M&S says shoppers are choosing separates for party season, velvet and knitwear are key

M&S has found that its female customers are “embracing a more versatile approach to occasion dressing” this party season with eight out of 10 best-selling lines across its party range being separates.

Rather than buying outfits for one-off events, shoppers are “investing in pieces that work harder — separates that move effortlessly from the office to evening plans”. Velvet is key, while embellishment and knitwear are also popular.

It added that the shift is being seen most prominently in sales of “luxe fabrics and modern tailoring, with velvet blazers and trousers leading the charge”. In fact, its velvet blazer has sold almost 10,000 units while satin wide-leg trousers “have become a wardrobe staple”, selling over 29,000 pairs. Additionally, “statement embellished knitwear is playing a starring role in elevating everyday looks for night-time”.

The retailer’s top-eight bestselling separates this season (not in order) include that velvet blazer at £80, the matching straight-leg trousers at £46 with fluid velvet wide-leg trousers (£40) in third place.

A frill detail cardigan is also strong, as are a gem detail screw neck sweater, a textured tie detail crew neck sweater, an embellished V-neck cardigan, and the aforementioned satin drawstring wide-leg trousers.

Interestingly, men are also embracing knit trends with sales of merino jumpers up 10% on the year versus same period last year and the company — which is UK market leader for men’s knits — expecting to sell around 20 men’s jumpers every minute in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

A lot of those will be bought as gifts as menswear accounts for the largest share of the clothing gifting market at 35%.

The company said that as well as that uplift in merino knit sales, cashmere is also proving popular with 100% cashmere sweaters seeing rising sales.

The success of its premium knitwear comes as it continues to evolve its Autograph Menswear offer. In just three years, Autograph Menswear has quadrupled in value and now represents almost a quarter of total menswear sales.

Mitch Hughes, the business’s menswear director, said: “Menswear is a growth opportunity for M&S and knitwear is leading the way. From merino and mohair to cashmere, customers are choosing more elevated knitwear that combines quality, value and versatility.”