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 United home kit for 2026/27 ‘leaked’ online in unboxing video
Danny Jones
Manchester United’s new home kit for the 2026/27 campaign has reportedly been leaked online in a YouTuber’s unboxing video ahead of next season.
We know fake shirts and dupes can be pretty accurate these days, but it looks very much like this could be the real deal.
Shared by dedicated football kit reviewer, ‘Retro Man‘, who has seemingly revealed the latest Man United jersey, this unveiling lines up with the previously rumoured designs circulated on social media.
A Red Devil himself, the creator has teased previous releases that turned out to be true in the past, so we’ll leave it up to all of you to decide how bona fide you think this supposed home strip is. Ever-reliable footy fashion peers, Footy Headlines, have also shared these images:
Uploaded to the channel on 25 April, Retro Man did a full overview of the United 26/27 home shirt, highlighting key features such as a red-forward collar with black and white accents.
That same trim is repeated on the ends of the sleeves – reminiscent of the 2011/12 iteration, only differing in the more crew neck style – and the back of the neck now simply reads “UNITED”.
It is worth noting that this is specifically the replica shirt that most fans will purchase.
Should it prove to be the genuine article, this will be the 11th Manchester United kit by adidas since they returned as manufacturers over a decade ago, a.k.a. the start of the Louis van Gaal era.
Retro Man has since posted another video showing off what he claims to be the ‘authentic’ version, too; you can check it out in more detail down below.
Looks pretty legit…
As you can see, the official player edition that will be worn on the pitch by actual United squad members (though they are still available to purchase by the public) appears to hold some key distinctions.
Besides some differences around the panelling and stitching, there is also a noticeable textured section along large sections of the interwoven fabric as part of the brand’s breathable and trademark ‘Climacool’ technology.
Elsewhere, the badge itself also looks to have a more embossed/raised finish. If this is the real deal, what do you make of it?
This isn’t the only United kit that’s caught some attention of late, either:
Featured Images — Retro Man (screenshots via YouTube)
Style
Claire’s is closing down stores in the UK and Ireland with more than 1,300 jobs set to be lost
Danny Jones
In another hit to domestic shoppers, Claire’s Accessories is closing down en masse across the UK and Ireland after entering into administration once again.
Falling into an unfortunate financial status for the second time in less than a year, Claire’s will be shutting down all of their standalone stores across Britain, along with their IE branches.
A total of 154 stores will soon disappear, with more than a thousand people set to be put out of work.
Once a mainstay of British high streets up and down the country, the accessory shop known for all things jewellery, piercings and more has ceased trading effective immediately.
Announced at the start of the week and the end of the first full month of Q2, it was confirmed that Claire’s closed their final locations on Monday, 27 April.
With administrators, Kroll, appointed to wrap up business proceedings, an estimated 1,300 English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh workers have now lost their jobs.
Founded way back in 1961 over in the United States, Claire’s has operated across the Atlantic for more than three decades.
However, with various other contemporaries and cheaper online options having appeared over the years, they’ve struggled not just to remain profitable but to compete full stop.
They most recently filed for bankruptcy in the US this past August (2025), with their Belgian, Spanish, and Dutch divisions having already called it quits.
Manchester location(s) have changed a lot over time, but now they’re on the way out (Credit: Arndale)
For many, the outcome isn’t all that surprising, but it will nevertheless be a sad loss for many who have seen multiple generations visit these venues over the years.
Daisy Bradbury -
18th August 2020 
