes and workwear (my 2 favourite pairs of trousers are classic, about 10 years old and going strong).

You're also right, OP, it's a warm going back to childhood.

Oh I just love M&S! It just feels like such a treat, everything they sell just has a little something about it

I love an M&S browse! Like a lot of people I get all my underwear and socks from there but I like their homewear a lot too (currently eyeing up some candles) and their beauty boxes are really good. Their clothes get criticised a lot on mumsnet but I must admit I don’t find them that bad on the whole. I’m more of a Zara/Cos/H&M/Mango shopper for clothes but I often get a couple of bits per season from M&S as I go there with my mum a lot. I got some lovely, classic linen tops and trousers in summer, for example.

I agree with sleepinghyena that their ‘short/petite’ length trousers really aren’t that short, though! I’m 5ft4 and they’re slightly too long.

Always good for a nice jumper and shirt for difficult to buy for DS1.

It makes.me really cross. I want to buy from there, but really struggle to. Most of it is genuinely awful - hideous fabrics, too long, necks too high, too many ruffles and frills and flounces, odd colours.

I went to a bit branch yesterday to buy a coat and some knickers. They had size 6 and size 22 in each, nothing in between.

I think they confuse people. There are midi dresses on there styled quite quirkily with very "fashion" photography and boots - and then the reviews are all saying they're frumpy, which is kind of the trend! They're £39 or so which is affordable to a lot of age groups, but the women with Whistles or Hobbs tastes and budgets don't buy them because they're polyester and younger women don't buy them because they're from M&S. I'm left wondering who their target is.

I regularly buy underwear, thermal vests and children's clothes from M&S. DH buys wool jumpers in classic colours and last year bought a padded jacket which has been worn a lot.

I'm lucky to have a large M&S with clothes, home and food within walking distance and I love a browse round.

They've finally got their act together with non standard size bras, plus they're not Bravissimo prices.

Ahh, these replies are very reassuring and have inspired me to plan a trip to M&S whilst I’m off work this week!

I’d forgotten about their homeware as my local store doesn’t have it (amazing food hall though). I will go to browse the underwear, pyjamas, cashmere and beginning of the Christmas stuff that I imagine is out in fairly full force by now. I’d also forgotten about the very affordable beauty advent calendar and think I might deserve one this year!

I also used to go there a lot with my mum. Tea, a scone and a look round M&S with my mum is a very calming itinerary

I agree it’s bizarre. I do buy a fair bit from there but only because it’s local to me and they have just what I need for work wear, underwear, pjs, kids, men, food etc but I don’t buy the rest of my clothes from them.
My local one tends to have a lot of older people and if last weekend was anything to go buy it’s a certain type of older, middle class type people who tuts and cuts in front of you etc.

Great for simple, affordable work trousers. Love their eco credentials but you have to look to find good stuff. Often they sell quite nice items but with a 'quirky' detail which makes it unwearable.

I’m early thirties and love it. I buy lots of my basic bits like t-shirts and underwear but also the odd dress. I’ve got my eye on some boots for this winter from there and a coat this year too.
I get most of my children’s clothes from there.
I love the fabrics and the staff are easily the friendliest.
Long live M&S!

I love M&S! My favourite place for shopping and a coffee, love all their Christmas stuff! And the food...!

I love m and s, have got some shoes from there recently too. It can be a bit hit and miss but as possible said ethically and environmentally and socially they win so I always check there first

Our small (rural area) M&S hangs on by the skin of its teeth imv. Clothing dept is probably half as full as it used to be. Very poor choice eg skinny jeans different colours, short cardis one range, some VVV loose t shirts, a few blouses and a few dresses but some jackets. Some bright track suits.
However the food hall is always busier. I hope it stays - there is no Waitrose in the area.

You can get some really good stuff in M&S. MN likes to at it but rave about Zara which has some serious crap in it

I want to buy from there, but really struggle to. Most of it is genuinely awful - hideous fabrics, too long, necks too high, too many ruffles and frills and flounces, odd colours.

I was in the Meadowhall branch this weekend and saw very few flouncey and frilly clothes.

I think there is a difference to what you see advertised online and what is actually in their shops. They have expanded their food and lingerie departments and currently have loads of knitwear in their shops.

I rate them for jeans and underwear (not being the typical mumsnet poster with huge boobs).

What I dislike is their inconsistency with sizing. I have a lovely soft jumper in blue and saw the same style in red. I'm glad I tried it on because the sleeves were too short.