Marks and Spencer is back online – what I’d buy today

For six long weeks, I’ve been eyeing the Marks and Spencer’s website, willing it to come back online so I can kick-start my summer wardrobe shopping. The high street retailer caused online orders to be delayed by six weeks when it was hit by a cyber attack. But finally, M&S fans can resume shopping.  A statement on the M&S Website, posted on June 12, said: “You can now place online orders with standard delivery to England, Scotland and Wales. Delivery to Northern Ireland will resume in the coming weeks.”

However, there are some changes to delivery time at the moment. Right now, M&S says delivery will take up to 10 days. They added: “We will resume Click and Collect, next-day delivery, nominated-day delivery and international ordering in the coming weeks.” 

I’ve already had my eye on a few clothing items to revamp my wardrobe, but to my dismay have found several of the pieces I was dreaming about are now out of stock in my size or completely sold out. (The Sienna straight leg white jeans have been on my wishlist for weeks, but are completely out of stock in all sizes!) If other shoppers are anything like me, they’ll have been eagerly awaiting the store’s return, so things could be set to sell out further. I’ve selected a few of my top picks below.

Retro polka dots are back in time for summer 2025, first emerging on the spring/summer catwalks before making their way into high street shops. This polka dot, bandeau dress from Marks and Spencer caught my eye from the moment I first spotted it, not only because it’s a chic staple that would be ideal for my holiday wardrobe,  but also because it reminded me a lot of a similar dress from Nobody’s Child that has made waves in recent months. 

The Felicity bandeau dress from Nobody’s Child is similar and comes in a monochrome print with an off-the-shoulder cut, but retails for £99. By comparison, the Marks and Spencer dress is on sale for £79. I love that the dress comes in three lengths, petite, regular and tall, as well as a size range of six through to 24. However, I’m clearly not the only shopper who has their eye on the floaty, summer frock, as it is starting to sell out in some sizes already, and there’s no sign as to when Marks and Spencer will restock it. 

The Marks and Spencer dress is made from lyocell, a soft and breathable fabric ideal for the summer months. It has a back fastening and a ruched bodice, but be warned, as some customers have said it fits smaller than usual. One shopper said, “This dress…was certainly not a standard size eight. [It] fit perfectly from the waist down over, but I could not fasten the zip in the to.” 

Another somewhat retro trend that is making a comeback is the peplum top, which I remember being a big deal back in the early 2010s. This Marks and Spencer gingham top is a great way to incorporate a subtle take on the peplum trend in a flirty, summery way. The monochrome gingham print screams summertime picnic, and I love the square neckline and cap sleeves (I imagine they will be flattering on most). 

The top doesn’t have a side or back fastening, and instead has an elastic panel at the back to give it a little bit of stretch. 

The item is in stock in all sizes at the time of writing – from size 6 through to 20 – and is a purse-friendly £30. 

Denim is a wadrobe staple, but these natural-coloured wide-leg jeans are a great way to elevate your summer wardrobe. I’ve been hunting for white jeans for ages (arguably the ultimate summer denim), but every wide-leg pair I have found on Marks and Spencer is already sold out in my size. However, this beige shade caught my eye. 

The frayed edging feels very beachy, while the wide leg cut feels a little more casual than a straight cut. One of my favourite things about Marks and Spencer’s denim range is that they come in three leg lengths: petite, regular, and tall (as someone who is 5’2″, I always struggle to get jeans to fit my frame, but Marks and Spencer nail it every time). 

I spotted a similar wide-leg pair from high-end brand Sezane (though without the frayed denim), but at £95, they’re almost three times the price of the Marks and Spencer jeans, which are just £35. 

Based on reviews, 71% of shoppers would recommend the jeans. One shopper said: “These cropped jeans are a great fit and look great. I bought the beige colour.”  

Another described them as a “staple piece for summer”, adding: “I love these jeans, I had them in denim last year, now in beige, they are so versatile and comfy. I’ve had comments on how good they look too!” 

You can’t go wrong with a white cotton blouse during the summer months. I particularly love the cut-out detail and voluminous sleeves of this embroidered blouse, which tie in with the bohemian and Western trends that seem to become popular every summer. The blouse has a modest crew neckline, which fastens with a button at the back, meaning it can be worn casually or dressed up for more formal occasions (just as long as you are okay with the cutouts). 

The top is made from 100% cotton (though the embroidery detail is polyester) and comes in sizes six to 24. 

At the time of writing, the blouse only has one review on the M&S website, but it’s all positive: “Lovely top. Looks great with jeans. Comfortable fit.

Everyone needs a comfy pair of sandals for the summer, regardless of whether you’re jetting off on holiday or not. The fisherman sandal trend isn’t new, but it’s one that is here to stay for 2025. Given how popular this style has been for the last few years, these sandals are an investment that will hopefully see you through summers to come. 

As the name suggests, fisherman sandals are inspired by the seafaring fisherman and merchants who worked in the Mediterranean in years gone by. The cages design means the shoes are comfy to walk around in, while still breathable in the heat – ideal for the sun-soaked months. 

They’re made from leather, which means they’re likely to be comfortable, and are fastened with a gold hardware buckle at the ankle. One of the perks of these sandals is that they come in a wide fit and in sizes three to eight. 

Based on customer reviews, one shopper said: “I have a lot of trouble finding comfy footwear with wide size eight feet but these sandals are really nice and wore them without having to patch my feet with plasters.” 

Another added: “These sandals are easy to wear and very comfortable right from the off. A summer staple for those of us who don’t like our toes out.”