Shopping for vintage clothing can be a brilliant way to find unique pieces at a lower price, and Britain’s ever-growing passion for vintage, especially with this season’s focus on the heritage trend, has led to a huge growth in the numbers of shops selling vintage clothing. This week we have narrowed down a few of Manchester’s best…
Affleck’s Palace, 52 Church Street. A treasure trove of bargains and one off pieces founded in 1982, with countless small shops selling everything from fancy dress to fur coats: there is almost nothing that you can’t find in here. There are also lots of great ‘vintage inspired’ shops, for those of you who aren’t sure about second-hand! COW, Piccadilly Gardens. This fairly new addition to the scene is vintage shopping on a whole new level, without the dirt, the dark and the rummaging. The masses of clothes are neatly ordered by item, colour and gender, with gorgeous accessories arranged throughout the store. The low prices and friendly staff are also huge bonus.
COW, Piccadilly Gardens. Photo: Ella Westall
Others to check out include Oxfam Originals and Pop Boutique, both found on Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter and Mockingbird in Withington.
A little further afield lies Decades in Blackburn, an extraordinary little shop that is an absolute must for any serious vintage fanatic, stocking pieces from every decade since the Victorian era, this is definitely the place to go for vintage occasion wear and rarer pieces. If you don’t feel up to the trek, Decades often visits clothes fairs including Clothes Show Live and Manchester Antique Costume and Textile Fairs.
Me&Yu, Affleck’s Palace. Photo: Ella Westall
And finally, my personal favourites when it comes to vintage shopping are Manchester’s many vintage fairs, where traders come together to bringing their best pieces so that you can spend all day rummaging through rails of beautiful clothes. These happen fairly regularly and are definitely worth keeping an eye out for! Happy shopping…
