What is up with M & S?

the Witney store is quite small. I didnt see any of the separate brands, but then I wasnt looking for them. I find them irritating. If I am looking for a top or a coat I do not want to go to several different locations in the same store just because they have several sub-brands. I never shop in Debenhams because it is too time consuming going from brand boutique to brand boutique to look at one or two items in each one.

mamie
Just re read my post. The "really " is aimed at the media, not you.

Mamie has heard the media reporting that the M&S range is fine for older women.
Really?
Since when do we like to look as if we have altered the curtains into an outfit?
Or wear a white shirt which looks council park worker issue?( With respect for their being.)

Marks used to be famous for quality and cut, maybe they should go in that direction again.
If they do not ask us gransnetters for our opinion it will be to their detriment.
Although they may not have to, since they are probably following every forum.

So, whilst you , M&S ,are reading this, your styling, cut and quality cannot match Tesco at the moment.!!!!!
This comment is not from any old codger. I grew up in the world of textiles and fashion.

love marks and spencer, everything the staff are so help[ful and polite

Just read a report listing complaints about M&S from shoppers, which includes one about loud music in their stores. There's no music at all played in ours, which at least proves that policies vary from store to store.

They seem to have got it wrong on both counts! They should make up their minds which market they're going for, instead of trying to have their cake and eat it.

I have heard the media reporting that the M and S range is fine for older women, but they have got it wrong by not being fashionable enough for younger women.

That's odd, FlicketyB. There's not much of what you describe in my local M&S, doesn't yours have a Per Una section? Nothing beige or baggy in their selection. I'm not defending M&S (far from it!) but it doesn't sound like the same store. It actually sounds more like Bon Marché!

Well, based on the Witney branch M&S are awash with loose gingham and stripped cotton shirts, baggy pants and shapeless skirts in sizes 10 and under or 20 and over. With my 69th birthday approaching fast, most of my fellow customers were wearing clothes similar to the M&S stock and looked considerably older than me. Knitwear seemed to consist of shapeless jackets in fetching shades of beige or that indeterminable shade between beige and cream. I did find one item I liked, but of course it wasn't available in my size.

I saw nothing that could appeal to anyone under 50, although it obviously appealed to those in the store who seemed well over 70.

The stock could, of course, have been selected to match the demographics of Witney, but I think that is unlikely. It is a town with growing estates of small family homes most likely to attract young families.

It isnt just the quality which is a huge issue but the styles and colours are awful. I really think they have too many ranges which are confusing. As for the Twiggy clothing is she wears those she certainly has lost her fashion sense.

Anagram I'm 5 7 as well and a standard 18. I find the same problems as you.
I don't want to go around displaying my unmentionables in a pelvic pellet!

@Baggy

Your nearest M&S is here: www.marksandspencer.com/

... that's where mine is!

FlicketyB, are you really saying that M&S styles are aimed at 90 year olds? Perhaps in the Classic range....
I find the opposite in most of their ranges - the styles are too young and dresses etc. too short (I am 5'7"). If you want your arms covered the only things that seem to be on offer are those bolero-type cardigans, which would look ridiculous on me!

A long time ago, well lets be honest, back in the 1960s, I worked for a large firm of Management Consultants and as part of my work saw all the business magazines. Computers were just coming in and M&S were in the vanguard. The magazines would be full of articles saying how wonderful M&S stock control was, how shops were kept fully stocked with all the most popular styles/sizes etc etc. In my lunchtime I would go to M&S to find that what ever I wanted they didnt have it in my size/colour I wanted/length because it was so popular/not much in demand etc and that has never changed. On those rare occasions when I go into M&S if I see anything I like, and that is even rarer, I can bet my bottom dollar that it is not in stock in my size/preferred colour/length and I am 5ft 4 and a standard size 14.

I have also always found that their styles are aimed at women at least 20 years older than me - and at nearly 70 I still find that. I visited my local M&S recently and the majority of the customers looked considerably older than I am.

O.K. middle then. Everything stops well below my middle.... just realised what I had typed (Jeni is sure to make something of that!) and I am not tall.

Ys bags the hooker look is in. celebs have a lot to answer for.

I miss my waistline. It used to be my one good feature. OK - that was 50 years ago, but I still remember it with affection.

Just went back a page and realised that M&S losses had already been discussed! Sorry, just got in and having a quick dose of GN. Night night xx

Did you hear the business news today about M&S's losses? They should have listened to us!

Waste of time waited to want a waist?

Waste of time looking for mine

What is a waist?
I seem to remember something about one of those years ago!
But it's soooo long ago , I can't remember what the word meant!

What has happened to waists? Low-slung trousers, low-slung skirts, even worse, low-slung shorts. I'm not overweight, but everything overhangs these days. I suppose it saves time and material not having to fit a proper waistband. HMPH!

Annobel; I love Maine clothes [especially their tops]. A slight 'eastern' feel to them, and they look lovely with ethnic jewellery..very flattering and with [a 'must' for ladies of a certain age ] 3/4 length sleeves. Haven't seen their range for this year but, having lived in one of their tops that I bought several years ago I went on a spending spree and bought several last year [none of which have been worn yet]. Made from 100% cotton as well.I used to love Phase Eight but not impressed with what I've seen recently.