What is up with M & S?

Sorry Annobel about the elasticated waists they just do nothing for my body shape!

I have bought trousers from M&S, for my grumpy old man, for as many years as I could count, and they have been great. Now for the last few years I can not find a pair to fit him. He has not put on weight and not changed shape overly much (certain parts of his anatomy may have lowered a little!!) but we are totally flummoxed. I loved the price and quality and can't find an alternative. Has anyone got any suggestions please? (He refuses to wear jeans). I agree with what people are saying about the ladies wear too, especially the nightees and skirts. I used to get all my clothes from there, but now have to take out a mortgage and go to East.

I live in Canada and normally return to the UK at least once or twice a year. usually I go crazy in M&S and other familiar stores, stocking up on fashions to bring back with me ensuring that I always have something different and up to date to wear. However I was home in February this year and its the first time that I can remember that I didn't purchase anything at M&S. I thought it was me but the comments I have just read seem to back up my impression that the stock was boring and lacking in inspiration. Come on M&S there are people relying on you to come up with the goods.

Still no reply to my e-mails! I shall write a letter, I think, because they need to know what we think, and the powers that be need to know that their customer service is useless. I feel a strop coming on!

Summer tops with sleeves that cover the bingo wings, please, though I've been unimpressed with the quality of their tees in recent years: last year's tee shirts are this year's dusters. Landsend does a good line in polos with elbow-length sleeves, pricey but they last for ever.

I have just bought a T shirt, from M&S, with sleeves that come just above the elbow! Glory be! However, only in black or white, unfortunately.

I keep trying with M & S but OMG! if you have a mo have a look at their website on Womens Trousers- Chinos- are they all ready for a day on a building site or what? - needless to say nothing bought today again!

Can anybody recommend a scoop neck T-shirt style jumper with short or elbow length sleeves - could be a T shirt, but the fabrics are usually so flimsy. Not wool (itchy) and not too clinging round the muffin tops!

gracemum I would look at Boden for something like that their fabrics are lovely and some nice colours too!

gracesmum, I have just had a catalogue from Lands End and they have lovely scooped neck tee shirts, they are more expensive but last for a long time and made of very good cotton.

I agree with everything bad said about M&S! I used to buy all my work skirts and trousers from them but there is just no choice any more! Per Una a bit better but small sizing and so expensive. We don't have a great range of clothes shops where I live - Debenhams is not much better these days.

I have decided to buy my t-shirts from Lands End or Kettlewell - both more expensive but they last ages and buying in the sale is really good value!

kitty - I hadn't come across Kettlewell, so have looked it up. They do have a lovely range of colours and their prices are on a par with Landsend. Thanks.

I think they last longer than Landsend and are a teeny bit more trendy, as befitting a person of my advanced years. If you sign up for the pesky emails you get to find out when the sales are on and can bag a few bargains. Have you had your colours done Annobel - it's their big thing, My sister in law did and the colours they suggested really work for her but I'm scared they would say that pinks and purples don't really suit me and that could be REALLY expensive!

I think that M&S suffers from the 'needle in a haystack' syndrome. They do have some nice stuff but it is sooo difficult to find. The shops are too crammed & when you descend from an escalator you are confronted with a sea of mediocrity. It's very off-putting.

I agree with all the comments about Per Una; like other Gransnetters I equally dislike all the mock cardi/cami numbers, tops with plastic necklaces and endless fluted hem dresses & skirts. The quality of the knitwear is dreadful too.

It's ridiculous that we all TRY & find things in M&S because we are so loyal to it. How long can that loyalty survive though?

Can someone high up in M&S be invited for a webchat session?

Our M&S was expanded last year & after all the disruption I was really disappointed as it didn't seem any better - apart from a cafe which always has a queue.
Best thing about M&S: Dine in for £10 when you can find high priced items - I got a £7.99 bottle of wine today. Waitrose got too expensive & the reductions can be good if you time it right (the best was a £14 joint for 50p!)

But as for clothes now - in decline. Trousers:short legs suddenly became too short and the medium too long. Sleeves: always too long, esppecially on coats. Fabrics: hate all the elastane in cotton T-shirts and other sweaty synthetic fabrics; some 100% cottons though too cheap and shrink.
I'm not a confidant shopper so still rely on M&S a lot but buy far less. Size availability - could never find an 18 and now can never find a 14.
Why do they discontinue the things I really liked? - like the smart wool trousers of a few years ago, silk knitted tops (warm in winter, cool in summer) of must be 15 years ago, and T-shirts with a collar. I'm still wearing mine even though I've gone down a few sizes.
I can still find the odd decent thing & have less luck with sizes in Monsoon; quality in Debenhams and expense in smaller shops. Dash is good for my size but T-sirts are too synthetic.
My DIL gave me a pep talk as I'm not a confident clothes shopper, She got me to buy some clothes in Phase 8 but I still can't deal with the guilt of buying expensive things I don't wear that much.

I have had no reply to my three e-mails to M&S telling them about our cross ness, so tomorrow I think I will write letters to the big cheeses, and will make them succinct but convincing. looking forward to it. Will post copies. Pillocks!

I agree, GadaboutGran, and all those tops in jersey fabric which show every lump and bump! They used to do all their skirts in three lengths - now they're either too short for me or down to the floor!
I still like their trousers, as 'long' is just right for me with a medium heel, but the colour choice is dire. They don't even stock the Per Una range in our local M&S, and I know you can buy online, but I like to have a look at the actual item first!

I have never understood the attraction of M&S. I gave up shopping there when I was about 20, everything seemed to be designed for women at least 20 years older than me - and that applied even when I was 60. When Stephen Rose took over styles did improve but quality went through the floor and most of the stylish clothes I bought when he first took over were unwearable within months, t shirts that were transparent if you got water on them, sweaters that pilled unacceptably within weeks and trousers whose 'body' came out after one wash, turning them into dishrags.

As for those awful foam shaped bras, which are everywhere. My daughter says they are popular with shops because they are cheaper to make than ordinary bras Non-foam bras require a lot of designing and a lot of fabric pieces to give a good fit - and therefore a lot of machining and a lot of waste fabric.

I too have suggested that someone from M&S takes part in a Gransnet webchat!

I have also posted before on the t shirt issue. I want a range of colours, elbow length (or just above) that are appropriate for wearing under suits, rather than baggy beach wear types.

Is this really too much to ask?

Quite agree - all those ghastly prints and lacey bits and shapeless jumpers. Where is the smart casual stuff nowadays? And being a bra size 34G, none of their bras ever seem to fit me. And shoes - size 4 and a half always far too narrow. Have just discovered shop UNIQLO - they have some great reasonably priced separates and are great for stylish warm winter undies. Look at their summer t-shirt range with retro Laura Ashley prints - lovely!
And any gran reading this - please NEVER wear light coloured trousers with a black thong underneath . . . .

I Live very Near Meadowhall & shop at M/S every-week & I nearly all ways manage to find some-thing to suit. I keep up to date with fashion & get plenty of compliments. I all so shop at Wallis which caters for all age groups.
So I do not agree with your comments.
Ann.

m+s is very puzzling - how on earth do they keep going? the clothes are very poor - i recall daughter and i stopping to laugh, literally bent double laughing, at one horrible dress that begged for the style police to arrest it and take it away.

when they get a good idea, they spoil it. i bought some soft, floppy pyjamas for daughter - and found later they had short legs. why would anyone want that? bizarre.

their underwear section might contain some gems (like my favourite knickers) but its set out like an invitation to perverts to linger... the most vulgar and unpleasant underwear proudly on display.

the only good thing about m+s is that in manchester, you can use it to cut through from the arndale to st ann's square.

granbunny, I know what you mean about how they set out the underwear! The other day I was trying to find some of my favourite support knickers , and, as the underwear section is right next to the checkout for the food aisle, there were one or two men hanging about waiting so pack the shopping coming through. I felt quite embarrassed.....though perhaps I wouldn't have felt quite so bad if the knickers I was choosing were frillies - and not 'low-leg tummy support'

Oh who cares! They will have seen it all before. I don't embarrass easily!