M&S: Does anyone know, because I've often wondered...

[TskullsScreaming]

..What is the difference in M&S between Per Una, Limited Collection, Autograph and the clothes that lurk in the no man's land of 'all the other stuff'?

I mean I sort of understand that in Per Una I can expect art teacher clothes raggedy tartan scrappy flowers to be sewn onto everything, but what do the other things actually mean?

I've never got this at all and M&S's assumption that I do know drives me nuts.

God knows what Per Una is meant to be.

I thought Limited Collection was latest trends not to be hanging around for long.

Autograph more upmarket stuff and slightly more expensive

Different teams of designers for each collection?

pmsl at your description of Per Una!

then there is a statley lady part that i don't understand: sensible navy and black slacks( some with elasticated waistband) and
beige cardigans.It seem to be 'shopping with your elderly mother'department

Was in todayand I cannot workit out either.also the ligting is so dim i need a torch in some parts of the lingerie area

per una: flouncy, more frills than garment
ltd collection: slightly better fitting, hardly any flounce, some good basics
autograph: actually quite wearable but more expensive

their prawn cocktails are good though

per una was being designed by that george bloke, not sure if it still is?

oh and isnt' there some SATC woman doing tarty stuff too atm?

It's so annoying. You think for example 'Hmm nice bag/shoes/skirt' then lurking in a different zone there's more then more. 'Ah but that's an Autograph bag. Different to the others' HOW IS IT???? (Well no tartan flower, so it can't be pruna) but HOW!?

I'm never sure I've seen the full picture before deciding. It bugs me.

I suppose it's done to keep you moving about, but it means nothing to me. It all looks similar.

Ever seen Father Ted when they get lost in the lingerie dpt? It's like that

I just don't know why they don't go back to what they used to do really well in the eighties (showing my age emoticon)

ie really good quality classic BASICS

everyone needs: good white or cream vests with trims to go under cardigans, good basic underwear and tights, a good white shirt, a good black jumper, a good pair of black trousers ...

all laid out so that it's not confusing and you can just go in there and grab it and be on your way ...

along with a nice prawn sandwich of course ...

there's too much choice nowadays, too much confusion. I think all shops tend to assume too much product knowledge on behalf of the consumer. I don't care about the various ranges on offer, I can't be a*d to work it out frankly, I just want to go in there and find what I want in the size I want and LEAVE asap

er, rant over ...

Oh amen to that Counting ]

Also, I think thet get above themselves with the prices of some irems.

I mean if (if) I were to spend a lot of money on a special piece. I wouldn't want it to be from M&S in case evryone else had seen it or had it. I think they are trying to cover too many bases.

Good post, Counting The Grey Hairs.

Ok - Per Una: drippy looking clothes for drippy looking women; you know the ones that are probably all lank hair and glasses and called Muriel.

Autograph - quite nice clothes, well cut; but if you're willing to pay that much you'd probably rather go to Jigsaw or Reiss.

Limited Collection - very on trend; better fabrics than the usual stuff; some nice things (silk camisoles, occasional silk shift dresses, good trousers) and the occasional really odd thing (jumpers without backs, shapeless tunics in strange shades of lime green).

I agree that marks are best (or should be) for basics - nice camisoles, comfortable pjs, tights (love the Autograph ones); bog standard black trousers etc.

i like the M&S cashmere jumpers. You can wash them!!

My typical trajectory when I go into an M&S tends to be like this:

Turn right: Arghh! I'm in Per Una - why on earth does everything have strange dyed lace inserts and odd applique? I have never seen anyone wear this stuff. Right: march straight on: Arghhhhh! I'm in Baggy Old Lady World! Crepe-y 'slacks', nasty unflattering round-necked t-shirts and lots of drawstrings. Ok, breathe. Turn sharp left. Oh yikes! it's the intimidating Smart Bit (I think this is Autograph) with cashmere under clear plastic wraps and the sort of outfits I'd need an entirely different lifestyle to wear.

And I only came in for some jeans. Now I'm utterly confused.

(Actually, I can't live without M&S jeans. They used to be stocked in the drippy Per Una section but now they're off somewhere on their own in a nondescript nomansland.)

Can somebody in HO at M&S please read this thread and take note......

Oh thank goodness, I thought is was just me that hated the per una flowers and frills... and every skrit the same shape.. and boxy chunky stripped cardigans!

never seen anyone wearing the stuff

I can never find anything in M&S.

Bought this dress recently which is a great fit and great shape although a woman I got talking to said she'd tried it and the waist was in the wrong place for her. For me, it's a great workwear basic.

I can't see it anywhere in the shop now (I'd like the next size down!) as they have moved everything around since I was there a couple of weeks ago. Nor can I see any similar dresses in different colours although they have plenty on their website. And I can't find the lovely red jacket I tried on at the same time but couldn't justify buying either online or in-store. Grrrr

Agree their tights are fab but Debenhams have picked up my knicker business as M&S's have been lousy recently.

walked past Per Una today, I have to say there is not one thing in that section I would buy. Totally hideous, strangely cut and over the top stuff. They take a nice simple garment and wreck it with unfinished seams, frilly detail and horrible colours.
Plus it's acrylic central there.

i never buy clothes in m and s i have a deep prejudice that it is all yuk

i do buy knickers there and have fallen in to the trap of the occasional bra big mistake

but never anything else

for some reason i would hate anyone to think i bought stuff there

i dont know why but i have alwyas felt that way

oh when i was overweight i did buy per una jeans but thank go d i dont have to now

I read that M&S aim per una at the under 25s- which is a joke as I see many over 65s buying there and my Mum's best friend who is 75 buys loads of her tops etc from Per Una!
I don't know why PU is slagged off so much TBH, it's not to my taste but they do have some okay basics- tops and trousers etc. The embroidered long skirts etc are hideous but there are a few key items that are ok.

Autograph is more luxurious, though I think it's over-sold- never seen anything I like- and Limited Edition is trendier but again, more expensive.

If I were Stuart Rose, I'd get rid of all the silly names/labels and just display all the clothes by colour collections- it seems crazily confusing to have these sub-divisions.

I don't think I know anybody under the age of 40 who would contemplate Per Una; it has got worse and worse over the years.

Love the shape of this: www.marksandspencer.com/gp/product/B001FY3DHC/sr=1-7/qid=1224445711/ref=sr_1_7/202-0852824-9847840?i e=UTF8&node=43022030&m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&keywords=&mnSBrand=core&size=9&rh=&page= but would be so much better in black or grey to be a useful basic (not that i can afford it anyway).

no no no i love p u
leave those long flowery skirts alone!

oh yes Honest Friend, clothes by colour codes, that's what we want!!

I did buy I very nice mac for £45 when Per Una was first launched, a million years ago, and it's still going strong ....there's nothing in the range I like now

Also, I do love that sort of safe feeling you get (or is it just me?) when you walk in to an M& S. Sort of familiar, spacious, usually good air conditioning ...a reassuring egg and bacon sandwich available on the shelf ....but perhaps it's because I only dip in there intermittently when I'm in UK to buy my white cotton standard pants ...and dh buys navy socks by the armful ....both items also v. reassuring for an expat

and now I've broadcast to the nation what sort of pants I wear ... can you tell it's a slow work day ....

M&S a nightmare if I go with a pushchair The whole place is so confusing and packed together. I usually whizz straight to cafe,loos or dessert section on foods. Only really got a handle on different sections when I worked there briefly and even then couldnt get my head around Classics-its a sea of beige and elasticated waists. Love my 'mummies' stretch mid waist per una jeans though. V comfy and never off.