This week's weather in Manchester has had everyone stuggling for what to wear, myself included. Before heading into the city centre, I did actually post a tweet asking if I was going to need a jacket. By Wednesday, after two days of almost 40 degree heat, it had cooled down with a nice breeze - though my choice of pink leather jacket was probably misguided, as it was still rather humid.
Other shoppers, students and workers in the city had managed to get the balance just right, though, opting for light summer dresses, shorts and midi dresses.
This week, it was lovely to see so many people in the city for different reasons. Some had been on a visit to the Tatton Park Flower Show, while others were celebrating graduation. However, one lady had travelled all the way from Austrailia and admitted that Manchester is even cooler than Melbourne - and she didn't mean the weather.
READ MORE: New mum from Knutsford and student from Bolton among Manchester city centre's best dressed
Other Mancs had decided to spend their day off work in town, with a lecturer having picked up some books in Waterstones, and a Manchester Airport worker planning on adding some pieces to her wardrobe.
So here are six of the best-dressed people I spotted in Manchester this week, and how to get their look. I hope it gives you a little bit of inspiration for your own wardrobe - it certainly did mine!
Paula Strachen
Glaswegian gal Paula was in Manchester waiting to go to Tatton Flower show with a friend. The 46-year-old was taking a break near Piccadilly Train Station and seemed to have nailed dressing for the weather with a summer dress and cardigan.
She said: “I like a lot of black and white but I do try to inject a bit of colour. My dress is from Warehouse, but I didn’t pay full price. When I shop online I like to shop the sale and I got it for about £15 on offer. My cardigan is from H&M and a fairly recent purchase.”
In terms of inspiration, Paula admitted she dabbles in a bit of Instagram, but also looks to the ‘oldies’ like Kate Moss, and other 90s icons.
Hong Li
On her day off work, Hong Li - who works in retail at Manchester Airport - was in the city centre doing some shopping, and looking ever so stylish doing so.
The 34-year-old gets ideas for outfits from glossy magazines, but has a strong sense of style and is confident in her wardrobe.
She said: “My white heels are from Schuh and cost me around £50, the top was actually from TK Maxx. I paid £69.99 but it should have cost a lot more so I got a good bargain.”
Hong’s green pleated skirt was from H&M and cost £39.99. She added: “I do look at a lot of magazines, but I just like my own style so I mix and match my wardrobe.”
Stuart Crowther
The peek of a Blur t-shirt had me stopping acting lecturer Stuart on Market Street as he was heading for a mooch around town. Originally from Rochdale, the educator now lives in Hulme, and was in the city for a work-related meeting.
The 36-year-old’s outfit was created with a mix of secondhand and borrowed wares, as well as some vintage-style balloon jeans.
He said: “My Blur vest is really old and I suspect it was second hand, though the jeans are a balloon jean from Bershka on ASOS. My trainers are Nikes which I stole from my partner and the jacket is from one of my students who had a sale to raise money for their end of year project.”
Stuart is a big believer that fashion should be fun, and enjoys rummaging in second hand shops to find pieces to add to his wardrobe. He added: “I look at a lot of charity shops for inspiration. I think clothes should be fun and we should have fun wearing them.”
Liv Woodward
Florist Liv Woodward stepped out of a taxi onto Tib Street before darting into Northern Flower, where she’s worked for the past year.
The 30-year-old, from Barnsley in South Yorkshire, currently resides in Ancoats and was wearing an outfit inspired by the Tatton Park Flower Show, where she’d just returned from.
She said: “We’ve been to the Tatton Park flower show - we’ve done a big exhibition there making a willow tree from flowers so I went with a botanical theme today.
“My Dr Martens are from eBay, and my dress is from Cow just up the road. The collar is actually detachable and was from Topshop.”
When shopping for outfits, Liv is inspired by high-end brands like The Vampire's Wife, which has been worn a number of times by celebrities like Holly Willoughby,
She added: “I really love Vampires Wife’s stuff. I love the silhouette with the high shoulders and tight waists. I love all the drama.”
Patryk Bialkowski
Having graduated with a Journalism degree from Salford yesterday, Patryk was out celebrating with friends over a few drinks in the Northern Quarter. I’d actually spotted him earlier in the day and lost him in a sea of people on Market Street, so I was pleased to see him again.
The 21-year-old, who lives near Ashton, loves a high fashion look. He said: “I get a lot of inspiration from runways, but I also work for a fashion company where I do visual merchandising so I have to stay on top of trends.”
With a £750 bag and £250 boots from Boot Barn, Patryk’s outfit cost well in excess of £1,000 and was the most expensive look of the day.
He said: “Shirt is a woman's shirt from Zara and was around £40, the shorts are Off-White and cost £350, the boxers are Zara and the Boots are Boot Barn and cost £250. All my necklaces are hand-me-downs.”
Victoria Mullings
Australian Victoria Mullings was enjoying a tea and brownie at Just Between Friends on Tib Street. The 68-year-old is embarking on a six-week travel adventure, with a quick three day pitstop in the city.
She said: “I have six and a half weeks out of Australia so I’m going to do a bit of backpacking across Southern Europe. I’ve been in London for five days and I’m in Manchester for three because I want to go to a place on the Yorkshire border where my dad comes from where I’ve never been.”
So far, she’s found Manchester to be stylish, even rivalling her home city of Melbourne. She added: “Manchester is so cool, it’s surprised me. Melbourne has a reputation for being quite cool but Manchester is cooler, it’s more stylish, the buildings are better. It’s just a really impressive place and the canals, buildings and people are just beautiful.”
Victoria wore a neon green dress from Zara that’s ‘a few years old’, paired with some orange sandals she brought down under for $25 in the sale. She added :”I’m quite a bargain hunter and I think I'm quite good at it, but my wardrobe is a mix of bargains, high street and a select few good pieces. I like to shop at All Saints and Selfridges. I get a bit of inspiration from the days of the punks and the hippies so sometimes I’ll give that a nod but not too much.”
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