As M&S Dress the Nation airs, step inside the Marks & Spencer AW25 press show to see autumn best buy M&S coats, jackets, dresses and boots
Marks & Spencer is wowing fashion lovers with its AW25 fashion collections. Yorkshire Post Fashion Editor Stephanie Smith went to the London press show to find out what all the fuss is about, as M&S says ‘We’re back’.
From the first sight of the words "we're back” emblazoned outside the industrial-cool, super-swanky event space on The Strand, M&S’s new mood of optimism and confidence was impossible to ignore.
It was infectious, too, with the hubbub, chatter and excitement palpable even in the lift heading up to the M&S AW25 press show.
The doors parted and there it was, autumn, winter and Christmas all laid out. Into the wonderful world of M&S I stepped.
The womenswear collections were front and centre. A circular display of mannequins sported key pieces, set in front of a huge screen playing the She’s Back campaign film, with a model wearing the same M&S designs - the chocolate brown leather trench coat, the faux fur cow print trucker jacket, the burgundy sweater and faux leather jeans combo, the cropped tweed check swing jacket, the studded black leather mini dress and and jacket.
M&S is keeping it snappy. This slick campaign will be followed up by the Let’s Go Autumn campaign, on October 9.
Another canny move has been the launch of M&S’s own TV reality contest show on ITV1 and ITVX. Hosted by AJ Odudu and Vernon Kay, M&S: Dress The Nation, runs on Sunday evenings with the finale on October 12, and sees nine contestants compete for an M&S mentorship and the chance to see their design on sale. Series one got eight million viewers. The hosts and judges wear new M&S pieces, demonstrating top-tip styling. Genius.
The autumn/winter 2025 collections launch as M&S celebrates what it calls its “best-ever style perception scores”, with YouGov data showing that womenswear now has its highest-ever style ranking with UK shoppers aged 18-34 and 35-54, while menswear and childrenswear rankings have also increased.
M&S puts this down to a focus on newness and updated fits. Fashion shoppers, it seems, are still in the market for more new clothes.
Even if you don’t ski, take a look at M&S’s fitness range Goodmove, which introduces skiwear featuring advanced thermal and waterproof technologies. There are some super cool-looking flared softshell ski pants and fit-and-flare jackets, plus seasonal updates including soft velour co-ords, boucle knitwear, and the heat-retaining Thermaluxe range.
M&S dresses are proving ever more popular, and outerwear is key for the brand. This season, expect strong silhouettes with cape coats, bombers and statement jackets alongside cosy knitwear, heritage checks and knee-high boots. I was thrilled to see a blanket-style cape (these double up as sofa throws in my house).
In terms of the styling, there is a great deal of high-low dressing going on at M&S, mixing up everyday items with what might usually be considered occasion and party designs – gold skirts and utility jackets, sequin skirts and casual knits.
The Edit features rich textures, polished finishes and unexpected details, with tailored cape coats, maxi and mini skirts, shift dresses, jacquards, faux leather, sophisticated animal prints and stripes, plus heritage and retro-inspired checks.
The little black dress returns with a big bold bow front - not for everyone but eye-catching. There are sequins on knits, skirts and pretty much everything.
The Casual Edit champions comfort and easiness but adds personality through layering, texture and shape. Masculine tailoring meets soft femininity in relaxed silhouettes and scaled-up proportions. Chunky knits mix with dark florals, reworked checks and craft-inspired prints. Tactile fabrics bring textured wool and washed suede, pleated finishes and soft jerseys.
Autograph offers more strong silhouettes set against a rich, refined colour palette of luxe warm browns, vibrant blues and cool greys on jersey layers, structured tailoring and statement outerwear.
High-shine leather, soft satins and textured suiting play with bold, exaggerated prints, hybrid animal motifs, digitally printed fabrics giving 3D illusions of luxurious folds, and unexpected colour pops.
Autograph promises later in the season a “curated selection of premium pieces that feel distinctly one-off”, with a focus on detail and craftsmanship in leather and tailoring, alongside digitally distorted snake prints, maxi-length silhouettes, textured leathers and mirror-inspired embellishments.
Per Una, meanwhile, keeps it all more fluid and boho, with nostalgic charm, rich textures, soft silhouettes and intricate detailing. Hero pieces are tactile shearling jackets, soft-knit layers, ruched chiffon skirts and embroidered suede boots in earthy browns and warm neutrals.
Jaeger’s AW25 collection brings painterly prints and organic forms with romantic blouses in delicate hues, voluminous outerwear and modern suiting. Hero pieces include an Italian Check Double-Breasted Coat and the Pinafore Kilt Dress for a contemporary nod to classic British style, while the Viscose Jacquard Shirt adds a subtle touch of texture and sheen.
Later on come rich indigo, dusky green, and parchment silk, tactile knits and occasionwear with sheer textures and subtle embellishments, bold silhouettes, modern patchwork, and rich winter hues.
It would be remiss of me not to single out accessories, especially shoes and bags, for special attention. These are all about textile and detail, with sport-inspired shapes, plus pointy slingbacks with eyelet detail, or bows, or straps or sparkle embellishment. Pearls, fringing, sequins, velvet and chain links add rich texture, glamour and fun.
Socks and tights make their own statement with pattern and colour, so think bold. Soft snoods and scarves add yet another layer of serious winter style. Gloves, especially ones to the elbow, bring a new and playfully elegant sophistication.
The final of M&S: Dress The Nation will air on Sunday, October 12, on ITV1, ITVX.