The best independent menswear retailers in Manchester

Supporting brands which ‘celebrate slow production and meticulous detail’, Auteur Store on Chorlton’s independent-dense Beech Road is a haven for clothes which have a bit of a story behind them. Bringing together classic menswear brands like Toast and Freenote Cloth and with a specific interest in all things 50s, it’s clear the store is curated by someone obsessed with vintage-influenced menswear. The store itself is one you’ll want to spend some time in too, all mid century furniture and plants, while proprietor Alex is often on hand for some invaluable consultation.

A mainstay at Altrincham Market for some years now, Joe & Co are garment producers of fine quality selvedge denim and luxury menswear. Don’t let the fact that Joe trades from a market stall deceive you – this humble-looking concern is deadly serious about quality. Joe, a true veteran of the Manchester fashion scene, works with the best UK, Japanese and Italian mills on the planet, to produce limited edition pieces in small batches, and has also turned out short-run collaborations with major footwear brands too, combining his unique aesthetic with the likes of Gola and Sanders. ‘Made for the few, not for the many’, is his motto, which rather says it all.

Having first opened their factory in 1853, Private White V.C. have a serious claim to authenticity. Housed in a red brick mill on the banks of the Irwell, where the city centre becomes Salford, Private White V.C. have been hand-making tailored garments for everyone from the armed forces to rock stars for over 150 years. Their creations are serious investment pieces, but their timeless shirting and outerwear are well worth the outlay.

With a shop in London and another in the Northern Quarter, Rivet and Hide specialise in Japanese denim and other casual wear. Founded because of an all-consuming obsession with different types of denim, Rivet and Hide quickly went from being an online retailer to having a showroom to having two dedicated stores. Stocking if-you-know-then-you-know brands like The Flat Head and Pure Blue Japan, as well as their own collaborations, this place is a wonderland for denim purists and general menswear fans alike.

A long-standing Beech Road resident, McQueen Independent has been a staple of the Chorlton scene since 1994. While they focus more on womenswear, they have a small but mighty menswear section too. They have a thing for utilitarian workwear-inspired pieces, colourful shirting and outerwear, and great quality cotton basics. For fans of brands like Uskees and Far Afield.

What started life as more of a general-type General Store, the OTGS has since come to specialise in apparel. 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. That includes classic outfitters like Armor-Lux and GH Bass as well as more modern, technical brands like Cotopaxi and Taion.

Beginning in Alderley Edge, but now residing on George Street in Altrincham, Parasol Store is for the discerning fashionista who has hobbies too. They say ‘home, life and travel’ is their remit, so if you’re into clothing with an outdoorsy edge, you’ll find brands like Barbour, Birkenstock and Carhartt WIP as well as well-designed accessories for all of life’s necessities (as well as some very stylish camping gear). 

Located in Uppermill in Oldham, the team behind Room 14 know their Berghaus from their elbow when it comes to swanky menswear. In their attractive brick-fronted shop there’s a carefully curated selection of sporty and outdoorsy brands, from the mega famous like Nike to the lesser known and independently spirited, like WAWWA.

Steranko, on Didsbury’s Burton Road, has been banging the drum for independent clothing in Manchester for over thirty years. They’ve evolved with the times though, always seeming to have their finger on the pulse of the most desirable menswear brands. In store, you’ll find a cohesive blend of heritage and modern, like old school French maritime brand Armor-Lux and high-end Japanese sneaker heads Flower Mountain, not to mention a hardy pair of Red Wings that you’ll probably be able to pass on to your grandchildren. You’ll look like a West Didsbury native in no time.

Yard Store is located within spitting distance of Manchester’s historic Cotton Exchange, a location steeped in textile history. Inside you’ll find brands which Yards Store say ‘pay homage to our surroundings’, including And Wander, Goldwin and Gramicci. A properly cool operation in a part of town known for high quality fashion options. 

These three uncompromising tailors have Savile Row training and opened Doherty Evans & Stott in 2012, bringing their next-level eye for detail to the world of menswear in Manchester. Whether you’re looking to buy a piece from some of the most prestigious menswear brands around (they are one of very few stockists of the brand Drake’s, for instance) or you’re looking to have a fitting session with one of these talented tailors, you’re guaranteed to come away with a special piece. A range of accessories, designed in house, are also available to buy, produced in a 200-year-old silk mill, adding to the sense of heritage. Don’t leave it until the last minute though, services including simplified wedding fittings – guided by experts – are offered with a lead time of 8 weeks.

Dooley & Rostron are the men’s outfitter located on King Street West, though you might better know them for being the home of coffee kiosk Factory Coffee, with which they share a shopfront. Dooley & Rostron say they are dedicated to ‘enduring style’, which means they offer ready-to-wear pieces as well as a made-to-measure service, for bespoke pieces with ludicrous attention to detail. Everything is made in-house, so it’s no surprise that this place is a favourite of footballers, celebrities and the great and good of Manchester.

Located on Knutsford’s King Street, Lanigan & Hulme are all about inviting customers in for a conversation about the finer things in fashion. They stock both mens and womenswear, but are more geared towards the discerning gent. Stocking a variety of heritage designs plus their own pieces, Lanigan & Hulme is the place to go to seriously elevate your wardrobe.

Curating unisex vintage from their store in the ABC Building on Quay Street, Permanent Orbit seeks out really special pieces from brands like Levi’s and Carhartt. If you like well-constructed garments with a little wear and tear and a heavy dose of Americana, you’re bound to find something you’ll love in here.

Initially trading from Affleck’s, Bionic Seven have occupied their racing green-fronted shop on Port Street since 2012. Their collection of vintage menswear leans heavily towards workwear, classic outdoors gear and Americana – three aesthetics that owners Nick and Imran think always have and always will look good. So whether you’re looking for a timeless 100% wool knit jumper, vintage sunnies, worker jackets or some more one-of-a-kind rarities, you’re bound to find something that tells a story at Bionic Seven.

You can find Gone Fishing on Oldham Street, which is the undisputed spiritual home of vintage in Manchester. They pride themselves on sourcing the very best second hand garments from around the world, with a particular obsession with Italian vintage, as well as pieces from the Stone Island and Supreme archives. You can count on finding pieces which are high quality and have bags of attitude too.

Located on the main student drag of Oxford Road, Bare Necessities say they want to make “sustainable fashion more affordable”. With rails and rails of pre-loved retro gear including designer sportswear, high quality denim, knitwear, leather and more you’re sure to find a unique piece that’ll mix up your wardrobe without frittering the student loan. With everything from y2k pieces back to 70s and 80s finds, it’s a total treasure trove for people who are over tManchester’s high street offerings.

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, with excellent brands on display from APC to Stussy. A wonderland of weird and wonderful pieces from decades past, it’s no surprise that Chic mastermind Nile Rogers has been spotted there browsing the rails. A must-visit for those who like to stand out.

Ardwick isn’t the first place that springs to mind when it comes to shopping for vintage gear. SYLK Store hidden away in a warehouse on a backstreet behind the Apollo, is changing that, one garm at a time. Dexter and Sophy relocated from London to their hometown of MCR back in 2016, and now curate SYLK Store both online and from their old mill space. This isn’t about raggedy sweatshirts and musty old denim, though. These are premium designer pieces, 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, old school band t-shirts, denim and athletic gear to have a story behind it (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.

This Manchester-born brand has their flagship store in the ABC building, neighbouring Permanent Orbit. Named after founder Junior Clint, the brand specialises in jerseys, tracksuits and sneakers with avant garde design references, as well as much-coveted footwear collaborations.

From their state-of-the-art concept store on St Marys Gate (every surface is marble or metalwork) END. are synonymous with stocking some of the coolest brands around, from the athletic likes of Asics and Air Jordan, to the runway-adjacent, like Alexander McQueen and Loewe. Nothing in here is particularly budget friendly, but in terms of craft and style, END. is the mothership.

Sneakers are serious business — with collectors flocking to outlets whenever new limited edition trainers hit the market. Nowhere in Manchester is this culture more visible than at KershKicks. The Edge Street store operates on a buy-sell-trade basis, allowing customers to grab a pair of the most sought after designs and deadstock footwear from big sports and casual wear giants, alongside more exclusive brands, make money on their own, or swap for a fresh look.

Located in the majestic Victorian surroundings of Barton Arcade, The R Store is a menswear store which sits at the intersection of heritage and streetwear, stocking classic American footwear like Red Wings and Stan Ray, as well as everyday favourites like Novesta and Superga. You’re bound to find something that’ll enhance any outfit.

With an exclusive little spot on Chapel Walks – you have to ring the door bell to go in and browse – This Thing Of Ours say they “grew increasingly frustrated with huge retailers and copycat stores all stocking the same products dominating the UK high street”. The result is this beautiful little store. Based around the simple concept that they stock things that they’d like to buy, you’ll find a blend of high-end brands from the worlds of hiking and skiing like Klattermusen and Oakley, as well as classic brands like Mackintosh, rare collaborations and loads of Japanese denim. A must-visit for any discerning dresser.

Their aim is to make garments ‘representing function and durability’, WAWWA (that’s short for We Are What We Are) make everything by hand in their Ancoats mill, where there’s also a showroom you can visit by appointment too. These guys make really simple streetwear, and pride themselves on developing their products to make the best version of a garment they possibly can, whether it’s a pair of cargo pants or a messenger bag. For the effortlessly cool of Ancoats.