Marks and Sparks

Well done Aggie. Some great bargains. I had a look today. almost bought a buttoned cardigan but it was very short. Bought a longline cardigan in Next- cream speckled colours, cotton mix. I have the sweater and it washes well. Also got a bargain sweater £6. again cotton acrylic good mix. and brushed cotton pj trousers £10 both Matalan. and a dress coat Debenhams Colection new in, terracotta, lined big patch pockets. great price. Watch out Marks. You may be losing a loyal customer. (I do like their jeans though.)

annep I used to only buy their jeans. Good quality, washed, made in Egypt or Turkey. Now they're from other places, presumably to reduce costs and quality is poor I find.

Should say washed well!

Last time I was in Marks I enquired about the Curve range and was told it had been discontinued because it hadn't been well received. As most of the styles seemed pretty unflattering I wasn't surprised. I had tried on their trench coat and it was just a long tube with a belt, no styling at all

A shame about the Curve range, for instance, they did a classic black dress, high neck, 3/4 sleeves, £55, the kind you could wear anywhere EXCEPT they put a slash on one side at the front which ruined it.

Awful.

* Lilypollen* I like their jeans but they arent as well made as they used to be I must admit. I just can't find better in short length.

They've always been prone to adding fussy 'bits' to things that would have been far better without.
A few yrs ago in a tiny independent shop in the US I bought a lovely summer jacket - plain, unlined linen in a deep pink - with nice buttons! And it washes beautifully. It was made in the US, $70.

And I thought at the time, why on earth, with their economies of scale (so able to do more cheaply) don't M&S do plain but stylish basics like this, in some 'good' and zingy colours? But sadly I'm sure they'd manage to mess it up - colours would be not quite right, and they'd have to add fussy 'bits' and very likely horrible buttons, too.

My mother, who was very style conscious and had a good office job at M&S London HQ before she married, was offered the chance to train as one of their buyers. She always regretted turning the offer down - I dare say she'd be turning in her grave if she could see what their buyers are doing now.

Well I've had a revelation! I gave M&S one last chance to provide good quality comfortable pants. The last few batches have been very disappointing. (Why is that like light bulbs, underwear 'goes' all at the same time?!). Anyway I bought 3 pairs on a special offer and couldn't be more pleased!! I'm so happy with them that I feel like wearing them outside my trousers (don't worry I won't).

Buy some more Jane ASAP, because you will probably never see the likes again!

I'm going back this morning Marydoll!

What happened to the lovely lambswool ladies jumpers?
Now all their knitwear just bobbles, especially if you are bigger busted like me, the lambswool never did though.

No one ever replies when you ask such questions on their website.

they'd have to add fussy 'bits'
Yes, too many fussy bits

I just went back to buy more giant comfy pants and on the way through I saw literally dozens of really nice clothes. Dresses, blouses, coats, shoes and handbags all of which I'd happily have worn. I'd have taken photos but my phone is refusing to upload any more.
Re lambswool: I used to love their fine merino wool jumpers but can understand that they are now very expensive. I looked for them in a good catalogue and they started at £49.50-£60. I'm not sure if the average M&S shopper would be too keen on that.
As someone up the thread said, a lot depends on individual branches. I think we must have a good manager/range selector in our local branch. I'm still a fan!

and glitter

I don't want glitter except perhaps once a year

I found that nothing co-ordinates or matches - you can pick an item eg trousers, a skirt, up and walk around looking for a co-ordinating top but can't find one.

I bought a lambswool jumper from Marks before Christmas, wore it twice, and now it looks bobbled and scruffy. I do not think it is just M&S jumpers that wear like this. I have tried other more expensive, ie Jigsaw, and they are similar. I actually would be happy to pay £60 or more for a jumper if it lasted longer than two wearings. I agree they didn't used to be like this. I think the more expensive Marks jeans and trousers are good quality. However I bought a couple of items from the Classic range for my mother and felt so embarrassed by the style that I felt compelled to tell the assistant that they weren't for me.

Jalima get yourself up here. The colour co-ordination is so good in our branch that there are even shoes to match in quite obscure colours. I was just admiring sage green court shoes and thinking how nice they'd go with some of the outfits. The variation between branches is worrying.

Nicely! Illiterate mobile.

I did give in today and buy the Curve trench coat that I had been rude about. Realised it looked quite smart as long as I didn't button it up! Had a long chat with a lady who agreed with all of us!

I visited JL Jane10 and at least they had some colour co-ordination in their own brand.

In their defence for once, I did find a nice enough pair of navy trousers - Per Una I think - last autumn. Needed something for a late October wedding that wasn't jeans! About £45 IIRC - anything of reasonable quality I found elsewhere was at least double.
In the end couldn't go to the wedding since dh was taken ill enough to be admitted to hospital - luckily soon better - but I've worn the trousers a lot since. They wash well and have kept their shape.

I think my point earlier in thread was, we find it easy to moan about M&S but if we want decent quality we have to pay for it. Some items in M&S are good quality and wash and wear well, but you have to be selective. Their decent quality stuff is much cheaper than other more exclusive shops. If you want cheap then M&S has plenty of rubbish too but so do other shops. Perhaps they miss the fashion mark because they are trying to be all things to all people but I do see plenty of their clothes recommended in fashion supplements.

Visiting family, we called into the M&S at Deepdale (Preston) yesterday and it was a delight! Loads of beautiful clothes - I could’ve gone crazy but resisted and only bought two cotton nightdresses for an impending hosital stay.
A staff member was stationed at the cafe entrance only letting you in as a table became free at lunchtime with all the tables being cleaned promptly.
Our local store is bigger but not nearly as attractive.

Sorry to resurrect another moan. Got a text "snow days are online shopping days". I need some bedding. Can I get the filters to work? No chance. The same happened with wine couldn't get a country option. I've given up and having a nice cuppa!

I’m sorry, but why would you buy a trench coat that only looks smart if you don’t button it up?! Surely the idea of them is to stop you getting wet in rainy weather. Kept open, you’d soon be soaked through. Maybe it’s just me....