Alexa Chung collaboration with M&S.
If you live in the UK do you shop at M&S? If so what clothes do you expect to find there?
M&S used to be a store where you stocked up on classic sweaters and trousers. Over the last few years they have been offering more fashion forward looks.
Their recent collaboration with the style icon Alexa Chung is aimed at capturing a younger audience.
Just before my trip to France I was invited to the launch of Alexa’s Archive range at the M&S Marble Arch flagship store.
At the event I was introduced to Alexa, who was charming. She told me how she had enjoyed delving into the rich M&S company archives to create the 31-piece collection. She described how she had chosen pieces from the 60’s and 70’s and brought them up to date with the clever use of fabric and colour. She laughed when I told her that I had once worn the original versions!
I was invited to choose a few key pieces from the range. I picked the navy Ada trousers (modelled on a pair of wide leg canary yellow trousers from 1972), the Bertha cardi and the Hattie Camie. I have teamed them with white keds available here and here for a casual look.
I have worn the trousers on several occasion whilst in France. They are the right weight for in-between seasons and can be dressed up or down. They also travel well as they do not crease. The Cardi I have teamed with an A line dress for a casual evening out.
Photos by Dee
I am not into vintage styles; however I can live happily with re-imagined wardrobe classics. I found that many of the dresses in the range were very short, (Alexa has legs like a giraffe). Probably best suited to our daughters rather than us. The classic styles do cover a wide age range. Catherine of Notdressedaslamb chose the same trousers as me. I will be interested to see how she wears them.
All items from the Alexa Chung Archive Collection
British fashion re-interpreted for 2016.
I would love to know what my UK readers think of the direction M&S is taking? Does it work for you? What would you like to see more of in the M&S stores?
PS. Thank you for all you kind support. It is due to you that I continue to have the energy and desire to develop the blog.
I wrote a post on “How I wear the new trouser shape” due to “stuff happening” it did not reach all my readers. It is a controversial subject so if you have not seen it you might like to click here and join the conversation.
Disclaimer: I was given a voucher to choose an outfit from the Alexachungarchive collection. All opinions are my own.
I read your latest post with interest. I think the shorter trousers are fine for ladies with thin legs, as for me, no way!
I had a good look at the Alexa Chung outfits for M&S when it was launched. I am not sure which I would wear or would even suit me. I think its important for M&S to remember who their core customers are, i.e. ladies over the age of 40/50 and not try to compete with all the other stores who sell to the younger generation.
The trouble with M&S fashion is that they do have some nice pieces – but you have to search to find them. The website and the larger city centre stores are the only places worth looking, because the small town ones are full of frumpy stuff.
For going out or smarter stuff, I always prefer Phase Eight.
I think you’ve showcased this length of pants perfectly. Especially with the bare top!
I think it’s extremely important for us women to try some of the newer styles even though most of us don’t like change!
The necklace is a great piece also!! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I wrote earlier about the potential benefit of a side zipper for those of us no longer flat in the belly. YES, it is wonderful that my t-shirt no longer shows the bulge of a front zipper. I recommend you try it is in the same questionable shape as I. Googling I ended up with Nordstrom Rack so at $39.00 worth a trial although I happen to be in California at this time. Surely available in the UK, too.
I do not like the trousers, don’t think they are at all flattering. I rarely find anything I like in marks and Spencer.
Heading for Marble Arch next week to have a look for myself, love the blue cardi but not sure about the trousers, I think I prefer that length much narrower, but keeping an open mind !
I love the look on you. Still not convinced about the trouser length though. Out of the question for me due to my thick ankles. I also have hideous knees, currently worse as swollen with arthritis; definitely time to cover them up. I wonder if you can do a feature on midi-length dresses (with some kind of sleeve) for the summer?
Still working on the footwear which is a bit tricky. I am wearing the trousers to travel back to London today so will probably wear the trainers.
I don’t have great ankles but as long as I cover my calves not too bad.
I agree with the different M&S stores. Our Hammersmith branch is not much good. If you can get to the Marble Arch branch it is much better. I often buy on line then it is really easy to return to my local store.
I’ve grown to like this style of trousers but the footwear is tricky – sandals will be my summer option . I’m not wild about standard length cardies & will be wearing mine with tunic blouses , not long ones , or TShirts & longer cardies .
Only food for me from M&S these days , I’m afraid
Narrow and short or long and wide work. Unfortunately styles that look adventurous and creative on the young can just look as though you are wearing an ill fitting item if you are older. I think the outfit would better with full length trousers.
I love that colour blue. Between M&S and Next, I used to shop there all the time. Now, I only really buy trousers there. However, your post has made me want to explore further.
It’s so good to see you back blogging after your recent challenges. As a 68 year old petite but not slender woman, I doubt if these trousers would work for me, however I’m always willing to try new styles on before ruling them out. I’m loving the necklace though – where did you find it?
Hi Sue
The necklace was made for me a couple of years ago by Emilie Smith of Lava Design. You can find details at
I like the turquoise cardigan especially paired with your pretty necklace.
I am not a fan of the Alexa collection and although I live close to a flagship store, I find it increasingly difficult to find something I actually want to buy.
Too much use of polyester, shapeless dresses, lots of teeny round necked tops/jumper/dresses which are a no, no for anyone with a larger bust.
M & S seem to shy away from colour, far too much beige, or weak colours. I want red or vivid pink, emerald green or cobalt blue.
They sell too many virtually identical items, even within the same collection. Yet it’s still difficult to try and co-ordinate a whole new outfit – something that in a shop that large should be a doddle.
I want to spend my money in M & S but they make it so exceedingly difficult to do so.
I think Marianne has a good point about colour, however M&S do black and white well and accent colours in scarves and other accessories. I also agree about the trouser length- I would’t wear cropped trousers because of my ankles.
I find it increasingly difficult to buy anything wearable at the current M and S. In fact I haven’t set foot in a store for more than a year! It’s the poor quality and over-styling I object to most. Whatever happened to the simple, good-quality basics they used to do so well?
Hi Josephine, the items you picked up from the new collection suit you perfectly, good choice! However I have to say that, as a younger customer (in my thirties) I was very disappointed by the Alexa Chung’s collaboration. I only noticed 2 items which look great , the rest looked just too traditional and ‘safe’. Asking such a cool girl such as Alexa Chung, I was really hoping to find trendy clothes. I appreciate she had to dig into the archive to create her line but I was hoping she would add her twist to those clothes. A massive disappointment… I shopped at M&S for underwear and hosiery mainly as they have all sort of size and it’s good value for money quality. I also love their tummy control swimwear which is fab but for the rest, I tend to shop elsewhere! Julie x
http://www.jafinthebox.wordpress.com
In my opinion M & S have completely lost their way. Every now and again they come up with a nice item, but it is hard to find in the sea of soon to be reduced goods. The answer is to ditch all the endless ranges. They could then concentrate on good design and quality. I believe most people in the UK still have a fondness for them, but they seriously need to radically change for customers to enjoy shopping with them again.
Hi Sheree
I agree there are far too many ranges. I remember when Marks did as good classic range and then bought in “per una” in about the mid 90’s. I used to buy some great Italian made suits from this range. They were well made and smart and ideal for wearing for the seminars I ran in the corporate market. That was enough.
Hmmm, well I don’t know what all those resolutely worthy women of a certain age (usually found running the WI cake stall or doing church flowers where I live) who have been deliberately wearing trousers that are too short and ugly are going to do now their style has been declared Fashionalble!! I’m always up for trying a new shape BUT when it doesn’t look elegant or edgy or flattering it gets a thumbs down. If you just want to be comfortable put on a pair of trackky bottoms and be done with it……
I wonder how the women of the WI would react if they were to try on the latest version of their favourite trousers and style them with some stunning accessories!
I am American, but one of my very favorite articles of clothing is a black cashmere sweater with zipper trim I bought at M&S a few years ago. I do have to say I very much dislike the wide cropped trouser trend. Definitely not something I will be buying, as I find it to be unflattering on just about everyone! I like your cami and cardigan in this post, but the trousers are just not flattering, IMO.
Your necklace is very cute in this. I am a designer of luxury statement necklaces, I would be very chuffed if you had a look! Deepstatement.com
I wasn’t impressed by Alexa’s collection. The fabrics seemed very cheap and nasty. M&S has way too many ranges now and everything is muddled up in the shops, Iwent to the Camberley store with a friend this week. She wanted a pair of jeans – size 12, indigo, no rips or bleached patches, mediem length, straight legs. They have a huge denim department there. She eventually found a pair of jeggings that would sort of do! Plenty in size 8 or 20, short ones, pale ones or bleached ones though. you’d think a simple pair of jeans wouldn’t be too much to ask.
To be honest and controversial this is a collection that doesn’t do it for me. You have chosen well. The cardigan and trousers look great on you . I’m drawn to less classic styling sadly. That said I like the direction they are taking and look forward to other collaborations.
M&S used to be my go to store and could be dressed from head to toe in M&S including shoes but sadly not any longer. Being tall the cardigan is too short for me with trousers and that length of trouser looks like I have bought the wrong length!
With BHS on the edge of going, M&S could corner the market in middle price clothing for older women if it can get it’s act together. Aren’t we supposed to be the ones with money in our purses?
Hi Fifi
I so agree. I think M&S are missing an opportunity.