M&S still haven't found the plot they lost....

Which shops do you people like? I hunted for a lightweight coat last week ,no luck.

I've recently found nice casual tops and a trench coat in Matalan. Very reasonable prices and sizes are good too. Much more choice than M and S these days.

I like shopping online at John Lewis as they deliver to my local Waitrose store free of charge. I like the variety of clothing there, in particular Hobbs, LK Bennett, Ghost, etc. I also enjoy trawling through the rails in TK Max - I've picked up some incredible bargains there.

Is anyone from M&S listening?
A few yrs ago I bought a plain, unlined, casual linen jacket in a small shop in a village in Cape Cod. I have worn it loads in the summer - it washes like a dream and came with lovely buttons, too. It's a deep, but not garish, pink. Given that it was a small shop and the jacket was made in the US - not Vietnam or Cambodia - it wasn't over-expensive, either.
At the time I wondered why on earth - given economies of scale - M&S didn't do something similar. In a selection of nice colours - not the more garish ones! - I'm sure it would fly off the shelves. But alas, even if they did, no doubt they'd spoil it with tacky 'bits' and nasty cheap-looking buttons.

I sometimes wonder whether there's a secret agenda of someone actually WANTING M&S to fail. If not, why haven't they got rid of 95% of their buyers and enployed some who actually understand what their core customers want?

I have found good quality tops in Cotton Traders. I am sent the catalogue but usually buy on line. Delivery by my friendly local Hermes courier is within a couple of days. I have also bought well-fitting trousers which, I must admit, is a bit of a gamble. I tend to avoid their unisex range as I seem to be shrinking!

They have definitely lost the plot, Debenhams online has some great choices , bought my outfit for DS wedding from them plus lots of great sale stuff, good quality as well. I don't get what has happened to dear old M & S.

I like Debenhams on line as well and particularly Joe Browns for tops- a bit hippy but definitely different.

With my white hair and a white top, I look like a cotton bud

Cotton Traders now get my custom for all the items that I used to buy from M&S. Good quality jeans, t-shirts, fleeces and jumpers (both wool and cotton), in a variety of nice colours (bright but not garish) that fit well and are really hard-wearing.
Goodbye to trying on four different pairs of trousers - all marked as the same size - and possibly, just possibly, finding one pair that fit... I've no idea how they've kept going this long..!

Some of M&S's clothes are positively weird. Last week I tried on trousers. None were any good. I seem to be size 11.
Tried some more on today. Only one pair fitted. I'm 5'1" but the 'short' length was too short - the assistant told me M&S were making trousers longer but these were very short. I bought size 10 regular but they are slightly too long. I'm waiting to see if any 20% vouchers come soon and if these trousers are still available I'll return the ones I've bought and re-order from the website. £49.99 is more than I expected to pay but no others were any good. Sizing can vary between garments that are supposed to be the same size. Why can't M&S make 'normal' clothes, so many of them are a bit funky.

PS M&S Cashmillion seems to go bobbly after very few wears and washing. I have some M&S jumpers from years ago that are still absolutely fine.

Yes M& S have gone to the dogs. Earlier in the year I asked if they had a long navy cardi as I couldn't see any on display. Oh no I was told we don't get much call for them. I ask you all, who does not have a navy cardi in their wardrobe? Or am I just so out of date?

Agree.. M&S deffo lost the plot these days.. rarely find anything to buy....trying far to hard to please WHO? certainly not me or many peeps on here ... and not sure if "de-youf" like it much either! Not many places to go that "get us"... I for one do not want to revisit the 70's/80's fashions Yuk! was horrible then, even worse now. And... and apparently all in one play suits are back in fashion ARGH! runs for the hills

*Diggingdoris" I have four navy cardigans in my wardrobe! One long wool for winter, one long cotton for summer, one short cotton also for summer but with certain clothes that don't go with long (!) and one posh for funerals. Not one came from M&S (Woolovers, Matalan, Monsoon and Joules). I can never find anything in M&S so I've given up looking. It's a pity though because they used to be so reliable for basics.

I'm afraid that I have to agree - M & S no longer stock much in women's wear that is of good quality and classic in style. They seem to be trying to be everything to everyone but pleasing no-one!
Why oh why does everything have to be shapeless, drab and poorly stitched. The quality in general is abysmal and the sizing very inconsistent. Quality control? I don't think so! Over priced rubbish these days, for the most part.

Diggingdoris I haven't worn navy since I left school 53 years ago - but that probably is just me!

I have written before about shopping in M&S with my friend who wanted a pair of size 12 indigo jeans. Now if she'd wanted size 20 bright red or size 8 bright yellow it wouldn't have been a problem. She ended up with jeggings because at least they were blue.

Yep, totally agree that MnS has gone to the dogs. I go to White Stuff, Fat Face, Mantaray these days. MnS has turned into a jumble sale of man-made fibre and horrible garish colours. Oh, and then there are the weird sleeves, as others have mentioned. I'm off to visit their FB page to tell them to read this thread, not that they'll take any notice as they don't listen to their (former) customers.

Both garments are absolutely horrible. What on earth are M&S thinking.

I used to buy jumpers and for everyday wear at M&S every year. Now, it's either cashmere, which for me is too warm and too high maintenance, or some cheap, limp thing at £12.50. I wish they would stop trying to appeal to the "fashion" market, whatever that is, and go back to quality clothes with an updated look. Last year our big M&S was full of ultra skinny legging/jegging type trousers - did they sell? Nope, nearly all in the sale. Where are the good quality staples?

We have 5 generations to shop for, last year we bought absolutely nothing (apart from food).

I cannot get to grips with the trouser shapes - what is the difference between - skinny - slim - jeggings etc? I could find none really. The - straight- trousers are too full to be called straight. I wanted some slim but not clingy showing calf muscle tight trousers but they do not seem to exist!
I have searched several branches in different parts of the country. They are however doing the navy quilted jacket which is similar to the classic Barbour version so I may need to go back for that!
I so agree about colours too - I do not like too much print on things - many of the colours they have now are far too harsh for me to wear - DD says it is because the red they have is too coral rather than with a pink tone. Tone makes such a difference I find as you get older.
The other brand which I find very good quality but seems to have got in a bit of a rut is Joules. Apart from changing the positioning of the flowers etc their tops with the stripes could be this year last year or the couple before! But I do so love the quality and the heavier T shirts are great in the 'changing ' seasons with a jacket (or not!)

I have only just had time to read the thread,but would also like to comment...I have wandered around M/S and not feeling enthused at all...... We have a huge shop here , and as most people have said.the food floor looks better than the clothing floors.I still have last year's vouchers to spend,but took ages trying to find a pair of jeans to fit.also a bra(the lingerie floor had so many designs of bra.I was overwhelmed).and got so hot and bothered with it all i gave up.Will have to buy Xmas gifts with the vouchers instead

I know what you mean squirrel5 as I often feel like that, too much choice sometimes.I prefer the smaller M&S and also Debenhams, as you can whizz around them quickly.
What most stores, including M&S do, is stock what their main type of clientele want, and this varies from town to town.

That skirt and top are awful!

Great idea, Harrigran .

I looked at the links Icyalittle and now those ghastly green outfits keep popping up on my Facebook page