Elizabeth Gaskell House has reopened just as Manchester embraces a new regency trend
A lot of elements of Regency fashion are actually very on-trend right now (particularly puffy sleeves and long floaty dresses), and you can easily recreate these looks with your favourite Manchester boutiques.
The former home of Elizabeth Gaskell – one of England’s most famous and noteworthy novelists – has officially reopened; transporting ticket-holders to the 19th century.
The grand neoclassical villa on Plymouth Grove is welcoming back guests for grand tours of the venue – offering you the chance to see where Elizabeth wrote some of her most famous novels.
During her residency here from 1850 to 1865, Elizabeth was visited by literary icons like Charles Dickens and Charlotte Brontë – rendering the Grade-II listed building one of Manchester’s most iconic historical landmarks.
A visit promises to plunge visitors into the Victorian era. And if you want to fully immerse yourself in the period, why not dress the part too?
A lot of elements of Regency fashion are actually very on-trend right now (particularly puffy sleeves and long floaty dresses), and you can easily recreate these looks with your favourite Manchester boutiques.
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Here are some of the best fashion offerings putting a modern spin on a century-old look.
Neon Rose has finally restocked its bestselling Textured Dobby Tiered Mini Dress, which is perfect timing for a visit to Gaskell House.
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Its puffed sleeves and floaty skirt are very reminiscent of the Regency style, but the sweetheart neckline and midi length are a bit less modest and more on-trend for this summer.
Love Lucy Boutique also sell a similar item, as their Puff Sleeve Sun Dress boasts the same puff sleeves and mint green palette.
However, the dainty floral print and side split takes it right into the 21st century whilst still drawing inspiration from the Regency style.
If you’re not afraid to show some skin, then Topshop’s Textured Stripe Mini Tea Dress is perfect for the occasion with its puffed sleeves and fitted bodice.
The 19th century influences are more subtle with this one, as the front tie and mini length is trendier – and besides, it’s been far too hot to wear those long floaty skirts this summer anyway!
Keeping with the maxi dress trend, Miss Selfridge are offering a Pale Yellow Poplin Puff Sleeve Dress, which is perhaps as close to Regency style as you can get from a modern outfit.
From its muted pastel colour to the fitted bodice with a flowing skirt, this outfit will have you feeling right at home in Elizabeth Gaskell’s house.
It isn’t without its modern influences, either, with the frilled hem being a slight nod to current trends without being too overstated.
So, now you’ve got the styles ready – you’re all set for a visit to Elizabeth Gaskell House.
The venue is open every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11am ‘til 4:30pm.
Manchester City finally release special Year of the Horse collection for Lunar celebrations
Danny Jones
Manchester City have officially launched their new ‘Year of the Horse’ kit, along with several other items in their latest lifestyle range.
The collection, which has been released as part of the Lunar New Year Celebrations, was leaked online in late 2025 before being officially teased earlier this year, but now Man City have fully unveiled the limited edition clothing items.
It follows the commercial success of their previous Chinese New Year-inspired kits and wider fashion lines over the last few seasons.
For anyone not up to speed on their Zodiac calendar knowledge, 2026 is officially (you guessed it) the year of the horse, hence this choice for the new ‘Capsule Collection’.
“Set in earthy, neutral tones, the limited-edition Year of the Horse Capsule Collection captures both the stillness of vintage Chinese portraiture and the motion of a team in full stride.”
Revolving around a grey and almost beige colour palette, the full drop includes a new pre-match ‘Anthem’ jacket, a dark graphic design tee, a baseball cap, as well as a soft horse plushie.
The focal point, however, is obviously the jersey itself – though it remains to be confirmed whether or not the special seasonal strip will be worn in any games this campaign as other one-off/special limited edition shirts have been in the past.
The price points range from £15 for the soft toy to £90 for the adult shirt, with the aforementioned Puma KING Anthem zip-up jacket already available in six colours.
What do you make of the latest lifestyle collection, Blues?
Somewhat fittingly, the Year of the Horse and other items finally debuted on the same day that their local rivals across the other side of town, Manchester United, released some new threads of their own: the second Adidas x The Stone Roses collection.
As for this years Lunar celebrations, the official plans for here in Manchester city centre have now been revealed. You can find out more down below.
Manchester United officially launch second Adidas fashion collab with The Stone Roses
Danny Jones
After several weeks of teasers, the latest fashion collab between Adidas, Manchester United and The Stone Roses has officially revealed.
We have no doubt this one will be lapped up just as quickly as the first.
Following images of the new Stone Roses x Man United kit and the focal point of this new collection being leaked online earlier this month, the second drop by Adidas has now been unveiled in full.
Releasing another stylistic video to the tune of the legendary Manc band’s famous anthem, ‘I Wanna Be Adored’, players both past and present from the men’s and women’s team star in the launch video.
As you can see, not only did the players get involved with the shoot as expected, but the clip also includes a snippet of archive footage featuring a young Ian Brown in a short but profound talking head.
The Stone Roses frontman, and indeed other members of the band, have never made their love of United a secret – none more so than the late, great Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield – and the supporters have also shared plenty of it back.
Be it through ‘This Is The One’ being chosen by Gary Neville as the official walk-out song at Old Trafford and various chants sung to Stone Roses tunes, to the previous collab back in February 2024, the two iconic cultural brands pretty much go hand in hand.
Besides the next multi-coloured paint-splashed shirt, which leaked first, as well as a new bucket hat (again, very era appropriate), there are scarves, a graphic design t-shirt, two sets of shorts and even two different pairs of shoes.
Images of the white Stone Roses trainers also popped up in leaks across various Man United fan accounts on social media, but few had seen the black ZX 600 Adidas trainers until now.
What do you make of the latest batch of lifestyle fashion from the club?
Meanwhile, with just days left in the transfer window, it remains to be seen whether new interim manager Michael Carrick will be rewarded for his first two wins against the top two in the league with any reinforcements before the end of January – but there are some rumblings…
Daisy Bradbury -
18th August 2020 
