Is anyone else suprised to be finding Marks and Spencer Really Good?

[MalagaNights]

I've been looking for winter dresses, struggling to find warm everyday styles. Saw a few knitted dresses in places like Arket/ Cos usually about £100 which I was prepared to pay.

Went on the M&S webisite and I've found loads of dressses which fit what I'm looking for an they're around £40!!

This alos happened to me in the summer when I was looking for everyday midi stye dresses. Prepared to spend £100+ and found just wahst I was looking for in M&S for around £40. So git twice as many!!

I've orederd about 7 dresses. A few knitted styes and a a few midi styles with long sleeves. Waiting for them to arrive so will comment on quality, but my summer dresses were a lovely crisp high quality cotton.

I'd really given up on Marks and regarded them as done and out, and never go in the shop.
Anyone else suprised to find they're really good again?

Not surprised really, things go in cycles, and hopefully they're turning things around a little and responding to what people want. £40 is cheap though, so I wonder how good the quality can be/how ethical.

I love M&S. Helped by there being a big store that is only a small detour on my way home from work. I have no desire to go shopping on a weekend! I actually said to my friend last night 'If I can't get it at M&S I'm not interested' 😂

Had a quick look round last Friday night though and nothing jumped out at me. I like simplistic, Autograph usually has some things that appeal to me.

They're pretty good - especially for jumpers and at the moment one of the few places on the high street selling stuff that isn't just beige, grey, black and navy this winter. That's a bit of a turnabout!

I bought a (very cheap) 3/4 sleeve zebra print top last season and it's so flattering and comfortable.

Sadly I'm not getting it, but I am just one little data point.

My issues are - few natural fabrics, necks to high on most items, no scoop necks, only high waists, bad back pocket placement on jeans, square, flumpy cuts on most tops, too much tiered, thin material, poor colour choices.

Their jeans and cords are amazing.

I'm actually struggling with getting hold of things - 34j bras were a struggle and don't get me started on the extra short jeans that are just never in stock online and they dont stock instore.

M&S are my go too for jeans/leggings/trousers, have been for a few years now. the £25 pleather leggings they have in every colour ever are amazing imo.

At first I was thrilled to find stylish, flattering close at that price.

I am sad they aren’t wearing well. For example, the button holes have grown on a shirt so now it won’t stay done up. The knees in the cords are bagging. I wash on 30 and hang out. So, sadly I think they are a false economy or fad fashion. They aren’t made to last.

I've just done a massive order and finding it so hit and miss - coat I need in a 16, trousers I needed in a 22 short (I'm 5"8), leggings out of stock, boots out of stock, harem pants finished mid calve?! Bizarre

Nope - went to our 'local' one (20 mins from home in the car) to find it full of frumpy synthetic clothing in drab colours and sizes 8-16 only. Only 5 coats on display, all brown and mostly that duvet quilting which only suits the super skinny in sizes XS, S and M. Huge shoe section, large area being cleared for Xmas stuff and I bought nothing.

I have a lot of affection for M&S but I don't want to just buy nice things from the website - I want to see them in the stores, be able to look at the stitching and feel the fabric and (call me old fashioned), actually try clothes on.
Some of the stores are absolutely dire - was in the Hereford branch last week and omg, it was bleak. Food hall was nice but the women's dept seemed really drab.

Yes! Their wide leg trousers, merino knitwear and dresses are really good right now.

I've seen a few threads in this vein but didn't really get it until recently when I visited a much larger branch, and yes, from a distance I was pleasantly surprised. It did look like they'd raised their style game even if it's not evident in every store.

When I touched and picked things up, I was less impressed. Everything felt flimsy, including the tailored and tweed-effect stuff where you'd expect - and need - a bit more weight.

But then I look at their prices and I'm not really surprised. I remember paying a similar amount, if not higher, to shop there in the 80s - something's got to give.

When they get it right, their clothes can be great but I've been struggling to find anything with a flattering fit recently. Tops, as a PP said, are boxy and too short with necklines that are too high and I've never found their trousers a particularly good fit.

I've seen quite a few things online that appeal, but because of a tendancy to keep things that aren't quite right because I cba to return them, I have resolved not to buy clothes on line. I don't think it will last though, I took a trip to our very large out-of town M&S and saw nothing I recognised from the website at all. Everything was very dreary.

I’m not seeing it either. I struggle to find something that I like and think the designs of some items to be a bit ‘meh’. I also struggle to find my size. I think what they do is take an items that would be nice and then add something unnecessary.

None of it is well made though. Synthetic fabrics and not made to last. I'd rather pay more and get better quality, or pay less and get the same quality. M&S is neither cheap, or good quality.

I've bought three of the 'wool' type dresses for £40 just for wearing in the house. They aren't wool but they are so warm and soft and look more dressy than jeans and a jumper. When I wear woollen tights and a thermal top underneath I am toasty warm. I'm just waiting to see how they wash because at the moment they seem too good to be true..

I don’t like their ‘fashion’ stuff. Hate the dresses and most of the tops and skirts. Same old shapeless midi shit that’s everywhere.

But M&S is starting to resemble the old ‘good for basics’ Marks & Spencer’s of yesteryear. I like their tights, leggings, jeggings, trousers for work, Shapewear. That’s what I liked M&S for 20 years ago, then they massively lost their way…but seem to be finding their way back.

Their shoes & boots have really gone off the boil, though. Used to be able to get really good quality, classic styles in amongst the ‘foot glove’ monstrosities. Now they’re trying too hard to be fashionable with cheap, clumpy shite that you could get for half the price in New Look.

I often see something nice when I touch it the fabric I’d horrible. I’m fine with synthetic, in fact I don’t but wool or leather but some are nice and some just nasty

I’ve ordered three items. Not had a chance to see in real life yet

waterproof parka style raincoat. Recommend On the football mums coat thread and I had a 20% off with Sparks
Christmas jumper that looks vaguely tasteful , yes I know it’s a contradiction. This is dark green with sequins. I have not liked the trend the past few years for pink,teal,light blue, sloths,pugs,unicorn,slogans about Prosecco. A nice dark green with sparkle sounds perfect
and the fake suede leggings. I did fancy the pleather ones but decided on these. Hopefully won’t get covered. In fluff and cat hair

I still love M&S food but have no interest in their clothes. The quality isn't great.

I've had quite a lot from M&S over the last year that I've had lots of compliments on, at the moment a denim skirt with cargo pockets and some brown wide leg cords. Got a great teddy coat last year too.

I’ve liked the look of a few of their evening pieces that I’d seen online and was impressed with the style of some of them ….. I thought they looked pretty chic. Saying that they’re very hit and miss quality wise. I like the jeans and the £39+ wide leg trousers but find the dresses underwhelming. The cheap £19 trousers are exactly what you’d expect. Jumpers are often acrylic and look like shit after a couple of washes. ( this is the same in many places on the High street). I have a couple of old St Michael pieces picked up in charity shops and the quality is far superior.

People saying the fabrics are horrible, cheap polyester etc, where do you shop on the High St that's any different? It's a constant frustration of mine that rules out most of what's in any given shop, but even the higher end high St shops do it.

I did manage to get some nice shoes in the summer (black mules) and I've recently ordered some shapewear, which fits well and seems comfortable (not tested it for all day wear yet though). There are bits that are okay - leggings for example. But there's a woman on Instagram who reviews quality and she said the finishing on the new range wasn't great - you could see seams not lined up for example, or jumpers where the pattern hasn't been continued to the back, so a bit cheap looking. Iirc, she said the material quality doesn't reflect the price as well. So still some way to go I think.