Is it my favourite high street store?

I have to say I think it may well be.  So I was doing an interview the other day and was asked what my favourite high street store was.  And for the first time in forever, I actually thought it could be M&S.  Going back to my question about flats from the other day - is it an age thing...??  

Well actually I don't think it is.  M&S have been improving season on season.  No they're not perfect.  Yes, they've made some interesting style choices over the years.  And yes, it can still be a nightmare to navigate the store, not to mention the website. 

But when they get it right, they get it really really right.  The prices are amazing, the quality I think, is the best on the high street.  And the joy I get out of telling someone where my amazing dress is from - they assume Net A Porter and I tell them M&S - priceless.

So when the other day I was looking for midi skirts and found my favourites at M&S, I couldn't help but have a meander through the rest of the website. 

And found so many more amazing things, I thought a blog dedicated to my best things at M&S was definitely on the cards.  What a hardship, having to trawl through loads and loads of gorgeous clothes.  Ok so I should probably add at this point, there is a lot there you are never going to wear.  They really do offer something for everyone and it does take a fair bit of dedication to trawl through. 

But rewards are there for the taking if you do - especially as I just click and collect it all at my local store, go and try it on there and then (always on a Sunday under the guise of doing "food shopping" so I don't take any children with me...genius or what?) and return what I don't want there and then.

What have I found that I'm loving this week?

Starting with a dress which - to be honest, could go one of two ways.  There is a high possibility of a sack of potatoes OR it could elevate me to one of the Joseph Massive.  Got to be worth a try?  Biker jacket, ankle boots (sneakers for now - my new skater shoe slip ons, you're up) and oh hello school run to lunch perfect outfit.  

Slim Fit Rib Roll Tunic Dress from M&S £49.50



And one for work.. or for dinner with a biker jacket and leopard print ankle boots.  Alternatively, I'd layer with a thin polo neck and team with flat boots for an every day throw on. 

Tailored Fit Shift Dress £55



And spookily, this is how they've styled the olive green one... great minds and all that (I hadn't seen the olive when I wrote the above!)



I'm always being asked what coat works over skirts and dresses and my obvious first answer is the biker but the other option I'm planning on cracking out is the flowy trench.  

Perfection in grey. 

Loose Fit Unstructured Trench Coat £79



Or the classic black again £79



Midnight now in the perfect coat to wear with scarves.  

Wool RichTailored Fit Overcoat £119




One last coat as the sun is still shining but I can't ignore them forever.

Brushed Unstructured Coat £149

Adore this.  Just said to my 11yr old "ooh how gorgeous is this?". "mmm.. I guess.  Looks a bit like a tree though", she says.  All the enthusiasm for this then. 



Leaving coats aside now - something M&S have come up trumps with this Autumn is the print mini dress.  Brilliant because a) they're not mini mini and b) they have different length options as well. 

The versatility of these is amazing - wear right now with sandals or sneakers and throw on opaques and ankle boots when it starts getting chillier. 

These definitely have the eclectic vibe that is Autumn16tastic.  Clearly a hugely made up word.  But you know what I mean.

Fit & Flare Swing Dress £35



Patchwork Fit and Flare Dress £39.50



Tailored Fit Floral Print Shift Dress £39.50


Fit and Flare Long Sleeve Woven Dress £39.50


Not short now but this is one of the reasons I keep coming back to M&S.  Remember the red dress I got in the Summer for a song?  Well I predict this will be as good (don't hold to that - I will try it on at the first available opportunity).

Floral Print Fit & Flare Dress £45


I'm warning you now that wide leg trousers are set to be a staple feature of my Autumn wardrobe.  I shall be coming back to them with a vengeance but a sneak preview here...

Wide Single Side Stripe Trousers £25



Slightly more expensive at Autograph and a cropped version but these would be so so so infinitely useful this year.  I have lived in my navy ones which, in fact, were also from M&S way back in the Spring so I can vouch for how useful these are.

Deep Pleat Cropped Trousers from Autograph £59.50



Shoes.  M&S you are knocking it out of the ball park footwear wise. 

Double Strap Point Court Shoes £49.50



Or a black patent pair which aren't the same but I would go so far as to say better....

Multi Strap Point Court Shoes £29.50


And finishing with randomly my favourite.  I adore adore these. With skirts, with dresses, with skinnies, with leather leggings - I am all over these.  The Givenchy stud copies are everywhere so how about a variation on a theme?  (even though I would sell a child for a real pair of Givenchys but don't tell anyone).

Leather Lace Up Ankle Boots £85





And I have to stop as it's movie and pizza night for us on hols having been out for an amazing day.  We have completely lucked out with the weather, although I think we were owed a break.  Lots of pics over on Insta if anyone is interested. 

Speaking of shorter dresses - yes it is that warm.  When they used to make great Summer dresses without a hint of boho to them.  Old School Whistles, we salute you. 


Leopard dress - Whistles
Black sandals - & Other Stories
Black Mario bag - Jerome Dreyfuss 

I know I can't be the only M&S fan out there?  Have they improved over the years for you or are there things that you would like to see them change?  Not that I have any M&S contacts, but you never know who's reading!


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CONVERSATION

35 comentarios:

  1. Strangely I was just on the M&S website looking at their duvet covers and bake wear as there's 20% off ending this eve. Did have a look at some of the items you featured but that Coat! The Tree coat (as it should now forever be known) It's beautiful! Will go and have a look this week!

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  2. The only thing I ever buy from M&S is pants and bras! Have seen a few nice things mentioned in magazines etc, but not enough to persuade me to go into one of their chaotic, frump-tastic shops. Definitely a lot to wade through to find the gems, but may be worth another look!

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    1. Interestingly that's the one thing I don't buy from there! Their beauty though is also amazing and am the hugest food fan. I have to say that personally I don't find their shops too bad - I find them much less chaotic than the likes of New Look! Maybe I am turning into an old fogey..! I just being able to find a gem in the unexpected. Definitely worth another look!

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  3. Second you on the ankle boots - I put them in my imaginary basket the other day too. A great alternative to biker boots (if i ever needed an alternative...)

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    1. They're so lovely aren't they? I did buy the Topshop Amys and took them back although now of course I think for the £800 difference to the Givenchys I should have kept them. IDIOT!!!!

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  4. I've ordered the odd thing from them over the years, at the moment I love their Rosie Pj's. I used to buy my underwear from them, as at one point they were the only reasonably priced shop to stock bigger cup sizes, but their bras just aren't right for my shape now. I tend to go for autograph, and stay away from per una, but there is always an exception to any rule....

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    1. I struggle with their bras too.. And Per Una - you have no idea of the gems you can find there...!

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  5. Love M&S - love!!!!!!! The best thing is that the slightly off-piste stuff, which is my favourite, always seems to slip through the main customers and ends up in the sale!! The quality is always good but sometimes they just don't quite get it right (the first dress is gorgeous but those ties are SOOOOO long and will only get longer). My go-to for basics, underwear, nightwear and a touch of the Autograph/Limited collections.

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    1. Exactly! Have you seen that dress in the flesh? I am just loving it... I am tall so maybe that doesn't matter?! I also don't buy my nightwear from there interestingly... (I'm too tight!)

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  6. I have bought two midi skirts from M&S this summer and both are winners. I don't like any of the dresses - printed short dresses are so not my bag. I wouldn't want to wear a M&S print but that's the snob in me.

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    1. Each to their own! It honestly would never have occurred to me not to wear a print just because it was from M&S!

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  7. I thought it was my age (44) the last 3 clothing items I have bought have been M&S, delighted to see its actually just that I have good taste!

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    1. Or either you and I both sat on the old gimmer bench together!!

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    2. Nah cant be that ;)

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  8. How cool are the ankle boots. I have been loving lots of things at Marks lately and did put it down to my age. However it's nice to know they have become trendy. Btw my M&S leather midi skirt arrived...do advise what shoes to wear with them.

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    1. I cannot stop thinking about how versatile those boots would be....

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  9. I am due to pick up the green brushed coat tomorrow - praying it looks fab and fits and doesn't drown my 5ft 4 frame!

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  10. The floral print navy fit and flare dress caught my eye as I passed through the other day. At least I think it was that one, or another very similar. I also stopped to peek at the leopard print strappy shoes but was dragged away by my children because we were 'uniform shopping' and not 'shopping', apparently!! So unfair that the A/W stuff comes in and I still have my children in tow!!

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    1. And that is why I click and collect.... I am about to do another order to pick up on Sunday!

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  11. I have just bought the leopard bomber jacket by per una. I love it😍😍😍

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  12. Just got 20% off the culottes and skirt as a Sparks Card offer (worth getting after all) - hoping both will also go nicely with ordered burgandy velvet M&S trainers!

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  13. That's so weird - I've been thinking the same myself this week. First I saw the brown Autograph midi skirt - sharp - then the leopard trainers, then the velvet jumper you mentioned before (in olive and in navy) and at the weekend I tried on their modal been t-shirt a size down and it's my holy grail casual top: nice drape, non-clingy, proper length and hugs boobs/skims tummy. All in all I'm well impressed. I just wish they had the perfect sleek navy wool coat I've been seeking for 3 years...

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  14. That's so weird - I've been thinking the same myself this week. First I saw the brown Autograph midi skirt - sharp - then the leopard trainers, then the velvet jumper you mentioned before (in olive and in navy) and at the weekend I tried on their modal been t-shirt a size down and it's my holy grail casual top: nice drape, non-clingy, proper length and hugs boobs/skims tummy. All in all I'm well impressed. I just wish they had the perfect sleek navy wool coat I've been seeking for 3 years...

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    1. Oh no! The holy grail top and (I think) a typo - 'modal been t-shirt'?

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    2. Yes I need to know what one of those is too... Please??!!

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    3. Oh and meant to say - did you buy the brown skirt? I've ordered the black one to scratch the itch (in two sizes... *groans*) but it was a v close call. The pockets that swung it! But i'm now thinking maybe I should have ordered the brown one just to try as well...

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    4. Do it, and I can admire it vicariously!!! I haven't bought it yet; might try it on in Manchester today. And yes, sorry, it was a typo - I love the modal BLEND t-shirt. http://www.marksandspencer.com/scoop-neck-swing-fit-t-shirt-with-modal/p/p22461171?image=SD_01_T41_1377_F0_X_EC_90&color=NAVY&prevPage=srp
      Doesn't look much, but lovely fit for stomach-conscious me, anyway! :) And a bargain.

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  15. Love,love,love M&S especially the new out of town one in Birmingham! I've picked out the black dress for my sister who has new job and needs smart work wear. I'm regretting it now as I want it for myself. Loving the coats to. xx

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    1. HA HA! I have a huge parcel waiting for me when I get back from hols...!!

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  16. I also can't get enough of Marks recently. I have bought several boots - the comfort factor wins out in footwear. Also enjoy the on trend pieces in Limited Edition. Sales can be quite alluring for steals - especially if the Shop is on the smaller side. Definitely easiest to order online - can even pick my shopping up at the station food shop. However sizing is erratic and not just between ranges.

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