Arguably a British institution, M&S has had its ups and downs of late. In a retail landscape that looks increasingly unstable, it’s undeniably a challenge to any brand to hold its own, faced with overwhelming competition and a world in which we all expect everything instantaneously. So, it’s no mean feat that, when it launched its new-look Per Una collection last month, M&S has seen some serious sales. In fact, the brand sold over 30,000 pieces in the first week alone.
Led by design directors Lisa Illis and Jill Stanton, the brand new Per Una feels fresher, more contemporary and much more exciting. There’s an emphasis on natural fabrics – pure cotton, modal and linen all feature heavily – as well as new signature prints, all of which have been designed in-house.
‘This collection is more versatile than ever before,’ said Illis. ‘It celebrates simple styling and is a fresh new direction. One of the hero shapes is the tiered shirt dress; it is incredibly flattering and easy to wear every day.’ In fact, there are many pieces that feel like the sort of thing you’ll want to wear all the time, including utility jackets, wide leg trousers and frill-detail blouses.
There are also more directional elements – a sleeveless, longline wrap blouse paired with matching, wide leg trousers, for example. But mostly, everything feels delightfully wearable – a practical point that is not to be sniffed at.
Shop the new Per Una collection below, before another 30,000 items fly off the shelves and you’re too late.
Shop: M&S Per Una Spring/Summer 2019
M&S Per Una Spring/Summer 2019
1 of 18Pure Cotton Bardot Midi Dress, £45
2 of 18Suede Biker Jacket, £250
3 of 18Geometric Print Sleeveless Wrap Blouse, £45
4 of 18Geometric Print Wide Leg Trousers, £39.50
5 of 18Pure Cotton Tiered Shirt Dress, £45
6 of 18Striped Round Neck Top, £19.50
7 of 18Pure Cotton Floral Print Swing Dress, £39.50
8 of 18High Waist Straight Ankle-Grazer Jeans, £39.50
9 of 18Pure Cotton Shacket, £39.50
10 of 18Tiered Floral Red Print Shirt Dress, £45
11 of 18Embroidered Blouse, £35
12 of 18Linen Blend Ankle-Grazer Trousers, £35
13 of 18Pure Cotton Cropped Utility Jacket, £35
14 of 18Frill Detail Blouse, £35
15 of 18Wrap Midi Skirt, £39.50
16 of 18Button Detail Utility Bomber Jacket, £45
17 of 18Navy Wide Leg Trousers, £39.50
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