The best independent womenswear retailers in Manchester

Both a serene shop on Hilton Street in the Northern Quarter and a brand in its own right, Beaumont Organic is home to a small but carefully considered collection of clothing which is designed for everyday wear. Step inside this airy space and browse timeless pieces like jersey dresses and linen blouses made from high-quality, sustainable textiles. Plus, they only release two collections per year, so you know they aren’t chasing the relentless fast fashion cycle. 

Originally a kidswear brand, founder Coral was inspired to start Emiko after seeing the harsh realities of fast fashion while working in Bangladesh. Now with their own store on Great Underbank in Stockport – featuring an open workshop where you can see talented makers create every garment by hand – they’ve established themselves as a brand of unique-but-wearable designs which reference Japanese minimalism and traditional workwear. Head here for organic, artsy shapes, sustainable fabrics and bold patterns.

A stand-out even amongst the strip of notable independent business found on Chorlton’s Beech Road, McQueen Independent is a boutique that’s been doing its thing since 1994 (arguably pre-dating the trope of the Chorlton hipster itself). The store itself is small but full of beautiful pieces, and staffed by knowledgeable people who have loads of styling suggestions and ideas. If you’re into bold and romantic clothing, Scandi-style dresses and intriguing accessories, McQueen Independent is an abundant treasure trove.

Brighton-born NOLA describe themselves as ‘an independent apparel and lifestyle store’, and it’s hard not to be charmed by their aesthetically-pleasing Manchester boutique, inside one of the city’s prettiest shopping spots – the ornate Barton Arcade. Inside, you’ll find a mix of trendy and timeless clothing from brands like Le Bonne Shoppe and Soeur, as well as hand-crafted pieces from their own brand. Their ethos is about encouraging people to buy fewer, better things – so while it’s not the spot for shopping on a budget, it is a place you’ll find unusual pieces you’ll wear for a very long time.

Starting out as a vintage shop in Stockport, and inspired by founder Elizabeth Morgan’s love of seeking out rare fashion gems, The Norah Store has since evolved into a sleek Ancoats boutique. Sourcing some of the most cutting-edge brands from around the world, The Norah Store constantly presents a rotating selection of clothing, footwear, accessories, and home and skincare from cool girl favourites like Miista, Hosjberg and Baggu. Seek out Norah if you’re looking for pieces that are all about quality and making a statement, with retro influences from the 60s through to y2k. They also regularly host brand pop-ups, sip-and-shop events and generally fashionable soirées. 

Located on Stockport’s Underbank (where else?) and founded by a lifelong Stopfordian who’d previously worked in Flannels, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, Old Town General Store hosts a curated selection of independents for men and women. It’s a must-visit for fans of effortlessly cool brands like Meadows and Baum Und Pferdgarten as well as practical footwear brands like Novesta and TEVA. Pop in if you’re looking for something special for an occasion, or just a refresh your tired old trainers for more fashion-forward pair.

This is a real ‘if you know, you know’ fashion gem. The people of Altrincham have been familiar with Elite for years, though there’s now a city centre store in their pre-loved empire too. Dress agencies work by buying up unwanted clothing and accessories from those who don’t want them any more, cleaning them up and selling them on again. That means you can find all sorts of pieces from the likes of Gucci, Alexander Wang and Bottega Veneta, and there are some bargains to be had if you’re willing to get rummaging. For shoppers who love the thrill of a good charity shop find, Elite very much ups the ante. 

Open for three decades, Pop Boutique has been around so long that the fashionable styles of 1994, when it opened, now adorn its shelves and rails. With a flagship on Oldham Street, and a long-standing section in Affleck’s too, Pop Boutique’s mod roundel logo and distinctive musty smell will be familiar with many a keen vintage hunter. Head to either of the Pop Boutiques for floral dresses, 80s and 90s denim, leather jackets, old school sportswear and retro accessories at thrift-friendly prices.

Suzy Loves Milo is a relative newcomer to the established NQ vintage scene, tucked off Stevenson Square on Spear Street. They’re all about designer and rare vintage, with a distinct nod to streetwear. The womenswear section is a truly eclectic blend of classic brands, streetwear and reworked pieces, as well as vintage jewellery and sunglasses. A wonderland of weird and wonderful items from decades past, it’s no surprise that Chic mastermind Nile Rogers has been spotted there browsing the rails. Le freak, c’est chic, indeed.

Ardwick isn’t the first place that springs to mind when it comes to shopping for premium vintage gear. SYLK Store – hidden away in a warehouse on a backstreet behind the Apollo – is changing that, one trench coat at a time. Dexter and Sophy relocated from London to their hometown of Manchester back in 2016, and now curate the monochromatic SYLK Store both online and from their old mill space. Step into an Instagrammable world of designer pieces in exclusively muted tones, taking in labels like Dior, Ralph Lauren, Gucci, YSL, Burberry and Givenchy – but at considerably lower prices than buying new.

With a huge warehouse on Piccadilly Trading Estate, Vintage Folk are specialists in vintage and pre-loved streetwear. This place is ideal for those who love to roll their sleeves up and rummage around in search of a rare gem. If you like your heritage workwear brands, fringed suede and beaded going-out tops to have a story behind them (and a more affordable price tag to boot), set some time aside and get yourself down to Vintage Folk. They also take their show on the road, with pop-up events across the country.

From their state-of-the-art concept store on St Mary’s Gate (every surface is either marble or metalwork) END. are synonymous with stocking some of the coolest brands around, from the athletic likes of Asics and New Balance, to the runway-adjacent like Acne Studios, APC and Loewe. Nothing in here is particularly budget friendly, but in terms of craft and style, END. is very much the mothership.

Like a trip back to a more glamorous era, Kiku Boutique is an emporium of velvet and lace. With a specialism in traditional corsetry and millinery, this place is the antithesis of minimalist fashion. Think luxurious fabrics, bold colour combinations and industrial quantities of feathers. A mix of vintage and independent brands, you can shop for nightwear, millinary and occasion wear. In fact, there doesn’t even have to be an occasion – yes, you do need that 1940s embroidered robe for pottering around your kitchen. Obviously.