Aren't M&S clothes shite at the moment?

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Going to a party tomorrow. I have something to wear, but ended up with a couple of hours spare and decided to go and shop for something new. Nearest place with easy parking is a big M&S.

My God, how dreary are their clothes?! Shitey McShite of Shitesville.

Who buys all that stuff?

I was so disappointed not to be able to spend any money. I went round twice, in disbelief, convinced I must have missed all the nice stuff.

I usually like M&S but it's absolutely dire at the moment. Per una is a shocker.

www.marksandspencer.com/gp/product/B001PNWQLW/sr=1-11/qid=1247317625/ref=sr_1_11/275-3160724-1170613 ?ie=UTF8&node=&m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&keywords=&mnSBrand=core&size=9&rh=n%3A43094030%2Cp%5F10%3AGreen&page =2

I bought this in khaki, bright green and white. I took the naff belt off them.

Seriously, in RL they are cute, well made and with loads of pocket detail etc. I love them, I've been wearing nowt else. They sit just on the knee, rising above the knee when you sit down.

I'm usually a size 14 but the size 12 fitted me better.

All my other clothes are of the White Stuff/ Fat Face type and this skirts looks just like that. Fits in great with all my summer vests and tops and washes like a dream.

I'm happy!

God it looks mumsy and shite in the link but trust me, it really is cute! And no way does it look M&S.

12 quid, you can't go wrong.

Could this be the new M&S 'wonder product'? (Following the success of the M&S £12 jeans?!)

Yes, that's nice, MZ.

I think the point about the demographic might be right. I was in Kingston shopping today, and popped into M&S there - on a mission to find a wrap of some sort for tonight, having bought lovely top in East! - and clothes there seemed different/better.

Stilla, you are so right about the monkeys!

Someone on here once described a Per Una sale as being like 'a transvestites' bazzar'. That was a pretty good description too.

Thank god! Glad it has been accepted as ok.

(bitterly remembers Van Dal-gate)

Love the rags and monkeys theory - spot on.

Van Dal? Van Dal?! Now that is stretching the limits of acceptability (unless they have done a major rebrand which has passed me by).

Thanks MZ - I tried the skirt but wasn't keen on the midnight colour
Totally agree with ditching the belt

I bought these trousers but again ditched the belt

I don't actually mind the clothes being shite - that's fine - up to them - there's an M&S demographic - national institution and all that - much like the NHS and Bagpuss - cranky and slightly absurd but people are fond of it.

But I do mind Stuart Rose breaking all the codes of good corporate governance by being both Chief Exec and Chairman. It's a shame that the shareholder revolt didn't succeed, and it's a terrible example for other large corporates.

I agree, Quattro.

I bought THIS, feels nice, looks good if you take off the naff brooch.....but am 47 so may be just fuddy enough!....can't stand the floral this, the ditsy that and the frilly the other...

Anyway,

I bought this

and this

Not sure which I'm going to wear, but I'll be wearing either with white linen trousers and high wedges.

I think many of the clothes in themselves are ok, it's just a case of poor styling / presentation. People rave about TopShop but if you examine a single item in isolation, away from the hype, it's really just tat.

Take this for example...??!

polly - I like that, but wanted something a bit more 'floaty', IYSWIM.

Oh, and I'm very nearly 50, so more fuddy than you!

or this

wolves anyone??

Sorry, I have hi-jacked to rant about TopShop. As you were...

Good point well made, MrsSB.

(Please tell me bodies aren't coming back ...)

re shorts
I have some pleated dark soft denim ones from our local crappy marks last year - wya ahead of themselves stylewise, probably why they didnt sell.
are much admired this eyar

i see those LTD coll ones are only in an 8 and 12 now

I hope not! I was seduced into buying a Donna Karan body in the late 80s. It was never, ever worn. And it was not cheap. I was young(er) and very silly then, in my defence

Ooh donna karan and body in the same sentence Takes me back.....

Totally agree MSB. Most shops have a general image that has nothing to do with the individual items of clothing.

That was brought home to me big style when I attended a Boden clearance sale in a tatty, smelly scout hall with the clothes presented folded up, in scabby plastic tubs.

Without the hype, one is forced to see that these are just clothes.

Conversely, while the M&S shopping experience is bland and joyless, the clothes aren't all bad. I have a stunning navy wool coat from the Autograph range that looks so high end, I get comments whenever I wear it.

I swear if I rebranded that skirt^ as a 'shiny happy summer skirt' and put it on a Swedish model in a Boden catalogue we'd all be demanding to know when it was going in the sale.

yes my mate always says that when you see something nice in say BHS and are unsure do the marks/zara. boden test - would you be suprised to see it THEre.

is a good test

Yes MZ, we would! It's very clever, but also very annoying how the 'right' brands manage to convince so many of us to spend too much money so often. It's the same with new housing. Show homes sell an unrealistic lifestyle, not a house. Much as we would love to, how many people have a bedroom with no storage apart from a built in wardrobe, and no possessions apart from an oversized copper bust in the window? The homes (when sold 2nd hand) look small, tatty and sad.