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.
Music charity launches exclusive giveaway after naming Liam Gallagher as newest ambassador
Danny Jones
A local grassroots music charity is holding a special giveaway of exclusive Oasis x adidas Originals merch to celebrate Liam Gallagher becoming their latest ambassador.
The legendary British frontman and global rock icon is no stranger to teaming up with charities, but this latest project is seeing him focus on his hometown and the Manc music scene more than ever.
Brighter Sound, who are based right here in Manchester city centre, announced the one and only Liam Gallagher as their latest collaborator on Monday, 1 June, but that’s not all.
As mentioned above, they’re also holding a prize draw to raise funds for the cause, with some special kicks up for grabs – and they’re a model that became collectors’ items almost instantly.
The local music development organisation, which has been helping support young artists and aspiring creatives for more than two and a half decades at this point, revealed Liam would be teaming up not only to help promote fellow Mancunians in and around the music industry.
But there’s still much more to it than that.
With this special fundraising initiative also on the table – as are a limited edition pair of his sold-out adidas Achille SPZL trainers (including the extremely rare and highly sought-after Japanese-exclusive version) as part of the giveaway – this marks a commitment to supporting up-and-coming talent.
All proceeds from the charitable prize draw will go towards a crucial pot of money that will then go directly towards backing rising musicians across the region.
In case you haven’t seen the shoes in question, both Liam and his elder sibling Noel teamed up with adidas Originals during the Oasis Live ’25 merch boom and reunion tour phenomenon as a whole, each creating their own special ‘Spezial’ design. You can see more of them down below.
They obviously flew off the shelves rather quickly.
Speaking in an official statement, the 53-year-old said of the fresh partnership: “I’m honoured to be an Ambassador for Brighter Sound and support the new generation of creatives launch their music projects. We need more help for the arts, especially for the working class.”
Getting to work in and around his native territory across Greater Manchester will no doubt be an added bonus for the Burnage-born Gallagher brother.
As for Brighter Sound, the organisation’s director, Kate Lowes, added: “It’s a real honour to be working with Liam and his team on this special prize draw, and to welcome him as an ambassador for Brighter Sound. Manchester is an incredible place for music – and Liam and Oasis are a huge part of that story.
“This partnership reflects a shared commitment to making sure that more amazing talent continues to grow from the city and find its place on the world stage.”
For anyone looking to enter the prize draw and help support Brighter Sound’s work across Greater Manchester, you can do so right HERE.
Featured Images — Brighter Sound (supplied)/Jonnysmirth (via Wikimedia Commons)
Style
Manchester United reportedly set to release first-ever fourth kit for 2026/27 season
Danny Jones
In what will be a club-first, it’s being claimed that Manchester United will be releasing a fourth kit for the 2026/27 campaign.
And no, we don’t mean a special one-off pre-match jersey or training shirt; this will be an additional alternative Man United strip to be worn in games next season.
With the current term set to conclude in just a couple of games’ time, and the Red Devils having now secured a return to the Champions League, they’re marking their comeback with their inaugural fourth kit – one for each of the competitions they will be playing in this year.
Football clubs often rotate between two or even three kits, but it’s not all that often that you see a side springing for another one.
💣💣💣 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Adidas to Release First-Ever Manchester United 4th Kit in 26-27: https://t.co/xDJa8inmPG
As broken by reliable football fashion source, Footy Headlines, while there isn’t much information around what the kit will look like, or even what the colour will be just yet, it is believed it will be a variation on the classic trio of red, white and black used for home shirts, shorts and socks.
Historically, most teams that have opted to take on an extra kit usually do so when competing in more tournaments than most terms – such as Manchester City in the most recent Club World Cup – for special anniversary matches, milestone derbies, cup-ties or some kind of limited-edition collaboration.
However, according to the online outlet, this fourth kit will be match-worn at some point in 2026/27, though we are yet to get a clear timeline.
Meanwhile, posters for the new MUFC home shirt are currently going up outside Old Trafford.
Footy Headlines state that the launch is expected in early next year, rather than for the start of 26/27, and many supporters are already speculating that it will be worn primarily for European/cup fixtures.
Shirts like these are always likely to become collectors’ items, and it goes without saying that, besides being a helpful rotation when it comes to potential kit clashes, this will no doubt serve as yet another money spinner for both them and Adidas.
United’s current deal with the German kit manufacturers runs until 2035, and if this proves to be a popular addition to their sportswear lineup and the ever-growing ‘casual culture’ among fans, we wouldn’t be surprised if you see even more fourth shirts coming out of Manchester in the future.
Speaking of footy kits, for those who haven’t seen it already, he’s a close-up look at the aforementioned Manchester United home strip for next season.
Daisy Bradbury -
18th August 2020 
