What have been your experiences with M&S pants in the last few years?

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vert-glamis@reddit

men really be wearing the same underwear for 5-10 years..

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Same experience as you. Have always bought my underwear from M&S, have some stuff that I’ve had for ten years or more. The things I’ve bought more recently are such terrible quality, they’re in a worse condition than the ones I bought decades ago.

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porcelain_toenail@reddit

I have m&s pants and socks from over 10 years ago that are still in perfect condition, but the ones I bought last year are already in the bin for the exact same reasons you've described. The quality has definitely gone downhill, massively.

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gentletonberry@reddit

Exactly the same experience with the socks. Couldn’t believe how bad the new ones were, while the older ones are still going strong.

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Opposite_Radio9388@reddit

Same. Holes within one wear! I buy mine from Uniqlo now.

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Dimac99@reddit

I got some great M&S cotton Percy Pig socks absolutely yonks ago but every pair of cotton socks I've bought from them since has gone in the bin. It's not even that they've fallen apart, I haven't kept them long enough to find out how long that takes, it's the fact they move around on my feet and won't stay up even slightly. So incredibly uncomfortable they fail at the very basics of sockness. I shouldn't feel my feet moving around in my shoes and then have to remove my shoes in order to straighten the socks.

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alijam100@reddit (OP)

That’s a real shame. I’ve always liked M&S stuff as it wasn’t stupidly expensive and was decent quality

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porcelain_toenail@reddit

Same here, it's incredibly disappointing. Now I genuinely don't know where to go for good quality, long lasting underwear/clothing.

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ThriceNightly_Whitey@reddit

Try Kula, bought a set of 5 to start with three years ago, added another 5 the year after, they're going strong same shape and waistband intact, moisture wicking, quick drying from the wash (don't need tumble drying). I bought BAM socks about 5 or 6 years ago, the sets I bought and added are wearing well a couple needed small darns, and they also moisture wick, the hiking socks are also great with hi top trainers.

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alijam100@reddit (OP)

I’ve been trying to find better stuff for ages. I bought these as a stop gap expecting them to last a couple of years at least. There’s places like ‘meundies’ and saxx, but they’re so damn expensive. I feel like we need something inbetween

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Opposite_Radio9388@reddit

It's almost funny how they now use the slogan "quality you deserve." It seems they don't think much of their customers!

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dylsreddit@reddit

I was actually thinking the same thing the other day, I bought a set of 5 last year and each of them all have a hole right in the taint area.

I was wondering what the hell could be going on down there to cause it. At least I know I'm not alone, whatever it is.

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Danglyweed@reddit

Ive got ones that are 20 years old and still great condition, new ones all ripped at the elastic.

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connectfourvsrisk@reddit

Similar experience. The quality has absolutely plummeted.

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ARobertNotABob@reddit

Pants pants and their enshittification.

That's enough Reddit for today, perhaps...

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Practical-Fix-5317@reddit

I thought it was just me that had a bad batch or something

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Jacktheforkie@reddit

In general underwear is quite rubbish now, on that ass aren’t lasting, oddballs are fading and the socks seem to shrink

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EmuComprehensive8200@reddit

Sad state of affairs. M&S used to be quality. I havent personally purchased recently because I live abroad, but I have quite a few bits my nan bought me 20 odd years ago that are still in great nick. My favourite jacket that I regularly wear is still in top condition

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MessageSelfdestructs@reddit

And here I thought it was just me.

Yup, also noticed the exact same thing, so stopped buying my pants there.

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MerkinMites@reddit

I looked up M&S quality a while ago.

If you're having the same issue as me:

Avoid cotton mixes!! Opt for pure (100% cotton). The pure cotton tend to be more expensive. Origin of the cotton also effects quality but I'm not sure they identity the grow country of cotton on their clothing packaging.

The synthetic fibres/ elastics used in clothes as stretch etc, deteriorate very quickly and lead to holes.

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ricketyass@reddit

Agreed, I've sworn by M&S trunks for a few years now, but always opt for the 100% cotton. Had no issues at all. Jesus! Just realised I'm middle aged 😔

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MerkinMites@reddit

No.. We're going to live to 160.. we're young darn it, young!

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alijam100@reddit (OP)

Hmm I thought I’d got all cotton, but maybe it was a cotton elastine blend I bought?

Will have a look next time I’m in to see which ones I bought

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BombKitty90@reddit

Yep this is happening across the board now but the poor M&S shop staff had an earful from me for awful quality tennis shoes and awful quality knickers when I went to take the shoes back - the threads in the knickers started unravelling within weeks, and now it's like I have tassels hanging down from them, have to cut them off. And the shoes are just not built the same and give me blisters where they used to be fit for purpose. Seems you can't get good quality basics anywhere anymore. My faves were Debenhams and La Senza for proper underwear, and Miss Selfridge/TopShop/generally any arcadia for mostly rather good quality clothes and even shoes. I can live without fashion but I really miss being able to easily find good quality shoes to last 20 years and nice underwear that will also last 20 years.

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Sudden_Hovercraft_56@reddit

I buy the Microskin ones. The set I bought 10 years ago still look brand new apart from the care instructions have fallen off.

I bought more around 5 months ago and they still look brand new too.

Microskin for the win, they are the most comfortable pants ever.

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alijam100@reddit (OP)

Ah thanks, might try them. Are they more sport style ones?

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Sudden_Hovercraft_56@reddit

https://www.marksandspencer.com/5-pack-microskin-stretch-trunks/p/clp60736095#intid=pid_pg1pip9g4r1c1%7Cprodflag_srp_ts_QPH_20

These ones. I don't know if I would call them sporty, but they don't make me sweaty. Good temperature regulation on hot days too.

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Pircster38@reddit

The quality has definitely gone down and the price has increased. The elastic comes away from the pants and they develop holes.

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Danglyweed@reddit

They are definitely shitter quality nowadays. The last ones i bought were smaller than my 11yos pants, it was bloody wild.

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Broken_Woman20@reddit

I agree. I used to buy M&S undies religiously but I’ve switched to TU. Their briefs are great IMO.

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faithlessone423@reddit

Same with the leggings! They used to be good quality, but I bought a couple of new pairs just before Christmas, and the inside thigh seams were shredded within a few weeks.

Bought some cheap Asda ones instead and they're still going strong months later.

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Ms_moonlight@reddit

A friend has had some quality control issues with hers: one trouser leg longer than the other, mismatched seams (as in one running down the centre of the leg, the other just off the side), among other things.

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mraksmeet@reddit

At first glance my tired head thought this said MS paint and this was some artwork you did on there.

Back to sleep I go.

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alijam100@reddit (OP)

Rotational use, I have about 10-15 pairs (haven’t counted exactly) that get cycled

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