What is up with M & S?

Looking at mail order - and there are some excellent retailers - Patricia dawson, Box2 and Gudrun Sjoden among them, has anybody bought from Denny Andrews?

Denny Andrews used to 'show' in the Bath area some time ago, mostly lovely Indian cottons. I didn't buy as I tend to wait for sales at East and Anokhi for similar items.
M&S under-pinnings are great as is their menswear but forget trying to buy anything else other than food!

Today I once again wore the M&S top that started the revival of this topic. Last time the fabric just split as if it was decayed. I mended the four inch rent, washed it and today I put it on again and the fabric just continued splitting the full width of the back a few inches above the hem. It is a loose top and the piece of fabric involved was gathered so it wasn't under any tension. It is now in the dustbin. And M&S can go in with it.

I have bought garments from Boden and Toast and again been unhappy with the quality. An expensive wool coat from Boden pilled very badly within months and a needlecord top from Toast cost £90.00, a mad extravagence but I had worn a similar dress in the late 60s and went all nostalgic. It was unlined and had lost all its shape by the second wash. I then went into M&Co and bought a very similar top, fully lined, for £45. It is altogether a far superior garment in quality and finish. DDiL, once a Toast fan has also complained about the quality of the garments recently.

I have been happy with everything I have bought from M&Co because I can try it on and examine it before I buy but find that a lot of their clothes are aimed at the more conservative older dresser, too much embellishing and glitter, tops that drape and the brighter colours seem to be hard and garish.

I like East, Monsoon, but again some quality issues, Phase 8 - and Sainsbury's, good styles, good fit and good quality, unlike Tesco, whose clothes are generally poor quality and wash badly.

Flicky I've had some really great jeans and T shirts from Sainsburys in the last year. M&Co are quite good for sizes but they are a bit glitzy for me too.

When I shop at Sainsbury's once or twice a week, I have to turn right and wander through the clothes before I do the boring stuff. I love coming away with something cheap but stylish. Mind you, I think the Gok stuff is truly appalling - all lurid colours and polyester.

I've had a couple of good shirts from Sainsbury's. Their sizes are more accommodating than most and their tee shirts are far better quality than M&S.

Agree Annobel I bought two white shirts from Sainsbury's basics range 3 years ago for work. Still white, still going strong and were only £4.00 each. Couldn't ask for better.

Like many I too find the Gok stuff really unattractive, and why is polyester so popular with designers, particularly those catering for the older market? It is unpleasant to wear, slimy and sticky in summer weather and provides no warmth in winter, and almost always comes in ugly patterns and lurid colours

I've bought several things from Denny Andrews and been very happy with them.

I used to pop into the Oxford branch of Toast from time to time and it was always staffed by very sniffy young ladies who did not give me eye contact so I would walk out - and then spend my money in Sahara where the staff could not have been more approachable.

I tried again today beacuse i keep hoping M & S will come back. the nes section was nicely arranged good clothes, good quality we found DH a winter coat so far so good. I went downstairs to Per Una and Autograph they had two looks for me my 99 year old MIL or Bett Lynche's less tasteful sister.

After reading all the negative comments here I find myself asking why anyone bothers looking for clothes in M & S. I only buy knickers there, when I find a suitable style and fit I buy half a dozen pairs, and children's socks as adults socks are too big for me. In the past I bought their 34AA bras but now they only stock them in mega padded "two sizes bigger" styles and children's bras.
I am 5ft and 7st 7lbs and size 6 so usually need to buy from petite ranges. The minuscule M & S petite is only available on line and is even more dire than their main ranges.
Petite ranges, across all stores which offer them, lack style choice and quality and are invariably aimed at the very young or very old, I am 55. Principles used to be good but since being taken over by Debenhams has gone downhill. Monsoon did a reasonably good range but that has now been discontinued. Next has the most extensive range but much of it is very boring and there is far too much polyester. Banana Republic Petite is easily the best for fashion conscious women in their 50's but unfortunately it is not available on line unlike their standard sizes. I now buy over 90% of my clothes from ebay and mix and match items from petite and standard ranges. The majority are from Gap, the old Principles, Banana Republic, H & M, Next, Topshop, Monsoon along with various others. Where do other small fashion conscious women buy clothes I wonder? There is so much more choice for large women but unlike the overweight or obese, who could possibly lose weight, I have no control over my height.

Have just returned from a trip to our local M&S to buy a bra. I wanted one without wires and had found one earlier in the year there and wanted to buy two more. When I asked the assistant where they were she said I would have to order on line. She was quite rude. Presumably on line can check the fit should I send a photo I wonder? I went to Debenhams where at least they can order it in store.
The local M&S here is always poor for choice. The range of toddler size boys clothes is poor. It is a waste of time visiting the place!!! Grrrr!

If there is something I want to buy from M&S and know I dont need to try it on...presents for GCs, basic underwear, stuff for husband etc. I order it on-line for 'store collection'. That way I can just waltz in and pick it up, saves so much hastle - its as if they have done the dashing around for me.

Went to M&S today to get some slippers.
Everywhere I turned there were assistants in groups of three, chatting.
At the shoe section, two women asssistants were actually trying on boots!

Get a grip someone!

Waltz in. Hilda? I waited in quite a short queue for about ten minutes to collect a swimsuit I had ordered on line. Their system is chaotic!
Ella, I wonder if we were in the same store at the same time! I bought yet more knickers - five pairs for £7 - not bad value! Job for tomorrow - clear out all the old raggy pairs.

Have you looked at the new cashmere knit ware?
Not bad at all.

Oh yes, Johanna, I was looking at a lovely, amethyst coloured, long cashmere sweater, but reluctantly decided that I would have to make do with the two I bought last year.

anno Please buy it.
You will be sorry you did not.
The whole world is going to pot anyway. Let's join.!

Anno We probably were there at the same time!

I got my slippers and then got some really nice clothes (2 tops and a jacket) at a very reasonable price , at the Outfit store (BHS?) and a short dressing gown from Tesco!

Result, one happy shopper no thanks to M&S!

Annodomini, well not quite waltz........I over simplified it a tad. Its certainly a lot more convenient than trawling around the shop for my size - they never have my size - but in truth the collection desk is badly placed. As soon as anyone is waiting at it you block an aisle and thus spend the 5 mins or so saying sorry for getting in folks way, so yes, its badly organised.

Not sure if anyone from M&S reads this or not but when we first were married in the 1970s it was our dearest wish to be able to afford M&S because the quality and style was exactly what we wanted. We shopped there for years but over the last 10 years or so we only go there if we can't find anything else.

The quality, style and service have all but disappeared. Cheap imorted tack is just that - cheap. You get what you pay for and until they buy decent stuff again I feel they are doomed to continue their slow but steady demise. Changing the CEO is not the answer - it needs a change of attitude.

Rant over.

I couldn't agree with you more GGC. It would be good if they did read this thread!

Oh so very true GGC....I can distinctly remember paying £7 in M&S for a shetland wool jumper with a pleated wool skirt to match in shades of cream and lilac/lavender. I was 17 and it was equavalent of a whole weeks wages. That set lasted me years and years and never really wore out. I come from a very working class background - this is not a class thing. Buying quality clothing that lasts seems to have gone quite out of favour. About time we brought it back.

When the children were small, we lived in Leicestershire where our market had a stall full of M&S seconds, from the factory where they were made in Leicester. Down the road from our house was a knicker factory where I used to go and buy my supplies from the factory shop. Happy days - I'd have to go to China to find those now!