Technological Innovations

Stormwear

In 2007 Marks & Spencer launched stormwear ^TM, a water and stain repellent range for men. Every piece in our stormwear ^TM range has a high performance water repellant finish, so you stay dry whatever the weather.

Did you know?

• We were the first retailer to develop water-repellent stretch jeans, with our Stormwear range.
• Our Stormwear jeans and coats repel water and stains, so they keep your kids dry and stylish, whatever the weather.
• Our Performance suit is made with stretch, so it feels comfortable when you’re on the move. It’s designed so creases drop out easily, plus it has a Stormwear finish that keeps you dry if you get caught in a shower. That’s quite some performance!

Machine Washable and Tumble Dry

Marks & Spencer suits with a clear Machine Washable & Tumble Dry indication ensure in connection with washing appliances of the Siemens Company perfect appearance and represent easy and perfect care of your suits. Marks & Spencer have made it possible for you to wash a perfect-looking and high-quality suit in a washing machine and to dry it in a tumble drier without compromising its appearance and service life in any way. The material with an admixture of Lycra fibre guarantees that your look will be perfect any time you get ready for an important meeting or presentation in a hurry. Marks & Spencer have developed the Machine Washable & Tumble Dry range in cooperation with the Siemens Company, whose “smart washing machines” know perfectly how to treat your suit. Another important "detail" that you will find not only in this type of suits is special elastic fabric inside the jacket in the shoulder area, which ensures good permeability and at the same time the required flexibility. Thus, the jacket maintains its shape and during movement there is no unpleasant tension in the shoulders. Another important "detail" that you will find not only in this type of suits is special elastic fabric inside the jacket in the shoulder area, which ensures good permeability and at the same time the required flexibility. Thus, the jacket maintains its shape and during movement there is no unpleasant tension in the shoulders.

Fresh Feet

Socks are one part of our wardrobe which is not overly presented in fashion collections, despite the fact that they play an essential role in our comfort and, in this specific case, also in our health.
Marks & Spencer has developed and offers a range of anti-bacterial socks under the name of FRESH FEET which meet the strictest criteria placed on their quality and moreover are able to reduce the formation of the bacteria which cause unpleasant foot odours. They come with a special antibacterial treatment which does not leave from the material even after repeated washing, provided the washing instructions are adhered to. When testing the anti-bacterial effects, Marks & Spencer uses the method which most faithfully simulates the actual environment and conditions within an enclosed shoe. Independent testing has shown that bacterial activity is reduced by 99% thanks to the anti-bacterial treatment on the socks. The reduction in the bacterial activity also remained at 99% after the test socks were submitted to twenty regular washings. Thanks to the results of these tests, there is no doubt that the socks fulfil their purpose and that they adhere to the essence of our claim stated on the packaging or the tag of the FRESH FEET socks, i.e. that “FRESH FEET keep your feet fresh and odourless”.

In conclusion, it is also necessary to note that the anti-bacterial treatment does not have the slightest impact on the environment and that it is non-detrimental in all aspects. A further important property of all Marks & Spencer socks is their resistance to shrinkage and their colour and surface stability. Marks & Spencer socks undergo strict tests to show that they adhere to all of the regulations before they reach the customer. In the case of socks, we monitor the changes in their size after repeated washing on three-dimensional models of the foot which correspond to the average sizes of women’s and men’s feet.

Non Iron

The NON IRON shirt is produced from a blended material with a 65% cotton content. The reduction of crushing has been achieved not only using a special surface treatment on the material, but also by means of the insertion of strong tapes into the problematic seams, thanks to which the shirt remains almost completely straight and smooth after washing and drying. A further phase, during which the crush resistance and the ability of the material to return to its original shape after washing is “encoded into the memory” of the NON IRON shirt is the treatment undertaken in a special oven. The last step for the perfection of the quality is the application of softening components to the material in order to increase the comfort of wearing the garment.

BODYSENSOR™

Marks & Spencer exclusively presents and offers opaque Bodysensor^TM tights which are manufactured from unique, double-layered fibres with Tactel* nylon.

The Bodysensor* tights from Marks & Spencer ("tights with a thermostat”) offer women maximum possible comfort.

The exceptionality of the Bodysensor* tights is based on the fact that they adapt to and balance the temperature corresponding to the current state of the temperature of the lower limbs throughout the entire day. When the body overheats, the dual Tactel nylon fibre draws off moisture, dries the surface of the skin and keeps the limbs cool. If, on the other hand, the legs become too cold, the same principle retains the heat and ensures that the limbs remain warm and comfortable.

IAN MORRIS, the technologist for ladies’ tights, says: “Many customers emphasise how soft the Bodysensor* tights are. They find it difficult to believe that something so technically perfect can also be so comfortable. Given how unique the Bodysensor* goods are – the ability to keep the lower limbs warm when it is cold and to warm them when it is hot - Marks & Spencer truly offers a product which keeps perfect pace with the high demands of today."

The strength and warmth of Bodysensor tights is stated in DENIER units: the higher the number, the stronger and warmer the tights. The range on offer includes 40, 50, 60 and 100 DENIER Bodysensor* tights.
The 40 DENIER Body & Leg Shaper offers a strengthened edge and moreover it smoothes the abdomen and supports the buttock muscles.

The Bodysensor* tights were awarded the status of “Product of 2000” by the Board for Design within the framework of the “Promotion of British Innovation”.

*TACTEL is a fine synthetic nylon fibre with the properties of silk. It is a soft, fluid material which shines. The advantage is that most of the products made from Tactel can be washed in a washing machine and dried in a dryer.

Swimwear

Marks & Spencer pay great attention to swimsuits. They are made of a special Sensitive material, which is able to resist chlorine 120 hours longer than standard materials. Marks & Spencer are at the same time the biggest seller of this material in Europe. The print on the fabric has a more complex design - 12 printing colours are often used while normally just 6 - 8 colours are used. There are a lot of ornamental elements (e.g. beads) on the swimsuits that are mostly applied by hand. Since we realize that many women need different sizes of the upper and lower part, we sell two-piece swimsuits separately. If there are buckles on the swimsuits, they are always made of metal that has been developed in such a way as not to get heated in direct sunshine to avoid the risk of burning. White swimsuits are made of special (heavier) heavier fabric that is woven in such a way as not to become transparent after getting wet, which is an innovation that a number of our competitors do not offer.

 Did you know?

• All our swimwear is chlorine resistant, which means it’ll stay looking good and last longer.

Beauty

Did you know?

• We have now received accreditation from the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) for all our own label beauty products. That means that none of the ingredients in our beauty products, or the products themselves, have been tested on animals since January 2006.

Accessories

Did you know?

• All our girls’ jewellery is nickel tested and hypoallergenic, so it won’t irritate delicate skin.

CLIMATE CONTROL

Did you know?

• There’s NASA approved textile technology in our Climate Control underwear! Our exclusive new range keeps you feeling completely comfortable all day.

Cool & Fresh

Did you know? 

• In hot weather, you want to feel cool and fresh. Our Ultimate summer shirts have unbeatable odour-absorbing properties, a cooling finish and are designed to stay wrinkle free.
• Our Cool & Fresh underwear uses special moisture management technology to draw moisture away from your body so you feel cool, fresh and dry all day.