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?!

Their school uniform is still the best on the high street. Women's pyjama sets are good, jumpers, basic t shirts and their Goodmove Padded Jackets are well made. Mens clothes fit well on my DH and they do nice tshirts for older age boys.

[quote SusannaOwens]@SirChenjins

There's been a bit of Jaeger in TKMaxx just lately.[/quote]
I must have a look next time I’m in there

Can anyone tell me what the larger bust (I’m 28FF/30G) bras are like? Quite a few including autograph range look nice, and about time they catered to the larger busted woman.

Just seen this shirt dress bought similar one in Primark but black and white checks that Primark cashier said very similar to M&S one.

I’m thinking blue would be nice

[https://www.marksandspencer.com/geometric-tie-front-midaxi-shirt-dress/p/clp60508065?color=GREENMIX&prevPage=srp#intid=prodColourId-60508064]

[quote Gonnagetgoing]Just seen this shirt dress bought similar one in Primark but black and white checks that Primark cashier said very similar to M&S one.

I’m thinking blue would be nice

[https://www.marksandspencer.com/geometric-tie-front-midaxi-shirt-dress/p/clp60508065?color=GREENMIX&prevPage=srp#intid=prodColourId-60508064][/quote]
Why does the model look so angry?!

I have the week off work and on the back of this thread have actively planned a trip to M&S tomorrow to meet my mum for lunch and mooch

[quote Gonnagetgoing]Just seen this shirt dress bought similar one in Primark but black and white checks that Primark cashier said very similar to M&S one.

I’m thinking blue would be nice

[https://www.marksandspencer.com/geometric-tie-front-midaxi-shirt-dress/p/clp60508065?color=GREENMIX&prevPage=srp#intid=prodColourId-60508064][/quote]
I love this .

@ToykotoLosAngeles no idea why the model looks so angry!

@DameMaureen - I do like the green but think would wear blue more.

I’ve been trying to find some basics on ASOS (there’s something else I’m getting and I’m trying to make it up to £35 for free delivery) and it’s making me appreciate M&S! I just want a multipack of black ankle socks, a multipack of plain knickers or a nude cami for underneath tops and there’s nothing suitable.

@Gonnagetgoing

Can anyone tell me what the larger bust (I’m 28FF/30G) bras are like? Quite a few including autograph range look nice, and about time they catered to the larger busted woman.

@Gonnagetgoing I'm really impressed. I ordered a load online to try at home and ended up keeping about ten of them!

I hadn't bought anything from m&s in years and the one in our shopping centre closed down during the lockdown. But the most complimented dress I bought this year was from there(pink spotted midi as seen on Holly Willoughby) and the second most complimented dress to(Nobody's child lemon print midi)
Waiting on a delivery of a Rosie dressing gown,PJ's and a leopard print bra set. Planning on going into large store in a coupe of weeks for a mooch for Xmas bits. I'm weirdly excited by this! I have officially turned into my mum!

Well, because of this thread i have ordered one of their plunge bras in black. £16 so quite affordable. I am an awkward shape (big boobs and short ribcage - wires dig into my armpits a lot) and usually have Freya ect from Figleaves.

IF it's comfy i'll get the red as well.

Rosie bras are great. I still love m&s pants. I get all school uniform from there. And I've bought a couple of nice work tops and sale Ghost dresses lately.

Like you OP, I find a trip to m&s strangely comforting and it makes me sad that they're shutting stores. I know they get a lot of stuff wrong but I think they get a lot right too.

I actually think their A/W range is quite good this year. I’ve already bought a shirt dress (which my 17 year old DD approves of) and some culottes. I have my eye on some other bits too. And I love their thermals. But not their socks - H&M all the way for socks.

DS (15) also seems to like their clothes and shoes. Which surprised me.

I've been browsing their site looking for gift ideas and a lot of stuff looks lovely

@RampantIvy

I don't understand the love for Zara either *@AmanitaRubescens*. The Meadowhall one is too much like a jumble sale and I CBA to rummage. I have never seen anything in there that I would want to buy either.

After reading so much love for Zara, I went into a branch for the first time last year. Walked it, glanced around and walked straight out. The stuff all looked like tat at that glance. It may not have been, but the rails looked overstuffed and sorting through stuff isn’t my desired shopping experience 😮😳

@Coogee

IME, men will think 'i need a shirt/trousers for work ' and go to that section. I'm not a world expert on men's shopping habits.

That is my experience too. My husband is in and out as quickly as possible.

I hope you’re still talking about shopping 😂🤣😂

@OublietteBravo
DD 16, also likes M&S , which is surprising. But she likes all the puffy sleeved Holly Hobbyness that they have going on at the moment. But it was also her go to when she needed plain back T shirts for work and she also wears their sports bras.

DH just orders online to be delivered to store, even if the item might be on the rails in-store. He has no interest. Unfortunately M&S shirts no longer fit him, M&S men's shirt sizing seems to have gone a bit strange.

They’re so much better than Next at the moment. I went into the Next store in town for a mooch around earlier today and there was absolutely nothing worth looking at. It was all awful.

The problem with M&S is that their stores generally stock very little, compared to their online offering, which means that I often walk out disappointed (this seems to be a trend across the high street…and then people are surprised with the take up of online shopping..)

I love M&S for

• school uniform (kids joggers are great and don’t go saggy)
• their push up plunge t-shirt bras which I hope they never stop making (£25 a bra is far better value than a boob job)
• trainer socks (they make some with an elasticated bit that goes around the arch of the foot - they never slip - amazing) - tights (only reasonably priced place to get tights in my skin tone (suntan which is good for Asian skin tones)!
  • sports wear - the good move range is great
  • pyjamas and nightdresses - although the range varies over the year
  • recently, they have had great summer dresses, but mainly from the online only ranges
  • pants. I have bought multi packs from sainsburys and tesco and they all crumbled in the wash in months compared to my M&S ones - gifts for dads! you can always find a nice, well priced jumper or zip up top for dads, father in laws, etc.

I honestly really like M&S and I think they do lots of things very well. I hope they improve the ranges they have in store though.

Good point earlier on about Zara - the shops can be a horror and their website is huge. I’d recommend trying a few different stores and finding your favourite one which stocks the ranges that suit your style. I like the one on Oxford street near Marble Arch which has a better selection than the other ones on Oxford street for some reason. Kings road one is also very good. They are opening one in the city of London soon and I’m really excited because I know they will have a good selection of the clothes I’m most likely to wear (and not the crappy range of Slogan t shirts which don't make sense)

The problem with stores is the hit rate. To stock a top in stores you need to send 2x8, 3x10, 8x12, 8x14, 6x16 and so on, times by 100 stores, and hope you've got it about right. You have to pay to ship it all to stores and pay allocators to restock weekly.
Online you can buy 200 of a top, stick it in a warehouse, and reach so many more thousands (millions) of people that they'll sell, no effort.

@PerditaNitt

The problem with M&S is that their stores generally stock very little, compared to their online offering, which means that I often walk out disappointed (this seems to be a trend across the high street…and then people are surprised with the take up of online shopping..)

I love M&S for

• school uniform (kids joggers are great and don’t go saggy)
• their push up plunge t-shirt bras which I hope they never stop making (£25 a bra is far better value than a boob job)
• trainer socks (they make some with an elasticated bit that goes around the arch of the foot - they never slip - amazing) - tights (only reasonably priced place to get tights in my skin tone (suntan which is good for Asian skin tones)!
  • sports wear - the good move range is great
  • pyjamas and nightdresses - although the range varies over the year
  • recently, they have had great summer dresses, but mainly from the online only ranges
  • pants. I have bought multi packs from sainsburys and tesco and they all crumbled in the wash in months compared to my M&S ones - gifts for dads! you can always find a nice, well priced jumper or zip up top for dads, father in laws, etc.

I honestly really like M&S and I think they do lots of things very well. I hope they improve the ranges they have in store though.

Good point earlier on about Zara - the shops can be a horror and their website is huge. I’d recommend trying a few different stores and finding your favourite one which stocks the ranges that suit your style. I like the one on Oxford street near Marble Arch which has a better selection than the other ones on Oxford street for some reason. Kings road one is also very good. They are opening one in the city of London soon and I’m really excited because I know they will have a good selection of the clothes I’m most likely to wear (and not the crappy range of Slogan t shirts which don't make sense)

This is so true re their stores do stock very little and I can’t be bothered getting it delivered online or to a store. Has happened a couple of times when I’ve been to a big M&S.

There’s a Zara in cheapside (St Paul’s) but says temporarily closed online. Agreed re trying different Zara branches.

I think you have to choose carefully but they have some good bits. I’ve got some nice roll-up chinos and a lovely leopard print midi dress. They’re also great for pjs.

I also buy a lot of school uniform from them. And I quite like some of their boots too.