Featured image: Summer Gisele Elliott-Bibby

Fashion Editor Summer Gisele Elliott-Bibby is on the ground analysing fashion trends for students in Manchester Met.

The unpredictability of British weather has led to many of us not knowing how to remain stylish with our outfits during the cold start of the year. Even though Manchester was recently threatened with a short spell of sun, it’s still the time of year when puffer jackets are more of an essential piece of kit than a fashion choice. Manchester Met students are taking it upon themselves to redefine the drawn-out cold season by coming up with statement pieces that embrace their individuality.

Consisting of the ‘running late’ to my lecture fit to networking with fellow fashion creatives in Manchester. There have been some overall trends with the photos that have been collected.

The Adidas Originals Essentials wide leg became a must-have for those in first year Fashion Communication – whether you’re wearing the brown, blue or khaki pair, you are a part of the Adidas ‘it group’. Manchester students taking heavy inspiration from the roots of Mancunian culture and Adidas to recontextualise athleisure wear into casual, everyday fashion has been popular on campus this year. At the same time, vibrant Adidas two-pieces are common, adding to the 1990s retro-athleisure look. Other current looks worn by students are assembling Adidas originals track jackets, spezials, sambas and football jerseys into iconic streetwear pieces. 

Many of us know the history between Manchester’s nightlife in the 1990s and Adidas. But the brand’s recent collaborations with the city like Manchester United x Adidas 1991 and the Originals Forever campaign with Oasis are a reminder of why the brand is still thriving in and around Manchester. As Adidas keeps marketing towards Gen Z through campaigns and recent collections, any decline in the love for the brand doesn’t seem to be happening anytime soon. 

Cropped jackets in the style of leather, bomber and trench have been another student favourite as we are slowly transitioning to the warmer months. The beloved fashion staple made its way back into mainstream high-end fashion around 2024. Recent collections highlighting cropped jackets include Burberry’s autumn and winter show for 2026 and Balenciaga’s offerings at Paris Fashion Week 2026.

Not only have cropped jackets been a long favourite in the fashion industry, but they have been recycled through film over the past few decades. Fashion icon of the late 90s to early 2000s, Carrie Bradshaw, has once again reemerged into modern society as Sex and the City has found popularity amongst younger Gen Z. 

Overall, the trend of cropped jackets amongst Manchester Met students has allowed them to stay stylish while keeping warm through layering. They are also perfect for a busy day of running errands, often paired with Docs, Timberlands, Adidas trainers, or Uggs. Cropped jackets will always remain an essential, as they make the perfect accessory – whether it’s for a cosy outfit or a formal one. 

The last student favourite is the all-time classic fashion material: denim. Jeans are a necessity for most as they’re perfect for nights out in the cold Manchester breeze. From figure-fitting jackets to baggy silhouettes, the cycle of denim styles will always capture the imagination of well-dressers. Recently, the fashion industry has been fascinated over the skinny jeans revival, which has yet to be seen at Manchester Metropolitan. Common ways that denim jeans have been styled on campus are overlayering with long skirts and oversized tees, or with bulky belts and scarfs hanging on the waist.

Other early year favourites of Manchester’s students that shouldn’t be forgotten are fun colour stripe combinations in long sleeve t-shirts, pastel and light colour cotton basics and knitwear in navy blue and burgundy red.

Overall, Manchester Met students are staying stylish throughout this cold start to the year using self-expression and comfortability to create cool (yet warm) outfits. Hopeful predictions for the spring and summer seasons include lace tights, coral as a popular colour in clothing, and last but not least, more of a variety of prints in jhorts.