Marks and spencer

Nobody's Child?
Who are they trying to appeal to?

I had an email showing the Nobody’s Child range today - not my style at all - lots of frills and flounces!

I bought a coat there last week - a padded one in a nice bright mustard colour. I loathe all the drab browns and blacks that so many people stick to in winter.

My sentiment entirely Alishka!

Looking for ladies comfy warm winter nightshirts, to tuck my legs and feet up into, with long sleeves. No such luck most M&S so short hardly cover the rear. Hate PJs - twisting around the legs during night turnovers. And what horrible colours. Whatever happened to femininity!

I have said more than once, M&S designers and fabric manufacturers must be colour blind or suffering from severe depression. Its colours and designs remind one of Chairman Mao's communist China.

Thank you to the posters who mentioned Kettlewell. They look good quality and ethical too.

Still going for their jeggings, the odd jumper and some of their shoes and boots. Some of their coats are good quality. Children's party clothes are pretty.

But like other people on here - why do they do flashy embroidered lilac twinsets? I can get them cheaper in the local market if I wanted them.

And who chooses the colours? Their blues are dreadful. Their cashmere is reasonable but again mostly dreadful colours with no subtlety.

I really don't know which market they're going for, and I suspect they don't know either. They need to sort that out.

They also need to realize that every age group wants good quality basics from pants to Tshirts and jumpers. I don't think they should try for every size but most online.

OH and I both like her in M&S undies. They have a wider range than many of their competitors, to suit almost every taste.
Outerwear is usually good quality, so we visit when she is in the market for something new.

I have given up on all M&S knitwear. One wash on a low temp wool wash and they end up like rags. I now buy from wool overs and am pleased with the quality. I do like their jeggings as they fit well. I still buy their underwear but the pants are really poor quality and end up thin very quickly. The thongs I bought my daughter fell apart after a couple of washes as the stitching unravelled.

I too, am buying better quality items and wear them until they fall apart. Yes, White Stuff and Seasalt clothes are good.

annodomini

*kittylester*, I much prefer Cotton Traders tops to M&S. The fabric, fir and colour variety are far better. I can't see any long sleeved tops in the most recent catalogue through my letter box though there are plenty of 3/4 sleeves. You might find more on line.

There are some long sleeved tops in the new Cotton Traders catalogue, I was browsing it last night and saw quite a few tunics and blouses with long sleeves - but i prefer 3/4 length as I get too hot in long sleeves!

I used to get a lot from M&S but I too have moved to Seasalt, White Stuff etc.

I love Kettlewell & they’ve got 15% off until 11th October. (use code KCFIG) They are a bit more expensive but at least you can get some lovely colours.

maw, I love Kettlewell and have a few of their shirts but I liked the M&S ones as they were so cheap (I know!!) I love Sea Salt too but their colours are a bit earthy for me.

I've just bought a lovely plain sweatshirt from Joules and spilled tea down it!!!

I'll look at cotton traders anno., thank you.

Chewy, that's the first time I've seen NC.
Not impressed. The sleeves are awful.
I've got broad shoulders to start with, I'd look like Henry VIII.
And the patterns. Bleurgh.

Looking through their online selection of dresses, I've noticed that interest free monthly payments are now available for their Nobody's Child range. But as they all seem to have puffy sleeves, busy patterns, frills and deep slashes up to the thigh, I can't see me being enticed.

fir fit

kittylester, I much prefer Cotton Traders tops to M&S. The fabric, fir and colour variety are far better. I can't see any long sleeved tops in the most recent catalogue through my letter box though there are plenty of 3/4 sleeves. You might find more on line.

Nightsky2

M&S have been criticised for failing to appeal to their core customers by which I suppose is meant the older age group Look at their sale rails or visit one of their outlets and the problem is obvious. Garish often over-embellished clothes which I doubt few would find attractive: do we really want glitter on a tee-shirt? You really have to wonder who designs these monstrosities.

The latest news is that M&S are now going to sell clothes from outside manufacturers, the first already on offer with others to follow,. They have obviously at last given up on finding anyone to design their own ranges, despite a succession of "experts" over the years.

Stupid autocorrect - Kettlewell !

Kittylester - Kettlebell?
They are excellent for choice of colours but I don’t like their fabrics but you may feel differently.
I’m another convert to Seasalt - much as I have lived in Joules for the last 3 summers, I am getting very tired of their stripes. Nice knitwear though.

Personally I think that “fashion” and certainly fast fashion has had its day, in view of Climate Change, and sustainability is becoming more important for many.

For me I like to know how ethical a clothing company is, but it can be tricky to find out. The most ethical and sustainable seem to be outdoor clothing companies such as Patagonia or Finisterre. I shall be in trekking gear from now on

Their tights are good though. I've just bought a 3 pack of 40 denier opaque coloured tights and I had 20% off the price twice as Sparks had sent me 2 price cuts. I have some vivid blues and greens from last year which are still going strong and look good with knee length denim skirt in winter.

I wish they would do a denim skirt knee length. I had a quick look and they all seem to be mid calf.

They do some nice corduroy skirts but all designed for young girls with perfect legs, that are about 6 inches above the knees!

I haven't been in a store since January but have looked online.
Since they stopped doing the bras I've worn for ages, something I ordered was a totally different texture to what I thought (thick jersey cotton, not fine lawn) I've given in.

This thread is very amusing though.
Keep 'em coming.

I used to love buying new, round neck, long sleeve tshirts every year for layering. I've just looked and the colour choice is abysmal. Gone, it seems, are the days of lots of colours with lots of different necklines.

Anyone know where I might find those?

I went into the M&S store nearest to me last week and it was grim. Still racks and racks of sales stuff from the summer season range and it looked dire. It's sad to see a once thriving and successful store slowly die of neglect and poor management.

I think we must be doppelgangers FC. Fortunately, I am not vain so don't care, other than in relation to looking respectable at work.