A Gransnet design brief for M & S

I've found Bon Marche has a much nicer selection of clothes than M&S. Their sizing is generous and they seem to know what suits an over 50's woman without being frumpy.

Poor M&S. No wonder they are in a tiz. I disagree with almost everything I read on page one. I don't want long skirts. I'm only short and I don't want long t shirts and all their trousers are far too wide at the thighs. I could go on and on. My gripe is that they don't order enough small sizes. Just look on the sale rail. They have hardly any small sizes left. In fairness though I'm with those of you who say no to tacky embellishments and scary flurescent colours.

Well this thread perfectly shows how impossible it is for poor old M&S! We want longer, shorter, less brightly patterned, bright, tee shirts, polo shirts, jumpers, dresses, jeans etc in bigger and smaller sizes and more of them! Phew. The old adage of not pleasing everybody all the time seems apt here. All I'd like is better quality yet somehow cheaper fabrics which can magically be produced locally by fairly paid workers. Impossible!

I would like nice matching bra and knicker sets with cotton knickers!
Longer length tops too.
I agree that the quality has gone down recently and I bought my latest jeans from Debenhams, Jasper Conran. They fit like a glove and were cheaper than my usual Per Una!
I would rather spend more at White Stuff or Seasalt for good lasting quality.
That said, I did invest my vouchers in some plain black cotton M&S knickers today!

I'm a brand new Gransnetter- what a great thread!
I too rarely shop for clothes at M&S now but walk through to the food.
My gripes are:-
Where are the bikini pants that I wore for years? They are now either really frumpy or too skimpy so bring back bikini pants.
Those awful moulded bras!
Scratchy linen.
Short jumpers - it is Winter for goodness sake when you want to wear one!
"Scuba" dresses - an aberration!
The hideous pictures on their website - where do they find their models?
I saw a great pair of plum suede ankle boots in store but despite trying in store and on line they were never in stock in my size- so order more if they are so popular!
I now find myself shopping ( in the sales) at Boden, Joules and Laura Ashley.
My favourites are the great fit of Boden shorts- in various leg lengths and Joules casual shirts and sweat tops in colours that flatter. LA does great knitwear that fits.
What I would say to Marks is look at the competition. If they can design clothes for grown up women, why can't you?

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I have been buying Per Una Romas straight leg jeans for a number of years, regular length (perfect fit). My latest pair bought about a month ago have a longer leg length (which I didn't realise till I came to wear them, so have had to turn them up. (Not happy as regular length in all their trousers to date have been perfect). Looking at there web site it states "actual trouser inside leg length will vary according to style". So beware!
Another gripe - I don't want to buy jeans that look worn out before I've got them home, and I don't want glittery bits stuck all over them.

I would like to be able to buy longer sleeved tops with less gaping necks.

Shorts that fit well and reach the knee - or just below - in good quality fabric (including denim and a range of other colours) - mostly cotton but with a slight stretch.
I think M&S should reduce the range of clothes they produce to concentrate on a limited range of well made clothes, concentrating on the basics: good quality T shirts, jumpers, cardigans etc.
Also, ensure sufficient stock. Things sell out in some sizes very quickly and that's it. I often go into M&S and come out empty-handed. Even BHS is better these days!

T shirts in patterns as self coloured ones are very easily marked, and the marks can be difficult to shift. Some without beads and sequins! Also tops without gathering at front. Biggest bugbear recently has been the narrower legged trousers bulging at the hips like jodhpurs.

Must add cardigans in botany wool. I have some that are years old, and they are like new. No pilling in botany wool.

Thirdly, I think the Classic range could include some more sophisticated styles and fabrics, even though they cost a little more. They shouldn't assume that older people always want economy.

M&S have produced some nice lace dresses in the past few years, but I struggle to find skirts and trousers. I don't like tops with words or sequin designs, they look tacky.
I'm not sure what the Sparkle card is all about, but if they stopped taking so long at the till trying to sign everyone up we'd get through much quicker.

Join forces with mumsnetters!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/2544122-I-used-to-like-M-S-but-Im-not-surprised-they-are-struggling-to-sell-womens-clothes-WARNING-MAY-BE-UPSETTING

I agree with you all. I can never find anything I like and on the odd occasions when I do they never have it in my size, I haven't bought anything there for a few years apart from food !

Agree with most comments BUT my main and major grouse is that M&S appear to be incapable of continuing a successful line and most importantly sticking to their manufacturers. For example - how many of us have found a bra that fits and is fabulous, only to go back and find that it is discontinued ? Same goes for their fab Jeggings - yes, I may be ancient but still have the figure to wear these - a super high waist and lovely wash and wear quality - UNTIL hey presto, shape and quality disappeared overnight and what is now on offer is for ladies with 'saddle bags' and so tight round the ankles impossible to take them off without writhing around the floor swearing fit to shame a trouper (? Trooper?)!! Stick to your manufacturers M&S and we, your customers , will flock back.

I must admit I no longer find anything that I like i M&S. I once bought a smart navy top, which wasn't cheap, but the sequins had been glued on and started to fall off on my first wearing and consequently don't tend to wear it. Considering it wasn't a cheap top, I was a little disappointed.

Yes, to 3/4 skirts in a flattering style and NO elasticated waists please, preferably in a plain colour or at least not too garish a print.
T- shirts with a V neck and 3/4 sleeves in a decent material that doesn't cling.
We don't want cheap, overly patterned clothes that date, but simple styles in good quality material. Look to the way Italian women of a 'certain age' dress and you'll get the idea M & S

Never shop there any more except for the food hall. So many other shops do much better clothes nowadays.

Well! When I saw the thread title my first thought was that this was about GNrs designing briefs to be sold in M & S.

It's about time i went to bed.

I have to agree with all the above. Too many clothes in too many ranges and too many horrible fabrics.

Youngsters have never shopped in M&S back in the 70's a very smart friend of mine used to shop there in secret and told her friends her clothes came from the Saint Michel Boutique!They tried to do a teenage range of Per Una (Per Una Due) some years ago and that was a non starter, although some of the clothes were very nice.

Sizing is bad - I wear their size 16 trousers. I picked up a pair in the sale after Christmas and couldn't even get them up my legs. I gave them to DD who is rather slimmer! I did buy a nice pair of snakeskin loafers in the same sale butr they were some of the very cheap ones and I suspect they won't last long. I wouldn't have minded paying more for a better made pair in the same style.

I often find M&S clothes in local charity shops and because they are not the current fashion are a much better fit. They are still fashionable and I have had some very reasonable trousers and tops at a fraction of the price whilst supporting good causes.

So Gransnet HQ I could do with some help/advice now about how to pull this all together and approach M & S. I don't really want to join with Mumsnet as I want to really make the 'grey pound' point here and I think we have a good swell of points to make to them. Anyone there HQ?

Just found this thread, found myself nodding in agreement as I read through it!

I want trousers without pockets in a good range of colours; tops that don't have necklines that are too low or wide; jackets that don't stop above my bum; pretty lightweight cotton cardies (again not too short); bras that fit with nice wide straps.

I've always loved M&S but find myself "harrumphing" when I'm there because of the lack of what I want.

The new head of M & S clothing should read all the above posts. M & S would treble its profits!

I think M&S are trying to capture the people who have the most money to spend and disposable income etc.

I have money to spend on clothes but not M&S, tasteless, over-designed, fussy - make the older lady look like an extra on "Benidorm". Please, M&S look at what Jigsaw, Cos, Toast, Pure have to offer and you'll appeal to a whole new demographic.