Welcome to Great Fitting. With fall in the air, we jumped at the chance to try out some of the best new arrivals from some of your favorite brands and document the process. We believe the best way to shop online is to see items in person and read candid reviews, so we hope this helps you make your most successful purchase of the year.
As fall approaches, I realize once again that once a year I have nothing to wear. I love wearing lightweight cotton dresses in the summer, but I find fall and winter the hardest to dress for. Now, I may be overreacting a little because I definitely have enough money to get me through the next few months, but as it gets dark outside and I stare at my closet with the drizzle and cold wind in the background, I Always get the urge to buy yourself some cozy knitwear, a new coat and a pair of stylish boots.
Although I’m happy with what I have, yes I can fill some gaps with a few key wardrobe staples; ones I may have worn too much by now and need a refresh. I’ve managed to solve some of these problems by buying second hand, now it’s time to hit the high street and help me cross the finish line. Faced with so many choices, I headed straight for an old and trusted store and walked straight into Marks and Spencer. I wore the brand’s tights when I was at school and have purchased my bras from there since my first fitting, M&S is still my first stop when shopping. I find that its collections almost always include the sophisticated silhouettes I buy most frequently, often at very reasonable prices, and after all these years, it still captures those fundamentals.
During the workshop I picked out a few key items that immediately caught my attention. Opting for a warm knit sweater, a roomy coat, the perfect 90s style leather jacket and a leopard print shirt, I also bought some hard-wearing denim, on-trend shoes and a few I couldn’t resist Look carefully at the bag. Go to the locker room! In terms of size, I tend to fall between a 10 and a 12, often choosing the former for my lower body and the latter for tops and jackets. I’m 5’7″ and prefer a looser fit, and my clothing choices reflect that.
Check out my favorite pieces from my Marks and Spencer Fall 2024 trial
Style Notes: I have to admit, I’m a little skeptical about faux leather. Maybe it’s because I spent my teenage years wearing head-to-toe polyester that I’m now very reluctant to buy anything “leather” that isn’t 100% authentic. So I was very surprised to find myself falling in love with this faux leather jacket. In a rich brown shade between camel and chocolate, this slim-fitting jacket reminds me of the ’90s style I’ve been looking for with its boxy cut and clean finish.
Cut slightly above the hips, this jacket features a zip and elasticated hem for a polished silhouette and extra warmth. Since I wanted a comfortable, slightly larger size, I opted for a size 14, which fits me well enough not to be too big, but is big enough to wear over a knit – which is what I’m wearing these days The kind that is needed. Suffice it to say, for under £60 this jacket went straight onto my to-buy list.
The top was slim fit and I wanted a bit of volume underneath, so I tried wide leg jeans from Marks & Spencer and a pair of chunky Chelsea boots to base my outfit. These jeans run in a regular size 10 and are comfortable to wear.
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Marks & Spencer Collection
faux leather harrington jacket
Marks & Spencer Collection
Black mixed air yarn crew neck point detail knitted vest
Marks & Spencer Collection
Black lyocell-blend wide-leg jeans
Marks & Spencer Collection
Black wide leather Chelsea ankle boots
Style Notes: As someone with broad shoulders, I often find V-necks more flattering than crew necks. Following the same formula, I usually prefer a cardigan to a pullover because I can button it up all the way or break up the shape by untying the top ties. Whenever I need more knitwear – and I can imagine everyone in the UK feeling this way right now – I’m eager to discover the latest offerings from Marks & Spencer. After wandering around the store, I went straight back to the first style that caught my eye: this beautiful argyle cardigan.
This cozy piece comes in a pale yellow hue paired with gray and blue accents to reflect the softer, brighter side of fall and winter dressing. Decorated with shimmering gold ties, this cardigan looks well above its £35 price tag, and its wool content adds a cozy touch. I tried it on with a layer underneath and found it to be soft enough to wear without a base layer. I chose this cardigan in size 12 which is very roomy and very comfortable. The rest of my outfit was kept fairly neutral so as not to distract from the color and print of the cardigan, opting for sculptural horseshoe cut jeans and a pair of burgundy ballet flats.
I couldn’t help but pick up this expensive-looking suede bag to try with the outfit and found it paired perfectly with the cozy knitwear, earning it a spot on my wish list.
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Marks & Spencer Collection
Camel-blend wool diamond crew neck cardigan
Marks & Spencer Collection
Medium Indigo Mid Rise Casual Horseshoe Jeans
Marks & Spencer Collection
bow ballet flats
Style Notes: I firmly believe that if you fall in love with a winter coat, you have to buy it. From November to April, a long coat is almost your entire outfit, so it needs to really reflect your style. This plaid style made its way into the dressing room with me after discovering the kind of coat that’s easily found in my closet. Initially drawn to adult prints, I found the plaid pattern to be fun but not too eye-catching – making it feel versatile and easy to wear with a variety of looks.
I’m totally obsessed with trench coats, so I tend to buy wool coats in similar silhouettes, and that’s exactly the look I’m after. To match the chunky shoes, I chose a pair of brown leather Chelsea boots and paired the jacket with a simple tee and casual blue jeans, but it would also look great with tailored pants or a black sundress. The jacket comes to my mid-calf, which is a good length for me, so if you’re shorter you may need to hem.
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Marks & Spencer Collection
wool plaid long trench coat
Marks & Spencer Collection
Medium Indigo Mid Rise Casual Horseshoe Jeans
Marks & Spencer Collection
Chocolate Wide Leather Chelsea Ankle Boots
Style Notes: Somehow I seem to have avoided the leopard print trend so far this season, but this week I was finally drawn to a beautiful leopard print shirt from Marks and Spencer. When looking for something to incorporate into my everyday wardrobe, this fun top stood out. This shirt (which I bought in size 12) has a central hook button hidden in a subtle bow detail that makes it easy to put on and take off and can be worn fully buttoned or partially open.
I love the puff sleeve detail and find that it helps to enhance the silhouette while also bringing a playful feel to the design. This is a shirt that can be worn with many looks, so I preset a simple silhouette and paired it with classic blue jeans, red ballet flats, and a studded bag. Perfect for mild autumn days, this lightweight shirt pairs well with a leather jacket or black wool coat, but holds its own style equally well on its own. I love wearing it with dark wash flared jeans and find it pairs perfectly with the pop of red in my ballet flats.
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Marks & Spencer Collection
animal print bow puff sleeve shirt
Marks & Spencer Collection
Dark Indigo High Rise Crease Front Slim Flared Jeans
Marks & Spencer Collection
bow ballet flats
