Have we had a slag off M&S thread lately?

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Because I went today and it was shit.

I wanted a bra. Found six that I liked. Not one available in my size.

Plain black jersey midi skirt. Would’ve been perfect but they had ONE in the entire store- size 18.

Denim maxi- they had a size 8 and a size 22.

Everything else was either a horrible colour, shape, fabric or all 3.

Why do they make it so hard to spend money there?

They have some lovely staple clothes, I used to spend a lot of time buying from there when I worked in an office. Now they have nothing smaller than a 14 in my local stores and even less availability online.

Their food has gone downhill too, but that's another slag off topic.

I always find their trousers a really inconsistent fit. I tried on a few different pairs of size 10 trousers recently and one pair fit nicely, the others wouldn’t even go over my hips. Another pair fit perfectly at the waist but had so much excess fabric around the crotch area they looked ridiculous. It’s a shame as M&S are one of the only high street shops to do short lengths and I’m petite.

I do like their Good Move range for gym tops/fleeces etc although I’m not keen on the leggings.

My local store is enormous and really badly organised. They seem to shift all the stock around every few months for no reason, and you have to sift through every rack to find your size as often a size 16 will be on a size 10 hanger etc.

After not buying anything for years I've had quite a few items from them. They must have new buyers. It's a difficult time at the moment, no one is buying as the weather is so bad and they will be going into Autumn soon. Look on line, loads there.

I really want M&S to do well as they’re a great British brand and seem quite ethically minded. So I don’t like these threads on principle. However if you’re reading M&S - please do more 8/10/12 as you NEVER have any in shops. I could have bought so many things but there’s only every big sizes. EVERY TIME. Frustrating.

Even their food is rubbish now...well their ready meals in particular. Full of fat or full of sauce. Nothing decent for vegetarians (their plant food, or whatever it's called, range is awful).

They do have good quality fruit and vegetables, cheese and some other things I admit.

Their sizing is so fucking insane erratic that I don’t want to order online. I have stuff from size 8 to size 18 from there.

Agree that their veggie stuff is crappy. The only thing I buy these days is the cheese and onion ‘fish cake’ things.

Oh and the nightwear is DREADFUL.

For the first time ever - I am finding a lot of things I like at M&S - this is on their website though and as I'm only browsing I can't comment on fit and quality.

I can't remember the last time anyone in our household bought anything from M&S - and we get staff discount (DH works in one of their depots)

I suddenly realised that I needed a few more bras before going on holiday last year. My first instinct was to go to M&S. Eventually I found the style I was looking for (smooth T-Shirt style). They were an ok fit, not particularly flattering, but I bought them. Within a couple of wear the edges folded outwards, so the whole point of them being smooth and flat under clothing was pointless and they've just got worse as time has gone on. I won't be going back there for bras.

Also, the knickers I've been buying for years now have a piddly little bow at the front. It makes me irrationally cross. I'm 44, not 5!

Oh, and their raspberries are awful this year. They look ok in the packet but as soon as you take them out they turn to mush in your hand.

Since my local store became self service tills only I’ve stopped shopping there…. huge queues as it takes much longer especially when people are trying to use gift cards etc and my mum finds it difficult due to eyesight using self service, oh and a dress I bought still had the security tag on as nothing flagged when I bought it and then had to make a trip to return, didn’t exchange as was so fed up and vowed never to return.

@MrsDanversGlidesAgain @ThatDayIBecameFree lol. The Italian grandparent look is basically good quality neutral coloured clothing. Think wide legged cream lightly pinstriped linen trousers with white linen shirt tucked in and sleeves rolled up, with tan leather sandals, simple jewellery and good quality sunglasses with neutral makeup. A kind of classic well groomed look. It’s a trend I can absolutely get behind, suits all ages and figures. Lydia Jane Tomlinson on Instagram does this look very well.

In summer I like their polo shirts and T shirts - nice and long and plenty of room under the arms and the sleeves a decent length. This year I had to buy XL to get anywhere near a decent fit and even then the sleeves are riding up under the armpit. And I'm not big, an M&S 14.

Men's polos and T shirts, I mean.

I love their Goodmove line and underwear and slips from there have lasted me years. I even buy their body sensor tights in bulk. They ship to where I am outside of the UK cheaply and without customs charges. Can't fault it. But I always buy online.

Thanks for that @Mumsanetta Sounds much more effort than I can be bothered with - jewellery? makeup? linen?

Which is why I'm not a frequenter of this board, I just bring it down. 😆

@MrsDanversGlidesAgain you don’t bring it down at all 😂. I have resigned myself to the fact that dressing well generally requires some level of thought and effort but, for me, it’s worth it as I feel good when I look good.

Used to love the shorts style pants. Then I bought some and they were HUGE - like French knicker style. Even the woman I spoke to to try to return them said it didn't look right.

And I am fed up of a company who have such a hold on the UK bra market not making any bras in a small back/larger cup size. They do a handful of 30 backs but no higher than a C/D cup.

However, I love Percy Pigs.

Trying to imagine what I would look like dressed in neutral coloured linen. It's not pretty.

I do still rate their jeans and knickers, although the latter are nowhere near as good as they used to be.

And why are their sleeves so stupid? Always too long for me, but also weirdly tight so they never roll up properly (and I have pretty slim arms).

I bought some sandals from there a few months ago - bloody brilliant. The studded platform clogs in a shiny bronze leather. Unbelievably comfortable. Have had so many compliments on them.

Bought some sleeveless tank tops too, have washed and worn well.

Also a black silk shirt which was really good value. Bought all of these the couple of months. Their basics could be amazing but they get it wrong sometimes.

Used to be my sole supplier of knickers but I couldn't find a single pair I wanted last time I looked. Really weird. Odd sizes on hangers, the multipacks were shit, and the ones on offer I couldn't find enough of to get the 3 for £20 or whatever it was.

Nah I love M&S. Ive become a fan in the last year or so. Im in my 30s. The one near me is always stocked with the good stuff! Also their food is amazing.

I bought some jeans in there last week. I'm 5ft 3 and a size 10 - they are an amazing fit and weren't too expensive. I also bought a striped t shirt in there which was quite good value and its identical to my new Uniqlo tops. I can't tell them apart unless I look at the label!

Can't complain 😊

I think they've really improved clothes wise.