M and S axe it’s Classic Range !

I find there range for this season really poor! For me, their food is now no better than the best we can get from supermarkets (even Aldi on occasion). They do excel at women’s bags, but they can’t stay solvent on bags alone. I don’t see them being in business long term.

Even ten years ago the M and S Classic range was fuddy duddy and did nothing to address real problems of ageing bodies.

M and S need to get enough popular sizes in actual classics such as black leggings and good quality but inexpensive trousers.I have often visited the page for short straight black trousers in size 16 and found them all sold out, and have gone to ebay to get then from one of these sellers who buys up old stock from M and S.

M and S also need to ditch the silly Per Una with its frills and embellishments.

They would not have axed it if the clothes were selling. - Personally I would never have been seen in anything from that range!

I would miss their good range of jeans, leggings, and trousers, their basic white shirts and plain summer tshirts which go on forever, and their bras and swimwear, which happen to fit me. And indeed their plain formal jackets and trench rain coats . But their buying teams seem to lack the instinct for fashionable colour, pattern, and design: I wouldn't look for clothes for occasions or events there. It's a pity, because there is a thriving market for clothing for mother, grandmother, and aunt of bride and groom; big birthdays and anniversaries; and formal events of all kinds. Men do ok because they do a wide range of suits and evening wear, but women now have little choice. This situation is not helped by the inevitable slow demise of House of Fraser and Debenhams, of course.

I'm quite young but prefer more classic looking clothes that typically last longer but have been disappointed lately, the work skirts I came across there when looking for a new one were horrid and the quality felt off... They should stick to what they know, most young people won't shop in m and s, they just won't. I'm an anomaly, no one I know my age would EVER shop there apart from homewear and (gently) laugh at me for doing so.

I am mid 60s and always thought that the classic range was too old for me.
However, I agree that they need to go back to decent natural fabrics, and well cut styles. Having said that I love love love the £15 jeggings. ( Have them in 7 colurs so far and counting).
I would be happy if they did basics well and let others doing the trendy stuff.

The trouble is that people want good clothes at cheap prices and M&S can't do that.
It amazes me that people still, for example, expect to get a good pair of trousers for under £50. If you want good clothes you have to pay for them or make them yourself.
OK, I understand that not all people have the means to spend £100+ on tops or trousers, so wait for the sale price of these items. Good clothes last longer and remember "Buy cheap, buy twice".

Not a big fan of the classic range so I won’t miss it but I understand that there are people that love it. M&S just can’t seem to get it right over past few years. I used to be able to rely on their sizing and quality but now it’s really hit and miss. Except for knickers and Per Una Roma cut jeans I shop elsewhere. M&S seem to be churning out the same old stuff season after season. Shame.

I agree that I wouldn't touch a lot of the Classic clothes, even though I'm 75 and presumably expected to be frumpy! No wonder they are not selling. However, I shall really miss their denim jeans - I have cropped and full length. In my eyes they look quite normal and reasonably good on me ( I don't have high expectations!)
The fit is so much more comfortable for an admittedly overweight wrinkly. And the big bonus of M&S in most departments is that I can get clothes in the short length rather than being swamped by skirts and trousers that are far too long.
As many have said, M&S should realise where their most loyal market is, and get rid of some of those appalling patterns and colours!

notanan2 Hiring trans staff to fit bras? I doubt it. Was that in the Daily Mail? Hiring trans staff generally, why not?
M&S clothes seem to be horribly frumpy to me. The classics range was the worst with its elasticated waists and blazers with brass buttons. All too 1950s. When will M&S realise that the 70-somethings now used to dress in Quant and Biba and don't want to look like their own grans did? I find the dresses that look almost OK are in hideous colours and the ones in reasonable colours have stupid pussy-cat bows or glittery nonsense attached. As for the nightwear - we are grown-ups. I don't want PJs with pussy cats on them or cartoon rabbits, thanks! (Phew - rant over..) (On plus side, their new Flexi knickers are great and I have a fab leopard print coat from last year's range)

AND stop reducing the home departments

I so agree! I wanted a bathmat. They had one design in different colours. All plain.

Another bright idea from M&S without consulting their customers, I think. No wonder they don’t make the profits they want.

Before we had ‘corporatewear’ (not uniform, don’t know why) at the bank where I worked, I always shopped at M &S for my work clothes. Particularly remember a couple of tweedy type, not mini, but above knee skirts worn with thin polos and a looser fit over jumper, plus opaque tights. I felt the bees knees, looked quite ‘preppy’, think Ali McGraw in Love Story. (In my dreams probably).
This was years ago of course, but now never see anything I like. Peculiar styles, fabric and fit, or perhaps it’s me that is so out of touch.
Hate clothes buying, try and manage with same old stuff. I’m not much help to the economy.
And never have found the M & S staff great, many of them seem to think they are a cut above other shops, no longer the case.

I think they came to a fork in the road some time ago and took the wrong side!

What this older shopper wants from M and S are clothes made from natural fabric and dresses with sleeves

When we had M&S in our town centre, the Classics range was shoved up a corner, next to the store bakery!
I thought the Classics range contains all the basics for your wardrobe that you can add different tops etc to?
M&S is not alone in forgetting that anyone past pensionable age , still like to be able to buy themselves (or bought for) clothes every now and then. Bon Marche are another company that have decided that certain age ranges don't exist!
M&S used to have a really lovely shell top in their classics range that was great if you had a tummy! They used to change the material, pattern and neckline, but the basic design was the same - great for workwear but they suddenly stopped doing it!
Why do clothing shops keep changing the stock so many times during the year? Why so they bring in winter stock in July and summer things in December? To me, you mainly buy clothes when you need them (especially if on a budget) so to be expected to want to buy a winter coat or thick jumper in July is silly!

I think a lot of the M&S core customers have found Uniqlo.Their woollies are lovely , great colours , wash well and are reasonably priced., especially the cashmere. Their t shirts are super soft and the heat tech range is just the job for this weather. I love the down coats too .Great designs in all departments.
I am constantly disappointed with M&S who seem set on attracting the younger element who go to Zara.H&M and Uniqlo !!,and where there is never the size you want. I do like their children's clothes though.

M&S need to embrace their clientele - The youth WILL NOT ever be M and S fans - they like either designer or cheap throw-away fun fashion.
Just cater for those who DO shop with you m&S - stylish clothing, good quality and cover lumps and bumps!

My DD wouldn't be seen dead in M&S when she was younger. Now she is 28 she's wearing a nice M&S coat and has bought dresses and boots there recently.

I am 63 and it is years since I bought anything to wear in M&S. Nothing fits: - all too big.

I just wish they would put all the trousers together, all the tops together, etc etc. I hate having to trek all the way round looking for things and there are never any staff to help. I only order online now.

Never bought from the Classic range but do miss Indigo. Loved the Per Una range when they first introduced it but since they changed designers that's not very inspiring either. Usually head for Wallis.

Their dresses in particular seem particularly awful at the moment. Unless that is the fashion. Very busy fabrics and polyestery

I personally did not like the Classic range at all...it was a bit too twinset and pearls look for me..I was disappointed when their Indigo range vanished though, it was a great boho range that I've not been able to find elsewhere...

I sometimes find their jumpers a bit short, but I am tall and like a longer length, though I bought a lovely Xmas jumper from Marks at the weekend. On the whole a much better choice this season.

When I was young and just earning my own wage, I always made straight for M & S. It was always so lovely and I was spoilt for choice. Now sadly there are racks and racks of black trousers and very unflattering dresses and tops. I barely ever find anything now that appeals to me. Marks need to really look hard at what they sell. Make it more like the old days. AND stop reducing the home departments.

Gave up on M&S years ago for clothing. They are not interested in their more mature customer. So this one shops elsewhere for clothing. They have successfully alienated their core customers and don't seem bothered about it.