Marks and Spencer....back in the day

Skydancer

I bought a size 12 St Michael skirt in a charity shop. But I couldn’t get into it even though I’m a size 12. I think sizing has changed over the years.

Not necessarily the sizing, maybe one’s own ‘shape’.

I say this from my own take on the issue. I had a very nice St Michael cotton/linen type midi dress, it buttoned all the way down the front, bought many years ago. I loved it, but although I was still the same size, it just clung a bit too much in the wrong places as time went by, so reluctantly it went to the charity shop, where it soon sold, I think.

They used to proudly advertise that their clothes were British made. No longer unfortunately. There were several clothing factories in Yorkshire that made clothes for St Michael. I used to visit their factory shop where they sold “seconds”.

As a student I worked in Woolworths on Saturday. I loved it especially they trusted me to do stock taking in the massive area upstairs. The only thing I hated was the smelly BO uniform, never washed. My college friend worked in Marks. My wages were pathetic but I learned a lot about the work ethic and quickly realised I wanted my own business. All the jobs along the way, working for other people, gave me the courage to go it alone age 37, pregnant and with a bucketful of knowledge. I have a Marks red fleece that appears like new but must be 35 years old. Will check tomorrow if it’s St. Michael.

Frankly no, “back in the day” my recollection was of St Michael and St Margaret (in Scotland) pastel woollies, blouses, knickers and American Tan tights!
The clothes were much more interesting in C&A (remember Yessica?) Marks was for Mums and Aunties and many of my clothes (alas) came from the local Co-op drapery shop. Or for a treat Patrick Thomson’s on the Bridges or even occasionally Jenners.

A friend of my mother's used to make egg custard tarts from the eggs which they couldn't sell if they were cracked in their egg sizing machine in the market in Torquay. She ended up opening a factory in Okehampton and selling fruit tarts and other produce to Marks.

SueDonim

My sister worked for M&S when she was young. I can’t recall which department she was in but they treated their staff well. There was a canteen upstairs for breaks and mealtimes and a weekly hairdresser came in so they could get their hair done. There were staff extras, too, days out and so on.

Yes, my DB's friend's girlfriend worked for M&S, as a young teenager I thought it sounded a wonderful place to work. They
had hairdressers and all kinds of extras included.

Many years ago we met a couple on holiday who had a firm which manufactured swimwear for Marks and Spencer. They can't have made a fortune from that because, like us, they were camping in a muddy field in Cornwall!

I bought a size 12 St Michael skirt in a charity shop. But I couldn’t get into it even though I’m a size 12. I think sizing has changed over the years.

yes, St Michael brand back in the day. \clothes lasted for years
Now made in China, Vietnam, Cambodia ect ect.

I only bought underwear and tights until I was in my 40’s, I’ve no issues with what I have bought since, still my place for jeans, shirts/tops and very occasionally footwear.

I have a couple of St Michael cardigans which I still wear.

Probably 30 years old.

Still come out every summer.

Must check in wardrobe, am sure I have other items.

DH certainly has some shirts.

I still wear a denim skirt from Marks that must be at least 25 years old. The material and stitching is far superior to the ones they make now. Like one of the other posters a pair of pyjamas I've only worn about 5 times are starting to unravel at the seams.
Went into our Marks today and they have expanded the food section so we have lost some of the womens section. The refurbished part only opened last week and one of the fridges had already broken. Signage was confusing and there seemed to be no staff apart from the tills. Certainly not how it used to be.

It is certainly not the same now
My favourite clothes shop until about 10 years ago, when the rot started to set in.
Now I think it is rubbish, except for the food department. M&S should concentrate on food now, and drop the clothing side.

Apparently M and S dropped the St Michael label in 2000 .
I have a nightie with that label.
It hasn't faded , torn nor worn out .
I've bought other nighties since and it has outlasted them all .
I now regret throwing out my St Michael clothes .

I went to M and S last week .
I walked round and round the store trying to find the dress selection - I hate that it's put in sections .
I went into the cafe .
I can recall when it was calm and relaxing .
It was full of screaming babies and children ,people complaining that their order hadn't come and deafening music .

Was Leeds store first to open?

I've just Googled the archive. Not only is it on line but is actually situated in Leeds and is open to the public

I've got a St Michael long sleeve top that I bought in a charity shop 10 years ago. It's well made and very comfortable. It's still got years of wear left in it. On the other hand M&S pyjamas bought fairly recently are falling to pieces.

The M&S archive on Twitter is fascinating and worth having a look at. I imagine you can access it without going via Twitter. (I know it's called X now)

I think Mum always regarded it as a cut above, slightly aspirational. As opposed to what she referred to as " those cheap shops"

Oh yes, St Michael. Dh still has some ties with that label. Also, I bought dd1 a pink cotton St Michael jumper that she loved. That was circa 1990. When she grew out of it she dressed her dolls in it, then I reclaimed it for dd2. Likewise, her dollies wore it until dd1’s daughter wore it circa 2020. It’s now doing doll-service again!

I recently asked my DH if he had an old shirt I could use for a scarecrow and the one he provided had a St Michael label!

My mum worked in M&S, when she was pregnant with me. She was always gutted she had to leave to have me. She had been offered a Supervisor role but due to being pregnant couldn't (in those days) take up the post. No Maternity leave in those days.
Years later, during the Christmas time, she often went back to do a bit of part-time Christmas cover for a few weeks.
Always a good company to work for, with lots of perks, even in those days.

I only have one remaining St Michael label garment. My favourite dressing gown which is 30 odd years old. Many others have come and gone but none match up to this one. I alternate it with another fairly new M&S one but it’s just not the same. It’s like my comfort blanket and I love to wrap up in it in the evenings and early mornings.

SueDonim

My sister worked for M&S when she was young. I can’t recall which department she was in but they treated their staff well. There was a canteen upstairs for breaks and mealtimes and a weekly hairdresser came in so they could get their hair done. There were staff extras, too, days out and so on.

Think they also had a podiatrist as well.

My sister worked for M&S when she was young. I can’t recall which department she was in but they treated their staff well. There was a canteen upstairs for breaks and mealtimes and a weekly hairdresser came in so they could get their hair done. There were staff extras, too, days out and so on.

I loved BHS rather more than M&S. my very favourite clothes shop in the 70s was Richards.

Yes, that's it. Browsing and familiar faces.