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M&S is about to shake up the High Street – and our wardrobes – with its most daring collection ever.
Once a brand stuck in the fashion wilderness, the retail favourite has proved its winning streak is far from over with this new eclectic range.
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What’s more, the new collection, is largely better value than those from rivals including Zara, Mango and River Island.
With its autumn “She’s Back” campaign, M&S is “encouraging customers to make every day iconic” and is backing it up with leopard minis, snake-print trenches and cow-print jackets that scream dazzling.
A prime example is the sexy Rosie Lace body, £28, and matching leggings, £26, which wouldn’t look out of place at a celebrity party.
In fact, it is not dissimilar to the “naked” Gucci dress worn by Hollywood star Dakota Johnson at a New York fashion bash last week.
While this season’s looks are wearable and stylish — as you would expect from M&S — hemlines are shorter, with mini skirts and thigh-skimming shorts taking centre stage.
Think leopard-print minis, sparkly sequin shorts and dresses, plus a black bow dress with diamante straps and a tweed co-ord with a rara mini skirt.
If you had to guess at the brand, M&S probably wouldn’t be your first pick.
As a 31-year-old fashion editor, M&S has become one of my go-to stores for staples.
But what I love even more is that there is now something for everyone, including my 62-year-old mum, who is as hooked as I am.
Shopping recently in my home town of Leeds, we spent the majority of our time rifling through the M&S rails, both bagging gorgeous pieces.
Who knew a visit to the store could be a premium mother-daughter bonding exercise?
With the new range, which is starting to drop from Thursday, M&S is proving it offers more than the usual trusty bras and briefs, incorporating pieces that can be worn in and out of the bedroom.
You might be reading this, thinking, “But I love M&S for being comfy and practical”. Fear not, because at the heart of any M&S design, is comfort.
From A-line skirts that flatter your figure and stylish check co-ords for everyday wear, to practical jackets including on-trend weatherproof parkas and, of course, soft knits for the weather ahead, every customer’s needs are covered.
M&S accessories are not to be sniffed at either, providing everything from bags to boots and a selection of on-trend chunky rings.
It comes as no surprise to me that research (their own, admittedly) shows the brand is number one for both style perception and quality across every age bracket.
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Plus, this season its prices seem more reasonable than ever, which is quite an achievement given soaring costs everywhere else.
While M&S has its premium lines, such as Autograph and Jaeger, core products are still great value, with many pieces under £50.
But it doesn’t stop there.
Lingerie has long been one of the brand’s top sellers, with 42 per cent of women expecting to buy new underwear there this season.
And with 78 per cent of women ready to refresh their wardrobe for autumn, this is the perfect time to snap up those new designs, especially as M&S is known for its pieces going viral and selling out.
A check barn-style jacket that caught light on social media has already sold out online, so move quickly if there’s something you want to get your hands on.
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And it is not just us women who are in luck.
The autumn/winter menswear range boasts everything from classic jeans and T-shirt combos all the way through to tuxedo suits with James Bond vibes, cool roll-neck jumpers and swoon-worthy stylish leather jackets.
So it is little wonder M&S has delivered a rise in sales, market share, margins and return on capital over the past three years, managing to reduce its debt by around £900million.
The brand is in its best financial health for 30 years, which is even more impressive considering the ransomware cyber attack that brought its online sales to a halt for nearly seven weeks in April.
The attack encrypted the chain’s systems, causing widespread disruption and a halt in online order processing.
And far from being defeated, operating profit margins have hit a formidable 11.2 per cent in fashion.
With the She’s Back range, M&S has proved it is too, with a seriously stylish bang.
ABBY’S mum, Julie Whiteley, 62, says: “I’ve shopped at M&S for decades, on and off.
“It used to be a bit boring but, over the past few years, I’ve seen a real shift and now it’s one of my go-to stores.
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“This new season’s designs are quite androgynous, which I like. They would look good on women of any age.
“I also like the mix of colours — it’s nice to see burgundy instead of black as it’s a bit warmer.
“The only thing I’m not too keen on are the suede cowboy boots, which look like they’d be too big on the legs for me.
“However, I know a lot of women prefer them like that.
“M&S always does great wide-leg trousers that are flattering and come in long lengths, which is perfect for me.
“The whole collection makes me want to shop at M&S and it’s nice to know that Abby and I can shop there together.”
