So for 20% off I get a chance to rant...

.... but to start with, it would be rude not to highlight some excellent things that I've seen in M&S.  Yes, I have taken this on as my personal public service for which I get absolutely ZERO thanks from M&S.  Harrumph.  To be fair, this isn't a huge surprise as I am inevitably rather rude about them - but it's borne out of frustration.  I love M&S, I love the heritage of the brand, I used to work there as a teenager and it has such a feeling of familiarity for me.  And I think they have some amazing lines.  Price wise and generally quality wise, they are one of my favourite places to shop on the High Street. 

But boy do they not make it easy.  I shop for a living yet I find their stores frustratingly difficult to navigate and confusing to walk around.  They've tried over the years to divide their stock lines into categories.  Which frankly, I don't think works.  The overlap between their departments has been eroded to practically nothing now.  Yes, Indigo is supposed to be the more boho range, Limited Edition (which was Collection until last year - confusing much?) is the hipper end of the ranges and Autograph the more elegant?  I'm assuming..... seeing as it's pretty much impossible to tell due to the lack of info about the stores and their ranges generally.  Then you have the Best of British which is....?  Expensive.  

Then you have Per Una which used to be frumptastic but now seems to sell every sort of style bar the kitchen sink.  And don't get me started on Per Una Speziale.... ?  Que?

And then (I'm on a roll now - there's no stopping me) there's the selection of "Collections" dotted all over the shop.  Some have trousers, some have jackets, some have dresses.... on top of the trousers, jackets and dresses that there are in Limited Edition, Autograph etc.  Are they a drastically different style from the "brands"?  In my opinion, that will be no.  

So in a nutshell you're left with whole load of confusion.  

THEN (nearly finished), you have online.  This has to be someone's idea of a joke surely?  The only website I know where you can see something instore and then spend half an hour searching to find it online.   As it bears absolutely no resemblance to the item in the flesh.  They must try really hard to do this as they manage to do pretty much with every single item (bar shoes).  Tis a gift. 

But in the interest of making sure we all look fabulous and uncover some gems that M&S do have (and most people would probably avoid!), I am happy to carry on with my unearthing of beauties.  Maybe one day they might ask people who shop there, their opinions...

So these are a selection of goodies that I saw last week and had planned to slot them in to various blogs which I have planned for the next couple of weeks.  But so that we can take advantage of the 20% (didn't they just have one of these last week?) and I was able to get my massive M&S rant off my chest (personally feel much better for having put that out there, although the chances of them ever wanting to work with me now are probably nil), I am happy to bring them to you in one go.  And you may get an idea of what I've got coming up on the blog.

Starting with some writing.  Now the reason I like this is that it's not a sweatshirt like so many others out there, but actually this is on a jumper.  I think this is quite cute.  I love the idea of it with a shirt under - maybe even a checked shirt... (see below), skinny jeans and my newly found love of (one pair only) sneakers.  Or loafers.  Loafers would do very well, as would brogues.  Ooh love the idea of brogues actually..... Would also look forward to wearing it in slightly warmer climes with a vest underneath, faded boyfriend jeans and yet more sneakers. (or ballet flats if you're that way inclined..)

Am actually embarrassed to post this photo...

M&S Collection (see??  What is that?) Pure Cotton Tres Chic Jumper now £23.60



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Staying with jumpers and continuing the theme of excruciating pics from the online site of misery. 

This honestly HONESTLY is so lovely in the flesh. 

M&S Collection Pure Cotton Panelled jumper with StayNEW (anti bobbling stuff) now a total bargain at £15.60



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This is it in the chambray colour - the perfect addition to your wardrobe to tick that pastel trend but works just as well with all the old denim and white that you've had for years.  Also gorgeous with navy. 

M&S Collection Pure Cotton Panelled jumper with StayNEW £15.60





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Here is the blouse in the first pic - a collarless lovely jersey one which works perfectly on its own under a blazer or layered under a wider necked jumper or sweatshirt. 

This has taken me Ages to find.  I have seriously looked at every shirt on this blasted site about 10 times. 

M&S Collection Pure Cotton Twin Pocket Shirt  now £14



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M&S Collection Pure Cotton Checked Shirt now £20  I am going to explain my love of checked shirts soon..... blog on the way. 



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Now these they don't even have in the midnight blue online - but here is pic of them and they are gorgeous.  Plus they do them in different lengths now and I have high hope for my daddy long legs in the longer length.


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Here is them in the black online.  Could be worse I guess..... They really do look amazing.  I am going to go and try on tomorrow or Wednesday so will be reporting back. 




A couple of items now from The Limited Edition. 

This is the most gorgeous Spring coat. 

Limited Edition Car Coat with wool now £71.20



And here's what it actually looks like - gorgeous texture detail


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Limited Edition Bib Front Blouse now £23.60 Gorgeous in real life - very Acne inspired (a friend of mine who has a lot of Acne tops assures me - she bought it and if it's good enough for her.....)  A virant mustard shade - gorgeous with navy or black. 





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Finishing with something I simply love.  Fabulous nautical inspired jacket which you could make look properly smart or de-prim with some faded boyfriend skinnies, check shirt (see above...) and sneakers.  Now I have trawled the site for this. Can I find it?  Can I heck as like.  It may be that it's not there - I'm assuming that as I can't even see how M&S could misrepresent this on a photo.  If you can find instore, good luck.  This was taken a fortnight ago actually so I assumed (wrongly) it would be online by now. 

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So what do we all think of good old M&S.  I so so want to be besotted by it as some of their stock is truly amazing.  Comparing it with the prices from Warehouse yesterday, I think it represents much better value for money and to be honest, you're less likely to see someone wearing it as it's such a hideous shop to go into and purchase online from (don't get me STARTED with their seemingly non-existent next day delivery to store.  Has anyone found any clothes item they can get delivered next day?).  But it just feels that they're missing a huge trick.  I'm not going to pretend I know what the answer is - I think the problem is that everyone wants to love them and that's just too huge and disproportionate a demograph to please. 

Would love to know your thoughts.  Apparently they were due to get a new online site in the New Year.  Clearly not early in the New Year then. 

Me here from yesterday.  As I said on Twitter.  Hindsight is a wonderful thing and on reflection, I realise there is a fine line between cool eclectic and Helena Bonham Carter.  I threw this on (as you can perhaps tell) and maybe should have checked in the mirror.  Coat would have worked if it was navy.  Bag would have worked if it was navy.  Seeing as I only have the former, I should have changed my coat.  But I am LOVING the trainers.  Had a wobble when the 9yr old proclaimed it looked like I had second hand shoes on (she meant vintage....) but ploughed on regardless.  Best thing?  The comfort.  Like walking around in my slippers all day.  Bliss.  Anyone else caved?  People have said this is a slippery slope - and I can see that... Must. Not.  Buy. More.

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Dark denim shirt - New Look for Men
Horsing around sweatshirt - JCRew
Khaki zipped skinnies - By Malene Birger
New Balance sneakers
Checked coat - Zara
Whisky Medium Marcie - Chloe

Am off to try jeans on today.  Just for you xxx

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CONVERSATION

33 comentarios:

  1. Hi Kat, I too love m&S, if you pop into store now, the new website has been live for over a week, instores only. Not live for us at home yet! You may well be impressed, the images are clearer, you can see the fabrics and they can also play you a video, progress! Also I have my eye on the yellow limited edition blouse and that may have just fallen into my cart, woops! Tjay xx

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  2. Hello! Great blog. I've just read it at the kitchen table after getting my kids out to school. Just wanted to say I met a stylist before Christmas, who works with more "mature" (40 to 55ish) clients personal shopping, and like you, she was saying how great Warehouse could be. I must take a look. I know, Marks can be infuriating. I swore off them a few years ago as no matter what I bought, when I took it home I just looked frumpy. Maybe I need to give them another chance?

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  3. Great Blog honey
    Marks and Spencers lost me years ago, and I just can't go back. They confuse the hell out of me and I will always think of them as an older persons store - you know when you just don't really care any more!

    Fine for food though - they should stick to what they do best really - food and undies :)

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  4. M&S website is atrocious. But it's a field of unicorns frolicking in fairy dust compared with Next online...

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  5. Our M&S is 2 separate shops and you have to go out into the street to go to the other side of the alley way, only a few feet but feels wrong with clothes on hangers, almost waiting for the hand on my shoulder moment. :/ the limited edition only consists of a few pieces, you then have to navigate the instore website if you want to see if you can find the desired item, I never can so give up. Also can never find the items at home on their website as they don't appear to be where I think they would be. Now reduced to taking photos of the item code and typing that in when i get home to see if can find the item that way along with a picture of the item to remind myself that in real life it looked lovely and nothing like the on-line photo.
    Had to laugh at your daughters comment reference you trainers I have new balance in navy and put them on to take my son to gym class and my daughter's comment was "oh my god mum are you going for a run!!!"

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  6. Totally get what you're saying about the website - it's a bit lost in the dark ages with the way they feature their models so I'm hoping that the new website remedies all that and with da da dah - clear useable downloadable pics! Now I'm really intrigued by the StayNEW anti-pilling technology and find it rather strange and amusing that they choose to employ it on cotton garments which on the whole are not that bad and don't pill much. They need to use it on the acrylics and the wool blends - those are the major culprits. And I've seen recently that a few places are now putting disclaimers about the likelihood of pilling on their garments. Now that's a get out clause and a half. Having said that, it just reminds me not to buy them in the first place.

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  7. I think you have completely summed up M&S they could do with reading your blog as confusion is the main problem! However, you have done THE most amazing job in pulling out some gorgeous clothes...that mustard blouse...inspired! And you are rocking the trainers, tall and slim they are made for you bet you have at least 3 pairs by the end of summer! X

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  8. Those jeggings do indeed look fab, until you try them on that is, and discover that they are made for someone with the dainty ankles of tiny little faries!! I could barely get the trouser bottoms over my narrow feet. Shame really as the midnight blue colour is lovely (it was on the site last week, as I managed to order them from there - having seen them in store, of course) but I have returned mine. I just can't see the hems/seams lasting if I have to keep forcing them on :-/

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  9. I have those coated skinnies. I had them before I spotted (& am still lusting after) the Zara zipped coated ones before Christmas. I agree with the ankle thing though, very funny and very true.

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  10. I do love looking around M&S Its a clothing institution going through a crisis of confidence; trying to please all and not pleasing as many as it should. I can see a time when the clothing part disappears and they concentrate purely on food - they do food so well.

    Is the "Tres Chic" stitched into the jersey or screen printed on? hope not screen printed as tres chic is the last thing it
    would be. ;0)

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  11. Love the blog and chance to rant at m and s! Totally agree about site and store...and also find customer service policy incredibly inflexible and arrogant. I found a credit note (that looks just like a till receipt) that was 2 days out of date and they refused to honour it. Despite showing them how much I had spent in store over past year (hideous exercise as I buy much of our food there!), they wouldn't budge, even though I had spent thousands more than voucher amount. I just can't understand why they would want to annoy a high spending customer.

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  12. Don't you think all shops are "shops of two halves" and wouldn't it be boring if we had one or two shops where we loved everything? Isn't the joy of shopping about hunting down that elusive item if clothing that suits us and our evolving sense of style? Today in M&S were two 50ish frumps cooing over an odd skirt but one mans meat and all that! Isn't part of the fun buying something great whether it's from Massimo or Matalan? And that great feeling when someone says "from where?!" Personal style is about looking everywhere - sifting the wheat from the chaf and ending up with an eclectic wardrobe which suits us. There never will be a one size fits all shop.

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  13. For reasons unknown I embarked upon a questionnaire last year about the website. The survey went on and on and on, just like the website. I nearly lost the will to live but ploughed on as I felt I was doing a service to the public. Really hope they get it sorted soon. I contemplated the mustard top to give a bit of oomph to my spring wardrobe but decided it was a little too formal for how I wanted to wear it. It is lovely isn't it.

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  14. You have got them spot on, fingers crossed that website improves...... That mustard blouse.......is so Acne, great find!! X I bet you love the NB's I love mine..... Knowing you I bet you will have a few colours by the end of the year! X

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  15. Mum shops in M&S (or tried too but think she can't see the good amongst the bad either sometimes!) so I go in with her with an open mind as I've been reading your blog for so long. I know there are gems to be found so I don't mind having a mooch trying to spot them! I do like that mustard blouse.

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  16. Bestfriendstyle.com
    Hi, I am a newbie to blogging, and just discovered your blog love it. I agree with you about M&S, I have tried the jeggings on very fab colour, but..... Very baggy on the knee not good. I think the shoes and boots have improved.
    Sue

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  17. Hi love, I tried on that Cream coat in M&S yesterday it is gorgeous.......Siobhan D.

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  18. I haven't paid any attention to m and s clothes in ages but I have seen some amazing slip on skate style trainers that look disarmingly like the black pony skin ones in celine this season At 20 quid they are a bargain and everyone will want a pair this summer instead if the faithful old ballet flats. Grab a pair now while they are in stock and cheap and with that extra discount it would be rude not to.

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  19. I really like that 'tres chic' jumper, but is so identifiably M & S, I am not a clothes snob, I buy from the charity outlet store where everything is £1 and LOVE it, but I tend to go high or low, that predictable, placeable in the middle doesn't appeal to my contrary Aquarian nature. I have heard that M&S clothes have lost money for over a decade, basically they are just a Wizard of Oz style corridor to the food!

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  20. Lucy I'm looking for a stylist that will cater to a more mature lady! Desperate for help with my train wreck of a wardrobe - can you tell me what area she works in? Much obliged if anyone else has recommendations. Thanks Baya x

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  21. Don't think I've ever bought anything from M&S, hate the online and instore experience of it all! Love that yellow top though- will be checking that out!!

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  22. I have the jeggings in both colours, fabulous.....much better than grey ones I have from next (who most definitely win the worst website ever award). I tried on the mustard blouse.....beautiful but colour does nothing for my red Celtic skin, sadly. I buy a lot from M&S but it takes time, alot of time and alot of returns....the website is a bloody nightmare and makes the clothes look horrendous. Most frustrating is the mad variance in stock between store and online.....often neither the twain shall meet! love the trainers

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  23. Not liking any of that M&S stuff, sadly I think my M&S clothing days are over. They just try to be everything for everyone and fail miserably.

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  24. Love your blog Kat and M&S should be thanking/paying you - I live in Australia and have bought lots of your M& pieces that you've blogged about over the last 12 months. I do love M&S, I too used to work there as a teen too and it's one of my first stops when I'm back home. Clothing is so expensive here, that it's worth the pain of trawling your way through their website, but I must admit your in-store photos show the items better! Michelle

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  25. Thanks for the post on M&S. Agree website and shop very difficult to negotiate. When most stuff appears so frumpy it's difficult to not see it all as frumpy. But I love love the mustard blouse and have ordered one straight away!!

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  26. Ha now the key is for you to persevere on our behalf Kat cos I have only had success with things recommended/photograghed by you. I have the black coated jeggings which are great and when you compare to the likes of warehouse their quality is better. Will be checking out your finds. Please keep taking ur pics tho x

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  27. http://m.marksandspencer.com/mt/www.marksandspencer.com/Collection-Nautical-Striped-Jacket/dp/B000OR0BBW?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_43&nodeId=469662031&sr=1-43&qid=1391636016&pf_rd_r=1W3Z0PEDVNCM90JBDJHR&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_i=0&pf_rd_p=321381407&pf_rd_s=center-3

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  28. Link is not working but it is online, under the fitted jackets category

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  29. Hi Kat, I too love M&S and worked in their lingerie dept as a teenager. Have also worked for them freelance as a stylist in store so received all the info about each individual brand. You would not believe what each brand was trying to represent/who it was aimed at. I have shopped at marks for years and I nearly fell off my chair as I hadn't spotted any of what they were going on about. Bizarre!

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  30. Hi Kat, I too love M&S and worked in their lingerie dept as a teenager. Have also worked for them freelance as a stylist in store so received all the info about each individual brand. You would not believe what each brand was trying to represent/who it was aimed at. I have shopped at marks for years and I nearly fell off my chair as I hadn't spotted any of what they were going on about. Bizarre!

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  31. I've seen the style guide for Per Una, you'd laugh if you knew the target customer. It's comical. Regarding next day delivery, I asked in my local store and it appears they are working on this. They are in the process of switching distribution centres to enable next day delivery. More news as I get it.....

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  32. I'm so with you! I hate their website & its such a shame! There are some beautiful clothes in store that are just lost on the site! I've given up looking for stuff before too as its such hard work! I do hope they fix it & do away with all the silly range names too! Back to basics please M&S! Ax

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  33. I've lived in the panelled navy jumper, now avail in mint and hot pink too

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