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So if you don't like M&S !,,,

(33 Posts)
BBbevan Wed 17-Feb-16 09:56:16

I have just read the thread on M&S design. So what are your favourite shops, websites for clothing and why?
Being a bit of an old hippie I wear Birkenstock sandals in the summer and Josef Seibel shoes any other time. I also like Nomads clothing. Lovely colours and very good quality.

Charleygirl Wed 17-Feb-16 12:04:42

I buy Bon Marche tops and hope that my old M&S trousers never wear out or at least not until the fascination of having everything made in China has worn out and that clothes are made as they used to be in this country.

Jane10 Wed 17-Feb-16 13:23:37

Made in this country at 4 times the price though sadly! The work wasn't exported for fun!

M0nica Wed 17-Feb-16 13:38:58

Not sure I have any. I buy where I can. I am currently wearing underwear from a supermarket in France, tights from Waitrose, a skirt from a charity shop (originally from the USA according to the label) and a sweater from Next. When I go out later I will put on a coat from Monsoon and boots from Office.

I think I might find more Sainsburies clothes in my wardrobe than others and I get trousers from Landsend because they are about the only store to do trousers that fit me.

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 17-Feb-16 13:44:18

Apart from the odd pair of trousers from Bon Marche, It's Marks and Sparks or nothing for me. No other shop stuff seems to fit. I can usually find something though in Marks, amongst all the useless stuff.

Maranta Wed 17-Feb-16 14:28:39

I don't think you can beat Lands End for good quality basics. They are usually well made and quality fabric. Their choice of colours varies though. Their trousers usuall fit me too, M0nica.

f77ms Wed 17-Feb-16 14:40:44

Jane10 I used to work for a company which made for Marks , everything had to be spot on . Now they buy from China the prices are the same it`s just the quality which has changed . M&S buy from China so they will make a bigger profit not so they can charge less to the customer !

loopylou Wed 17-Feb-16 14:43:11

I'm wearing a Peacocks polo neck, Tu cardigan, BHS vest top, M&s knickers, Fantasie bra, Tesco's socks and a Joules scarf, so total hybrid wardrobe!
A lot of my clothes are M&S but not bought recently; I'm increasingly going to the supermarket clothes chains when I think I need something- certainly Sainsbury's tee shirts are infinitely superior to M&S', at half the price and so easy to wash and tumble dry.

hildajenniJ Wed 17-Feb-16 15:13:34

If I'm dressing up, then I like White Stuff. For casual wear you will usually find me in Regatta tops, fleece jumpers and shoes. Sometimes I buy Cotton Trader's too. I used to do all my clothes shopping in M&S, but not any more. The last time I was in the store in Carlisle, there was not one thing that I wanted to try on.

Teetime Wed 17-Feb-16 15:29:18

White Stuff, Monsoon, Joules, Boden, Seasalt, Hobbs (in the sale) and occasionally Fat Face for casual wear. Just bought my first piece of Mint Velvet today. I do make the most of discount codes and I don't buy lots and lots of clothes.

Tizliz Wed 17-Feb-16 16:34:51

I like Maine, lots of cotton which I like. I like Lands End but think their quality has gone down in the last few years (also they bombard you with emails). My clothes have to be hard wearing as I have dogs and an engineering workshop. Probably wear a skirt/dress once a month.

suzied Wed 17-Feb-16 16:54:01

I love Uniqlo for jeans, t shirts , sweatshirts, padded jackets, just about anything casual. Smarter I go for Cos and Jigsaw , evening and special occasion I make myself.

janeainsworth Wed 17-Feb-16 17:12:12

I'm wearing uniqlo trousers, a very old blouse from Toast and a lovely boiled wool Toast sweater that I got in the sale.

Cher53 Wed 17-Feb-16 17:23:32

Bon Marche, Matalan, Asda (tho quality can be hit and miss sometimes, but some lovely things). Sainsburys are very good.
M&S are all for the young and thin, are now very expensive as well.

I also like Maine and John Rocha at Debenhams , but only as a treat for myself occasionally.

joannapiano Wed 17-Feb-16 17:24:34

I find Bon Marche tops really good value. They fit me, are fairly stylish, and wash well, unlike their cardigans and jumpers that don't wash well. I buy some sweaters from Per Una sale in Marks.
We have jolly good Charity shops in our town, and I buy some coats, fleeces and jackets from them.
My best bargain this month- a £125 waterproof jacket from Monsoon, marked down to £22 as someone had torn a little bit of the pocket, and returned it to the store.

TwiceAsNice Wed 17-Feb-16 17:26:11

I have bought lovely jeggings in M&S in nice colours the first pair fit so well I bought 3 pairs in the end and I do like their bras but I've bought nice fitting T shirts in Peacocks in pretty colours and scarves . I buy other stuff where I fancy it and where it fits. Buy Boden occasionally in the sale, too expensive otherwise although I pay it for the grandchildren although do try and buy in the sale for them too. I started a tradition to buy them a new dress for birthdays and Xmas and it's usually Boden, sorry went off track there

TerriBull Wed 17-Feb-16 17:48:00

East, Gap, John Lewis and yes still Marks for some things.

TriciaF Wed 17-Feb-16 18:16:04

I like M&S clothes but their delivery service to France is ......very poor!
At the moment I'm wearing a Woolovers jumper, warm wool trousers from a second hand stall in the market here, and a fleece jacket which I bought in Southend in 2001.
In our part of France you can get some real bargains at market 2nd hand clothes stalls. I've had a few good quality "designer" items.
Underwear from John Lewis on my last visit to UK.

Lavande Wed 17-Feb-16 19:49:19

I probably do more shopping for clothes online:

John Lewis and Cotton Traders who deliver to France. M&S underwear (ordered from the French site but it originates from the UK warehouse).

I still look on the EBay UK as the French EBay has nowhere near as much choice and one or two other French websites.

My local Leclerc supermarket and two independent shops sometimes get my custom.

When I visit the UK by car, we always shop at the Sainsburys supermarket in Ashford for bargain clothes and the Ashford Design Centre - Fat Face and French Connection usually.

Deedaa Wed 17-Feb-16 22:19:01

I am wearing Per Una tops and skirts that I've had for years, plus some old pieces I've bought on ebay.I've found Sainsbury's is quite good for trousers, I've just bought a lovely Wallis dress in a charity shop and I've found a couple of Joe Brown tops on ebay.

grannyactivist Wed 17-Feb-16 23:07:21

My whole wardrobe has been renewed during the last year as I've dropped several dress/skirt sizes. Many of my new clothes have been bought for me as gifts by family members who are thrilled with my weight loss and as a result I have a range of clothes that are brand new: Joules, Fat Face, Seasalt, White Stuff, Gerry Weber, Masai, Weird Fish and Mistral - all bought locally in my little town. Plus Precis, Hobbs and Farhi from online sales. For the first time in my life I seem to have rather a lot of clothes due to me buying things in charity shops and then all my family buying me clothing/clothing vouchers as gifts.

My best buys so far are a pair of Hobbs shoes for £7.99 - brand new from a charity shop. I was there as the assistant put them on the shelf and I couldn't believe it when I saw they were my size; a Precis coat (online sale with a £200 discount) and a Hobbs dress, also discounted by more than £100. All these items are (funereal) black.

Elrel Wed 17-Feb-16 23:09:41

I have a couple of Wallis charity shop dresses and an M&S cashmere tunic dress which I got on eBay at half price BNWT. Although we have a big new branch of Marks just very near I was sad to see no clothes I liked. Luckily on one of my visits to the foodhall passed a sale rail and found my very first pair of jeggings. They are comfy, warm and Extra Short. Oldest grandson commented favourably on them!! On the same rail was a grey skinny rib polo neck which goes with them. A bit sad for a once respected store when the motley collection on sale rails is better than what's in the Windows!

Elrel Wed 17-Feb-16 23:10:28

Oops - BNWOT

WilmaKnickersfit Wed 17-Feb-16 23:24:04

Can't remember the last time I bought clothing from M&S, although I did buy a fantastic bra a few years ago. I wish I'd bought more than one because it was discontinued and I have trouble getting my size at a reasonable price. Now they don't have anything nearly as good.

I buy from lots of the places already mentioned and lately I have bought a few things from a newish plus size shop called Yours. New Look and M&Co are pretty good too. I like Sainsburys for accessories, but the clothes don't fit me well. I no longer buy investment pieces and love cheap and cheerful these days.

tiffaney Fri 04-Mar-16 17:25:21

If you are retired like me and have the time to shop around, wait for sales and % off offers at the good quality shops. Seasalt and Fatface have lovely quality clothes but are a bit pricey. I have bought from them in sales but I wouldnt pay £40 - £50 for a cotton top. Also Monsoon have lovely clothes. I volunteer in a charity shop so get some great stuff from there. Apart from that I'm still quite loyal to M & S, Next and Tu at Sainsburys. Good Shopping everyone.