Don't mess with vests From Malcolm Barker Sir: Petronella Wyatt
puts up a brave case for Marks & Spencer's frilly knickers, etc. (Singular Life, 22 May), but this in no way ameliorates my disgruntlement at the firm's recent lapse in the sterner matter of their men's vests.
I wore them for 50 years with the utmost satisfaction, but then a fresh supply disappointed, for my M&S vests were suddenly subject to shrinkage. I took this up with the company at the highest level and initially they seemed interested, asking for one of my older. unshrinking vests and a newer one for comparison. However, the upshot was a suggestion that my vests were not being washed properly. I did not care to put this aspersion to my wife, who has laundered my underwear by the same method for upwards of 40 years with no deleterious effects.
A further examination on my part yielded a more likely explanation. Marks & Spencer had changed their supplier. The old unshrunk vests were made in England. The newer ones were from Egypt. I put this idea to M&S. They sought to fob me off with a £5 voucher, which I returned in some dudgeon. I now get my vests from a Mr Jolliman. Jolly good they are, too, and made in England.
Malcolm Barker
Harrogate, West Yorkshire
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