M&S Per Una Trousers (Marks & Spencer)

Member Name: ruthannking

Product:	Marks & Spencer
Date:	28/05/02 (3153 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Large number of styles, Modern, Well made

Disadvantages: Lack of choice of medium sizes, HIPSTERS for anyone under size 16, bit pricey

This opinion is just about the trousers in the new M&S Per Una Range, and not an opinion of M&S in general as I hardly ever shop there.

The reason I tried M&S was part of an attempt to buy some casual trousers for my holiday. This was obviously a huge mistake, as I traipsed round store after store not finding anything I liked. Eventually I got pretty depressed, and my mum suggested I try M&S because 'they had a new range for young people' (I'm 26). I wasn't totally sure whether or not to trust her judgement of 'young people's' clothes but I thought it couldn't hurt.

I was immediately impressed with the range of trousers in the Per Una style. This range has been designed by George Davies who used to design for Asda and was credited with turning round the Asda clothing sales. He has done a pretty good job with Per Una.

There were a lot of styles of trousers, several of which were just what i was looking for. The range is good in that it is available in many sizes , 8 to 20 I think, and three lengths (S, M and L). In general the prices ranged from £29 for a fairly simple style to £59 for some embroidered jeans (which were lovely though).

However there are two big problems with this range which prevented my actually buying any trousers there.

Firstly this range turns round very very quickly. This is good in that new styles are out each week, but bad in that if you are a common size like a 12-14 (as I am) and a common length (M) then many of the trousers will have sold out in that size and they won't be getting the same ones in. I was told to try again next week and see what new things they had, but it does mean starting again with the rigmarole of trying on and deciding which size is right etc.. I found 4 pairs I really liked and not one was available in a 12M or 14M. M&S do not offer an ordering service in this range, although they will try and locate stock for you, but you
then have to go to that branch to get it, so you have to be really dedicated.

Secondly, and even more critically to me, virtually all the denim-style trousers (i.e the jeans and the denim look trousers) are hipsters. Or at least (and very annoyingly) they are hipsters in sizes 8 - 14 and proper trousers from 16 upwards. I checked in store and this is actually how they are meant to be, which means any of us who are a size 14 or under only get hipsters. I hate hipsters and although i don't think I am 'fat' I am certainly not slim enough to look good in hipsters. Plus I feel a bit too old to flash my knickers every time I sit down! What a crap policy, I have no idea who decided on that cut off point, especially as the Per Una range is a bit pricey for most teenagers. If they want to appeal to the youngish, but working women who they seem to be targeting then they should consider that although we want fashionable clothes we also want to look fully dressed in them and not display our underwear.

Anyway, I ended up buying some trousers in a small shop near me called Krisp - they are simple, dark blue trousers with a proper waistband. So M&S lost out on my business and haven't encouraged me to go back.

Summary: