Featured image: Laura Sheridan
It’s no secret that Manchester is a hub for all things fashion. With its long history of being a ‘Cottonopolis’ it’s inevitable that the city leads the way in major fashion design and trends. With growing calls for sustainable practices, Manchester is the perfect place to find an endless amount of independent vintage and second-hand shops.
Shopping second-hand is a brilliant way to keep your carbon footprint to a minimum, but knowing where to look can be tricky with so many shops to choose from. So we’re sharing our guide to hours of vintage treasure hunting!
BARE NECESSITIES
Manchester is home to not one but two Bare Necessities (one of which is conveniently located right across from campus). Here you’ll find endless rails of vintage clothes at cheap prices. Every time you go in, you’ll be sure to find new stock to spend hours looking through, from vintage Levi jeans to skirts going for as little as £1.99.
AFFLECKS
Afflecks has titled itself an ‘emporium of eclecticism’, and it sure lives up to its reputation. Home to 60 shops across four floors, there are hours of browsing through vintage gold from independent retailers right at your fingertips (you could even get a piercing or tattoo while you’re at it). Afflecks is also known to be a safe space in which you can experiment across a variety of retailers, and there is sure to be something for everyone.
BLUE RINSE
Blue Rinse Vintage, located on Oldham street in the Northern Quarter, sells used, recycled and reworked clothing. Their ‘Re made in England’ line can be found in Urban Outfitters as well as being currently one of the largest vintage wholesalers in the UK. Their shop has an amazing selection of accessories, as well as brilliant themed window displays for inspiration.
POP BOUTIQUE
Located on the first floor of Afflecks, Pop Boutique first opened in 1994 in the heart of the Northern Quarter. The shop is packed with quirky vintage pieces as well as own-brand goods. The stock ranges from 1950s dresses to mod jackets, with a swinging 60s vibe to the entire shop, there is a warm atmosphere sure to give a unique shopping experience to anyone who visits.
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