Is M&S really having a moment?

[friedaddedchilli]

I keep seeing/hearing that M&S is having an amazing season, but I'm not getting it. Browsing the website I see nothing special. What am I missing? What have you bought recently which has really thrilled you?

And as per normal I ordered some trousers and a shirt a few days ago, then today I’ve got a sparks offer of 20% off clothing . I’ll be taking it all back and re order at the lower price. Happens every time!

I bought DD that exact same blue jumper last year. It bobbled instantly. After 3 wears and one wash it looked like a rag. I had one in beige and the same happened.

I agree about the state of (at least some of) their local stores. I avoid mine, it's too depressing. I don't find their website enticing either - far too big for my liking, even when you filter. But the large, well stocked branch I was in last week was a revelation. I'm now wondering if they've decided to focus on a small number of major stores. If they are, I'm not convinced it's a great idea.

Second this! I just bought two pairs of their “carrot” cropped barrel jeans and they’re very nice! They’re not overly “barrel-y” so I feel it’s been a good ease into this trend! Only £40 each too

The store where I live is huge and contains hardly any stock. Only one kind of swimming costume in the whole echoing edifice when I looked in August and almost the whole rail was endless 10s. Why on earth do they pay for such a huge space and not use it?

I have some fantastic long-length swimming costumes from about a decade ago, which are still fine. Amazing cuts, fabrics, quality. But the ones I've ordered online recently have been nasty cheap things with stupidly high cut legs.

And the knickers I've been buying for years have suddenly gone downhill, more skimpily cut, worse fabric, uncomfortable seams.

Jeans on the other hand, they're still doing ok. For the moment.

I was impressed at first by their wide leg jeans and thought they were very good value for money. But they didn't hold their shape and went droopy disappointingly quickly. I donated them after a few months.

I bought a really lovely burgundy silky/satiny blouse the other day but was very disappointed when I tried to find a pair of trousers, didn’t seem to matter what size I picked up they all fit me badly, ended up getting a pair from sainsburys.

I wonder if M&S has struggled to bounce back after all the cyber issues

I have a major issue with most clothing stores now in that they tend to use fabrics that aren't pre-washed...buy a size 14 that fits beautifully and after one wash it's a size 12 and snugger than a bug in a rug! So this goes for M&S, Next, Phase8 and others.

I went on the M&S website earlier as I got the 20% off email and filtered by clothing type and size...found a few things I likes but of course they were out of stock iin that size - I've emailed them before to ask why they can't give us a "show in stock only" filter and stop wasting my time 😂

Every time they announce closures, I expect mine to go. But I think the food part is keeping it going.

No, it's not ageist to say that it's a shop for older people! I'm 48 and feel quite young there!

No. It’s marketing.
I keep seeing influencers telling me they’ve just snagged the last ‘viral’ jacket in their local M&S. Which is such obvious scripted nonsense.

Said jackets are always the exact sensible and practical jackets my elderly neighbour would happily wear. I just don’t believe these 30/40/50 year old women are wearing the same styles as 80 year olds.

I’ve not seen anything in there for years that’s caught my eye, other than the odd bra or pair of knickers.

I bought a denim jumpsuit there at the weekend. It was true to size. I was pleasantly surprised by how flattering it was.

It’s not always marketing. Some of their stuff is decent. I’m in my 30s.

Their clothes don't suit me so I've taken the hint.

Bought some pj's in the summer. Trousers barely covered my backside. Their trousers have never fitted across my ample bottom so I spend my money elsewhere.

I love their palazzo jeans and trousers. I do find my local store tricky to shop in though as the layout is awful. I used to be a dedicated fan of their knickers but the last few pairs I have bought have literally fallen apart!

Was in there today with my 82 year old very stylish mother. The video in the window display showcased the rust pleated skirt/blue sweater combo. Looked fabulous and yet nothing like the skirt or sweater on the rack. Quality was shocking. Saw one top I liked, not available in my size. So we food shopped only as usual.

PS agree about the black jeans being so much smaller! WTF is that all about?

I thought the black jeans being smaller and the fabric rougher was something to do with the dye?

I never see much I like either in our large local M&S or in the Marble Arch store. I find the sizing weird - jeans are way too high waisted for me, and too big around the waist and stomach area. Very odd and not flattering. But obviously they work for some people.

Why don't you try their merino jumpers? I have bought both the men's & women's for the last couple of years and they are excellent quality.

I have bought this too. It’s gorgeous!!

Zero natural fibres? I don’t agree with that at all.

That rust pleated skirt is gorgeous but ever so pricey!

@Housewife2010yes, you’re right, I was forgetting the merino and I do have one from M&S which is great though I feel the merino from Uniqlo has the slight edge on M&S. I guess I was thinking about something plain but a bit warmer.

Me too!

TBH, I only see some men waiting while the women they are with are trying on clothes in the locked, secure cubicles. They often look bored, but obviously are there to give an invited opinion. Its not like they are ogling in a communal changing room.