Per Una

Per Una is Marks & Spencer's more decorative range, and it turns up here fairly often. The rail typically holds tops, shirts and blouses, with a few pairs of trousers and jeans alongside them. Sizes usually run from UK 8 to 18. Expect floral, striped and abstract prints, plenty of summer and holiday pieces, and the occasional sheer layer. Almost everything is graded very good or better.

8 products

Buying preloved Per Una

What turns up on the rail

Per Una arrives in a fairly predictable shape. Blouses and printed tops lead the way, so it is worth starting in women's tops or the shirts and blouses section if you are after something with a print. Floral is the most common pattern by a good margin, followed by stripes and looser abstract designs. Short sleeve and long sleeve styles both appear regularly, and there is usually a small group of sheer or semi-sheer pieces meant for layering over a cami.

  • Tops and t-shirts in cotton and cotton blends, often with a print or a detail at the neckline
  • Shirts and blouses, some plain, most patterned
  • Trousers and jeans in smaller numbers, listed under trousers and jeans
  • Summer and holiday pieces, lighter fabrics, easy shapes

Sizes typically span UK 8 to 18, though the spread shifts week to week. Condition leans very good, with the odd piece still carrying its tags.

Sizing and fit notes

Per Una generally follows standard M&S sizing, which most people find true to the UK high street or a touch generous. That said, the range covers several different fits over the years, and the more shaped blouses can feel narrower across the bust than the relaxed cotton tops in the same size. Trousers vary more than tops, particularly in rise and leg length, so treat the label as a starting point rather than a promise.

Older pieces may also sit differently from recent ones. Fabric with a bit of stretch tends to be forgiving; woven cotton shirts less so. Because every item here is secondhand and one of a kind, we measure rather than guess. If you want chest, waist, hip or length figures for a specific piece before you commit, just ask and we will send them over.

Why buy it preloved

Per Una sits in the mid-range of the high street, so the fabric and finishing are usually a step up from the cheapest options, and pieces hold their shape through plenty of wear. That is exactly what makes them worth buying second hand. A blouse that has already been washed a few times has done its shrinking and settled, and you can see how it has held up in the photographs.

The prints are the other draw. Per Una changes patterns every season, so a lot of what arrives is no longer on sale anywhere new. Browsing all women's clothing alongside the brand rail is a decent way to find a match for something you already own.

Common questions

Is Per Una the same as Marks & Spencer?

Per Una is one of M&S's own clothing ranges, aimed at more decorative, print-led pieces rather than basics. You will sometimes see it labelled Per Una Speziale, which was a smarter sub-range with dressier fabrics. Both come through here, though Speziale is much rarer.

What condition are the Per Una items in?

Almost all of the Per Una on the rail is graded very good, with occasionally one piece new with tags. Very good means light signs of wear at most, no holes and no marks we have not described. Every grade is assigned by hand after the item is checked and photographed.

Do you have Per Una dresses and knitwear?

Honestly, not often. The Per Una that comes to us is mostly tops, shirts, t-shirts and the odd pair of trousers, so if you have your heart set on a dress or a jumper you may leave empty-handed today. Stock changes constantly, so it is worth checking back rather than assuming.

Are the sheer blouses see-through?

Some are, and we say so in the listing when a fabric is sheer or semi-sheer. These pieces are designed to go over a cami or vest rather than on their own. If you are unsure how opaque something is, ask and we will hold it up to the light for you.

What if the Per Una piece I want is not here?

The rail turns over quickly and new pieces go up most days, so the gap you are looking at now may well be filled by next week. Tell us the category, size and rough colour you are after and we will keep an eye out. It costs nothing and saves you refreshing the page.