Marks And Spencer’s Lost The Plot

[patsyann]

I have used M and S since the Fifties. Something is seriously wrong with the latest collections . There is very little for Ladies of my age . I am a young 81 and I am also speaking about Ladies in their seventies and younger .. All I wanted was a nice pencil skirt and a decent normal Cardigan .Skirts non existent only mini skirts in thick wool or fur .Cardigans thick wool often with no sleeves and long like a dress ,An assistant walked round me fir a skirt . We actually laughed at the skirts I said oh I don’t think so .I want o be able to walk round the store and find things I have normally found and can purchase in store I don’t want to order for delivery to home .Very young customers would not M an S clothes so who is buying these clothes .I think a huge mistake .Too many Jeans galore too . Very few tailored ladies trousers .There used to be a lovely section for older Ladies .Gone .Very disappointed .Hope they get left with vast amounts of insuitable clothes at end is season .Also nothing much for Christmas part clothes fir all ages , Thank heavens food store still good .Interested in opinions .

[Buenchico]

I've never come across Slaters. (I'm fairly certain that they've never had a branch in Ipswich, Colchester, Chelmsford, Bury St Edmunds or Cambridge. I can't recall seeing them anywhere in my days in Sheffield either). However I see that they've got a branch in Norwich, so I might pop in the next time I can get a visa to visit Norfolk ;-)

Thanks, Eleanor!

[eleanor2]

Your welcome Buen,
Thanks patsy, goodnight!

[ladybirder]

Bless you Togo, it was me who recommended Poetry & Wrap. I remember you being very pleased that your wife would be pleased. xx

[Barmaid]

I used to get quite a few things from M&S. Now it is bras, boots and jeans only (plus if I pop in for food). Their suiting used to be excellent - you could get some quite nicely tailored separates which were quite hard wearing and washable - but I am unimpressed now.

You could try online stores such as Roman (I've bought some nice clothing from there which lasts including some nicely tailored stuff, but also some more casual stuff); Klass - but I've gone off them, they are all a bit cardigany now whereas 20 years ago they were better.

I have found that shopping in smaller niche stores online you can find some nice stuff - but I understand you do not want to shop online. (I prefer it, because I hate changing rooms).

Have you thought about going to a designer outlet near you? There are loads of those round the country now - they are not really designer - they are really end of line stuff sold in stores, but even so, you can get some good quality stuff.

I used to love M&S, but they just dont do it for me now.

[bednobs]

my husband needed a new funeral suit. couldnt get one in any high street shop, so had to go to a traditional gentleman's outfitters 30 miles away

[Barmaid]

My husband bought his wedding suit from an M&S outlet. They left the security tag on. He didnt notice. I did. At the bloody wedding. The registrar walked into the room to hear me hiss "you had one f ing job".........

[hellywelly4]

I’ve shopped at Edinburgh Woollen Mill in recent years. I like their styles and the quality is good. They also do shorter length trousers which is great as I’ve lost 3 inches in height as I’ve got older. A lot of the ladies in the block of flats I live in seem to like EWM too. I haven’t shopped in Marks’ for years except for undies, although I used to always buy most things from there. I’m 80 and like to think I look nice when I go out.

[Togo]

Not gone awol ... Repair Shop was on. It was indeed you Ladybirder. Didn't want to "out " you without your assent. Not only "she who must be obeyed" was impressed. My daughter was with us that Christmas and was also taken. Any other advice and pointers to aid and advice for insensitive men is welcome Lady. :))

[ladybirder]

Insensitive? You Togo? Never;-))).

[Togo]

Alright, alright ... a bit direct then. (^_*)

[Togo]

By the way ... I'm sure that patsyann would look lovely in a fur miniskirt. :))

No laughing at the back.

[Jackdaw33]

What I particularly liked abot M & S suits was that the jackets and trousers were on separate displays so you could always get a perfect match.

[barry1010]

Edinburgh Woollen Mill went in to administration a couple of years ago and was bought by a consortium. Many of its high street shops have permanently closed.

[emmie]

i buy the men's jackets as i think they are better quality, last years one cost me 55 quid, which has risen sharply to 69 for similar model/make.
i rarely buy women's clothes there, as i don't think they are meant for ladies of my age.

[emmie]

Primark out performs them for cost, and often quality, and now they are branching out into other areas, like shopping trolleys which seems strange but they are very good and if i needed one now i would buy it there, also they do Halloween costumes for families, and sundry other items, M&S don't appeal to me so much as it used to.

[hellywelly4]

Barry - there is an EWM shop open and thriving in Nantwich where I live. I know they did have problems but they seem to have resolved them.