From band tees to music-influenced accessories, Manchester is filled with ways to unite your music and style tastes.
There’s currently a growing interest in using fashion to commemorate your favourite bands and music genres, and Manchester is no exception – it has potentially the country’s richest music history to draw from.
For any Mancunians looking to achieve these music-inspired looks – this guide ought to help.
Band tees often function as the best way to pay tribute to your favourite musicians – making a clear statement on where your allegiances lie.
When shopping for t-shirts in Manchester, look no further than Lemon Music Store, a small company selling 100% official licensed merchandise from the bands they love.
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Whether you’re looking for The Stone Roses, Joy Division, The Smiths or various other bands, Lemon has got you covered with the real deal rather than some cheap knock off.
Various high-street stores sell these gems, but NOTE Skateboard Shop stock potentially the city’s largest collection with a massive variety of bucket hats to choose from.
NOTE sells every colour and pattern imaginable of these iconic hats to pair with any outfit and can be found in the Tib Street and Thomas Street stores.
Get creative with custom patches, badges and belt buckles
If your outfit needs some added flair and individuality, Panic Posters is selling various music-inspired patches and belt buckles that perfectly fit the bill.
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You’ll find everything from Iron Maiden and Metallica to local bands in their Afflecks store – as well as music-based buckles such as drum sets and turntables, which is an easy way to jazz up an otherwise tired belt.
Perhaps you don’t want to shout about your music obsession from the hilltops and instead want something more understated? Well, String Effects has got you sorted.
This venue is recycling guitar strings into ethical and elegant jewellery, complete with gemstones, crystals and charms.
These gorgeous one-of-a-kind pieces are a great way to put your old guitar strings to use and would make a great gift for a retired musician or to preserve an old instrument into a precious keepsake.
Liam Gallagher founded Pretty Green in 2009, creating a one-stop shop for authentic outfits inspired by the famed Oasis singer.
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The brand aims to unite people through a love of music and fashion, creating iconic looks that would look at home on the Gallagher brothers during the height of their career.
Whether you want a new pair of espadrilles or an Oasis-inspired track top, Pretty Green is a must-visit for achieving these iconic looks.
Style
A local indie fashion brand is cleaning tired old trainers while handing out free shoes and ice cream
Danny Jones
A Manchester-based fashion brand is looking to give back to the community with a wholesome new initiative that will see a charitable trainer cleaning service swapped for a brand-new pair of shoes and free ice cream.
Nope, this is not a scam or some kind of prank, just a local indie label doing some lovely for the community and an important a crucial UK non-profit.
In case you’ve not come across the name before, we’re talking about rising sneaker makers KayKrepz, who are behind the increasingly popular model known as the ‘Kezy’, available in a select few colours.
Sneaker heads may have already spotted a select few pairs out on the streets of Manchester, where the designer’s story begins, but we have a very strong feeling you won’t get many other opportunities to get your hands on a pair of these for free.
The ‘Kezy’ in Earth GreenAnd in CreamA very fresh pair of creps, it has to be said – and who could say no to free shoes designed right here in Manchester? (Credit: Supplied)
Speaking to The Manc, creator Kezi told us that building a bit of a community and supporting the local area is just as important as growing the brand itself.
“I really wanted to have a shoe brand that people can afford to buy that are also still comfortable as well as look and feel nice, plus it’s a good way to gather unwanted items to give to Centrepoint.” We couldn’t agree more.
For anyone unfamiliar with Centrepoint, who have a big base here in Greater Manchester, they are a nationwide charity that combats rough sleeping and specialises in youth homelessness, in particular.
It goes without saying that collecting free articles of clothing is an integral part of their work.
So, with that in mind, Kezi and co will be holding ‘The Sweet Swap’, where those who attend can exchange their unwanted, old shoes for a free pair of KayKrepzAND a scoop of premium ice cream.
This is all in return for a free shoe cleaning service which will see those same trainers traded in, given some much-needed TLC, before being donated directly to Centrepoint. Love it.
We’ll back pretty much any small business trying to make it in our region, but it’s fair to say getting behind causes like these is especially easy.
Including the new ‘Butterscotch’ model, the Kezy shoe is usually priced at £69.99, making it arguably one of the most affordable high-end, top-quality trainers on the market at the moment.
Naturally, there will only be a limited number of pairs available and shoes handed in must be of a good enough quality to be passed on via the charity; KayKrepz’s Street Swap scheme will be operating on a strictly first-come, first-served basis.
Taking place at All Saints Park (M15 6BW). You can reserve your limited free tickets right now from the event page HERE.
Just make sure to leave your name and shoe size when signing up.
Luxury tattoo studio with world-famous clients to open in Manchester for the first time
Daisy Jackson
A tattoo studio with a roster of VIP clients is heading to Manchester, as The London Social prepares to open The Manchester Social.
The world-renowned studio, which counts celebs like David Beckham, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice and Sam Smith as its clients, is opening its first site outside of the capital.
Set to open next week, The Manchester Social tattoo studio will span three floors and 2,200 sq ft on King Street.
They say this new tattoo parlour will be ‘serve Manchester’s elite’ and offer a convenient location for existing regulars, including Luke Shaw and Mason Mount.
The Manchester Social studio will offer the same bespoke tattoo experiences and world-class artistry it’s famous for, but with eight new artists, all from the Manchester city region.
The business is headed up by Miles Langford – named by The Times as one of the world’s most exclusive tattoo artists – and already has tattoo parlours in Fitzrovia, Soho and Angel in London.
It’s famed for fine-line specialty designs and will bring a luxury tattoo space to the historic King Street for the first time.
Miles Langford, founder of The London Social, said: “Opening our first location outside of London is a huge step in our business journey but Manchester seemed like the obvious choice.
Inside The Manchester Social. Credit: Supplied
“A key selling point for me was the building and its location. King Street is known for being the epicentre of luxury in Manchester so it was a no brainer for us to make the decision on where we would fit in best.
“An indescribable amount of hard work has gone into making this store one of our best yet, all whilst maintaining its Manchester foundations and we can’t wait for Manchester to get the experience that our London clients love so well.”
Holly Whitcomb, associate director at DTZ Investors, said: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome such an exclusive brand like The London Social to King Street.
“King Street is known for being the go-to place for luxury retail and leisure and addition of The Manchester Social will be help to diversify the offering on the street, aligning with our ambitions to be a go-to destination in Manchester City Centre.
“From its VIP feel, to star-studded clientele, we’re looking forward to seeing footfall soar on the street.”
The Manchester Social will open on Saturday 5 April at 9 South King Street – find out more HERE.
Daisy Bradbury -
18th June 2021 
