What is up with M & S?

AND - what is with this fashion for putting the adjustable part of bra straps at the back? Have just bought the usual bra from M&S - bet lots of you know which one, and lo and behold, it too has the * things at the back. I do like to be able to give myself a little rest now and then....(am quite well endowed apart from bit missing on the left) Another black Mark for M&S.

Today I tried on a dress, can't think why, as I rarely wear them, but also took into the changing a very tight short black skirt. I was trying to visualise myself with black tights and heels, but had second thoughts, as I go nowhere to wear such clothes!!! I really don't like their clothing in the 'granny grunt' section, it must be popular though???

I was at M & S today - first time for ages - with daughter looking for emergency shoes for a wedding tomorrow (left hers at home!). Found shoes, but there was sooooo much stuff there that I took fright and ran back to the car and the safety of home

I visited M & S to get a little dress for my GD this week. I also wanted a child sized duvet but was told that whilst M & S do them, this particularly branch didn't, which was disappointing but not the end of the world. When I was paying for the dress, a young employee rushed up to the desk and asked for the key to the disabled loo [it should be 'accessible' not 'disabled' but that's me being pedantic!!!] as he couldn't find it and someone wanted to use it. The girl serving me said it had been lost since the previous day! I was absolutely horrified. There was this person in a wheel chair having the embarrassment of asking for a key because she didn't have one and then it was lost! I don't know the outcome of the story but I personally find it totally unacceptable and will be writing to the manager. It's not what I expect of M & S

ariadne I agree, they seem to think we are contortionists. I can no longer fasten my bra behind my back (have to fasten at the front then twist it round and pull the straps up), let alone work a strap adjuster that is out of sight and reach, between my spine and my shoulderblade. The straps are harder to pull up onto the shoulders unless they are loosened, so they then need tightened again after the bra is in position ........

It gives a second answer to that old riddle "Put your right hand where your left hand cannot reach it" (standard answer is "on your left elbow")

Looking in M&S this afternoon in Liverpool I saw a nice Parka Jacket just below hip length and with the usual type of fur trim which you get with a normal Parka style coat,all very nice and very good fitting thought I,on looking under the collar to find how the hood was folded I find no hood,what is the point of doing a rain jacket without a hood ? What has happened to the designer's have they gone daft or something.

I've at last got over my disappointment with M&S and have accepted that it died a long time ago. Since I stopped frequenting the awful place I have discovered that, yes, I can get nice clothes in places like Wallis and Monsoon beautifully styled, coloured and good fitting. I would advise my contemporaries out there to 'quit the habit' of allowing our feet to automatically shuffle us to the old familiar shop hoping it has improved only to come out sorely disappointed and astonished at their awful merchandising. Forget M&S, after all, it has forgotten us.

I'm bucking the trend on M&S. Between the ages of 21 and 60 I rarely went near the shop as I found the clothes so dull and boring. When Stuart Rose took over, stylewise, I thought the store picked up and I bought a few items but the quality of what I bought was so poor and the items so quickly ended in the ragbag that I didnt go back. This autumn M&S clothes seem to have both style and quality and I have bought a military style winter coat, several pairs of shoes and trousers there. Yes, there was an awful lot of black in the shop, a colour I never wear, and those dreadful Boudicca bras...... As for all the sub-brands, I cant say I take any notice of them or have clue what they stand for. I just get irritated because all the trousers, for example, are not in one place but scattered round the store. In the store I visited women's wear was all on the ground floor - except for another smallish area on the first floor. If I hadnt gone upstairs to see the shoes I would never have found this clothing section or winter coat I bought.

After Stuart Rose retired, I understood his successor was aiming to have all similar items (eg trousers, blouses etc) all in one place and then "subdivided". That seems to be happening in our M&S but not completely so it's a bit confusing! I love Indigo for casual stuff and their Tshirts are not bad quality for the price. Per Una is a bit over the top for me and I can't stand faux layers either! But I can always find something I want to buy!!

I tried again last week M & S Fosse Park Leicester and it was so depressing and drab. i popped into river island recommened by Mary portas as having done a good makeover in their shops. I have to say although the styles are not for me the layout was fabulous, easy to get round and lost of suggestions for co-ordinating their clothes and accessories. Ended up in Gap for day to day t-shirts - I could see my hand through the ones in Marks!

The t-shirts I bought from M&S last year are now cut up and are being recycled into my rag rug.....sums it up really!

Against my better judgement I have just looked for smart black trousers on their website having been terrified by the prices in John Lewis and couldnt find any. I want something not too wide that holds a nice crease and is suitable for going out perhaps for a meal or somewhere semi smart. M & S used to do a range called PERFECT and they were a good price, washed well and stayed smart - all gone now! Any recommendations please

I haven't checked recently, but have you tried Lands End, susie?

I've seen some smart ones in Next recently, though I couldn't be bothered going to try them on. I hate trying on clothes!

Next clothes are dire - rough and poor quality which falls to bits in the wash - it used to be so nice when it started. new Boden catalogue came through yesterday some lovely things but the prices!!!

My M&S problem is with their trousers. I tried 3 pairs on yesterday, which claimed to 'Sit on the waist'. Whose waist? Not mine! The sales assistant told me to look in the Classic,(ie Granny) section. They don't do black denim there, though.

I have some ancient M&S jeans and trousers which do reach my waist, so I think their crotch to waist measurement has changed.

I am finding the waistline either too high or too low.Their medium trousers used to fit me perfectly. Not now.

In M&S, "Classic" generally means polyester and elasticated waists! (Mind you, a little elastication here and there can be nice....)

Trousers!!M&S are hopeless. All the trousers that say 'on the waist' actually stop in the widest part of my tummy. I have a waist but immediately below that is a bit of a tummy so a waistband on the widest part makes my tummy even bigger. I have several M&S trousers bought from charity shops years and years ago and the waistband is actually on the waist so there is a much smoother effect over my tummy. But, they are worn out and I have tried loads of pairs on in M&S and nothing looks right. I need 12" from crotch seam to waistband. Can anyone suggest a reasonably priced alternative source of trousers?

Also, I know someone who works at M&S and she told me that sizing on the same garment can vary by up to 2" so if, say, a size 12 doesn't fit you in the garment you want, try another one, exactly the same and it might fit you.

i though I would give dear old M & S another try as the Spring styles should be in. IT WAS AWFUL THE WORST EVER. Not only are the colours horrendous but the quality is the lowest its ever been, thin scratchy materials badly cut, bad shapes and repetitious designs. Worst of all although the shops were fairly quiet yesterday and not too many people in Marks apart form the Food Hall there was only one till on the whole ground floor of Leicester City Centre Store and a queue of 20 people. I put the black cardigan I had found down on the costume jewellery stand and walked out. M & S should stick to food and Homeware or they will go the way of Woolworths and disappear from our high streets. Why arent they listening?

marks and spencer have let me down a bit, my dd bought me some lovely Tess Daly body glow for my holidays which was lovely as it gives a nice sheen to sun parched skin. So I thought on my return I would get another pot but lo and behold they have taken it of the shelves till Christmas but surely people go on holidays in the Summer or didn"t m and s realize that hmm

gamzatti I don't know what they've done with their trousers either. I always buy trousers from M&S because they are the only ones I can find in the right length. I have had a gift voucher burning a hole in my pocket so went in on Friday to buy a smartish pair to wear with my blazer. When I managed to find two pairs the right size, and tried them on, they looked like jhodpurs, the side seams on the legs were cut so badly, almost as if they expect people to have bulging thighs that extend down to their knees! I mentioned it to the sales assistant and she said "We've always cut them like that!" Er, no, you haven't - the several pairs I have in my wardrobe are testament to that. I managed to find a pair of skinny jeans to soothe my ruffled feathers. Perhaps all these posts should be printed off and sent off to the buyers at M&S!

I used to find that Gap trousers were cut straight down the outside seam rather than curved which fits few actual shapes. Gap is getting a bit too young though - but if you can find their classic cut, worth a try.

Message for Gransnet HQ! How about a live chat with someone from M&S??

I'll second that phoenix