I am getting a bit fed up that every time someone posts something in this sort of price range that the main response is about the price, usually with a load of cheap ‘similar’ suggestions.
My M&S comment was because I thought from the navy version OP posted from M&E was extremely similar to a standard M&S offering. That’s what my eye registered. Definitely go for M&E trousers though if you are happy to pay 5 x more to look like you’re wearing M&S Collection trousers, than it would be to actually buy them from M&S. I’m only going on looks here and that’s my subjective impression of what I see.
Obviously I can’t say anything about a nicer weight or feel of fabric or the joy of wearing a non-M&S pair, because clearly this is just a visual exercise. Those IRL factors like fabric feel are all absolute valid reasons for spending whatever you can afford on an item. Absolutely fine. Those subjective things are definitely part of value for money in my book.
Caveat to the visual appeal of these specific trousers though- I looked at the Olive colour version to try to see more of the detail. Turns out the patch pockets are back and front and that it has numerous quirky seams as part of the design detail, and raw hems. Those things are not for me as a design detail personally. Even though a very soft heavy fabric pair of wide legged trousers seems like a very useful thing to have in the wardrobe and I will keep looking out for something in that ballpark. I’m happy to get them in M&S if the fabric is good or to get them somewhere more expensive, or less expensive, I’ll see what’s out there and try a few things on.
I don’t want to comment on Angela Rayner wearing an unflattering dress or suit because really it’s inviting comment on her body not the dress. I doubt I’m the only one on here who has a standard middle aged body who would hate to be in the public eye having my physical looks picked apart while trying to do a very hard job.
Politicians aren’t like influencers or socialite celebs, actors or models with stylists, they’re working 24/7 basically hopefully for the good of the electorate. I positively wouldn’t want elected MPs to be spending loads of their time thinking up the most flattering outfit they can possibly find. I’d rather they just did the job. It’s also a particularly sexist factor against women politicians. Loads of male politicians at work look a mess or just wear the exact same suit for their entire careers (which is a sartorial sidestep of the whole issue men get to take) but they don’t get publicly slated for that.