There was a real sense of excitement in Manchester this week - something electric in the air - everyone walking with a spring in their step. Maybe it was the after-buzz of the previous night's gig, or a sense of joy as the sun shone through the clouds onto the city streets - maybe it's because it's payday weekend for most.
For me, my eagerness to get into town was the fact that there was something different happening for Steal Their Style. Our regular readers might have spotted an upgrade in the snaps, as this week, I was joined by one of our photographers, Ant, who also happens to have a keen eye for a fashionable outfit and attention to detail.
For those reading Steal Their Style for the first time, this is our weekly weekend fashion feature, which sees Manchester Evening News hit the city centre in search of some of the coolest, most individual outfits. And there are some fantastic looks and stories behind them.
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As the cost of living crisis continues, I'm seeing more and more people saying they've moved to shopping second hand to make their wardrobes more affordable and sustainable, while others are opting for designer-looking outfits on a budget, going for high street brands and handpicking pieces that look expensive, but don't cost the earth.
This week, I've chatted to gig goers, Boohoo workers and city visitors and asked each one where their look is from, and what fashion means to them. And there were some really lovely, thoughtful answers. Here are the top five looks we spotted - and how you can Steal Their Style
Jimi Onamusi
Wearing a monochrome outfit complete with a tailored checked coat, Jimi Onamusi looked incredibly dapper as he strolled down Dale Street. The 26-year-old revealed he works as a financial analyst for Boohoo - the popular Manchester fashion brand.
Jimi’s personal style is mostly monochrome, with a blend of oversized and fitted styles to accentuate his former-model structure.
His whole outfit cost around £345 - the most expensive accessory being his £100 Vivienne Westwood necklace, hanging over his plain white tee, which was the cheapest piece of clothing he wore. His bargain shirt comes from a multipack of six from Costco that comes in at £20, making each individual top around £3.50.
He added a pair of Arne shoes which were £90, Uniqlo trousers for £35, and a £45 black Zara overshirt beneath a £90 overcoat.
He said: “I’m more of a comfort guy. I like things fitted, but oversized, which is the look I go for. I like to feel relaxed and be able to do a lunge in the outfit - but also just anything monochrome.
“Uniqlo is very simple but they don't lack quality and their prices are really good. I prefer when clothes don't have a brand on them but they still look expensive.
“I used to be a fit model and I was told I had a good shoulder, so I like a fitted suit or jacket but like my tees to be oversized, I like that juxtaposition.”
And a top tip from the Boohoo employee: “Their loungewear is really good, once in a while I’ll get their basics like white tees or their hoodies.”
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Bryony Beetham
Vinted-lover Bryony was heading down Thomas Street in search of a bar to enjoy a drink or two while visiting Manchester from Lytham. While she’ll always opt for Dr Martens to finish a look, the rest of her wardrobe is mostly second hand finds.
The 35-year-old wore a red and black jacket accessorised with a pin badge, which she paid just £5 for on the second hand selling app Vinted. She’d thrown it over a zebra print knitted dress from H&M, over a black top.
The look was completed with a pair of Dr Marten boots and a matching bag, as well as a lilac coloured beanie from an independent retailer.
Bryony said: “I shop second hand all the time as it’s really expensive to buy new and you can get some really good quality pieces. I love clothes so thrifting is more affordable.
“All the time I’ll see something I like out shopping and go home and then try and find it cheaper on a second hand selling site. Why spend all that money?”
Bryony loves that you can ‘express yourself through your clothes’, and draws inspiration from Instagram and her love of rock music, often opting for a layered look - like today's - to keep warm.
Kris Stewart
Who knew that Costco was the place to shop for your must-have wardrobe pieces? Kris also raved about the brand for their bargain garments, and said his trousers cost £15 and are his ‘favourite thing in the world’ for being both inexpensive and waterproof.
Kris, from Newcastle, had been to the Batushka + Hate gig at Rebellion the night before, and was heading to Gooey with his friends for a slab of their French toast.
The 39-year-old paired his cool khaki pants with a jacket from an American company called Creepy Co, while his doom band tee was from the merchandise site Evil Greed.
He finished the look with a pair of trainers that were gifted to him when he left his previous fashion retail job, as well as a Weekday hat and Glasses Direct specs.
He added: “I like to follow the outdoorsy trend, paired with being a bit gothic as I was one for most of my life. Having previously worked in the industry was also good so I try and dip my toe into that a bit, and I take a lot of inspiration from the people I used to work with.
“I’ve got a lot of tattoos as I’ve been getting them for years and it’s just a bit of teenage rebellion spilling into adult life, I've always strived to be a bit different.”
Konstantina Mavrommati
Born and raised in Athens, Greece, Konstantina, 26, is big on sustainability and saving money, so mostly shops pre-loved, or borrows clothes from her friends.
“I’m quite thrifty and I love shopping second hand,” she said. “I don’t want to support fast fashion. If I wanted I could afford to get it firsthand but I think shopping this way is more ethical and saves money.”
Konstantina looked very ‘Matrix’ in a long black coat which she purchased for £15 from a vintage ‘bazaar’ near Piccadilly - the same place she got her £10 flared jeans.
Her top was from H&M, borrowed from a roommate, and her belt was a gift - but even her Dr Martens were second hand, purchased on Depop for £60 - around a third cheaper than buying new.
She said: “Consciously I don't have a reference but being a creative, these visuals do influence me. I’m a photographer and artist, so see loads of photos of people and other things that might influence my style.”
Ruben Brailsford-Keegan
Teenager Ruben was out in the Northern Quarter handing out his CV in the hopes of getting a job, said some lovely things about his style identity - and I think we should all strive to be a bit more Ruben.
The 19-year-old wore a mismatch of thrifted items, including a yellow jacket that matched his Spongebob Squarepants socks, slipped into the only pair of shoes he owns.
“I don't care about shoes much as no-one really looks at them - I don't look at people's shoes, so why do you need more than one pair?” he said.
Ruben got his jacket and floaty trousers from a Blue Rinse kilo sale, pairing them with other vintage finds, including his Auntie’s knitted cardigan. His girlfriend also crocheted his headband.
He said: “I shop anywhere that’s cheap, for the affordability really. I’ve started to buy fabrics so I can try and make some stuff, too, as I’d prefer to make my own. I really like Leigh Bowery who I suppose you could say was a drag artist. I like things that are out there and a bit outrageous.
“I like anything that’s honest. If you’re not trying very hard I think you’re being more honest to yourself.”
And if there’s one thing to take away from this, maybe we should all be a little more honest to ourselves.
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