As I pulled into Piccadilly station this week, rain beat down on the city streets in true Mancunian style. It's officially coat weather, though not a single one I own is waterproof or has a hood. I did receive a number of compliments on my green corduroy coat, mind, so not all is dampened by the weather.
Many shoppers had dressed far more appropriately for the rain, while others panic-bought ponchos and umbrellas to shelter from the drizzle. Sandals are well and truly shoved to the back of the wardrobe now, with boots - particularly Dr Martens - taking wardrobe centre stage this October.
Each week, I stop six stylish shoppers and ask them about their outfits for our Steal Their Style feature. This was the first week since July I wasn't able to stop people on the street due to the weather. Instead, I chatted to people inside Piccadilly Train Station and the Arndale Centre, who too, were trying to avoid the Great British weather.
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What I love about the fashion scene in Manchester is that people are often completely unapologetic, staying true to their authentic self. I always feel honoured when people open up to me in our short, five-minute conversations, proving that a shared interest in styling really does bring us closer.
In the latest edition of our weekly feature, I've chatted to Northern Soul lovers, bargain hunters and a retail worker with her own fashion-forward Instagram. Let's meet them. Here are this week's most stylish Manchester shoppers, and how you can Steal Their Style.
Eimear Corr
Eimear managed to nail the ultimate ‘day-to-night’ look with this 70s outfit that becomes the perfect night-out look in a matter of seconds. The 25-year-old, from Liverpool, was in the city for gin distillery work, but was heading to a Northern Soul event after clocking off.
She said: “This is actually a jumpsuit - I'm going out to a Northern Soul night later so I’ve got to make the outfit two in one. The jumpsuit was from Urban Outfitters and wasn’t very expensive because I used my sister’s student discount.”
One of five siblings, Eimear says her and her sisters are often stealing clothes from each other’s wardrobes. She added: “My boots are Dr Martens, they’re really old now, the coat is my sisters and the jumper is H&M. My sister’s boyfriend posted a photo of her wearing my pinstriped flares the other day and I decided to raid her wardrobe to get her back for stealing mine.
“I’m mostly inspired by a 70s look - I’d definitely say I'm the most stylish of my siblings, though. They’re always stealing my clothes.”
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Zowie Jones
Mum-of-two Zowie was meeting a friend in town for the first time since she got weight loss surgery at the start of the year. The 48-year-old, from Chester, needed the surgery following risk of multiple health conditions.
She looked the epitome of autumn in a midi dress, boots and red jacket, paired with a red lipstick she ‘always wears’. A self-confessed ‘sale girl’ Zowie’s dress was just £18 from Primark, while the boots were £15 and the jacket £20 from River Island.
She said: “If I like it, I buy it, it’s a motto to live by. I’ve always dressed quite glam, on the school run mums in their jogging suits always say I look glam to pick up my kids, but I think getting dressed up always makes you feel better.
“I love summer dresses and I still wear those in the winter with boots and a jacket - I love a bright outfit. You have to bring a bit of sunshine when the weather is miserable.”
Alma Renee
Italian fashion lover Alma not only has a dream job working at Arndale’s Monki store, but also shares her love of styling with others via her Instagram page . The 26-year-old, originally from Rome, has lived in Manchester for four years, and was spotted working the tills in almost entirely Monki.
She said: “I really love not spending too much on clothes, and working here I get to see what’s new in first and get them first. We also get staff discount which is a bonus. I got the jeans in the sale for £25, this jumper in the sale for £10 and the jacket was £30 and also in the sale.”
Alma wore a row of glitzy clips in her hair, paired with some jewellery, also from Monki. She added: “The thing about Monki is that, as a trans-woman, it caters to a really wide demographic of people that I resonate with. They really encourage sisterhood and that really warms my heart.”
As well as Monki, Alma also loves to shop online, especially on secondhand apps like Vinted. But when it comes to where she finds inspiration, she gave the loveliest response, commenting: “My mum and dad were really stylish, Italians just are, but Manchester is one of the coolest places to take inspiration from, so I take inspiration from there too.”
Sophie Doel
Stylish shopper Sophie looked stunning in a Zara snake print dress and sock detailed boots from ASOS. The 35-year-old, from Heywood, was doing a spot of shopping before heading out for an Indian meal with friends.
She added: “The jacket is from TK Maxx and it’s in its second or third year because it’s so comfortable and warm. So many don't have a hood and you need a hood when the weather is like this.”
Sophie enjoys brands like Zara, H&M, Mango, and New Look, but has the most genius hack to get them cheaper. She said: “Most of my buys are from Vinted - I'm a Vinted addict. I often walk around the shops to get some ideas and then go to Vinted and search for similar. Sometimes you can find the exact items for a couple of quid.
“I love to be comfortable so I love a midi dress. Put boots on with anything and it makes it more autumnal. I can swap to heels tonight and it’ll make it feel like a totally different look, too!”
Jessica Wallbridge
Out celebrating her brother’s 30th birthday, Jessica, from Sheffield, paired summer shorts with winter knits to bring the outfit up to season. The 33-year-old went for a thrifted beret, Primark jumper, Zara jacket and Dr Marten Chelsea boots, finishing the look with a Zara bag snagged at TK Maxx.
She said: “I love autumn styling, I just like to dress for the season, I can’t wait for Christmas to wear festive knits and glitter. I like Pinterest for inspiration - I'll look for an outfit I like and then try to piece it together from what I already have instead of heading out to buy things.
“These are summer shorts but with tights and a knit they can be more autumnal. I like to invest in boots and bags that I’ll use year after year. That said because nothing is waterproof and I've just had to buy a brolly and poncho from Flying Tiger!”
Paige Bovingdon
Paige, from Newcastle, loves ‘witchy vibes’, so October is absolutely her month when it comes to styling. The 29-year-old wore a plain black tee from Primark, with Damaged Society dungarees, which were £20 in the sale, and Dr Martens.
Paige says there are a couple of TV series where she draws inspiration, commenting: “Heartbreak High on Netflix has a really 90s grunge vibe which I absolutely adore. Anything gothic or alternative I love. I conformed to society for so long, when I hit 25 I decided to just dress how I wanted to, and not care what other people think. Another series I love was the original Charmed - I’d love to raid that wardrobe.”
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