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!