M & S, was I just lucky?

[Lineala]

Shopping today for some chinos with OH and discovered just how dire the high street choices are, except for M & S. He bought two pairs of chinos, 3 t shirts and a pair of shoes. They all feel lovely quality cotton. I also found a lovely pair of good quality chinos for me (womens) which look great. Usually I have to try on 10 pairs for every one that fits. Some of the stuff they are getting in is spot on. Was I just lucky today?

Zara on the other hand were awful and as for Cos, tbh I'm fed up with voluminous drapey things.

M&S seem to be on a streak recently, lots of decent stuff that fits nicely, although their stock levels are a bit wobbly.
Fingers crossed it lasts :)

Do you have a link for the chinos?

I love m&s lily jeans, I have 3 pairs, I just ordered the new colour grey, but they have made them with a high waist, which I hate, why do they do that, the other colours are a mid rise why change them.

Here you are. I bought the bluey/grey ones but am returning for a couple more colours tomorrow. I find some are to lightweight but these are more the thickness of denim. www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-rich-relaxed-straight-trousers/p/clp60542369?color=MEDIUMBLUE&prevPage=srp

Don’t know if you will have the same but I have 15% off women’s trousers on my sparks app

But did they try to upsell you any perfect pairings?

I absolutely love M&S - mix of clothes for all ages, good quality that lasts and nice staff.

I've been surprised by them recently as well - bought combat pants from there which were great.

A real improvement in their offerings this year! I’ve bought things for the first time in a years. As mentioned above, a lot of things out of stock, which suggests they’ve got the styles right for that demographic but didn’t know it! Perhaps it’s because not every woman wants to walk around in swathes of tiered viscose, which is what I see elsewhere.

I like M&S, got 4 pairs of sandals/ shoes there recently, completely sorted my summer shoes.

I love the chinos. I tend to buy most of my clothes from m and s. I've never understood the hate. Or I'm unstylish 😂

I've just bought a load of stuff from M&S after traipsing around every other high street shop. Elsewhere the clothes all seem to be brightly coloured with hideous patterns and very cheap materials.

I've got a few nice things from M&S recently. Some lovely wide leg, button fly jeans that fit like a glove. And their shorts are very good too. I don't know if I've changed, or they've changed - or both!

People are so funny about M&S, I guess because it's seen as an institution. I clicked on one of their Instagram adverts recently (because I liked the jeans in it) and the comments underneath were so negative. I've never seen another fashion brand have responses like that, people usually just ignore things that they don't like. With M&S people seem to be disappointed that they're not making clothes solely for them 🤷‍♀️

Loving their range at the moment! They’re definitely back on track after a dodgy time before. Hope it lasts.

And what about the after care of the fabric? They I hope were fully informed!

I've tried to get their nice print tummy control swimming costumes / holiday stuff a few times (never ever have before) and they've been sold out. They've always been good for jeans in the last few years.

If buying online check eBay first. There are some sellers selling brand new M&S stuff there from factory but unbranded for half of the price. I got jeans and cargo trousers there for £15 each when M&S was selling for £40.

But I asked how to care for my new clothes and they referred me to the label :-(

I think they’re still decent enough for absolute staples-I bought a pair of summer type jeans a few weeks ago and they’re perfect

I always love M&S in summer, it’s one of the few places you can find 100% cotton dresses at reasonable prices, the rest of the High St is always awash with synthetic horrors.

I love M and S. Wearing my cotton chinos from last year. Their trousers are great IMO.

Two work colleagues have the same lovely M and S orange animal print dress that I'd love to buy but I can't find it online and my nearest shop is 65 miles away.

I agree OP. M&S is definitely improving. I also love that they're bringing other brands into their stores now. Saw Jaeger in there the other day and I think they're also doing it with Joules and Phase Eight. To me, M&S is a plucky British institution. Its obituary has been written so many times, but it keeps on coming back 😂

I suppose it depends what your tastes are really, I always browse M&S when I do a food shop but don't think I've ever bought anything, I always find it all looks a bit dated/not quite right and I find they cut things too large so sizing is a pain. DP recently bought some work shirts and trousers in there and we weren't particularly impressed with the quality of the shirts, trousers were very good though.

Conversely I recently bought a pair of trousers in Zara that I'm thrilled with, well made, thick fabric that isn't at all see through, tailored very well.

I think it just depends what you're wanting on the day and which shop happens to have it in the quality or cut you're looking for. I think you really have to dig around the shop to find the better quality items wherever you go.

I don't get Zara or Cos. I would say I buy at least 70% of my clothes from M&S. Yes there are plenty of horrors to be found but plenty of great stuff too. I am moderately stylish and often get compliments on my look from other women (modest too 😉)