Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[soapdragon]

On Tuesday I went into Oxford to do the bi annual bra run at M&S . They gave me a voucher for 20% off ladies clothes (excl lingerie). However, I just couldn't find anything that I wanted to buy I tried a cardi on but it was 3/4 sleeves so impractical. Otherwise absolutely nothing that tempted me......it all seemed uninspiring and bland.

 

What has happened to good old M&S? Boring, boring, boring! Oxford is a reasonably big store and I was really surprised not to find anything to tempt me! Has anyone else found the same?

[chickencam]

They need to decide what their market is. They either have bland stuff or designs that are so out there that hardly anyone buys them and they end up in the sale.

[Charlottechicken]

I think M&S seem to go through phases like this I usually like the Indigo separates, but I pick them up in charity shops so I'm probably a few seasons behind

 

I have to say that I think a lot of the Per Una stuff can be over embellished, but I generally find undies and plain t shirts I like if I have a cashback voucher to spend

[Cat tails]

I could seriously buy just about any piece of clothing there...

 

I set myself a budget before I go, else I would spend way too much...

[The Dogmother]

I only get undies, socks and the odd food item there; nothing else is to my liking.

[Grandmashazzie]

Do agree Soapdragon. I usually buy a lot of stuff there. I am desperately looking for skirts as I sent ALL mine to a charity shop by mistake when we moved. Unless you want something trailing the floor or workie there is not much.I wandered around the Nottingham branch keen to buy but only liked a pair of chinos.

[Bramble]

I've gone right off M&S lately, their stuff is either too way out for me, or too fuddy duddy - they don't seem to have the normal, ordinary, bog standard staples they used to be so good for - they used to be great for t-shirt nighties, can't even get those at the moment (without lacy bits on them, which I can't stand!!!)

[newcountrygirl]

Don't tend to buy anything there any more. If I want something of theirs I tend to get it off the dreaded Ebay. There are a few people on there who sell them new with tags and they are much cheaper.

[soapdragon]

Wow, I feel like forwarding this whole thread to their head office!

 

Even their t shirts now seem to be available in 'odd' colours - couldn't find plain navy or black and really didn't fancy pale coral or orange They used to be SO good at good quality wardrobe staples and, as other wise ones have said, have wandered off in some very strange directions!

 

The Indigo collection was OK but did look a bit like Fat Face from a few years ago..... The cardi that I tried on was from Indigo and I would have bought it had it not had 3/4 sleeves. For me that just limits what tops you can wear a cardi with and I find myself constantly trying to pull the sleeves down to the wrists; not very practical.

 

Bras tho.........well I wouldn't wear anyone elses!!!!! Have found a fab design; so comfy and the perfect fit. Whats the betting its discontinued within weeks

[Valkyrie]

I still get undies there - not that they are much good - there isn't much in the way of pure cotton bras - they tend to be cotton rich but more thick than light, thin fabric type of cotton - or broderie anglaise type cotton. They used to. The pants fall apart and those horrid big knickers - well I have a hole in one yayyyy so that will go on holiday but not coming home! And when I want plain white, they seem to have horrible fancy lumpy bits at the front.

And now I go on to the jogging trousers - yes they are cheap at £10 but they used to be more cotton than MMF, and now it's the other way round. Not good if it makes you itch or turns you into a tesla coil. The length is something else. I used to get long leg ones. Long leg now is 3 inches too long and have to be turned up. Standard is ankle swinging and way too short. And then you have twisted legs where they haven't been sewn properly or uneven lengths - if you find one that is exactly perfect you then notice one leg is higher than the other. And that goes for a petite friend who also had a difference of 2 inches in one leg. She didn't notice it on the hanger but when she wore it she thought well that's stupid. I don't like buying things and then having to return them all the time - it's inconvenient. Nor do I have the time to try everything on just in case.

Tops are too short in the waist and then when you wash them they end up like tiny boob tubes, even shorter. I've been buying John Lewis t-shirts (men's size is perfect and lovely colours and the shoulders fit nicely) and ladies vest shirts which are much longer than M&S. Skirts I get from East (yes expensive but pure cotton). That's for nice wear. M&S lost the plot ages ago for me - mainly because the quality of fabric is poor and the sewing is rubbish and comes apart too quickly. Er I'll get off my soap box now! Sorry about that!

[Charlottechicken]

If I'm forced to go to the high street, the only other place I look is BHS these days. However, I'm blessed with access to a lot of charity shops so tend to buy most of my clothes and handbags from there. (Latest bargains are on my blog )

[soapdragon]

I simply cannot pass a charity shop Have had some good buys but nothing recently

 

To get to an M&S I have to get into Oxford....park and ride so major excursion. Shan't bother now as Oxford is full of tourist tat and very uninspiring! Sad

[mullethunter]

I only get undies, socks and the odd food item there; nothing else is to my liking.

 

Ditto. And since they've started only doing ladies socks in one size (how an one size POSSIBLY fit all?!?!) they're not great either.

[Charlottechicken]

I buy boys sports socks from Peacocks, cheap and they last longer!

[Valkyrie]

They never did socks that fitted me - one wash on the largest size and they were even smaller! Only socks I get are from Snow and Rock . . . for my walking! Other than that I'm barefoot - even in shoes and during winter too!

[Charlottechicken]

Ahh, I have little feet, size 4, so can get away with kids stuff

 

Back to charity shops, today I've managed to spend £8.50 and for that I've got; 2 pairs of larger ladies pyjama bottoms (to be cut down in length for OH as sleep shorts) 50p each, brand new Motorhead t shirt £2.50, pair of levi jeans £2, pair of Autograph velvet trousers £1, and a lovely Monsoon 60's style brown corduroy pinafore dress £2. I passed on a little denim handbag for 50p and a beautiful pair of leather eau de nil Faith wedges for £1.

[The Dogmother]

On a related tangent, I made a killing on Freegle this morning; I spotted that someone had listed a black Radley bag, showing 'some wear'. I emailed them and was surprised to see that it hadn't gone... collected it this morning, and after a quick going over with a damp cloth and black shoe polish, it is looking really good. It is a bit bigger than I am used to, so still not sure whether I'll keep it.

[soapdragon]

On a related tangent, I made a killing on Freegle this morning; I spotted that someone had listed a black Radley bag, showing 'some wear'. I emailed them and was surprised to see that it hadn't gone... collected it this morning, and after a quick going over with a damp cloth and black shoe polish, it is looking really good. It is a bit bigger than I am used to, so still not sure whether I'll keep it.

 

 

Keep it, DM! Handbags are like lofts....you'll always manage to fill them!!!

[Cinnamon]

Indeed - I have had to go bigger recently to house all the reusable bags I carry when I am shopping.

A bigger handbag is a good thing

[The Dogmother]

Hmm, will think on it; I'm just not a big bag person. In fact I usually just carry a bank card and a tenner in my pocket!

[mullethunter]

Me too DM. Don't do a hand bag unless it's a posh do and I have no pockets!

[gavclojak]

Oh goodness ladies.....always keep in my book, I'm not going out without a bag, I love love love love a bag!!!

[Cat tails]

I don't do handbags, but backpacks. I hate not having my hands free.

[Daphne]

My 87 MIL has just been staying here with not one, but two, handbags Its double the scope for mislaying your purse and everything else as far as I can see. OH won't venture into my handbag. I only started using one about 10 years ago and it was very small and he said he couldn't get his hand in. Now my handbag is huge so I can fit things like a small bottle of water in it, but the trouble is its like a black hole - many is the time I've had to throw the contents out to find something. Not very ladylike

 

Back onto M&S - I was in there for an annual undies buy last week. Lots of lovely reduced underwear, but no full price clothes or nightwear that took my fancy, most stuff is too long for me anyway but the shop layout was just confusing and there are far too many sections, trying to appeal to everyone with different ranges but failing on most counts in my opinion. However, I have also bought a swimming costume - its got the magic ruching to make you look thinner And the young male shop assistant was very charming.

[soapdragon]

Daphne I agree with you on the layout! The Oxford store has a very odd feel to it...really un co-ordinated, bland and the same things in different places (if you see what I mean!) It just doesn't seem to have any 'identity' and is rather sterile. Not a nice place to be and I was glad to get out!