In May of this year, Marks & Spencer announced that its beloved Per Una collections were changing. Led by design directors Lisa Illis and Jill Stanton, the new look felt fresh and exciting – and M&S customers agreed. The brand sold a whopping 30,000 Per Una items in the first week alone, including tiered shirt dresses and glossy accessories. For AW19, M&S has developed this new look even further – and the result is one of the best Per Una offerings we've seen.
As the new season collections arrive in shops, the amount of choice can feel overwhelming. Of course, there's a lot to love in the Per Una range, but it's easy to whittle it down to the best key pieces. There is, for example, a fresh floral print that is splashed across wear-everywhere midi dresses and skirts (to be worn with chunky knits – easy and chic), as well as velvet belted blazers, pyjama-style suits and excellent cocoon coats.
There are certainly nods to some of the key trends – a pair of cropped corduroy trousers, for example – but these pieces don't feel transient. They feel like practical things to add to your wardrobe that you really will wear all the time – a crucial quality in our current environmental crisis.
From suede A-line skirts to roll neck knits, the new Per Una retains all of the democracy of M&S' usual collections – a good range of sizes and affordable prices – with an added flourish. In fact, just one look at this new range is enough to positively welcome colder weather. It's that good....
SHOP: The Brand New Per Una Collection From M&S
The Brand New Per Una Collection From M&S
1 of 11Floral Print Midi Shirt Dress, £55
2 of 11Floral Pyjama Style Blouse, £39.50
3 of 11Satin Floral Wide Leg Cropped Trousers, £49.50
4 of 11Velvet Belted Blazer, £89
5 of 11Corduroy Cropped Trousers, £39.50
6 of 11Tiered Midi Skirt, £39.50
7 of 11Wool Blend Cocoon Coat, £129
8 of 11Suede A-Line Midi Skirt, £199
9 of 11Satin Floral Skirt, £49.50
10 of 11Double Breasted Bouclé Coat, £119
11 of 11