M&S have upped their game at last

I always buy my jeans and jeggings from Mand S. Their tall and extra tall lengths are just right for me. They last for ages, wash well and lots of lovely colours to choose from. True to size as well.
I think someone on here recommended Seasalt and l have found the tunics, dresses and coats absolutely lovely and well made.

Many ‘high end’ clothes are made in China including Seasalt.
www.google.com/url?q=https://houseofhenmar.com/100-luxury-and-popular-mall-brands-made-in-china-unpacking-chinese-made-clothes-and-anti-made-in-china-sentiment/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjR17SJ_eGBAxXDQEEAHcpMCt4QFnoECAYQAQ&usg=AOvVaw28N8d-CO1iLGGx6VoVykv2

I picked up a lovely cardigan in M & S, tried it on, liked it then looked at the label. Made in China! Put it back and picked up a jumper, also made in China. Put it back
Went to look at footwear. Boots and trainers made in China
Earlier in the year I returned a duvet I had ordered online when I saw it was made in China.
It is getting more difficult to find items clothing and other types of goods that are NOT made in China. It makes shopping very frustrating. Very disappointed with marks and Spencer

PS The woollen jumpers and cardigans which I knit, they never bobble.

Bobbling knitwear is a real nuisance. I went into Seasalt to tell them how badly my jumper was bobbling.
"We know," they said. Clearly I was not the first.
I'm not going to buy a new one from there although their colours are good.

I like the fact that they now stock brands such as Seasalt and White Stuff, which is what I wear.

This morning I sent back a bra to M and S because it was miles too small and inside looked like it had been worn with traces of talc.

I was so disappointed because I bought a pack of 3 bras in Asda only two of which I have worn yet. All the same size as the M and S one and fit perfectly.

Shop online. Much better selection and if you don’t like it then it can be returned.

I was in M&S yesterday, looking for black trousers for myself. While I was looking for the style I want, I noticed that lots of the pants were badly creased, so not steamed before hanging. I take a size 18, and as usual there were only 3 pairs in that size. The first two I picked up had 18 on the hanger and were actually much smaller sizes. The few jumpers I liked were only in small sizes.

My husband has worn M&S casual leather shoes for years, the only ones this year were on a hanging display and the eyelets for the laces had labels attached through the eyelet, ensuring that we couldn't open the shoes enough to get the foot in, so couldn't try on. Needless to say, he bought shoes elsewhere.

I used to buy knickers from M&S, which were available in a wide range of colours, slightly glamorous and silky. Now they are only available in black or white, so I buy cheaper pants in other shops.

I earn M&S points on my credit card and treat myself to something each season, and it has become really difficult to find anything at all to buy there. I've almost stopped looking.

SueDonim

aonk

I completely agree about the knitwear. I have thrown away 3 jumpers I bought last Winter because of the bobbling. I too have decided to look for cotton jumpers but they aren’t that easy to find and not all are pure cotton anyway. In general however I agree with the OP that things are improving. Some of the coats look very nice.

I’ve just bought myself a couple of 100% cotton men’s jumpers from M&S. a friend tipped me off that she buys hers there. They are nicer than the women’s offerings and come in a wider range of colours. Best of all for me, they are a bit longer in the body and sleeve so they’re not at half mast.

Thanks for the heads up Sue. I’ve taken a look online and they’ll get my custom too. I like cotton jumpers - easy to care for, no bobbling and good for layering without sweltering - but it’s so difficult to find something longer in the body. I think these will be perfect. Responsibly sourced cotton too (I don’t yet know where they’re made though).

Gave up with M&S years ago. The quality of their fabrics became quite poor. Couldn’t find anything in my size - always sold out by the time I got there. Skimpy bias cut dresses were in fashion at that time and I have never had the perfect shape for that style. I have so often gone into the shop walked around without seeing anything I like and just walked out again, sometimes the colours were unbearable.
Just had a conversation about M&S knickers with a friend who has had problems with the sizing, and I won’t go into the appalling customer service regarding half an on line order that wasn’t delivered (I gave them 6 weeks)

Several of the recent reviews say that it would seem to be good to be using recycled plastics to make sweaters, but that it actually makes the sweaters non breathable and sweaty.

My M & S (St Michael) thirty something year old pure botany wool jumper, which I still sometimes wear, is not in the least bobbled. It is literally almost twice the weight of the two new ones. The old one was made in the UK, and the others in Madagascar. One of the newer ones is a small, and the other medium, but the smaller is the bigger one. Such inconsistency.

GrannyGravy13

AreWeThereYet

Callistemon21

AreWeThereYet

M&S is definitely aiming more at the 20s-30s market now - Sienna Miller and Holly Willoughby are the faces of M&S and M&S clothes are showing up more and more in fashion social media sites. Their competition now is probably shops like Zara and H&M. Their clothes seem to be slightly better quality for comparable prices.

I wonder if Holly and Sienna regularly wear M&S? 🤔

Even if they do they're getting paid to do it 😁

I suspect hat I won't see a lot of grans in the oversize lime green cable sweater and lime green satin midi skirt that Sienna Miller was photographed in last week.

I have that sweater and looking forward to wearing it when it’s cooler.

I’ve bought the lime green jumper too, to wear with black jeans or bottle green cords. I buy jeans/cords from there as I’m 5’ 11” and get the long.

Casdon, I agree about Seasalt’s prints and flowers, they’re not me at all, but their plain things are another matter, and I have a number of their stripy ‘sailor’ summer cotton tops.

I agree about recycled fabric, dreadful bobbling, more like complete matting. Won’t buy any more.

I must admit I haven’t picked up from the clothes that I’ve seen in there lately that they are trying to appeal to the young market - 30s/40s maybe, but definitely not 20s. The knitwear isn’t all cropped and skimpy, and the dresses aren’t either. There’s definitely a lot of stuff that is quite suitable for my taste and isn’t revealing.

GG13 I actually love that colour, I have a thinner rib jumper in the same colour bought a few years ago. Have to admit I wear mine with black jeans though. At 6 ft in my heels I suspect I would look like an under ripe banana wearing lime green head to toe.

AreWeThereYet

Callistemon21

AreWeThereYet

M&S is definitely aiming more at the 20s-30s market now - Sienna Miller and Holly Willoughby are the faces of M&S and M&S clothes are showing up more and more in fashion social media sites. Their competition now is probably shops like Zara and H&M. Their clothes seem to be slightly better quality for comparable prices.

I wonder if Holly and Sienna regularly wear M&S? 🤔

Even if they do they're getting paid to do it 😁

I suspect hat I won't see a lot of grans in the oversize lime green cable sweater and lime green satin midi skirt that Sienna Miller was photographed in last week.

I have that sweater and looking forward to wearing it when it’s cooler.

I used to like the Per Una range, but it’s not available in our local store any more. Does it still exist? I very rarely find much to suit me in M&S - partly because there is no petite range at our local store. I would have to go to Manchester or the Trafford Centre (no thanks). Some of the styles and colours have recently been awful. There used to be a brilliant M&S seconds stall on Bury Market, but I don’t think it’s there now. In the Summer I did buy a coat similar to the pic from StacyAnna in the sale for £25. It’s a bit long, but I love the colour.
As someone else mentioned on here, similar (household) items are often available cheaper elsewhere. I wouldn’t do a big shop in the Food Hall!! And I have to pay to park to shop there…

Callistemon21

AreWeThereYet

M&S is definitely aiming more at the 20s-30s market now - Sienna Miller and Holly Willoughby are the faces of M&S and M&S clothes are showing up more and more in fashion social media sites. Their competition now is probably shops like Zara and H&M. Their clothes seem to be slightly better quality for comparable prices.

I wonder if Holly and Sienna regularly wear M&S? 🤔

Even if they do they're getting paid to do it 😁

I suspect hat I won't see a lot of grans in the oversize lime green cable sweater and lime green satin midi skirt that Sienna Miller was photographed in last week.

I thought the sweaters were really nice when I went in a couple of weeks ago, I couldn't believe it as they have been pretty awful for a few years.

It IS about the buyer of goods - clothing in this instance. The buyer can make or break a season or annual returns for a chain.

You either have taste, or not; you have knowledge of fabric, styling, what’s trending, past history, or not. Sometimes chains have the wrong people in place.

When it comes to sweaters, cardigans - here’s what I’ve learned from storing them: never hang your sweaters (they stretch and lose shape) always fold and put on a shelf.

Current knit fashions (low to mid price) are mostly made of recycled materials. You almost don’t want to know what you’re putting on your skin! Always look for natural fibers on the label!

Ahh, fashion… a love-hate relationship.
USA Gundy

AreWeThereYet

M&S is definitely aiming more at the 20s-30s market now - Sienna Miller and Holly Willoughby are the faces of M&S and M&S clothes are showing up more and more in fashion social media sites. Their competition now is probably shops like Zara and H&M. Their clothes seem to be slightly better quality for comparable prices.

I wonder if Holly and Sienna regularly wear M&S? 🤔

M&S is definitely aiming more at the 20s-30s market now - Sienna Miller and Holly Willoughby are the faces of M&S and M&S clothes are showing up more and more in fashion social media sites. Their competition now is probably shops like Zara and H&M. Their clothes seem to be slightly better quality for comparable prices.