Marks & Spencer

White Lotus star Aimee Lou Wood will no longer front the Marks & Spencer Christmas advert despite being involved in the promotional clip in August

Aimee Lou Wood has been ‘dropped by M&S’, according to reports. The White Lotus star was set to be the face of the new Marks and Spencer Christmas advert, but appears to have been cut from the production.

The claim comes after the retail giants are said to have initially wooed the 31-year-old actress with a huge fee. Any appearance would have seen her follow the likes of Hannah Waddingham and Sophie Ellis-Bextor in featuring in the festive fun.

However, despite appearing in the promo clip in August, Aimee is thought to have been removed by the brand who have reportedly chosen to go in a different direction.

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A spokesperson for M&S told Mail Online: “We really enjoyed working with Aimee Lou Wood during the early stages of this year’s Christmas campaign – she brought great energy and creativity to the process.

“As the campaign evolved, we started to embed a new product-focused strategy under new leadership. So, rather than a single-hero advert, the campaign was reshaped around a series of festive films and influencer content-drops aligned to key seasonal shopping moments – from gifting and hosting to partywear – delivered through a social-first, multi-channel approach across social media, digital, out-of-home and print.”

It could be seen as a blow for the Stockport-born actress. However, after finding fame in Netflix’s comedy drama Sex Education, she has continued to go from strength to strength before the M&S dropping.

She also portrayed Chelsea in the third series of the Sky Atlantic drama last year. It’s thought she had signed a deal to lead the M&S ad in the summer. But with a change in direction, comes new faces.

It comes as the eagerly anticipated John Lewis advert received a mixed response. It was attempting to pull at the heartstrings with its latest offering that focuses on a father and son struggling to find the words to say how much they care about each other.

That all changes when Dad finds a present addressed to him while packing away the wrapping paper for another year on Christmas morning. This year the famous advert is soundtracked by 90s dance icon Alison Limerick’s hit Where Love Lives, with a newly reimagined version by globally acclaimed artist and producer Labrinth also featuring.

However, while some shed a tear, others blasted the production as “Depressing, boring and not very Christmassy!”

“Just seen the John Lewis Christmas advert,” one user wrote on Twitter/X. “Thought it was dull, depressing, boring and not very Christmassy,”

Another posted on the platform: “The John Lewis Christmas Advert is TERRIBLE!!! What a bunch of nonsense. Unimaginative, unfestive, rubbish. Bring back Moz the Monster or Edgar the Dragon!! #JohnLewisChristmasAdvert #JohnLewis #Rubbish.”

A third was left conflicted, writing: “John Lewis ad 2025 – I’m not sure, it’s underlying message of father son communication is great, but it’s portrayed in such a dark way, you don’t know what’s happening, it’s very vague, and not very festive at all, bordering on depressing even!”

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SHOPPERS are set for a major boost as a supermarket giant launches its first ever Express store in the UK.

It marks the start of a huge national rollout that’ll see up to 20 new stores open before the end of the year.

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The retail titan, Asda, has opened the doors to its brand-new Express in Castleford, West Yorkshire,

It’s the first time Asda has taken its famous yellow and green brand into the world of small-format convenience stores, as it looks to take on Tesco Express and Sainsbury’s Local head-on.

The new shop, built on the site of a former pub on Holywell Lane, has been completely transformed into a slick, modern mini-market packed with more than 3,000 products.

From meal deals and snacks to fresh fruit, booze and ready meals, locals can now grab all their essentials in one quick stop.

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It’s open every day from 6am to 11pm, making it perfect for early risers, night owls, and anyone in desperate need of milk after hours.

The store also comes kitted out with handy extras, including a Costa Coffee machine, ATM, and Amazon collection point, plus, you can get your shopping delivered via Uber Eats, Just Eat or Deliveroo.

Shopping bargains

Asda says the new Express format is designed to bring its trademark low prices and big-brand bargains to places where it’s not always had a strong presence.

New locations will pop up in busy city centres, transport hubs and even residential areas.

It’s all part of the supermarket’s mission to “bring unbeatable value to even more communities” across the UK, according to bosses.

Joseph Sutton, Asda’s Vice President for Express, Foodservice and Fuel, said:

“We’re delighted to have opened the doors today in Castleford, marking the start of our Express store rollout as we bring Asda’s unbeatable value to new communities across the UK.”

He added: “From top-up essentials to convenient food-on-the-go options, we’re excited to welcome new customers and offer outstanding value.”

Rapid growth

Asda first dipped its toe into the convenience market in 2022, and things have moved fast.

The supermarket now plans to have around 500 Express stores open by the end of the year, with even more coming in 2026.

Each store will also feature electronic shelf-edge labels (a fancy way of saying digital price tags), designed to make life easier for staff and keep prices crystal clear for shoppers.

So whether you’re nipping in for bread and milk or a cheeky lunchtime sandwich, chances are you’ll soon be doing it in an Asda Express near you.

More on Asda

It come’s after Asda announced its price reductions, cutting the cost of nearly 1,000 everyday products.

The reductions will be available both in-store and online and will include massive discounts on cupboard staples such as pasta, cooking sauces and tea and coffee.

Meanwhile, Asda is following three other major supermarkets in introducing a big change to aisles across 186 stores from October.

The supermarket chain has introduced dedicated menopause aisles as has online grocery store Ocado.

This roll-out hopes to “raise awareness and understanding of the menopause experience,” said Matt Pryde, Senior Buying Manager for Asda Toiletries.

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MORRISONS is to introduce a big change to its stores to make sure shelves are stocked faster by floor staff.

The supermarket giant is rolling out a tracking app for store managers so they can see how quickly staff are unloading food onto shelves.

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It said the new system, which was first reported by the Telegraph, would allow them to identify when employees may need additional training.

It comes as Morrisons tries to win back shoppers from rivals, as it is set to be overtaken by Lidl as Britain’s fifth biggest supermarket.

The latest data shows that the discount retailer makes up 8.3% of the grocery market share against Morrisons’ 8.4%, according to Worldpanel.

This is compared to Morrisons‘ 8.6% a year earlier, and 9.4% in 2022.

The supermarket said it had been tracking how quickly staff were working for some time now to make sure the right number of workers were on the shop floor.

But the new app will “help teams understand their own performance” and allow employees’ work to be monitored by store managers, rather than the company’s head office.

A Morrisons spokesperson said: “Along with a lot of our sector, we have used ‘time and motion’ data for some time now to help us allocate hours to a store and ensure we have fair, consistent and standardised ways of working.

“To support this, we have created an app to help teams understand their own performance.

“This will allow us to be fair and consistent in recognising colleagues, whilst also identifying opportunities to coach our colleagues and understand where additional support and training may be required.”

Earlier this year, in a move to improve customer service in stores, Morrisons changed its rules for staff so that only certain workers would be allowed to enter stockrooms.

The retailer said it wanted to ensure it had “the right colleagues in the right place to deliver the best service to customers at all times”.

What else is happening at Morrisons?

Last year, Morrisons slashed over 3,600 jobs and closed 17 stores as part of a major shake-up to its operations.

The supermarket’s workforce dropped from 104,819 to 101,144 in the year leading up to October 27, 2024.

Thousands of jobs were axed across Morrisons’ stores, head office, as well as its manufacturing and distribution operations.

The latest job losses come after the Morrisons shut 17 of its stores around the UK earlier this year, with the final store in Haxby, North Yorkshire, closing on May 14.

The 16 other stores were all axed in April.

As part of a cost-cutting overhaul, the grocer also shut more than 50 of its in-store cafés, 35 meat and fish counters, and 18 Market Kitchen food courts earlier this year.

It cited the need to cut costs amid rising financial pressure.

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MARKS & Spencer is making a major change to all of its stores this Christmas – with more staff set to work on Boxing Day for the first time in five years.

The retailer is ending its recent tradition of keeping most shops shut on the bank holiday as it gears up for one of the busiest trading periods of the year.

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The change will impact stores across the UK, as M&S looks to boost its post-Christmas operations and ensure shelves are fully restocked.

According to The Guardian, around a quarter of store employees will now be required to work on Boxing Day, while all staff must work at least one of December, 26, 27 or 28.

A document from Marks & Spencer seen by the publication revealed that last year, over 40 per cent of permanent staff and 30 per cent of seasonal workers did not work on one of those peak days.

The retailer said this caused knock-on issues with replenishing stock and maintaining store standards.

To avoid similar problems this year, it stated that “all colleagues must play their part to deliver a successful Christmas.”

Jayne Wall, operations director for Marks & Spencer, said: “Christmas at Marks and Spencer is very special and we are grateful to our hardworking colleagues who make our stores great places for our customers to shop.

“Like most retailers, we always have some colleagues in our stores and depots on Boxing Day to help reset.

However, this year we will have more colleagues working than previously so we are in great shape to welcome customers on 27 December.”

The change marks a significant shift for M&S, which decided to close most of its stores on Boxing Day in 2020 as a gesture of thanks after staff worked tirelessly throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

The retailer had continued the policy since then, saying it wanted to give employees a “much-deserved extended break with their family and loved ones.”

However, this year’s move comes after a turbulent few months for the business.

M&S was hit by a major cyber attack over Easter, which caused widespread disruption to its systems and operations.

The company has since faced staff shortages and logistical challenges, prompting the change in Christmas staffing.

Not all employees are happy about the decision.

Some have said they feel pressured into accepting additional hours during what is usually considered a family holiday.

One M&S worker said: “This has been an incredibly difficult year for colleagues dealing with the cyber incident and the company has been reluctant to give extra hours to stores, so many stores are dealing with low colleague numbers.

“After such a hard time many colleagues feel this is an extra slap in the face.”

Another team member is reported to have written on the retailer’s internal messaging platform expressing disappointment at the move.

They said: “Over recent months it’s been recognised that colleagues have gone above and beyond, doing everything asked of them to keep standards high and deliver excellent service during very challenging times.

“That’s why it feels especially disheartening that Christmas – such a precious time for family – is being disrupted for so many of us.

“Instead of feeling rewarded for our commitment, it comes across more like a punishment.”

HISTORY OF M&S

M&S was founded in 1884 by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer in Leeds.

The first official Marks and Spencer store opened in Manchester in 1901.

Throughout the 1920s, M&SA gre rapidly, opening more and more stores across the country.

The retailer made its reputation in the early 20th century by selling only British-made products.

It began textile sales in 1926 and started selling food from 1931.

The St Michael trademark was introduced in 1928 as a guarantee of quality and value.

This was initially used only for a small range of textiles but was extended over the years to cover all goods sold by M&S.

M&S introduced its first in-store cafe in 1935 in the Leeds store.

It provided cheap, hygienic, and nutritious mass catering.

By 1942, M&S opened 82 cafes across its estate.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, M&S had 234 stores.

By 1945, over 100 of these had been damaged by bombs, and 16 had been completely destroyed.

BY 1960, M&S pioneered in the sale of fresh poultry following the invention of the cold-chain process.

In the 1970s and 1980s, M&S pushed into international markets including the US, Canada and France. 

In 1979, M&S introduced the Chicken Kiev to its food halls across the UK.

In 1992, Percy Pigs were launched.

The Autograph range of clothing was introduced in 2000, and the St Michael brand was slowly phased out.

In 2019, the group announced 110 store closures as part of its plans, affecting several longstanding high-street shops.

In September 2020, M&S partnered with Ocado to allow for home delivery of the chain’s full food range.

M&S has recently announced new stores and is freshening up a swathe of others in a boost for shoppers.

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SWEET-TOOTHED fans can now get their hands on a new Penguin selection box.

McVitie’s has revealed its first ever Penguin Selection Box as part of its festive lineup of products.

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The box (RRP £3) includes six Penguin treats across a variety of flavours.

There are two original Penguin milk chocolate biscuit bars, one Penguin Mint, one Penguin Orange, in addition to two bags of mini biscuits.

The biscuit bags are in the Cocoa and Cocoa & Orange flavours.

McVitie’s says that the box “comes in bright seasonal packaging featuring the iconic Penguin jokes, along with a maze and word search on the back.”

While savvy shoppers have spotted the box on Asda shelves, it has yet to be listed online.

The new product does feature on the Tesco website, where it is currently marked as “out of stock”.

Other festive finds

McVitie’s festive range also includes the Chocolate Digestives Anniversary Tin, celebrating 100 years since the inception of these beloved biscuits.

The 340g tin contains milk, dark chocolate and white digestives.

You can find this exclusively in Sainsbury’s for £7.50.

This winter you can also try the Flipz Gingerbread Flavour Coated Pretzels Share Bag (RRP £2).

And McVitie’s are adding a seasonal spin to a much-loved favourite, giving their White Digestives a festive makeover with playful snowflakes and snowmen packaging.

McVitie’s isn’t the only brand to have revealed new festive products.

The M&S Christmas range for 2025 includes new products such as the Original Peanut Butter & Jelly Munch, as well as a Peanut Butter & Jelly Spread.

The iconic Munch tins first launched in 2021, but this year’s version has been given an American twist, with the treats now available as a peanut butter and jelly flavour.

Last year, the M&S Very Merry Munch tin was advertised as “perfect for movie nights”, with fans calling it “heaven”.

Marmite fans may also like to try the Pecan & Salted Caramel Blondies with a hint of marmite, as well as the new M&S marmite caramel sauce.

Mars have also revealed new Christmas chocolate treats, including a Milky Way Advent Calendar released for the first time and sold exclusively in Asda.

If you’re a Tesco shopper, you’ll be able to get hold of the new Galaxy Miniatures Pouch.

Shoppers were quick to spot the new pouches on the supermarket shelves, with some taking to the Snack Reviews Facebook group to comment: “This bag is perfect,” said one user.

“I need some of these,” added another.

The 260g pouches contain a mix of individually wrapped Galaxy chocolates in the original Smooth Milk and Caramel flavours.

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BISCUIT fans, rejoice – the Tim Tam Sweet & Salty is back for good after sparking a shopping frenzy across the UK.

The Aussie choccie treat hit Tesco shelves in July as a limited edition and vanished almost instantly, with desperate snackers even hunting them down on eBay.

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The biscuit was first created as a tongue-in-cheek April Fool’s joke online – but demand went wild, forcing makers to put it into production.

Brits flooded comment sections with comments in fear the treat would not make a return to UK shelves. 

One shopper said: “My local Tesco store is no longer stocking this!”

Another added: “I’ve not been able to find a single packet in my store!” 

Now, Tim Tam bosses say it’s here to stay.

From October 3, shoppers can grab the cult treat in Tesco stores nationwide.

Talyah Falabella, Tim Tam’s international marketing manager, said: “The response to Tim Tam Sweet & Salty in the UK has been nothing short of incredible. 

“What was meant to be a limited-edition treat quickly became one of our most talked-about biscuits, with fans desperate to find it in stores.”

Tim Tams have long been Australia’s best-loved biccy – a crunchy biscuit with smooth cream filling, all covered in chocolate. Now Brits are well and truly hooked.

So, if you missed out the first time round, no need to raid eBay – just head to Tesco and bag yourself a packet of the viral biccy Brits can’t get enough of.

It comes after the release of the new white chocolate flavour earlier this month which left shoppers delighted. 

 Sainsbury’s supermarket was the first UK store to stock the white chocolate version of the snack.

One shopper said: “Need the white chocolate ones.”

While another eager customer said: “Sainsbury’s are now selling white chocolate timtams, my lil Aussie backpacker heart is so happy.”

And a third shopper simply said the treat looks “yummy”.

The tasty treat comes in many flavours, including chocolate and caramel.

Shoppers can also try out a range of other flavours too, including milk chocolate and extra chocolatey.

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AUTUMN weather can be challenging to dress for, but M&S just restocked a fashion bestseller for beating the showers.

Shoppers have been raving about the stylish outerwear, comparing it to Burberry’s £1,300 designer parka jacket.

M&S’ Stormwear Car Coat, £65

M&S’ Stormwear Car Coat has a water-resistant design for protection against the elements, along with practical internal and external pockets.

It features a structured collar and relaxed raglan sleeves that give an effortlessly put-together feel, finished with tortoiseshell buttons.

It bares a resemblance to the iconic Burberry Parka Jacket, but for a fraction of the price.

The £59 high-street buy comes in navy and cream colours, but stock is selling seriously fast.

Launching on the Marks & Spencer website earlier this year, the coat has been constantly selling out.

The navy version is finally fully stocked, while the cream colourway is available in select sizes.

Finding a raincoat that actually looks stylish can sometimes feel impossible, but M&S has nailed it with its lightweight but practical staple.

M&S’ Stormwear Car Coat, £65

The fashion find could be thrown on with everything from jeans and heeled boots to leggings and trainers for dog walks.

It has a sophisticated design that could also be worn for formal occasions, including wide-leg trousers and loafers for days in the office.

Lighter jackets are perfect for this time of year, as they offer an extra layer that’s still lightweight enough to feel comfortable in.

M&S has been dropping plenty of viral hit after hit lately, including its Checked Collared Short Jacket, which is currently marked as the top bestseller.

Several TikTok users have been showing off the stylish number, and the stock appears to be flying off the shelves.

As for the popular Stormwear Car Coat, over 1,000 shoppers have given it a five-star rating.

One reviewer wrote: “Smart, stylish raincoat that’s lightweight and easy to wear. 

M&S Checked Collared Jacket, £60

It’s loose enough to go over a jumper, or you could size down for a fitted look. 

I love the pockets, buttons and back slit, and it’s great value.”

Another added: “Such a great price for this coat, it’s very smart and the material is of good quality. 

I have gone down a size based on what people have stated in previous reviews and it’s true, you need to size down for a perfect fit. 

I wear it to work and it’s perfect for this weather.”

While I’m yet to try the high-street raincoat for myself, I did put M&S’ viral trench coat to the test — and I can confirm its also a winner for autumn (if you can fight to get your hands on the remaining stock).

If you’re still struggling to find the right outerwear for the new season, read Fabulous’ roundup of the best coats for autumn for inspiration.

A MAJOR supermarket chain has released five new cookie flavours for sweet treat lovers.

Tesco launched the new range of Finest Cookies earlier this month, with five new flavours hitting the market.

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The five new flavours include Belgian milk chocolate, Belgian triple chocolate, Belgian white chocolate, jumbo oat and flame raisin and chocolate shortbread.

All flavoured cookies come in a four-pack and are baked in-store.

Tesco Clubcard members can also get their hands on the new flavoured cookies for just £2.

The plastic packaging can also be returned to soft plastics collection points at Tesco stores and the cardboard bases can be recycled at home.

An eagle-eyed cookie lover shared the scrumptious find on Facebook group Baby Deals UK, saying: “These new Tesco Finest Cookies look so tasty and are just so hard to resist”.

Online punters have also weighed in on the new flavours, with many people saying not much has changed.

One person wrote: “They aren’t new though, they’ve just been put in new packaging”.

Another said he preferred home-baked goods.

“Nah not for £2, make them yourself, much better, cheaper and have as many as you want,” he said.

The cookies have sparked fiery debate as other shoppers sang their praises.

“They’re delicious, better than the old version,” one person wrote.

Another said: “Aye looks amazing, loved crumbled cookies”.

Other people claimed Tesco had just ripped off competitor M&S’s popular cookies.

“Packaged like M&S, bet they’re not as nice,” one person said.

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“Have to try these [and] see if they’re as good as the M&S ones!” another comment read.

The Tesco release comes almost one year after M&S released its in-store biscuit range, revamping an old favourite recipe.

At the end of November last year, the store also launched a Christmas-themed version, Gingerbread and White Chocolate, which earned particularly glowing reviews.

One fan said on X: “Those Marks and Spencer ginger and white chocolate cookies live up to the hype. Very dangerous.”

Another added: “Please keep the white choc & gingerbread cookies beyond Christmas. I need them all year!”

But while the taste has been praised as “amazing”, shoppers are unhappy the treats now come wrapped in plastic rather than paper packaging.

The M&S film bags can only be recycled by taking them to supermarkets, meaning they are less likely to be reused compared to the old paper wrappers.  

Commenting on Facebook, one fan said: “Why are the bakery cookies now packed in a plastic bag rather than paper?! Backwards move. Not part of Plan A surely?”

Another added: “I hope they haven’t changed the paper bags to cellophane, as if they have I won’t be buying them.”

Meanwhile, on X, another fumed: “Why have you gone from paper bags for cookies to plastic? Thought you had a focus on sustainability?!?”

ICELAND has revealed this year’s Christmas range including a Baileys yule log and TGI Fridays pigs in blankets.

While the big day is some time away, it’s always good to prepare yourself for the festive season.

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Luckily, Iceland’s new Christmas menu will hit shelves from November 6 and offers everything you need to throw a festive bash.

The items will also be available to buy at Iceland’s The Food Warehouse.

Paul Dhaliwal, Chief Commercial Officer at Iceland Foods, said: “Our customers expect variety and flavour without breaking the bank, and this year we’ve delivered just that. We’ve perfected the festive staples and added new twists that will impress and bring joy to every bite. 

“From classic centrepieces and irresistible desserts to brand-new creations and party essentials, there’s something to suit every kind of Christmas celebration, no matter your style or budget.”  

What’s on the menu?

Iceland‘s menu this year offers customers everything they’ll need for Christmas lunch or dinner from beloved Christmas classics to some new additions.

This includes everything from their Sweet Chilli Sticky Prawns and Pizza Chicken Wedges to TGI Fridays Cheeseburger & Chip baskets.

Shoppers will be able to sink their teeth into a range of Christmas meats, pigs and blankets and all the trimmings on top.

And if you are thinking of throwing a festive bash this year, customers can take advantage of their mix-and-match deals on select products like three items for £10.

Or shoppers can stock up with their £1 party range and luxury platters.

But among the showstoppers of this year’s Christmas range is the Luxury Perfect Turkey Crown.

For £28, you can get your hands on 2.2kg of frozen boneless skin on turkey crown with added water topped with sunflower oil and herb and spice marinade.

We also have a feeling that many will be eyeing up the Bailey’s Iced Yule Log for £12.

It features mouthwatering Baileys salted caramel mousse, a dark chocolate sauce and chocolate flavoured meringue.

And you can nab their Luxury Prawn and Prosecco Shells for as little as £5.

The king prawns come in a creamy Prosecco sauce topped with mashed potato, a parsley breadcrumb and cheese, served in a natural shell.

Other festive finds

Iceland aren’t the only retailer to have revealed their Christmas food range recently either.

M&S have revealed all the festive treats that you can get through from its Christmas Food to Order range from today.

The posh supermarket is famous for its delicious Christmas food, which you’ll be able to pre-order to your home ahead of the big day.

In fact, major supermarkets have just revealed the exact dates you can book Christmas delivery slots, including Asda.

We tried the M&S Christmas collection too including their iconic American must-have and Marmite caramel sauce.

We also recently tried Morrisons new Christmas range and one festive treat was an instant winner, knocking M&S and Waitrose out the park.

Morrisons festive nosh is expected to land in its 497 stores over the coming weeks.

And if you’re after your classic chocolate tubs, we’ve calculated the cheapest supermarket to grab all your favourites this week.

A MAJOR supermarket is selling McVitie’s biscuit boxes for just £2.50 ahead of this Christmas season.

The 400g boxes include a selection of family favourites to get in the festive spirit.

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McVitie’s Family Circle Biscuit Selection boxes are available cheapest at Iceland for just £2.50.

What is included

There are ten different biscuits to choose from in this selection box, including the iconic Milk Chocolate Digestives, popular Custard Creams, and much-loved Rich Highland Shorties.

Also included in the boxes are McVitie’s Choc Chip Cookies, Shortcake, Jam Sandwich Creams, Milk Chocolate Fingers, Crunchy Oat, Nice, and Bourbon Creams.

Shoppers’ reactions

Iceland customers have raved about the product in reviews.

One wrote: “These biscuits have always been Christmas specials.

“There is a good selection of biscuits included.

“And they are great tasting …love them for a treat with a cup of tea or coffee.”

Another added: “Includes chocolate ones and most usual ones.”

“Not really any new ones.”

Both gave the biscuit selection an overall rating of four stars.

Sainsbury’s and Occado are also seen selling the McVitie’s boxes, but for £4.

And Morrisons has them on sale for £3.

More Christmas boxes

Quality Street chocolates and celebrations are also popular Christmas boxes that have been seen going for cheap recently.

At Morrisons, tubs were seen going for just £4.50 from the discount retailer.

And Lidl and Aldi are also known for providing the best deals of groceries, another major UK retailer was found to have the cheapest rate on chocolate boxes.

This week, Tesco took the crown for best overral rates on Christmas chocolate.

Tesco Clubcard holders are able to pick up Nestle Celebrations and Quality Street for £4.50, while Cadbury’s Heroes and Roses have been reduced to £5.25.

OUR wardrobes are stuffed with 1.6billion unworn clothes.

So it is best for the planet — and your bank balance — to stop buying new and instead swap your old stuff for other people’s cast-offs.

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During Second Hand September, Oxfam is encouraging people to hunt down a bargain and find unique pieces that will make you stand out from the crowd.

TREASURE HUNT: Trawling high street charity shops is a great way to spot a gem.

Abi Owen, online shop merchandiser for Oxfam, says: “Charity shops are full of wonderful, unique finds, so it’s worth having an open mind to see what might catch your eye.

“As autumn begins, timeless items such as cable-knit jumpers and checked shirts are the perfect pre-loved find.”

WONDERS ON THE WEB: If you can’t get to a second-hand shop, or you have something specific in mind, look online.

Lose yourself on Vinted or eBay and, to support a good cause, search for charity shops on the internet. Many also have their own online shops.

SEPTEMBER SURPRISES: At Oxfam’s online store (onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk) you can narrow your search by price, size or designer.

We found Ralph Lauren sunglasses for under £9.99, a Tommy Hilfiger jumpsuit for £12.99 and a wedding dress for £30.

During Second Hand September, there is also a range of offers, including free delivery until Tuesday and ten per cent off when signing up for Oxfam’s newsletter.

BEST BUYS: Make the most of your money and bag a second-hand bargain that you will wear lots of times.

Denim will never go out of fashion and is stacked up in charity shops.

Abi says: “Whether it is a pair of jeans or a classic jacket, they are perfect for styling up or down.

“Plus, they’re better when they’ve been worn in.

“Accessories are a brilliant second-hand item to shop for, too. A good belt or some gorgeous earrings can complete a look.

“Keep your eyes peeled for details like a tartan scarf to pull an outfit together.”

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• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability

Deal of the day

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KIDS will go loopy for the Hot Wheels Track Creator Triple Loop Speed Kit, reduced from £40.98 to £30.98 at direct.asda.com.

SAVE: £10

Cheap treat

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ENJOY a cheeky nibble with Morrisons milk chocolate digestives, 300g, down from £1.25 to 89p.

SAVE: 36p

What’s new?

THRILL-SEEKING grannies and grandads can enjoy the rides at Drayton Manor for free this weekend.

The Staffordshire theme park is giving free entry to over-70s until Monday.

Top swap

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CHEESE Louise!

Snack on a six-pack of Quavers, £2.13 from Asda, working out at 36p for a 16g bag.

Or enjoy the store’s own Cheesy Curls six-pack, £1.25, or 21p for a 16g bag.

SAVE: 15p per bag

Little helper

COTE Brasserie is offering a different “icon” dish for £10 each week day when you say “I’m an Icon” to staff.

Save the most on Thursdays when the beef bourguignon, usually £21.95, is a tenner.

Shop & save

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APPLES are ripening and tumbling from branches across gardens and hedgerows.

Or you may find that generous neighbours or friends with apple trees are offering the fruit for free.

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Here’s how to make the most of the harvest . . . 

APPLE STORE: Apples are often stored in fruit bowls, but they will last longer in the fridge.

The fruit also emits a gas that can speed up the ripening of other produce such as oranges, giving another reason to keep them separated.

NICELY PUDD: Apple pie or crumble is the perfect autumnal dessert. Crumbles are slightly quicker to make and great with kids. Use the following recipe from Tesco. Peel and core and cut three or four cooking apples into chunks.

Pop the fruit in a saucepan with two tablespoons of caster sugar, and two tablespoons of water, cooking until the apples have softened.

If you have a glut of apples, you could prepare double or triple the mix and freeze portions for using at a later date.

Pop in a greased ovenproof dish. Then mix 110g of self-raising flour, 40g of demerara sugar, 40g of diced salted, butter and two tablespoons of rolled oats in a bowl until it’s breadcrumb texture.

Add to the apple mix before baking for around 45minutes until golden.

GO DRY: Dried apples are a great healthy snack — perfect for lunchboxes.

Slice the apples thinly and bake for a few hours on a low heat.

The longer you leave them in, the crispier they become. Then store in an air-tight container.

JUICE IT: Use apples to make a delicious juice without a juicer. Start by chopping and deseeding three or four apples.

Boil and cover with around 120ml of water until the apples are soft and mushy.

Line a colander with muslin cloth and put over a bowl before pouring in the cooled mixture.

Press down on the mixture and let the bowl collect the juice. You can then add honey or lemon juice to taste.

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability

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The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!

CELEBRATIONS have made a huge change to tubs ahead of Christmas – and customers will not be happy.

Chocolate maker Mars has once again slashed the size of its iconic red tub from 550g to 500g – equal to a reduction of around five sweets.

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The festive staple is being rolled out of supermarkets ahead of the big day.

Asda is selling the shrunken chocolates for £5.64, with Morrisons and Sainsbury’s charging £7.

The UK’s biggest supermarket is still selling off the larger 550g tubs for £7 or £4.50 on Clubcard price.

It marks the second year in a row the confectionery giant has slimmed down the festive treat.

Last Christmas, the tubs featuring miniature pieces of Twix, Milkyway and Bounty, were reduced in size from 600g to 550g.

The Sun has approached Mars for comment.

At the time, Mars blamed the rising costs of raw materials and operations.

Global cocoa prices are still under pressure due to poor harvests caused by adverse weather in West Africa.

The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) reported a 43% jump in cocoa prices since 2022.

And Mars is not the only chocolate maker which is slimming down its chocolate tubs.

Quality Street maker Nestle has slashed the size of the purple tubs from 600g to 550g.

The new purple tubs have approximately 57 chocolates – down from 63.

A Nestlé spokesperson cited the cost of manufacturing, “ingredients and transport” for the cut.

Deal expert Tom Church previously told The Sun that the best way to beat size reductions was to look for cut-price deals, such as multi-buy offers in the supermarkets or Nectar and Clubcard prices.

Shrinking chocolate

All major manufacturers are shrinking the size of their treats to help combat rising material costs.

Last month it was discovered that Cadbury cut the size of multipacks of its Brunch bars from five to four.

Instead, a four-bar pack is now on shelves for the same average price of £1.50.

It means the bars – a staple of school lunchboxes – are, in effect, 20 per cent worse value.

Cadbury also reduced packs of Freddos from five to four and Cadbury Dairy Milk multipacks were cut from nine bars to seven.

More recently, the brand slashed the size of it’s Dairy Milk Little Bars multipacks by a third.

How to save money on chocolate

We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don’t have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.

Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…

Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for the supermarket’s own brand bars.

Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.

Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.

Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.

They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.

Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.

So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.

M&S has introduced a major shakeup to is store shelves which is exciting news for shoppers.

This is ideal for anyone wanting to try out some different lunch options during their weeks.

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There are new sandwiches, wraps and bagels from the major retailer’s Foodhalls which are available now.

It is an entirely new section to the Marks and Spencer food aisle for people to try.

The shelves have been labelled NEW in the fridge section of grocery stores, with ‘PICK ME! I’ve just arrived’ signs attached.

Among the top picks for this month from the new selection includes a Chicken Tikka Sandwich which is “back by popular demand”.

This sandwich is described to have “creamy” spiced and marinated roast chicken breast inside some “soft malted” onion seed bread.

There is also spinach, tikka sauce and a “cooling” yoghurt raita, so the sandwich is “generously filled and packed with flavour”.

It is priced at £4 from the popular grocer, and is a limited edition.

Another addition is a similar seeded tortilla wrap version, which is a Butter Chicken Wrap that has been added to the new collection.

It is a “summer edit” of the retailer’s food hall that “combines succulent British chicken breast with a luxuriously creamy butter chicken sauce accompanied by crispy spinach, tangy pickled red onion and crunchy cabbage.”

There are also a few new bagels that have been introduced, including a New York style Pastrami bagel and classic smoked salmon bagel.

The American deli-inspired one has been called the “Ruben bagel” which has layers of beef pastrami, pickles, mustard and cream cheese.

Finally, there is the “Katsu Sando” which is going for £5 from M&S.

The Katsu Sando is also part of the “summer edit” described to have panko breaded chicken, katsu curry spiced mayo, pickled cabbage and coriander inside.

As M&S have stated: “The Katsu Sando makes a mouthwatering lunch that’s sweet, spicy and satisfying.”

There is also a honey soy ketchup sauce added to the sandwiches flavour, that is contained within some soft brioche-style bread.

These latest “lunch sensations” can be found at M&S Foodhalls now, and are just some of the store’s top picks for the month.

The news of this updated lunch range from M&S comes after the popular retailer also released a new version of its iconic Colin the Caterpillar Cake.

To mark the much-loved dessert’s 35th birthday, The Sun’s Clemmie Moodie got to have an exclusive first try of the new Arctic Colin.

Arctic Colin went on sale at M&S stores just last week, after two years in the making.

HISTORY OF M&S

M&S was founded in 1884 by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer in Leeds.

The first official Marks and Spencer store opened in Manchester in 1901.

Throughout the 1920s, M&SA gre rapidly, opening more and more stores across the country.

The retailer made its reputation in the early 20th century by selling only British-made products.

It began textile sales in 1926 and started selling food from 1931.

The St Michael trademark was introduced in 1928 as a guarantee of quality and value.

This was initially used only for a small range of textiles but was extended over the years to cover all goods sold by M&S.

M&S introduced its first in-store cafe in 1935 in the Leeds store.

It provided cheap, hygienic, and nutritious mass catering.

By 1942, M&S opened 82 cafes across its estate.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, M&S had 234 stores.

By 1945, over 100 of these had been damaged by bombs, and 16 had been completely destroyed.

BY 1960, M&S pioneered in the sale of fresh poultry following the invention of the cold-chain process.

In the 1970s and 1980s, M&S pushed into international markets including the US, Canada and France. 

In 1979, M&S introduced the Chicken Kiev to its food halls across the UK.

In 1992, Percy Pigs were launched.

The Autograph range of clothing was introduced in 2000, and the St Michael brand was slowly phased out.

In 2019, the group announced 110 store closures as part of its plans, affecting several longstanding high-street shops.

In September 2020, M&S partnered with Ocado to allow for home delivery of the chain’s full food range.

M&S has recently announced new stores and is freshening up a swathe of others in a boost for shoppers.

BRITS could receive as much as £2,500 in free cash to spend in the likes of Greggs, M&S or Waitrose, thanks to a scheme run by a major energy supplier.

E.ON has relaunched its ‘refer a friend’ scheme and the company will hand out £50 in retail vouchers for customers and their friend, if there is a successful referral.

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So under the new, improved scheme both the existing customer and the new one will both receive the voucher.

They can be spent at a number of high street retailers, including Waitrose, Argos, Greggs and Ticketmaster.

However, the money is capped at £2,500.

Both parties will receive their voucher once the new customer has paid their first direct debit.

Julian Lennertz, Chief Commercial Officer, E.ON Next, said: “We know our customers have really valued the £50 credit they received on their energy account under our previous scheme.

“We’ve also learned that our customers want more choice over where and how they spend their £50 thank you, so they can get the best value for them.

“That’s why they can now choose from hundreds of retailers.

“And because we appreciate all of our customers, old and new, we have expanded the scheme to reward our new customers as well as the existing ones who are making the referrals.”

E.ON Next’s new scheme has been launched in collaboration with its new referral partner, MentionMe.

To be eligible, all existing customers have to do it simply sign up to the scheme.

There are some strings attached though.

To be eligible for the voucher, the new customer must transfer from another supplier and sign up to through the existing customer’s unique MentionMe link.

Customers can make up to five referrals a day, with an overall total of 25 referrals each year.

Which means that both the customer and friends could be better off to the tune of £2,500.

Last month, millions of households were urged to apply for free energy grants worth up to £1,700.

Families who have fallen behind on their gas and electricity bills qualify for help through a little-known fund.

The British Gas Individual and Families Fund is open to prepayment meter customers who are in up to £1,700 worth of energy debt.

If you can’t get help through British Gas’ Individual and Families Fund, you might be able to knock money off your energy bill through the Household Support Fund.

The fund is a giant £742million pot of money that’s been shared between councils in England.

These local authorities are now distributing their share of the fund and can set their own eligibility criteria.

That means what you’re entitled to depends based on where you live, but you will likely qualify for help if you’re on benefits or a low income, and may be able to get energy vouchers or cash.

Speak to your local council about what help is on offer. You can find your nearest by visiting – www.gov.uk/find-local-council.

Depending on what benefits you’re on, you might be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment, the Warm Home Discount or a Cold Weather Payment too.

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SAINSBURY’S shoppers are going wild after spotting a “gorgeous” new autumn pyjama collection.

The supermarket’s in-house fashion label Tu is one of the best-loved brands on the high street, and is constantly wowing us with its stylish but affordable fashion.

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TikToker Jasmine Poppy sent fashion lovers into a frenzy when she posted a clip of her latest TU Clothing purchases.

The TikToker showed off Sainsbury’s new range of cosy sets perfect for snuggling up as the nights draw in.

Among the finds was the Mini Me Women’s Halloween Pink Pumpkin Print Slinky Pyjama set, priced at £16, with the rest of the line retailing at £20.

And while Halloween PJs usually mean garish orange and purple prints, Sainsbury’s has gone for something a little different this year with pretty designs in soft pinks and cute patterns that shoppers say are “perfect for autumn”.

The line includes a pink jersey pasta printed set, cosy pin-striped pumpkin set and a fun cherry cake printed set, with plenty of other cute designs for shoppers to pick from.

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The playful pumpkin prints, soft fabrics, and matching sets have quickly earned a spot on people’s must-buy lists.

“I LOVE TU pjs, they’re so comfy,” raved one fan in the comments.

Another wrote: “Never have I run to order something so quickly.”

A third added: “These are gorgeous, I want all of them.”

One shopper had their eyes on a particular set, gushing: “I need the cherry pumpkin ones.”

While another insisted: “Sainsbury’s pjs top all others, honestly.”

It’s clear Sainsbury’s is coming into the colder months well prepared, with styles that feel seasonal without being over-the-top spooky, perfect for anyone who wants to nod to Halloween without going full fancy dress.

So, if you’re already dreaming of hot chocolate, candles, and a fresh pair of matching PJs, you might want to make your next supermarket trip a pyjama haul.

It comes after a Sainsbury’s fashion boss sent shoppers into a frenzy after giving them a sneak peek of their new autumn arrivals.

Hannah Pountain, Director of Merchandising at Tu Clothing, revealed her top five picks from the new range in an Instagram video over the weekend.

And she rounded up her five top picks from the new range – including a staple buy which proves a classic 1920s trend is returning.

The autumn drop follows a wave of excitement over other high street nightwear launches.

Just last week, Primark had shoppers swooning with a Clueless-themed pyjama line, inspired by the iconic 90s rom-com.

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A BIG high street banking chain is axing a lifeline service for all customers within weeks.

M&S Bank is stopping customers from paying off their credit card bills in-store, by cheque, or using bank giro credit – a move campaigners say will make life harder for older and vulnerable people.

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The bank, run as a joint venture between HSBC and M&S since 2004, had already paused in-store credit card payments back in April.

Now, the decision has been made permanent, according to This is Money.

To make matters worse, a letter sent to customers confirmed that from October, payments by cheque or giro credit will no longer be accepted at banks, building societies, or post offices.

The decision has caused a stir, with critics claiming it’s yet another blow to older people who are being left behind in an increasingly digital world.

Baroness Ros Altmann, a pensions expert, said: “You’re pushing away your most loyal, older customers who’ve probably shopped with you for decades.

“It might only be a minority who use these methods, but with M&S Bank’s huge customer base, it’s still a lot of people.

“These changes tend to hit older folks hardest.

“Many don’t have access to online banking or smartphones, and some prefer cash to help them budget better.”

M&S Bank currently offers credit cards, personal loans, travel insurance, store payment cards and a buy now pay later credit to over three million UK customers.

Caroline Abrahams, Age UK’s charity director, also raised concerns.

She highlighted research showing that 27% of people still manage their accounts through branches, while 31% feel uneasy about banking online.

“Reducing payment options will limit some older people, especially those who aren’t online or who prefer cash,” she said.

M&S Bank has defended the decision, saying only “1%” of customers use these older payment methods.

A spokesperson said: “Most customers are choosing to use digital channels for their banking needs.

“We’ve introduced a pay-by-bank option via the M&S Bank app, alongside direct debit and bank payments, to make things easier for them.”

They added that the axed options were “legacy payment methods” and pointed out that customers can still pay at a bank, but giro forms will no longer be printed with statements.

M&S Bank used to offer current accounts prior to 2021.

However, the bank closed this product offering on August 31, 2021, in a shock move that also resulted in the closure of all 29 in-store bank branches on July 2 of the same year. 

Since the shake-up, the bank has completely shifted its focus to credit cards, insurance and reward offerings.

What other banking changes are coming?

NatWest is making changes to its business current accounts by increasing fees for cash payments, cheque transactions, and certain online transfers.

From August 30, cash payments into and out of business accounts will see their fees surge from 70p per £100 to 95p per £100. 

Cheque payments, whether processed by hand or via mobile, will also jump from 70p to 75p per cheque.

The bank is also increasing some charges related to its BACS payment system.

The BACS system is a UK payment network used by businesses to make electronic bank-to-bank transfers, such as Direct Debits and Direct Credits.

The fee for processing each individual payment or instruction, will soon rise from 18p to 21p.

The cost to process a file containing multiple payments or instructions will also increase slightly from £5.25 to £5.35.

Meanwhile, Santander is closing its 123 Lite current account, which offers up to 3% cashback on household bills for a £2 monthly fee, on August 21.

Customers affected by the closure will be automatically switched to Santander’s Everyday Current Account.

This account has no monthly fee but does not include cashback benefits.

Plus, new customers applying for the bank’s Edge Credit Card will now face a monthly fee of £4, an increase from the previous £3.

Plus, customers of Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland will soon lose the ability to deposit their cheques at any of the 11,500 Post Office branches nationwide.

From December 31 this year, Lloyds Banking Group will withdraw this service for all customers.

LEGGINGS are a clothing item that everyone needs in their wardrobe.

The best leggings will be comfortable, supportive and flattering on every body shape, and we’ve put some of the hero brands to the test.

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Flimsy, see-through leggings are a thing of the past, as there’s a whole world of high-quality options that don’t compromise on style.

From fitness activities to running errands, a pair of leggings have become the ultimate throw-on-and-go fashion item.

They pair with everything from chunky knitwear to fitted tops, and they’re my go-to for wearing at home when I still want to feel put together.

High-waisted leggings, flared styles and sculpting options are all popular, and scrunch-bum leggings are also trending for enhancing the silhouette.

We’ve put a selection of styles through the ringer to see if they’re worth the money, from Gymshark, Halara, Tala and more.

Best leggings at a glance:

How I tested

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There are a few important features to consider when searching for the perfect pair of leggings.

Firstly (and most importantly), a good pair of leggings need to be comfortable.

As a fashion item that will be worn to the gym or for lounging at home, they need to be stretchy enough to wear for long periods without digging into the skin.

One hurdle that leggings often fall at is having a see-through design, and I was closely keeping an eye on the quality of each pair.

I also considered any special features, including sculpting styles, sweat-wicking properties and how they feel on the skin.

I wore the leggings for visits to the gym, long walks, and for lounging at home, to determine whether they work as fashion all-rounders.

Gymshark Vital Seamless Leggings

Gymshark Vital Seamless Leggings, £45

Pros: Comfortable, supportive waistband, sweat-wicking, flattering on the waist, wide range of colour options

Cons: Expensive when full price, slightly tight on the waist

Rating: 5/5

I’ve been wearing Gymshark leggings for years, and they’re yet to disappoint me.

The Vital Seamless Leggings are not only a brand bestseller, but they’re also my new favourite.

Featuring sweat-wicking technology and breathable mesh dots, they’re comfortable even after intense workouts, and I don’t ever need to worry about sweat patches.

The feature I love the most is the supportive ribbed waistband.

It sits high on the stomach, sucking me in without ever feeling suffocating.

For more cinching styles, read our roundup of the best high-waisted leggings.

Gymshark’s leggings have mastered the balance between comfort and style, smoothing out lumps and bumps around my waist and thighs, while still remaining comfortable enough to wear for long periods.

At full-price, the leggings are on the expensive side, but Gymshark often has big sales with price drops of up to 50%.

Leg length: Full; Size range: XXS-XXL; Colours available: 11 colours, Fabric: Nylon and elastane

BetterMe High Impact Mesh Leggings

BetterMe High Impact Mesh Leggings, £52

Pros: Stretchy, sweat-wicking, nice colour, smooths lumps and bumps, subtly shapes the figure

Cons: Expensive

Rating: 5/5

BetterMe is best-known for its health coaching app, but branched out into the activewear space in 2022.

I tried the brand’s High Impact Mesh Leggings, and I honestly can’t fault them.

Firstly, I’m obsessed with the dark green colourway, but the pair also comes in burgundy, black and ivory shades.

The leggings have a stretchy design that feels so soft on the skin, with a high-rise fit that flatters the figure.

The waistband and mesh detailing are why they’re so comfortable for wearing all day, and I’ve been reaching for them to exercise and for running errands.

Made from nylon and lycra, they give light tummy control, and I’ve noticed how much they smooth out my thighs.

Leg length: Full; Size range: XS-XXL; Colours available: Four colours, Fabric: Nylon and lycra spandex

Marks & Spencer Good Move Go Balance High Waisted Yoga Leggings

Marks & Spencer Good Move Go Balance High Waisted Yoga Leggings, £25

Pros: Flattering, comfortable, shaping/slimming, stretchy, soft, cool and breathable, V waist 

Cons: Limited colour range 

Rating: 5/5

These leggings are perfect for yoga and pretty much any other occasion, too.

They’re silky soft and cosy but still lightweight and breathable so that you won’t overheat during a workout.

I love the flattering V-shaped waistband; it’s unique and has a nice twist on a regular pair of black leggings.

But also, it makes your waist smaller and your bum look lifted.

The leggings will pair perfectly with running trainers, and we tested some of the best styles.

At the moment, it only comes in black, burgundy and a printed design, but hopefully, M&S will launch more colours soon.

Leg length: Full, Size range: 6-24; Colours available: 2, Fabric: Polyester and elastane

Halara UltraSculpt High Waisted Scrunch Bum Leggings

Halara UltraSculpt High Waisted Scrunch Butt Leggings, £30.95 (was £50.95)

Pros: Lifts the bum, sculpts the figure, compression to smooth out bumps, good selection of lengths and colours, currently on sale

Cons: Ruching is quite visible, feels tight

Rating: 4/5

Halara is the TikTok-famous brand that even Taylor Swift is fan of, and I tried UltraSculpt Scrunch Butt Leggings.

Featuring compression for shaping, a V-shaped waistband and an ultra-high waist, the stretchy leggings are just as comfortable as they are flattering.

The all-over compression held me in while smoothing out unwanted bumps, and the black colourway is ideal for both exercise and everyday wear.

The leggings feature padding and ruching that lifts the butt, and while the design is quite discreet, I would prefer if it was completely invisible.

Halara currently has a huge sale on, where shoppers can save up to 80% sitewide, and the sculpting leggings are reduced by £20.

Read our full Halara leggings review.

Leg length: Full; Size range: XS-XXL; Colours available: 20 colours, Fabric: Nylon and elastane

TALA SkinLuxe High Waisted Flared Legging

TALA SkinLuxe High Waisted Flared Legging, £59

Pros: Flattering flared leg, waistband doesn’t fall down, super soft, easy to put on, comfortable, back pocket with zip, lightweight, sustainable (made from recycled nylon) 

Cons: Only available in four colours 

Rating: 5/5

TALA’s SkinLuxe flared leggings have been one of our favourites for a while now.

Flared jeans are so in right now, and so are flared leggings. 

Not only are they trendy, but this shape is really flattering on the waist, thighs and bum.

They’re great for accentuating curves without being skin-tight.

I wear this pair all the time, as they’re ideal for WFH and then heading out for a walk with friends.

They’re also great for hardcore workouts, especially on days when you’re feeling a little bloated or feel like covering up a bit more, as the high waist will not roll down.

Leg length: Full; Size range: XS to XL; Colours available: 4 colours; Fabric: Recycled nylon and lycra

What to wear with leggings?

There are two reasons why leggings are a wardrobe staple.

Firstly, they’re comfortable for every occasion, and they can be worn with just about anything.

For lounging at home and running errands, leggings can be styled with T-shirts, knitwear and trainers, but they can also be teamed with various activewear for trips to the gym.

Leggings also make a great base for layering during the colder months, and they look effortlessly stylish paired with longline coats and a crossbody bag.

Building a capsule wardrobe means finding timeless clothing items that can be styled in multiple ways, and leggings are the item that does just that.

How to style flared leggings?

Flared leggings have made a comeback in recent years, and they’ve become a popular choice for everyday and loungewear.

Traditionally worn for yoga, the wide-leg style could be thrown on for any occasion, giving me of an elevated feel than traditional leggings.

The design is also flattering on every body type, and they look stylish paired with tank tops, cropped T-shirts, cardigans and leather jackets.

Tala, the clothing brand founded by influencer Grace Beverly, is known for its figure-flattering flared leggings.

It has a range of flared styles available on the site to pair with crop tops, sweatshirts and more.

Do Gymshark leggings run small?

Gymshark leggings are usually considered to be true to size, but the sizing is largely down to the individual styles.

I tested Gymshark’s Vital Seamless Leggings (the brand’s bestseller), and I found the design to be exactly true to size.

It’s always worth reading the product reviews before taking the plunge to determine how accurate the sizing will be.

FASHION fans have been racing to pick up Marks & Spencer’s new summer dress that hides lumps and bumps.

The linen mini dress that shoppers have been describing as “perfect” has become an instant bestseller.

M&S Linen Blend Button Through Mini Dress, £45

M&S’ Linen Blend Mini Dress has a shift silhouette that’s flattering on all body shapes, with a stylish button-down design.

The sleeveless cut is perfect for holidays and the warmer weather, while the mini length will pair well with just about any footwear.

It has a versatile design that can be dressed up or down for any occasion, so it could be teamed with sandals for an effortless daytime look, and dressed up with heels and chunky jewellery for evening occasions.

The white colourway has already sold out, but it’s still available to shop in black.

Some M&S shoppers are already raving about the linen dress.

One reviewer wrote: “I got this in store, tried it on at home and it’s stunning with a perfect fit, even my partner said it looks lovely, can’t wait for my holiday to wear it. 

It’s the perfect fit and doesn’t pull around the bust, well done M&S.”

Another added: “I’ve been trying very hard to get this dress ever since I noticed it online, but I was lucky enough to find it in-store and it’s fab. 

You can wear it through the day or it would look great for summer evenings.”

Linen dresses are perfect for summer as they’re light and airy to wear in the heat – making them a comfortable for choice holidays and days in the office.

Marks & Spencer’s £32.50 Linen Rich Shift Dress is also trending, featuring a relaxed cut and a flattering V-neck.

M&S Linen Rich V-Neck Mini Shift Dress, £32.50

It’s available in black and cream shades, while the blue version has already sold out.

One reviewer said: “A lovely, lightweight dress for the summer that’s easy to style and won’t cling in the heat. 

It’s a nice length and my favourite summer colour, I can’t wait to wear it.”

The high-street is full of stylish summer pieces right now, including New Look’s £30 summer dress that shoppers say flatters chunky arms and “looks expensive”.

Flattering swimwear has also been trending in recent months, and fashion fans have also been racing to pick up New Look’s tummy control £31 swimsuit.

Marks & Spencer also has its own version, and shoppers have been calling the £35 scallop one-piece “the most flattering ever”.

The high-street Linen Midi Dress has already sold out in several sizes, so if you’re on the hunt for the perfect holiday dress, it could be worth adding to your basket soon.

M&S has made a huge change at all cafes and shoppers will be fuming.

Prices at the Percy Pig makers in-store cafes have risen by up to 20%, with the cost of a Gastro Fish & Chips meal increasing by £2.

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It’s beer battered fish, served with chips, petit pois and tartar sauce used to cost £9.95 in August 2024.

But its most updated menu for June 2025 shows the cost of the beloved British dish has risen to £11.95 across sites.

The price of a single portion of chips at the cafe has also increased by 50p, now costing £2.50.

And fans of its brekkie are forking out more too.

M&S’s All Day Big Breakfast, served with sausages, bacon, soft poached eggs, tomatoes, potato rosti, baked beans and toast, used to cost £9.50.

But punters are now paying an extra 45p for the hefty morning meal.

Elsewhere, toast with jam and butter now costs £3.75 up from £3.50 and a breakfast ciabatta’s was £4.95 but now costs £5.25. 

The posh retailer has also shaken up what is served on menus, axing its nutty granola bowl priced at £4.25.

This has been replaced with a Berry Bliss granola bowl that costs 70p more.

An M&S spokesperson told The Sun: ” We’re committed to providing trusted value for our customers by mitigating and offsetting as much of the current food inflation as we can.

“We are working hard to ensure we offer a wide range of price points and options for our customers, never compromising on the M&S quality they expect.”

It is not uncommon for restaurants, cafés and grocery stores to raise prices due to increased operational costs, including hikes to National Insurance contributions and wages.

M&S has previously faced ridicule for hiking the cost of popular items, such as Percy Pigs.

Shoppers were outraged after it was discovered a 170g of the iconic sweet treat had been hiked by 10p, now costing £2.

The bestselling sweets have undergone a 33% price hike since 2017 when a packet cost just £1.50.

MORE PRICE RISES

M&S is not the only retailer hiking costs for customers.

Earlier this year, Morrisons also increased the cost of a number popular menu items in its cafés.

The Full Breakfast was hiked by 25p to £7, while its sweet Stacked Pancakes have risen by £4.25 to £4.50.

The price of a Ultimate Fish, Chips & Mushy Peas has increased by £7.75 to £8.50.

Meanwhile, battered sausages, chips and mushy peas increased from £6 to £6.50.

Greggs increased the price of a sausage roll to £1.30 nationally at the start of the year.

The rise means that the Brit favourite jumped by more than a third since it cost £1 in 2022.

At some travel locations, such as London Bridge, the price of a sausage roll has increased from £1.50 to £1.55.

Elsewhere, Costa Coffee has hiked the price of a brew across its hospital concessions.

An audit by our investigators found that a small latte or cappuccino costs £3.90 and a medium £4.10 at Medivest’s Royal Victoria Infirmary’s Costa Coffee outlet in Newcastle.

That’s a 10p increase on February 2025 prices and a 20p more compared with high street prices just yards down the road.