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Original poster

M & S

32 replies

Pennnyforthright · 03/02/2025 22:05

I went to M and S today, as I have vouchers from Christmas. What a disappointment! There was literally nothing I even wanted to try on. I’ll probably end up getting underwear and socks.

OP posts:
Snowmanscarf · 03/02/2025 22:06

Is It between seasons? I actually think their offering has greatly improved in the last few years.

CakeIsNotAvailable · 03/02/2025 22:07

I was there today looking for a couple of black T-shirts for layering, and I came away with a couple of very nice cotton T-shirts for a reasonable price.

Their jeans can be decent.

But, if in doubt, underwear and socks is a safe bet!

Garlicworth · 03/02/2025 22:16

It's better to shop online, as hardly any of the physical stores have good stock.

Back in the olden days, they used to do the really good lines in very short runs. The stylists at my work would tell us when they'd been sent another M&S winner and we'd all hare down Oxford Street to the big store (RIP) at lunchtime to buy it before they sold out. Few of those styles ever appeared in other branches.

It's much more democratic now with the website! A devotee would still have to be quick, I think: the best stuff sells out within days. Can your voucher be used online?

IvyLeagueSnob · 03/02/2025 22:21

Just get some champagne and chocolate!

Cyclingmummy1 · 03/02/2025 22:32

Food.

madaboutpurple · 03/02/2025 22:37

I used a voucher recently for food and it was all very tasty. They do a good line in their underwear though.

Smallinthesmoke · 03/02/2025 22:41

You could look for basics. I saw some decent T-shirts at the weekend. Ribbed scoop necks for layering, and a nice navy broderie anglaise one. If I had vouchers I'd replace my greying white T-shirts with new ones. Or if it was a big voucher, their cashmere is in some nice spring colours.
But yeah, the clothes are mainly disappointing.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 04/02/2025 06:58

It’s awful at the moment. I’ve been trying to buy a jumper but all they have is cashmere or crap. And I don’t rate their cashmere.

ThePoshUns · 04/02/2025 07:21

Much more choice online. I can never get my size instore (12)

Motnight · 04/02/2025 07:26

IvyLeagueSnob · 03/02/2025 22:21

Just get some champagne and chocolate!

This is great life advice in general 😬

Cakeandcheeseforever · 04/02/2025 07:28

I like their cord jeggings

ThePoetsWife · 04/02/2025 07:29

Go online and buy lots of stuff and return in store - I have lots of M&S and much of it was bought online as you don't get to see their full range in store which can be frustrating

Britpopbaby · 04/02/2025 08:17

Their Good Move range is great for workout wear. Alternatively buy some branded beauty stuff or wait a little to see if there is another Sienna Miller capsule collection for the new season, fingers crossed there will be.

MsMarch · 04/02/2025 13:19

Online or a bigger store. Our local store has actually improved in the last year or two, but previously, it was almost completely pointless except for underwear and socks and perhaps a jumper or two. It now has a small, but nice, selection of more of their fashion items and a much b etter selectio of jeans etc than before. But it's still limited over all. The reality is that if you read the fashion pages, M&S is doing loads of great stuff but a lot of their stores outside of big cities are still struggling very much to know who their clientele are (or perhaps they do know and are prioritsing different people to me and you).

MsMarch · 04/02/2025 13:31

Also, weirdly, tik tok has recently kept trying to me videos of people who are doing an M&S haul. I don't know why as I never watch them (i'd be fascinated to know what makes the algorithm think this is good content for me. I havent even browsed M&S online in a few months as I'm on a "no new clothes" period)!

But it might be helpful to do a search and see what other people are buying and get ideas that way?

spiderlight · 04/02/2025 13:34

I went into our local M&S on Sunday with a voucher and came away empty-handed. Everything was absolutely awful - DH and I ended up just laughing at some of it. I spent my voucher online on a nice basic Fat Face top instead.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 04/02/2025 16:13

Ours is a big store, but most of the stuff is awful. Nasty fabrics and nasty colours.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 04/02/2025 16:14

I do rate their jeans though.

MsMarch · 04/02/2025 17:21

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 04/02/2025 16:13

Ours is a big store, but most of the stuff is awful. Nasty fabrics and nasty colours.

I have ALWAYS had an issue with the colours of M&S clothes. As long as I can remember. They always just seemed ever so slightly "off" to me. And if you look at what I DO have from M&S - it's almost all white, black or grey! Grin The greens are never properly green, the pinks are always a bit dull, the reds always seem too orange.... I could go on! I nearly bought a coat last year... it was cream! 😂

OP - another option is to check out their skincare section. They sell a much wider variety than just M&S now plus the M&S stuff gets quite good write ups and reviews. If you asked on here for skincare from M&S recommendations you'd get a lot, I'm sure. I have a vague memory that there's a cleansing balm in rose that people rave about?

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 04/02/2025 19:30

Totally agree about their reds and greens. I’m like you - pretty much only buy black or white items in there.

LookItsMeAgain · 04/02/2025 19:43

Leather handbag
Make-up & skin care
Food & Drink
Accessories/belts/jewellery
Lingerie
PJ's
Homewares

rockstarshoes · 04/02/2025 19:57

I bought some red & pink lobster print pajamas in there on Sunday! They are fab!

Original poster
Pennnyforthright · 05/02/2025 10:11

I was hoping for a nice lightweight, casual jacket and a new navy cardigan. These items used to be the very essence of M & S.

OP posts:
ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 05/02/2025 10:14

There was this beautiful broderie anglaise blouse I liked on their website.

Turned out to be polyester
so I gave up on it.

Bjorkdidit · 05/02/2025 10:34

MsMarch · 04/02/2025 17:21

I have ALWAYS had an issue with the colours of M&S clothes. As long as I can remember. They always just seemed ever so slightly "off" to me. And if you look at what I DO have from M&S - it's almost all white, black or grey! Grin The greens are never properly green, the pinks are always a bit dull, the reds always seem too orange.... I could go on! I nearly bought a coat last year... it was cream! 😂

OP - another option is to check out their skincare section. They sell a much wider variety than just M&S now plus the M&S stuff gets quite good write ups and reviews. If you asked on here for skincare from M&S recommendations you'd get a lot, I'm sure. I have a vague memory that there's a cleansing balm in rose that people rave about?

Show quote history

I agree on the colours. Wishy washy pastels, no thank you.

But OP, there are 35 different 'navy cardigans' on the website, surely one will suit?

https://www.marksandspencer.com/l/women/knitwear/cardigans/fs5/navy#intid=finav_ww_plp_Navy%20Cardigans_foundit_fi_fi-Cardigans_top_plp_12_5

Crew Neck Button Front Cardigan

Women's Navy Cardigans at M&S

Our women's navy cardigans combine 21st-century styling with this timeless shade. Browse flattering shapes in solid colours and statement prints at M&S

https://www.marksandspencer.com/l/women/knitwear/cardigans/fs5/navy#intid=finav_ww_plp_Navy%20Cardigans_foundit_fi_fi-Cardigans_top_plp_12_5

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