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?!

They have some horrors, for sure, but I find them good for reliable basics like work trousers, plain t-shirts and jumpers etc. I don't buy underwear there though - I find their bras very unflattering and their cotton knickers have got thinner and thinner over the years until you can practically put a finger through the fabric putting them on.

I went in for new bras recently, the non-wired T-shirt type, hardly any choice of sizes.
I needed to try on, so can’t buy on line. Came home empty handed.

@Noogar

I liked the Autograph range years back. And their work trousers are always good. I wish they'd focus on getting their basics right.

This was a revolution back in the day. Loved it and worked well with their cheaper basics which were always good quality. I only ever wore their clothes for work though - which you could up-cycle with accessories from elsewhere.

When I was growing up it was the poshest shop on the high street. We could never afford to shop there - bought clothes from markets (or BHS/Littlewoods sale if flush) - so shopping there now still feels a grown up treat.

However I come out in a rash when I see the Per Una stuff - not sure why it was brought in - all embellished, appliqué, bizarre clothes. - not sure who wears that stuff.

Classic plain well cut basics (especially trousers) seem to be the only thing left.

I go there for basics like t shirts, sweatshirts, jumpers, underwear, socks and pyjamas. Also their homeware is brilliant, I love our M&S home shop!

@Twocrabs30 , I'm definitely going to try the bra fritters next time, they sound delicious!

I wish they would return to basics of good quality basic items rather than concentrating on fashion and low price.

I remember having lovely merino wool jumpers and cardigans over twenty years ago priced at about £35. They lasted years and all available in a number of colours. Their cashmere is good, jeans and trousers are good. The knickers I've been buying for years were discontinued last year, the replacements I bought last year after lots of trial and error have now been discontinued too. Bra fitting is appalling. Admittedly having had breast cancer surgery I am lopsided but their idea of fitting is bringing you enough bras to try and hoping that one may fit. Or perhaps that is just the fitters that I have had appointments with.

The bones of M and S are still good but with a few tweaks they could be great again.

Shoes and boots are particularly strong. I won’t buy jeans from anywhere else - short lengths in all styles is admirable. Knitwear also good, love some of the slogan T’s and sweatshirts they have had in the past couple of seasons. Great selection of non wired bras and bralets. M&S in my view always worth a trawl.

@MsTSwift

I disagree about the ethical credentials. Everything I order from there comes swathed in layers of plastic 🙄. Zara and Amazon comes in brown paper. I have provided feedback but got a word salad nonsensical reply.

Yes. I received an order with knickers on those annoying black hangers. I emailed to say hangers weren't necessary in online orders. Didn't even get a reply.

I like M&S too. I buy jeans, t shirts, scarves, gloves, work wear and shoes. I buy kids clothes, school uniform and school shoes from them too.

I like their trousers, underwear and their food.

The t-shirts drive me nuts. All I'm looking for are v necks which I can wear over crew necks.

The sleeves are either too long or too short.

I'm sick of slogans, loopy patterns and strange colour combos. All I'm looking for is plain, basic colours and styles.

Boat and slash necks t-shirts are just awful - I can't be showing off my bra straps at work.

Yes. I received an order with knickers on those annoying black hangers. I emailed to say hangers weren't necessary in online orders. Didn't even get a reply.

Oh that would annoy me too. Who needs hangers for knickers anyway?!

I have never had a good experience with a M&S bra fitter. Rude was bad enough but cruel and showing her stupidity was the worst.

Gym gear is really good. Their uniform wasn't worth the double price of our local supermarket. It is easy shopping if they have something I want. Before it shut I went into Dorothy Perkins and walked straight out SD felt too old. I love their slim jeans. I have two skirts from Per Una which are years old and I still love.

I wish they would do what Lakeland do and put a note when something is being discontinued.

I really rate M&S and I do think there is an element of people thinking it’s not cool to like anything from there. Jeans, shoes, boots, swimwear, knickers (I hate their bras), and some coats are excellent value and quality. I have a friend who is ultra snobby about clothes and only buys from Anthropologie etc and she’s always asking where I got my jeans, tops etc. Their online site is great and has much more choice than in store.

I like M&S. Good for knitwear, undies and tights, also jeans and shoes.

I follow a few M&S stylists on insta and love how they style the clothes. I’ll then go onto the site to look at the item and the website photography is so uninspiring it’s really off putting if you’re using the site as a starting point.
For me the dresses have one element too many - a high nick, long sleeve, full length, frill, extra detailing. Their price point also puts me off, I think I could get the same cheaper in New Look.
It is the first place I go to for underwear, I also got some brilliant shoes in their summer sale which were around £5 a pair

I’m in the ‘love a good M&S mooch’ camp, too! I think it’s just very soothing to see one store that is still a ‘department store’ in that I can buy something for dinner one one floor and my face cream on the next. The last clothing I bought there was a few pairs of jeans a while back. I’m not a big fan of the overall style of the clothes these days. Years ago I used to have a very stylish older female colleague who worshipped at the M&S shrine when the brand was a by-word for good quality. I buy from their beauty section though, as they stock some good brands such as REN and Prai.

I rarely buy stuff for myself since there's never my size in the store, but the kids 3 for 2 clothes are super and much better quality than competitors.

I have a love/hate relationship with Marks. And the more since its the last place standing.
Jeans are good, although lengths vary mysteriously.
T Shirts are a whole other circle of hell. Short sleeved V neck is what I need.
One year they will decide every single t shirt should have elbow length sleeves. The following year, every t shirt will have a postage stamp size breast pocket (presumably to keep your left nipple in).
And I end up walking around muttering to myself.

I like M and S, dont buy loads but its great for DC's bits, I recently bought some jeans that were great and I am waiting for delivery of the hideous sleeveless navy jumper.

I don't get the snoopy jumper though - whats that all about?!

Food is always great and homeware is nice too!

I like their jeans. I find their cashmere awful and won't buy it again.

Most things are wrong in one or more ways. I'd rather pay twice as much for a dress/t-shirt for better fabric/quality.

I bought some work trousers there a couple of weeks ago. They look lovely, but are already bobbling on the inner thighs and I've only worn them 3 times - and my legs are still relatively slim so it's not because I've got fat legs that are rubbing too much!

@SpiderinaWingMirror

I have a love/hate relationship with Marks. And the more since its the last place standing. Jeans are good, although lengths vary mysteriously. T Shirts are a whole other circle of hell. Short sleeved V neck is what I need. One year they will decide every single t shirt should have elbow length sleeves. The following year, every t shirt will have a postage stamp size breast pocket (presumably to keep your left nipple in). And I end up walking around muttering to myself.

Oh and the fucking 'midaxi' nonsense makes me want to hurt people.

Their baby clothes are good quality and cheaply priced.

I buy underwear, lots of dresses from their Ghost collaboration, decent pyjamas, food.

Sofas!!! I have 2 M&S sofas that were (relatively) cheap and they are both incredible, one in particular has long outlasted a sofa I bought for 3 times the price from Heal’s, it’s still as comfy now as it was when I bought it 8 years ago (and would still look JUST as good as if DD hadn’t gradually spilled things all over it…)

I get a (very) occasional gem in the clothing dept but mostly I’m too busy being horrified by the weird mix of styles, too much embellishment and haphazard lengths. BUT I keep looking because I like their sustainability credentials.

@MsTSwift

I disagree about the ethical credentials. Everything I order from there comes swathed in layers of plastic 🙄. Zara and Amazon comes in brown paper. I have provided feedback but got a word salad nonsensical reply.

I agree they do use too much plastic but if you look at ratings for ethical brands, they consistently come out well, especially on the high street. Zara may use paper but it has also repeatedly been found to use factories in developing countries which use slave labour. To my mind, paper packaging doesn't make up for that.