Why is Marks & Spencer so obsessed with women wearing waistcoats?

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I do not like waistcoats, I can’t see them without thinking of Suzie Quattro.

The new ones are awful. The fabrics look cheap. The colours are grim and you have to have pretty good arms for them to look anything less than hideous.

Stop with the waistcoats.

I've just had a look at the M&S ones and think the majority are cut like sleeveless tops rather than true waistcoats, so a watering down of whatever catwalks they came from and less revealing. More wearable than I had thought. The pp who posted her photo looks amazing. Might look less amazing on someone shorter and fatter.

Early nineties I had a lovely black longline waistcoat with a dark pink satin black. Worn with a short sleeved body and a short straight black skirt. Oh to be 20 again!

I’m flat chested and love a waistcoat. I’m so old, I remember lumpy padded bras before moulded bras and a waistcoat sorted that out.
Not showing my arms though!

No to waistcoats, yes to dirndls.

I could potentially get on board with them again, with something underneath. A more tailored look would suit me now though.

I also had a black satin one in the early 90s, which was the style at the time. Loved it with long slightly bonkers necklaces.

right , now I’m going to have to go and bloody well try one and if it suits me, I’ll be really cross

lol at the thread police.

Still one of my favourite looks.

That was my thought too. I love a waistcoat over a poloneck. But I went over to their website to have a look and they are all wearing them with nothing underneath. I wouldn't wear a waistcoat like that because I would expect a waistcoat to be worn several times between washing which you couldn't do if the sleeve area was in direct contact with the armpit. But agree the bare arms look can only be supported by a willowy model-like figure lounging around in artistically inspired poses, unlike most ordinary women getting on with their lives.

Edited because Mumsnet autocorrected the name of the store to a live url weblink. That's annoying.

I wear them sometimes. Usually over a vest top. Stops me feeling too booby in a vest as a waistcoat softens the shelf.

I think my main issue with waistcoats of today is the same one I have with alot of the jackets....the trend for boxy, oversized fits.
Unless you are a very willowy young thing then boxy and oversized items just make you look like you have a boxy, oversized body!

Yes exactly, it's kind of like a vest top, but with a bit more coverage.

Don’t do it! It’s not worth the risk.

I like waistcoats but as an extra like a nice scarf or hat not instead of a shirt.
Ladies on ‘Gardeners’ World’ still wear something underneath so it must be OK.
I made myself a purple silk one about thirty years ago, but I’m a bit bigger now.

lol. Imagine i looked HAWT AF

then wot?

Thanks for bringing this trend to my attention. I’ve been working on my arms and I’d like to show them off in a waistcoat. If only the weather would comply.

I had to wear a striped one when I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar (literally) in the ‘80s. It was quite the look. I’m not going there again.

If you do then you probably look ‘HAWT AF’ in absolutely anything and don’t really need clothes at all.

Slightly off topic but why does M&S so rarely have enough stock in sizes 6 - 8? I thought the point was they wanted to attract new audiences. As soon as something vageuly cool or nice comes in, it sells out straightaway in smaller-medium sizes, which is great for them, but surely would have got them more profit if they'd actually predicted the demand and bought enough stock in!

I just took delivery of two from M&S and on trying them on wondered why? I think I was gullible to be part of a “ trend” they have gone straight back and I’ve saved myself £60!!! I will try not to get drawn in to what is “ fashionable again” 😂

I actually think they look really good. Very much a current tend so I wouldn’t buy an expensive one. But I have a brunch coming up and I thought I might get one for that.

Cat Deeley can rock a waistcoat with bare arms. But she is tall, slim and small of bust which helps.

I’m pleased to see them being quite busty - the shorty tank tops that were in fashion need flat chested models -these are great

They are everywhere and I hate them.
I've unfollowed some of my favourite fashioned instagramers because they wear them every day atm.

You’re my favourite 🤩
there’s only so many times you can wear sleeveless tops anyway. I have a rule. Has to be over 25° to be sleeveless top or shorts

Exactly. Like the current trend for jeans that make all but the flattest stomach look enormous and must be worn with either a crop top or tucked in shirt, so everyone can see how fat you are around the middle.

Or leggings that make you look like you are naked from the waist down.