Where's the good stuff in M&S

[gogohmm]

Having read here that M&S had upped their offering I went shopping today with high expectations, it a larger branch too. Nothing! Bright Green, bright orange and a few t shirts. Denim selection would have been fine if they had anything in a 16

https://www.marksandspencer.com/denim-midi-tiered-skirt/p/clp60580951?prevPage=srp#intid=plpnav_pid_pg1pip15g2r1c1
This is much better than it looks. Very soft denim and not flouncy. Has pockets.

I'd love it in black or in a deep green or even red.

😂😂

This. There is a blue tshirt dress that sold out quickly, it ought to be easy to get more in, but no.

I like the Nobody's Child concessions which have allowed me to try out the brand. Unsuccessfully so far...

Two most recent purchases were both trousers and both great:

These are really comfortable in hot weather:
https://www.marksandspencer.com/tencel-rich-cargo-tea-dyed-trousers/p/clp60586989?color=NAVY#intid=pid_pg1pip36g2r1c1

And these in extra long because I hate bloody "ankle grazers" (but at least M&S offer extra long) - great for work:
https://www.marksandspencer.com/slim-fit-ankle-grazer-trousers/p/clp60553781?color=NAVY#intid=carousel_FUNH_AT_PHOENIX-OUTFIT-V2_END_PDP_3_1:9f10a911-e36e-4660-938e-82811631ad42

Today I saw some tshirts which were obviously aping Toast's Emma half-sleeve T, but unfortunately the colours were meh.

So overall much better than they used to be.

@Cantonet

It is all sweaty Lyocel, Tencel and Bastard Viscose now! Got really excited when I found Whistles were selling up to size 20. However everything (other than a luggage tag) was in viscose. Oh how I laughed at the free little catalogue you get with Sunday papers - Cotton Traders which you would think have a lot of cotton gear in it. Anything I like the look of - Viscose!

I do not want to feel I am being wrapped in a shower curtain thank very much!

They seem to discontinue all the knickers that I like, I don't wear thongs or bikinis because I'm getting on a bit - and not big knickers because I don't like them.

Their socks shrink so though I'm only a shoe size 6 they end up tight on the toes. Also they're tight on the ankle elastic.
I bought loads of mens socks a few years ago, nice bright colours, and they lasted for ages. Nothing good this year though.
My main gripe is the trouser length and shape. I don't want trousers that end above my ankle or half way down my calf, I don't want the very tight legs and I don't want them very wide and flappy. Just normal width and length, in linen or cotton/linen mix. And in a colour I like, not navy, black, white or beige.

I find this too. I like the look of some items, I try them on and like the fit, but they aren’t quality fabrics like cotton or linen so I don’t buy them. Anything that’s 100% cotton sells out really quickly.

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie
Who on earth wears bright orange?

Me! Lots of it. Love it. After years of thinking it makes my face look red, I have had lots of compliments about it. I am glad we no longer have to put up with that awful dull flat burgundy that was everywhere in the winter. I look good in bright colours!

In my younger days M&S clothes were aimed for “Older” people. Now I’m fast approaching 60 I can find nothing in M&S that I want to buy. My DD (20’s) bought some lovely summer dresses from Marks last week. Lovely for her. Too short for me!

I still go to Markies for bras though. That’s about it!

I bought a linen beach dress recommended here recently. It's fab. But I can't recommend it or get another because it instantly disappeared. Nice wearable colours, good fabric, sensible flattering shape without tiers or frills or cut out back. How hard can it be?

V annoyed that they stopped doing long length swimming costumes. I had some really good ones from m & s about 10 years ago. One you'd think was designer. But now only the one length and nothing like the quality.

@FormerlyPathologicallyHappy

True!

My issue with most the stores (not just M&S) is that the shapeless cotton high neck offerings on overweight middle aged women look like your grandmothers nightdress.

Back to seasalt dresses, far more flattering

Another fan of bright orange, along with cobalt blue and cerise pink/ bright red- they all bring my skin to life! Have bought these vest tops in all the bright colours 😊

I got a pair of those cargo trousers online the other day @WrinklesShminkles and I’m really pleased with them. Am
putting them with a loose fitting white v-neck t-shirt half tucked in and my brown leather jacket (total bargain from a charity shop) and feeling really good wearing them. I also picked up a denim jacket the other day that I like a lot, it’s cropped off at just the right point for me. Mostly I get stuff from M&S online though, their instore stuff in our local one is very hit and miss.

When I was last there I was mostly shopping for SIL (bras and trainers), nephew and DB. I did get the lace (I think?) bralette and a green autograph sort if lace honeycomb bodysuit and then recently for work black comfy ballet pumps.

Last year I did get a nice coral and white floral cotton maxi sun dress and a lilac with broderie Anglais sleeves top both of which are cool, appear to be natural fabrics.

The nice thing about M&S is that they seem to do most of their trousers in different lengths, which is very helpful for those of us who aren’t an average height! I am scarred by years of having trousers that flapped around my ankles when they really weren’t meant to, or having to choose from like two styles that actually came in a longer length.

The cotton shirt dresses are fantastic.
I bought this recently & have 3 others in different colours from previous years.

I’d not seen that one but am waiting for this to arrive. Also 100% cotton, similar colour way but from Zara.

Sorry OP I know this is not M&S

Collared dress with a V-neckline and short sleeves. Belt detail in the same fabric with buckle. Button-up front. Flared hem.

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/printed-dress-with-belt-p07921629.html?v1=270211804&v2=2184277&utm_campaign=productShare&utm_medium=web_mobile_sharing&utm_source=red_social_web_mobile

The bigger city branches seem to be better. I'm loving M&S at the moment, especially as it's one of the few shops that has a good stock of size 6.

I've been boycotting m&s ever since the 2 pairs of jeans I bought a few years back literally disintegrated after about 7 months of use, and their socks wore out in under a year. I find there's no durability in their clothes.

I went for a stroll in a large store few days back when I was waiting for someone - and the lurid colours and frilly tiers really put me off. I wish they did good basics of decent quality. All the dresses looked like I was a guest on daytime TV show

Euurrggghhh, that is disgusting, thank you though, I looked on the site but most of the stuff is unwearable. I have been unable to buy anything from M&S since the 90's and even then it was hit and miss.

Their high rise leggings are brilliant as are their thermal tights. I've found their bras good too.

I've never tried the leggings, i will order some. I use them daily for dog walking and replace cheap ones regularly but grudge paying for expensive leggings as a dog jumping up can ruin something in seconds.

My Lily jeans are over 3 years old and going strong. M and S lasts for me. Though yes, you have to really search.

These are what I had - these and the Sienna jeans. Bought them in August and they were in tatters by March. The Sienna ones were worse by far - the fabric had pulls and it had worn really thin. It even pilled which I haven't really seen denim do. Maybe it was a bad batch (and I have a small wardrobe so I wear my things a lot) but it certainly put me off from their stuff

It’s online

The shops are just for sandwiches and socks