I’ve found that there’s a real division of opinion when it comes to vintage fashion. Some people can’t get enough of rooting through the rails of a charity or vintage shop, and others simply can’t stand the thought of wearing other people’s old clothes, or wearing similar styles to those popular some 30 years ago.
It begs the question, what is modern fashion, anyway? Look anywhere on the high street today and a good 70 per cent of what you’ll find will be a nod to the 90s. Honestly though, take me to a store and point me in the direction of ‘2022’ specific styles? Tell me, what jeans are ‘in’? Because it’s definitely not definitive anymore.
Personally I’m a big fan of 70s fashion, be it genuine, authentic St Michaels and Spinney, or brands putting their own twist on the decade with cuts and patterns reminiscent of years gone by.
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And while mooching through Manchester’s Northern Quarter checking out everyone’s style, I couldn’t help but notice that there is a big resurgence of vintage fashion, or at least fast-fashion-does-vintage. Y2K and 90s styles have perhaps become more prominently popular in recent months - but where are people getting their inspiration from?
This week, I’ve been out chatting to shoppers, students and city workers about their outfit picks to find out where they shop, how they style themselves, and how you can Steal Their Style.
The weather had cooled down a little after the two-day heatwave, but those strutting the streets of the city were still dressed for the summer, boasting bright dresses or layered looks that would work whatever the Great British weather threw at them.
Since starting this feature a month ago, I’ve noticed that Dr Marten’s appear to be the shoe of choice for many, with around a fifth of stylish Mancunians stopped already having completed their outfit with them - be it sandals, shoes or boots.
One worker in the city swears by colourful comfort in the look, while others adopt their style from social media like Instagram and TikTok. And it was great to see so many people supporting independent businesses like Blue Rinse and Oi Polloi in their everyday style.
I stopped these six trendy shoppers and asked where each of them got their outfits - and this is what I found out.
Frankie Buttons
Frankie Buttons bounded onto Tib Street in a pair of blue Dr Marten sandals and a bright pair of dungarees, well and truly dopamine dressing for a summery day. The 34-year-old works at Luna in Afflecks Palace, and was on her way to the shop where she’s worked for 12 years.
The designer, from Stockport, said: “I get a lot of inspiration from Afflecks. It’s not only looking at people coming in but the whole eclectic style and ethos of being yourself.
“My Jumpsuit is from Lucy and Yak - I have a whole wardrobe of their stuff. I love everything they do - it’s comfortable, it’s colourful, it’s really ethical and a good price bracket and it just ticks all boxes for me.”
Frankie said she gets a lot of compliments on her Dr Marten sandals. She added: “I love the colour of them and they’re so comfortable. I like things that stand out but you can wear them all day long, it matters to me a lot.”
Jess Hunt
Just around the corner I bumped into Jess, 26, who was heading into Afflecks to get her hair cut. Wearing a strappy dress over a t-shirt, Jess - who lives in Didsbury - explained that she sometimes has to alter her own clothes.
She said: “I got my dress from Depop - I had to hem it because I’m 5ft 2in, but I have my own sewing machine. My t-shirt from Blue Rinse, and my bag is Weekday.”
Jess described how a lot of her current style is inspired by the music she listens to, including punk, techno and dance. She added: “I also like house and a lot of 80s. Amyl and the Sniffers is up there and one of my favourites at the moment. She’s amazing.”
Matt Wallais
Picking up a plant from a stall just off Piccadilly Gardens, Matt donned a vintage shirt with chinos and Dr Marten boots. The 25-year-old moved to Manchester from Essex in December, and was purchasing the plant to brighten up the office at work.
He told me: “My chinos are from an Australian brand called Oxford, and my shirt is from a charity shop in Falstone - then the boots are DMs from Cheshire Oaks.”
It goes to show that you can still dress with an element of individuality even for work, bringing a cool and stylish twist on office attire with vintage fashion.
He added: “In terms of inspiration, I just go with what I like. I like a bold or vibrant shirt and use that as a centrepiece usually.”
Laura Crossley
“I like colour in my day,” said Laura Crossley, from Salford, who - like Jess - was on her way to get a haircut in the city.
Laura, aged 40, wore a blue patterned midi dress with white trainers and a silver backpack, and looked like she was really having fun with her fashion.
She said: “My dress is from a little boutique called Seasons in Clitheroe town centre, it cost me £42. I normally get vintage clothes but I loved the colours and the price was really good.
“My trainers are Oliver Bonas, because if I don’t get vintage I always go there. Then my backpack is Hype - like a teenager. I didn't want a boring backpack.”
Laura follows a lot of vintage stores on Instagram, and likes to use their posts to help put her own outfits together. She added: “I really like Coast to Coast in the States, and her house is amazing.
She sells just really bright vintage clothes and looks incredible every day. Instagram has been bad for my purse! A shop called Yaaass Vintage in Dublin often puts style inspiration up and all the outfits they stock are to die for, as well.”
Darcy Farrow-Cox
Repping a jacket ‘older than anyone in his family’, Darcy was on his lunch break from his job at Manchester fashion retailer Oi Polloi when I asked him about his look.
“I love a military inspired look,” said the 27-year-old, from Stockport. “I get a lot of inspiration from old images from Life Magazine or some Japanese books. I like the Japanese take on American fashion.”
Darcy wore loafers from eBay with reversible frog skin trousers from a vintage shop and an Ivy League Japanese style shirt from Oi Polloi. He added: “My World War II jacket is older than anyone in my family. It’s falling apart but it looks a bit more contemporary.”
Ellie Noord
University of Birmingham English and Philosophy Ellie opted for a 90s look inspired by Asian street style.
She’d caught the train in from Cheshire for a day of shopping after she broke up for the summer. The 20-year-old told me how she snagged designer brands for pennies at charity shops, and then made them her own by mixing and matching different pieces.
She said: “My skirt is Brandy Melville but from a charity shop. I wouldn't usually go for a skirt like this as I prefer longer ones. Because it’s small I wanted to throw on a big t-shirt, jacket and chunky boots, so it would make it less girly and more punky.”
Ellie’s jacket was £15 from the charity shop, and her t-shirt, which is French Connection, was £5 in a second hand store. The only item she bought new was her boots, which were from ASOS.
She added: “I’ll pick individual pieces I like to make a look. I like an oversized look inspired by Asian street style. At the moment I like social media star Megan Trong, she’s really into gorpcore fashion like parachute pants and I really like that.
“TikTok is really good for inspiration and I think the 90s really is coming back in, too.”
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