You don’t have to choose between being stylish or sustainable anymore. These Manchester-based clothing brands are both saving the planet and your wardrobe.
In recent years, being sustainable and eco-friendly has become more of a necessity than a choice for many fashion brands – with industry revealed as the second largest source of pollution worldwide.
Yet, in a climate still dominated by fast fashion and constantly changing trends, it can be a lot harder than it seems to support this movement and find ways to shop sustainably without the excessive price tag.
If you don’t know where to begin, we have curated this list of our favourite Manchester independent brands and stores that are prioritising sustainability alongside style.
This Bury-based sassy clothing brand aims to empower women and promote individuality through slogan t-shirts – with ROR garments sported by style icons such as Louisa Johnson and Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall.
The brand made the switch to fairwear clothing in 2016, so you can guarantee their range is ethically-made.
Rock On Ruby also holds a weekly sample sale on their Instagram every Wednesday with any products that may have minor faults or misprints; eliminating waste and giving customers the perfect chance to get their hands on some pieces.
This contemporary unisex clothing brand is on a mission to prove that sustainable clothing doesn’t have to be plain or boring.
Based in the heart of Manchester, Native Youth is creating collections of modern, trend-led clothing that also have minimal impact on the earth.
The brand is continuing to develop products from sustainable sources and have vowed that all future collections will be made using 100% organic cotton.
Private White V.C. commemorates Manchester’s roots as ‘Cottonopolis’ during the Industrial Revolution; handcrafting all garments in the original Manchester cotton mill that has been the brand’s home since 1932.
Private White is committed to locally sourced manufacturing and handcrafting garments to result in less waste and a smaller carbon footprint, whilst still creating some stylish, staple men’s pieces.
After establishing two shops in South Manchester in 1994, McQueen Independent has been on the hunt for independent labels that share their love of vibrant colours and patterns.
Sustainability is crucial when curating these eclectic and quirky looks, and McQueen constantly strive to work with independents who are ethical and support Fairtrade.
Jeneral Store is an emerging Manchester-based fashion brand focused on creating trendy and affordable vintage collections.
Although scrunchies are the speciality, Jeneral sell a variety of reimagined items in signature girly style and pastel colour palette.
All products are either vintage or from an ethical supplier, with every single element down to the swing tags and packaging sustainably sourced and biodegradable.
Drama Call drop latest limited edition Manchester United collection
Danny Jones
Viral Manchester streetwear brand Drama Call has finally revealed its latest limited edition Man United collection, and it’s gone down an instant hit with fashionistas and football fans alike.
Better yet, they’re hosting a special pop-up store right outside Old Trafford, so expect massive queues.
Led by a special white jersey inspired by United‘s 1991 anniversary away shirt, the extremely anticipated release is the third they’ve done in tandem with the club, with the Manc company’s reputation having grown significantly over the years.
Now worn by stars such as Aitch, who models as the cover star of the campaign, these drops see hundreds, if not thousands, flock to get their hands on the casualwear – and this newest batch is set to be no different.
As you can see, while the new Drama Call x Man United collection would no doubt sell out online, the local label sticks to keeping the buzz with in-person pop-ups and often surprise locations in and around Greater Manchester.
In this instance, the usual crowds that surround the Drama Call van will be gathering right outside the official Manchester United Megastore for one day only this week.
Oh, and in case you didn’t already guess, it’s first-come, first-served and yes, you have to be very quick.
Besides the twist on the classic and already highly collectable kit design, the collection features a retro ’90s style track jacket, black pullover hoody, and two Drama Call stamped MUFC t-shirts – one black, one white and both with the iconic striped Adidas sleeves.
This isn’t the only big crossover they’ve unveiled in 2025, either, having teamed up with Adidas earlier this year for a very cool sneaker drop.
Big queues of 'sneakerheads' are expected in Manchester city centre tomorrow as a local fashion brand has teamed up with @adidasoriginals for a big collab. 👟
Once again, the Drama Call x Man United pop-up shop will be opening from 7pm this Thursday only and trust us, the stock won’t last for long.
There may be an opportunity to cop some clobber at a future date, but for now, this is your only opportunity for early access if you’re a big fan of their stuff or just a dyed-in-the-wool Red who fills their wardrobe with pretty much anything Man United.
We expect there’ll be a few going for that kit.
Limited edition footy shirts are all the rage at the moment, especially in the music world, but there’s also a rugby jersey that’s caught our eye recently.
Featured Images — Manchester United/Drama Call (press shots)
Style
Sale Sharks drop Haçienda-inspired away kit for the 2025/26 season
Danny Jones
Local rugby side Sale Sharks have just released their new away kit for the 2025/26 season, taking inspiration from Manchester’s legendary nightclub, The Haçienda.
The Greater Manchester club have a great run with Macron as their suppliers, with the Italian sportswear manufacturer coming on board in 2021, but this might be one of their best shirts yet.
After teasing the latest jersey with a ‘This is OUR NORTH’ trailer on Wednesday, 20 August, ahead of the Premiership Rugby season getting underway next month, supporters were excited to see what the pair had come up with for their latest design.
Turns out, they had every reason to be, as the 25/26 Sale Sharks kit has gone down as an instant hit, with the rich, almost wine coloured number integrating that iconic Haçienda pattern.
With Sharks men’s and women’s stars Carmen Castellucci, recent signing Nathan Jibulu, Nikita Prothero, Sam Dugdale, and Ernst van Rhyn all getting involved for the kit reveal, the new away shirt went on sale this Thursday morning (10 Aug).
Aside from the recognisable chevron pattern, which nods to the famous Mancunian music venue and the city’s storied clubbing scene, the launch video was filmed within a special exhibition in honour of the man behind The Haçienda and co-founder of Factory Records, the one and only Tony Wilson.
Plenty of tourists have visited the city to see the Tony Wilson Exhibition at the Smolensky Gallery – the showcase having just ended this past July – but this short shoot looks to help extend the celebrations of his legacy.
As for the kit itself, Sale Sharks and Macron have gone for another very Mancunian colour scheme, it would seem, choosing magenta and Bordeaux hues as a tribute to another one of our most famous creations: Vimto.
You’ve just got to love a kit with multiple hometown references.
It might not be full-on black and yellow (Man City already did that a couple of years ago), but it’s still an eye-catching pattern and colour combo.
Other little touches that will no doubt please fans include the embossed print depicting a shark fin at the bottom of the shirt and the date 1861 – the year the rugby union team was founded.
While plant-based ‘super food’ sponsor BOL takes pride of place in the front of the female jerseys, the men’s team remain with Toshiba, and the shirts themselves are made from Eco Fabric: 100% polyester derived from post-consumer recycled plastic.
So, what do you make of the new and very Manc away shirt, Sale Sharks fans? All we know is it’s been a great summer for kits all-round.
Daisy Bradbury -
10th September 2020 
