Marks and Spencer....back in the day

Yes, just like BHS and Woolworths were. Same staff on same counters……always someone to help…..and those intimidating ‘floor-walkers’ 😱………not much shoplifting back in the day!

I used to love Marks and Spencers. I would always buy something when I went in there even if it was only a pair of tights.

Yes, the M&S, or rather St Michael, clothes in the charity shops are,such good quality compared with M&S offerings nowadays.

Oh gosh staff on counters! I'd forgotten that. Invariably sensible " older" ladies. With an extra helping of common sense.

The St Michael and early Marks and Spencer clothes were so well made. Lined, pockets, good stitching, hems that stayed stitched. I wish I had kept so many things I ditched. I am pretty much the same size as I was in my 20s. Not boasting. Cancer and chemo has helped!

I was thinking of some lovely summer skirts and dresses I had which fashion wise I could wear today. Oh well..

An afternoon browsing was always such a treat. Such helpful staff. No longer.

Yes, that's it. Browsing and familiar faces.

I loved BHS rather more than M&S. my very favourite clothes shop in the 70s was Richards.

My sister worked for M&S when she was young. I can’t recall which department she was in but they treated their staff well. There was a canteen upstairs for breaks and mealtimes and a weekly hairdresser came in so they could get their hair done. There were staff extras, too, days out and so on.

SueDonim

My sister worked for M&S when she was young. I can’t recall which department she was in but they treated their staff well. There was a canteen upstairs for breaks and mealtimes and a weekly hairdresser came in so they could get their hair done. There were staff extras, too, days out and so on.

Think they also had a podiatrist as well.

I only have one remaining St Michael label garment. My favourite dressing gown which is 30 odd years old. Many others have come and gone but none match up to this one. I alternate it with another fairly new M&S one but it’s just not the same. It’s like my comfort blanket and I love to wrap up in it in the evenings and early mornings.

My mum worked in M&S, when she was pregnant with me. She was always gutted she had to leave to have me. She had been offered a Supervisor role but due to being pregnant couldn't (in those days) take up the post. No Maternity leave in those days.
Years later, during the Christmas time, she often went back to do a bit of part-time Christmas cover for a few weeks.
Always a good company to work for, with lots of perks, even in those days.

I recently asked my DH if he had an old shirt I could use for a scarecrow and the one he provided had a St Michael label!

Oh yes, St Michael. Dh still has some ties with that label. Also, I bought dd1 a pink cotton St Michael jumper that she loved. That was circa 1990. When she grew out of it she dressed her dolls in it, then I reclaimed it for dd2. Likewise, her dollies wore it until dd1’s daughter wore it circa 2020. It’s now doing doll-service again!

I think Mum always regarded it as a cut above, slightly aspirational. As opposed to what she referred to as " those cheap shops"

I've got a St Michael long sleeve top that I bought in a charity shop 10 years ago. It's well made and very comfortable. It's still got years of wear left in it. On the other hand M&S pyjamas bought fairly recently are falling to pieces.

The M&S archive on Twitter is fascinating and worth having a look at. I imagine you can access it without going via Twitter. (I know it's called X now)

I've just Googled the archive. Not only is it on line but is actually situated in Leeds and is open to the public

Was Leeds store first to open?

Apparently M and S dropped the St Michael label in 2000 .
I have a nightie with that label.
It hasn't faded , torn nor worn out .
I've bought other nighties since and it has outlasted them all .
I now regret throwing out my St Michael clothes .

I went to M and S last week .
I walked round and round the store trying to find the dress selection - I hate that it's put in sections .
I went into the cafe .
I can recall when it was calm and relaxing .
It was full of screaming babies and children ,people complaining that their order hadn't come and deafening music .

It is certainly not the same now
My favourite clothes shop until about 10 years ago, when the rot started to set in.
Now I think it is rubbish, except for the food department. M&S should concentrate on food now, and drop the clothing side.

I still wear a denim skirt from Marks that must be at least 25 years old. The material and stitching is far superior to the ones they make now. Like one of the other posters a pair of pyjamas I've only worn about 5 times are starting to unravel at the seams.
Went into our Marks today and they have expanded the food section so we have lost some of the womens section. The refurbished part only opened last week and one of the fridges had already broken. Signage was confusing and there seemed to be no staff apart from the tills. Certainly not how it used to be.

I have a couple of St Michael cardigans which I still wear.

Probably 30 years old.

Still come out every summer.

Must check in wardrobe, am sure I have other items.

DH certainly has some shirts.

I only bought underwear and tights until I was in my 40’s, I’ve no issues with what I have bought since, still my place for jeans, shirts/tops and very occasionally footwear.

yes, St Michael brand back in the day. \clothes lasted for years
Now made in China, Vietnam, Cambodia ect ect.

I bought a size 12 St Michael skirt in a charity shop. But I couldn’t get into it even though I’m a size 12. I think sizing has changed over the years.