M&S still haven't found the plot they lost....

I’m another viscose lover - it’s made of bamboo, so it’s a bit natural, it hangs and drapes well, and lasts a long time - I have a lovely plain black viscose/elastane T-shirt top which I bought in 1998 and which is still as good as new, and one of my most elegant garments. I buy vests and pants at M&S, navy and black leggings (as a short woman with size 16 hips I don’t look as I’d like to in lighter colours, even on the rare occasions when they are offered). I have often bought nice jumpers, which don’t last well and are far too prone to bobbling - I think they are made with very short fibres as this keeps the price down - and they lose their shape very quickly. But worst of all, having checked the site just now, I find they have phased out the Indigo range - it was my favourite!

Have a look at David Nieper clothes. Not the cheapest ,I know ,but some of the loveliest,most elegant, classic, ladies clothes around.
I'm not suggesting you refurbish your entire wardrobe but ,if you are after one beautiful garment in particular ,then I'm sure you will find it there.

If you can afford a bit more, Pure Collection has some gorgeous plain and patterned satin blouses. Available online.

Per Una is not just for the younger grans . I have over the years bought some very nice tops from this range.
I occasionally visit M&S men's wear when the sales are on and found many bargains in knitwear size S and just right for me without being baggy.

And not only does everything have the ruffles and bell sleeves, but who wants a warm jumper with the shoulders cut out??

amt101 actually I agree, I like viscose too, very soft and comfortable, easy to wash and wear and doesn’t crease.
In Summer I like natural materials, but once the weather turns colder, am happy to wear viscose or man made materials.I think that a range of materials is needed though ( M&S) and good designs and colours.

harrigran a good idea, I will do that too! Perhaps if enough of us email them they will take notice.

When I moved to Spain in 1986 I brought my basic work wardrobe with me; M&S suits and separates in linen and wool, cotton or silk blouses, merino sweaters. I still own and wear many of them. No frills, just plain classic designs. I look on the M&S website from time to time, but have never been tempted to buy. I do occasionally buy M&S items in local charity shops, mainly easy fitting tops for one or two Euros, but I would not spend "real money" on any of their present range.

I have a large M&S near me and I keep going in hoping to find something/anything I like - so disappointed. I'm 67 so remember the 60s/70s well. Didn't like the fashions that much then never mind now. Usually I'll find something in Per Una but that's rubbish too. In the end I found a jumper and casual dress in Wallis.

I have been to the M&S FB page today and told them to read the Gransnet thread so that they might just understand why they are getting it so monumentally wrong. I won't hold my breath but it made me feel better.

Two big annoyances having come back from M&S this morning. They appear to have launched a new product "deep sleep pillow spray" to aid sleep which I have trouble with. Loads of this small boxed displayed. No price to be seen on the counter anywhere nor on any of the boxes. Perhaps I'm strange but I like to know the price of an item before I contemplate purchasing it. Asked an assistant she directed me to a till point where they had quite a few people queing, I said I didn't want to join a queue to find out a price then directed me to another point where there wasn't an assistant. Eventually found an assistant who went behind the till to scan it for me. Shouldn't have been that hard though

Also there to pick up an order, one assistant doing something quite lengthy with one customer, after the queue started building up another assistant came in with a rail of clothes but didn't serve, so we asked if she could bring someone out from round the back to serve. Eventually she tracked an assitant down but she appeared put out.

All in all not great M&S .

I'd just like to put a word in for the defence of viscose. I love it. I can't wear wool of any sort - sheep angora, cashmere - all make me itch. I find viscose soft and gentle. My favourite material in fact.

I get very cross trying to shop at this time of year anyway as most of the dresses in all the shops are black. I cannot wear black or white & trying to find a nice smart dress is hopeless- I want red, jade green, turquoise or orange- something bright & vivid. Some hope!

Good grief, who designed that. Way too busy.

I used to love their "relaxed skinny" jeans and bought several pairs. They didn't have any last time I went.

I spent a pleasant hour in a local large M&S a couple of months ago playing a game of "who can spot the most hideous item" Haven't been back since .

I see what you mean, I Ve just looked on the Australian site, I think someone's having a larf and have gone to a charity shop and mixed and matched, don t think there's much of a market for what I saw

I agree with all the comments about how dire M&S have become. I buy their men’s socks (I take a size 9 shoe and women’s socks all stop at size 8 and are too small) but little else as because of their layout I can never find anything I want in a hurry. Oh if only all trousers were in one place I could see they were all unsuitable instead of wandering around and getting frustrated.
I think Matalan are great for casual t shirts long and short sleeved, they are 60% cotton wash wonderfully and are great under blouses and jumpers.

Quality clothing went out the window with M&Swhen they got rid of British suppliers in a cost cutting exercise. As soon as the new stuff comes out you can tell what is gong to be on sale. I have still got some of their merino wool polos from over 10 years ago - regularly washed and good quality. I would not bother with their cashmere stuff - if you hold it up and see light then not to bother. When they do have a good quality item it usually flies off the shelves, I do not think they read the online buyers' comments and take them on board, As to other retailers - well Country Casuals, Viyella and Windsmoor have all bitten the dust and judging by some of their offerings, made abroad, they deserved to as they resorted to cheap at expensive prices. The House of Bruar is pricey but their merino knits do go on sale and Woolovers is not bad either. Have a look at Not on the High Street - some pleasant surprises there.

lovebooks, I tried on (aka struggled into) a pair of size 10 super skinny jeans in the M & S sale this weekend. £2. They were fine, but I had to put them back after failing to convince myself that they didn't make my legs look like overstuffed sausages tightly wrapped in blue clingfilm. As I put them back another hand grabbed them immediately. All the other jeans in the sale were cropped flares - I'm so surprised they hadn't sold.

I tried to find a cashmere polo neck, to no avail. The wee lassie I asked contemplated for at least 20 seconds before admitting that she didn't know what that was. Having found a slightly less clueless sales lady she commented that it was a bit early in the season for such a garment....this is OCTOBER, in ABERDEENSHIRE for heaven's sake. The only things I can buy in Markies are knickers. Wish they would stop trying to do fashion and go back to the quality, stylish basics for which they were renowned. I agree GillT57, the buyers/designers should be fired...do they wear Markies ghastly clothes?

I agree m and s have def lost the plot over the clothing horrible colours and styles haven't bought clothes for a while. However the boots this season are great so come on sort the clothes outo when you get to a certain age there aren't many places we can go.

I noticed that Louise Minchin on BBC breakfast this morning was wearing a bubblegum pink creation with horrible flouncy sleeves. Even on Louise, it looked pretty dire.

Hideous!! how on earth could anyone come up with a mess like this!! hopeless!

M and S have truly lost the plot. I used to shop there all the time for natural fibre classics but it has been over a decade since I went into the Windsor branch and saw even one thing I would wear. Not to mention that they have upsized everything so I am a six - which they do not sell.

Their cashmere, however, always looks nice but I can't afford it.