Thursday 19th February 2026

I had to ask Laura Malcolm to look inside her husband’s trousers.

Matt Driver had some fabulous grey cord slacks from Marks and Spencer. Young people, he says, drawing on experience of being in a workplace where young people are – young people like Marks and Spencer for clothes. I knew this from a year ago and was straight round to Marble Arch flagship branch.

The agony was Matt Driver said his grey cords were Special Label, ‘Autograph’ or maybe even a marque only privately available… but when I went to Marble Arch flagship branch they said grey cords had only ever been available in the basic line. Marks and Spencer uniquely employ staff who actually know the stock. They actually know what they are selling.

So I bought the grey cords basic line. But still the nagging worry – maybe Matt Driver’s were somehow better.

Hence I had to ask Laura Malcolm to look in her husband’s trousers. Which she did.

And, by great good Mercy, they are basic line, made in Bangladesh..